With either game you'll be happy I think. I love both these Jrpgs equally so it's difficult for me to choose for you. Sorry,Britt!

You're good! Any opinion helps really. I'm horrid at making decisions.

Well, as someone who pretty much never plays JRPGs, I say Rogue Galaxy, cause I like the jungle theme.

I am in a action RPG mood of sorts right now, now that I think about it....

I remember Rogue Galaxy having very floaty jumping and miserable camera. It's more along the lines of Kingdom Hearts in terms of action, but I couldn't get into it because of these things. 

Dragon Quest 8, I remember looking really gorgeous on PS2. Cel shading and everything. I also remember it being really hard for some reason. If you are a DQ completionist then you should try it out. Repetitive combat comes to mind. I think if you die you lose a lot of progress which bothered me. I can't remember to much. So long ago.

Have you played DQ 9 by the way? 

I've actually never played a Dragon Quest game in my life. Crazy, right?

I think the games have aged well enough. The cartoony style and 3D world of DQ 8 will probably make it easier to get into as opposed to the 2D styles of the older games.

well, I haven't played Rogue Galaxy, but DQVIII is a masterpiece, on of the last great JRPG's before JRPG's stopped being turn based and stuff.  It's just a lot of fun, and is very beautiful with great music, and has a lot of depth and is a huge game.  So even if you don't play it first, you owe it to yourself to play it.

Yeahhh I'm feeling the old turned based vibes I love so much

I have both. If you're more in an action mood than a turn-based mood, go with Rogue Galaxy. However, I think DQ VIII is a much better game than RG overall.

Thanks for the suggestion!

There both excellent games but you being the FFFan you are i personally think you would like DQVIII its huge and very good and slightly better then RG but thats a tough decision cause they both really are awesome i just think DQ would be more for you. And you know me and ps2 games there right up my alley and in the long run you will and must play DQVIII..And another thought is Persona 4 another awesome rpg that i would recommend anyway i hope thishelps.

I've been meaning to get Persona 4. I've heard NOTHING but great things.

Rogue Galaxy is a cool game but a little bit flawed in a few ways. DQVIII is a true masterpiece, I really can't fault it on anything. If you can only get one I would say Dragon Quest.

Definitely DQ VIII. I didn't much care for Rogue Galaxy but then I only played the demo.

The demo was horrible, and if I'd just gone by that, I never would have bought the game. Glad I did, though.

I own both, but only played DQ8.  DQ8 is a long game.  You will get your money's worth.  It was too long for me to finish.  

I say, find a way to get both, baller.  

Get them both, but if you're only going to get one, I'd go with DQVIII. RG is a great game, but it's not in the same league as DQVIII.

I really like both games.  If it is one or the other, I would go with DQVIII.  I thought it started out a bit slow, but after you get into it, it is a great games.  Good graphics, characters, story and it is a traditional turn based game.  I loved Rogue Galaxy also.  Graphics are similar.  Rogue Galaxy had a more actiony battle system, more Tales like.  I quit playing it my first time.  I just kept getting my ass handed too me early on.  But, I did give it another chance.  I didn't have that problem after the first couple areas.  The story was OK, but I liked the setting.

I'm coming in real late, but I say go with Dragon Quest VIII.  I hadn't enjoyed a new jrpg in years, and then Dragon Quest VIII came along and blew me away.  It was also my first Dragon Quest game ever.  Ever since then, I've been questing for dragons killing slimes like it's a full time job.  

Also, ever get/play Ni No Kuni?