But the higher-numbered FF games don't have mandatory cross-dressing! *just one reason I adore FF7*
For watching while someone else plays: Suikoden (for the PS2, alas) ROCKS. My favorites are 2 and 5. Suikoden 5 has the most compelling and complicated political story, plus the love story is not romantic, it's all about family. And canonical lesbians! Suikoden 2 has pretty boy annnnnnngst.
Also Persona. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PS2) has a female protagonist who kicks ass and a creepy, realistic urban legend. Persona 3 (PS2 and PSP) has an all-new mechanic, plus, I believe, you can select levels of play including an "easy" level designed for people just interested in the story. Compelling characters and story -- one of the characters is clearly of the Arisugawa Juri archetype. Persona 4 (PS2) tunes up the mechanic and adds a canonically queer character AND a genderqueer character. The Personas are all v. creepy in their own ways, but balance the creepiness with good story and funny moments at least as well as Full Metal Alchemist does. The original Persona has been remastered for the PSP, and Persona 2: Innocent Sin has just been released for the PSP as well (was not originally released in the US due to content issues [Nazis!] and possibly also because of the availability of a gay relationship option for the male protag).
no subject
For watching while someone else plays:
Suikoden (for the PS2, alas) ROCKS. My favorites are 2 and 5. Suikoden 5 has the most compelling and complicated political story, plus the love story is not romantic, it's all about family. And canonical lesbians! Suikoden 2 has pretty boy annnnnnngst.
Also Persona. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PS2) has a female protagonist who kicks ass and a creepy, realistic urban legend. Persona 3 (PS2 and PSP) has an all-new mechanic, plus, I believe, you can select levels of play including an "easy" level designed for people just interested in the story. Compelling characters and story -- one of the characters is clearly of the Arisugawa Juri archetype. Persona 4 (PS2) tunes up the mechanic and adds a canonically queer character AND a genderqueer character. The Personas are all v. creepy in their own ways, but balance the creepiness with good story and funny moments at least as well as Full Metal Alchemist does. The original Persona has been remastered for the PSP, and Persona 2: Innocent Sin has just been released for the PSP as well (was not originally released in the US due to content issues [Nazis!] and possibly also because of the availability of a gay relationship option for the male protag).