For more on my CRPG QotD, please see my blog http://www.wastedbrilliance.com/2008... - Brooks Bishop

One is just fine with me with 2 through 6 support characters. The Mass Effect or Oblivion style of play is just great if you ask me. Play one character only but control a small army. - Alex Scoble

I like the secret of mana and FF12 style of things, one main character with the ability to switch between all available party members at need - shawn

However many the story requires I suppose. 6 or so I guess. No more then 3 or 4 at a time though. (assuming it is turn based gameplay) - Geoff Schultz

I like 1-4 "main" playable characters, then at least 4-8 more supporting characters with specific stories/side-quests. Too many more than that and it can get a bit difficult to choose your party as you move through the game. Too much smaller, and the game might be too simple. - Jennifer Dittrich

Depending on story and classes, up to 8 max is my preference. Of course, you could get nuts like the Suikoden series. :) - Arlan Koizumi

I loved that Chrono Cross had sooooo many. Also like a variety of different kinds of girls. - Lindsey is Fierce!

Yeah, I don't like it when you have to switch characters as part of story progression ala Lost Odyssey. Show that stuff in a cut scene. And Mass Effect was by no means a simple RPG even though you always play as the main character with only 2 sidekicks. Then again you have 6 sidekicks to choose from. - Alex Scoble

I like a very large cast. But I also think it's important for every playable character to be someone you can feel attached to on some level. Chrono Cross' large cast was interesting, but most were just thrown in to increase the character count or lost their story from all the cuts. I think there should be as many characters as can be supported by back story and plot. - Brooks Bishop

I think the cast on Chrono Cross made it more interesting for subsequent playthroughs. - Lindsey is Fierce!

Console and RPG... those two do not, have never, belonged together ;) - Michael W. May from twhirl

+1 Lindsey - I had forgotten Chrono Cross' endless cast. For that game I did really love all of the different variations :) - Jennifer Dittrich