Playstation 2 RPG Recommendations (1 Viewer)

[Chris Flynn]

Well, I think I'm finally going to pick up a PS2 in the next week or so, mainly because I've had the desire to play some Japanese style RPGs the past few months... And the lack of any on Xbox and Gamecube has forced me into this position.

What are some great RPGs that I should defintely buy for PS2? Bear in mind that the Final Fantasy series (on NES / SNES) were probably my favorite RPGs of all time.

Help me spend money here people!

Oh, and does anyone have a list of the FF games that were released on Playstation 1/2? I think I'd like to try and get all of them at some point...

 

[Morgan Jolley]

Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy Anthology (V, VI)
Final Fantasy Chronicles (IV, Chrono Trigger)
Final Fantasy Origins (I, II)

Those are the PlayStation FF games. It's pretty much every FF game except for the Japanese Final Fantasy III.

On PS2, there's only Final Fantasy X. Soon, FFX-2 (the sequel to FFX) is coming out (this fall, I think) and FFXI (online only) might come out the end of this year. FFXII will probably be out next year at the earliest.

And that's just the FF games. There are other PS2 RPGs to get, like Xenosaga.

 

[Romier S]

A recommendation from me Chris:

Dark Cloud 2 (Go buy now!)- Recently started delving deper into the game and its an amazing experience thus far. Exellent story, graphics are some of the best on any console and the combat and geo-rama system are very fun!

Also recommended:

Xenosaga - Very cinemtic heavy but the story is excellent. Combat system is very deep and enjoyable and the ability to pause and skip cinematics at will make sitting through the lengthy proceedings far more bearable. (Its nice being able to take a break whenever I want)

 

[Dave F]

Final Fantasy X and Xenosaga. Those two will keep you busy (and happy!) for a long, long time.

-Dave

 

[Chris Flynn]

Well, today was a good day. But first off, I still don't own a PS2 yet. And I stress the yet part.

But I did take a trip to my (not so) local EBGames. And this is what I returned with:

Mint or Near-Mint pre-owned copies of:

Final Fantasy Anthology
Final Fantasy Chronicles
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy IX
Chrono Cross

Using my EB Edge card, I saved 10% on each pre-owned game, for a grand total of ~140$.

The big scores for me were Final Fantasy Anthology & Chronicles. Both of those games I couldn't find anywhere new, and on Ebay they're going for like 50$-75$ new. the copies I found are in near mint condition.

Now all I need for my Final Fantasy collections are:

Final Fantasy X
Kingdom Hearts
Legend of Mana (?)

I'm most likely going to get my PS2 next weekend, with one of the above games and Xenosaga. I'll work on whatever else I'm missing afterwards. Thanks for the recommendations all!

 

[Ben Seibert]

Though you have some great games that will probably last you a few months there, I'd also recommend .Hack//Infection, a new action RPG I've been enjoying recently.

 

[Chris Flynn]

Ben, that's on my list of games to get as well.

Final Fantasy X
Kingdom Hearts
.hack//Infection
Dragon Warrior 7
Tales of Destiny 1/2
Star Ocean : The Second Story
Valkyrie Profile
Ogre Battle
Tactics Ogre
Front Mission 3
Legend of Mana

Some of these are probably going to be hard to find, but I'm gonna try my best to see what I can get pre-owned (and in good condition) and I'll Ebay the rest.

 

[JoshF]

You may want to check out both of the Legaias as well:

Legend of Legaia
Legaia II: Duel Saga

 

[John-Miles]

What system id dragon warrior 7 out for PSx or PS2? as well is it any good, i havent played a dragon warrior since i gt the first one for free with my nintendo power subscription.

 

[paul h]

Could also try..

Wild Arms 3
Okage: Shadow King
Breath Of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Suikoden III

 

[Ben_Hud]

man, when somebody traded in Legend of mana one day at gamestop...
my friend and I were working, he bought it instantly and almost passed from the shock of somebody trading it in... oh to see anybodys face that gets ahold of a copy of Legend of Mana

 

[BrianB]

What system id dragon warrior 7 out for PSx or PS2?

PSX. It's good, but very very long.

 

[Scott_W]

Xenosaga is by far the best RPG I've played on the PS2. Primarily because I love anime and the space setting, as opposed to the same fantasy stuff.

Dark Cloud 2 is very well done as well. Its more of an action RPG, but great fun.

Both Dark Cloud 2 and Xenosaga will take you along time (40+ hours as well).

Final Fantasy X is good, but can't match the first two, imo. Random battles make the fights forgettable and painful, combined with an easy fight system and blah character upgrade setup. Still, fun story and great graphics.

Kingdom Hearts is a fun action RPG, and a must if you like Disney titles.

.hack is an average action rpg, but has a decent story.

Breath of Fire is supposed to be very good, though hard. Wild Arms III is underated in a fun western setting.

 

[Chris Flynn]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys. I've got my work cut out for me trying to find some of these games I think.

My (soon to be purchased) PS2 is going to turn into quite the RPG console I think. Which is not a bad thing at all for me. It's been a LONG time since I've sat down and played through a good RPG.

 

[Brian Kleinke]

All those are exceelent suggestions.

Just those FF games will keep you SO busy

Is Legend of Mana really rare now? It's one of the few RPGs I have on the consoles that my wife will play! (Perhaps all the Mana games are hard to find or something... good thing I've got Secret and Legend )

 

[DaveGTP]

Big time RPG-gamer here. A second here for Dragon Warrior 7, very good old-school RPG. And actually difficult, unlike FFX, FFVII (they were good, but they WERE easy). Be sure to turn on the advanced PS1 emulation options in the PS2 menu, DWVII was designed with them in mind, and looks a lot cleaner with them running.
Also Lunar & Lunar 2 remakes, very good RPGs, they were Sega CD games so you probably never played them (I hadn't), very good challenge.

 

[Ben Seibert]

Not to add even more to your list, but the Arc the Lad Collection is only $20 at Media Play and Sam Goody if you can find it. Includes 4 games, and some great extras.

 

[JamesH]

I found Suikoden 3 to be by far the best RPG on the PS2. Final Fantasy X is somewhat good, depending on if you've gotten tired of the angst ridden teenage boy type main character Square is fond of using.

I haven't finished Xenosaga, but I'd recommend it from what I've played. Wild Arms 3 is very solid, and in the same spirit as the SNES RPGs, but I'd wait on it until you finish all the PS1 FF's you bought. I also have to throw in a recommendation for Kessen 2 and Dynasty Tactics, which aren't true RPGs but have some RPG elements.

 

[Brian Kleinke]

Lunar 1 & 2 are both excellent though e-bay might be your best chance to get your hands on em... They also might be the only RPGs with Hard Cover strategy guides.

 

[JoshF]

I never got into Suikoden 3. I'll try again, no doubt, but I found the characters (main character is the sterotypical bemused boy) and story pretty goofy.

Dark Cloud 2 is a must if you like action RPGs.

Also along the action side is Drakan: The Ancients' Gates, a little talked-about game that I think is brilliant.