>nobody talking about Baten Kaitos
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean is a pretty standard JRPG (or at least the 25 hours I played before my save file corrupted were), but the battle system is something truly unique. Essentially:
>battle is card-based, with each party member and enemy having a deck of cards, which is a mixture of signature cards and generic cards
>you draw cards into your hand at the start of battle, then replace them as they're used
>when your character does an attack, you have a chance to play a card to modify each hit of the attack in real-time (the window is pretty generous)
>playing the right cards in order (like a sword attack, then fire magic) will change a card in your hand into a specific follow-up attack, which are unique per character
So, I could use my character's signature sword attack cards to get a damage bonus compared to the generic attacks. Using a fire card means your attack has fire properties and is super effective vs ice monsters, etc. It might be more effective to burn an armour card on an attack just to give it an elemental property for bonus damage instead of saving it for your defensive turn (see below).
HOWEVER:
>cards have up to two numbers each, which are like the numbers in a suit of playing cards
>you choose a number when you play the card
>if you get a set (3+ matching cards) or a run (3+ sequential cards) in a single attack, then you get a massive damage bonus
The trick is that you're constantly acquiring new cards, and using new number combinations to fine-tune each character's deck to maximize set/run opportunities, or elemental synergies. You draw the cards while you're attack, too, so you need to be quick and have a good understanding of the numbers in order to properly react.
FURTHERMORE:
>both you and your enemies have defensive turns, where characters can play cards on themselves in order to counteract incoming attacks
>this includes armour items and healing items
>the optimal strategy is to play speed gin rummy when attacking, then use your armour and healing items to target yourself as your enemies attack
>you can actually net healing if you use the items properly
Sure, you COULD be a pussy and use a healing item on your offensive turn, but then you've given up your chance to attack, and you're likely to take more damage than you healed. You could be an even bigger pussy and heal outside of battle, but those healing items are separate from your cards, expensive, and heal little.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL:
>items change over time depending on how you use them, because your cards can represent anything from weapons to food
>if you get a bunch of bananas to use as in-battle healing items, they will eventually turn into rotten bananas and become useless
>>aw yeah, this "pure elemental ice" is awesome, it tacks on a bunch of damage and works with everyone
>>>wait why do i have this "pure spring water" card? i don't recall getting tha- OH MY GOD
>if you want to acquire new cards, you need to use the camera card and forego all other rewards during battle, so you'd better be willing to roll the dice when the time comes
>you can combine items in battle to forge custom loot and new cards
>>want steamed rice? use a helmet armour card, water magic card, fire magic card, and plain rice card in the same battle
>>>because you're filling the helmet with water, adding the rice, and then cooking it
>>>>there are hundreds of obscure combinations like this
The voice acting leaves a bit to be desired, but the battle system alone is worth the price of admission and the time you'll spend.