Xenogears

This is simply one of the best RPGs ever made, if not the best. The story far surpasses FFVII, FFVIII, or even Chrono Trigger. The characters are vividly detailed and believable. The dialogue can be stilted at times, but it only adds to the game's charm. The art design is fantastic, and Yasunori Mitsuda's score is beyond description.

Xenogears is a fairly challenging game even for RPG buffs; expect to attempt some major boss battles 2-3 times and trying different strategies. It's also a long game; my first playthrough was around 50 hours. I've recently started to play through it again, just to relive the experience that nearly consumed my life for a month or two in 1999.

If you somehow missed this one, buy it ASAP. It was hard to get for a while, but a Greatest Hits version was reissued a year or two ago. This is not a game - more like an experience. It probably sounds like hyperbole, but you have to play Xenogears for yourself. After the first hour or two, you won't be able to stop.