I've enjoyed playing RPGs since the days of Dragon Warrior on the NES. Here's a list of my favorite RPGs, covering a variety of gameplay types and subgenres.
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Quite possibly my favorite game ever, Valkyrie Profile combines unique 2D platforming and an engaging combat system with a story that is alternately heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Final Fantasy VI set what I considered the standard for a quality RPG for nearly a decade. A large, diverse cast, engaging story, and loads of memorable moments. Final Fantasy VI is in my estimation the best game in the series.
And right behind Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy IV took the series in a new direction with an emphasis on story, greatly increasing the complexity while making the characters more memorable and endearing. Cecil's struggle to become a Paladin is one of the defining stories of the series.
No RPG that came before Chrono Trigger was quite like it. A unique combat system, a colorful world seen from multiple eras and more endings than could be counted on both hands are just some of the reasons to play this game.
Take the action-filled dungeon crawler click-fest that was Diablo, then make it bigger, better, and more engaging.
Dragon Warrior III, or Dragon Quest III, is easily my favorite in the series, if only for the ability to completely customize my party at the start of the game. Roam the countryside with a party of goof-offs? I can do that!
The first PC RPG I played based on the D&D license, Icewind Dale was not an easy game. I started over more times than I care to think, but it was so engaging that I couldn't bring myself to give up.
Two words, baby: Horse Wiener! Disgaea burst onto the scene with insane game mechanics with a level cap of 9,999, the ability to overturn senate votes by force, and some of the wittiest, disarmingly absurd RPG dialogue I've ever read.
This is the game that I credit for introducing me to the Megami Tensei franchise. Persona 3 came along at just the right time for me, introducing me to characters and gameplay that made a large impact on how I view games today.
Like Persona 3, but better in most every way, with an engaging murder mystery plot and a cast full of likable characters. To the Meat Dimension, and beyond!