Persona (PlayStation, 1997)

Back when there was hardly any RPGs for the PS Persona was beacon of light. It has the basic fantasy RPG elements like turn base combat/exploration all in a modern setting along with some other modern elements like 1st person 3D dungeons. Another good element is that instead of defeating your foes you could win a battle with conversation and sometimes you could get the foe to join your cuase by recieving there card. these inturn could be used and combined to creat summons/spells which where called persona powers that leveled(ranked) up along with you. These persona powers also enhanced your attributes and attacks as well. All in all I spent many hours just exploring and creating new persona powers not to mention the casino which has some rare super items you can purchase with your chips.

P.S all my friends would laugh when the ppl in my party where attacking with AK-47s and Shotguns, while my main character still attacked with a big sword.