@PseudoKirby:
a game cant be best console RPG if it still has a TURN BASED BATTLE SYSTEM
Symphonia was the best last gen, and I dont like going back to a previous gen right after leaving it, only for like nostalgia reasons
and as for a sequel, its like the final fantasy games
Because after all, a turn based system where you can use strategy and tecchnique to get in double hits or capitilize on enemy weaknesses, or plan what you're going to do, is so inferior to button mashing or abusing one particular move while 3 computer controlled AIs help out.
I enjoy the Tales series, I've played a lot of them, but they are all pretty much the same in terms of plot and combat system. (I do wanna play Vesperia sheerly for the dog tho.) I loved Star Ocean 2 way more than any of the Tales games, I'm not sure why. Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana are pretty much perfect games, and Zelda and Okami are of course the epitome, and they're real time fighting. But I also loved Dragon Warrior, Beath of Fire, and Final Fantasy, Super Mario RPG, Shadow Hearts, Pokemon, Disgea, Grandia and a ton more. There's so many variants on turn based systems its ridiculous. Some turn based systems are real time and fast, just with an attack order based around agility. And Persona has a FANTASTIC fighting system full of strategy and depth that gets more complex and involved as the game goes along.
There's a place for button mashing rpgs AND turn based rpgs, they're both good. You shouldn't write a game off entirely just because its one or the other. Particular the "next gen/previous gen" debate, since the last games for a system are usually the very best, and better than the first year or two of games for the new Gen.
And really, Persona 3 is pretty much the perfect RPG. I'm playing through it a second time and its amazing. I don't know anything about part 4 yet, but it should be amazing.