38. Broken Record
Episode: We’ll Always Have Paris (1×24)
In between Picard reminiscing about the broken hearts he left behind, a broken time continuum keeps popping up. This episode shows several time glitches and this one’s my favorite:
Best Moments of TNG: 40, 39
40. The Romulans Are Back
Episode: The Neutral Zone (1×26)
Season one did not have a lot of bright moments, even for Picard, with whom the show would have been likely cancelled without. He was frequently loud, temperamental, and impatient. But he showed flashes of the great captain he became, including this moment, the Federation’s first meeting with the Romulans in decades. The Ferengi bombed just as quickly as they were introduced, and the show desperately needed a villain. Bringing back one from the original series could have been mishandled, but the writers managed to do well here. Not only that, they kind-of sort-of introduce the Borg threat that would get explored further in season two.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Top 40 Moments
Death By Troggles was born with Star Trek: TNG, and one of my readers suggested a while back I go and do a top moments list for the show. The staff here went back and forth for a long time and finally settled on a list everyone can be happy with. Come back tomorrow to see #40 and #39!
Trek at its best put me on the edge of my seat, made me laugh, made me cry, gave me the chills, or gave me food for thought with a powerful message. Most of these moments got a mention during the episode countdown, so there shouldn’t be a ton of surprises; naturally, my favorite episodes tend to have my favorite moments as well. But there are some excellent episodes (Ship in a Bottle, for instance) that I love but don’t have a single moment that really stands out. And, naturally, there are a few moments from mediocre episodes that still get me to this day.
And in case there were any worries, Justice will not get a mention.
RPG Wrap-Up
I started out the countdown by stating that it’s very possible I’ll never play an RPG again. If I do, here are a few that are on my list:
Breath of Fire series
Phantasy Star series
Final Fantasy V
Two questions for my readers:
1. Have you played any of the above games and do you think I’d like them?
2. What other RPGs have you played that would make your top list? Feel free to drop your own list if you like.
1. Earthbound
Developer: HAL, Ape
Publisher: Nintendo
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES, WiiU
Considered a cult classic, I have never known anyone personally to dislike this RPG. In fact, I am not sure I know anyone who doesn’t love it like crazy. But when the market for RPGs was still trying to gain steam in America, Earthbound had no place and the sales figures were awful. Released in a huge box with a huge strategy guide, Earthbound was obviously quirky from the start. While on the surface the game seems little more than a goofy parody of American culture and other RPGs, therein lies a high-quality adventure with a gripping story and superb game mechanics.
2. Final Fantasy VI
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES, GBA, Playstation, PS3, PSP, Wii, Android
I got this for Christmas shortly after it came out, but didn’t play it for two months as I also received Link to the Past. I think that easily qualifies as the most bang for buck Christmas ever as a child. Other than Tecmo Super Bowl, I have never spent more time playing a video game. While this no doubt influenced the ranking, I can’t help but feel nothing but love for this game despite all of its obvious problems.
3. Chrono Trigger
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES, DS, Playstation, PS3, PSP, Wii, iPhone, Android
I heard how awesome this game was for five years before I finally put some serious cash down for it on eBay. It blew away all expectation I had. While the characters are only about average as far as RPGs go, it has my favorite battle system and an incredible plot that spans multiple timelines with significant choices the player can make to alter events.
4. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Developer: Chunsoft
Publisher: Enix
Year: 1992
Platform: SNES (Japanese only); DS
I first played this game on a SNES emulator with an English translation patch, then later on the DS. The DS version has a few additions that may increase enjoyment; regardless, both versions are an example of a great RPG, with emphasis on the role-playing.
Continue reading 4. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
5. Final Fantasy IX
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square
Year: 2000
Platform: Playstation, PS3, PSP
The last RPG I played, I consumed it during a one-month period in 2011 when I was unemployed. I rejoined the workforce completely satisfied. Getting away from the futuristic, steampunk atmospheres from the previous two games, Square returned to its roots with classic characters and a classic battle system that is the most user-friendly since Final Fantasy IV.
6. Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Developer: Neverland
Publisher: Natsume
Year: 1996
Platform: SNES
While Final Fantasy Legend II was miles ahead of its predecessor, it was a very similar game with a significantly improved plot. Lufia II is so unlike the first game in the series that it’s hard to believe they have the same name. About the only thing that’s similar about the two games is the battle interface, which was the best part it took from it’s older cousin. Everything else has been revamped to make Lufia II a near perfect RPG.
Death By Troggles 
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