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Which PS2 RPGs should I play?
- Thread starter Fou-Lu
- Start date
Vincent Grayson
Member
The reason I put it behind PS1 and PS2 is that while several big ones are there, by being pre-FF7, the system missed out on a fuckton of those games at the time (for us English speakers, anyway).
I think if I'd grown up being able to play DQ5 and 6, Bahamut Lagoon, Seiken Densetsu 3, Star Ocean, Tales of Phantasia, etc, I'd look back at the SNES more fondly.
Yeah, it definitely did miss out on some big Japan exclusives but even just the English lineup is so strong even "B-Tier" stuff like Secret of Evermore and the Breath of Fire games and deep cuts like Robotrek are so great that I definitely favor it.
Plus, I think that the games generally hold up better since they don't have those early 3D shittiness problems to muddy the graphics.
All great systems though. The gaming gods were good to us for a long stretch there!
The real god-tier RPG system is DS anyways!
The Praiseworthy
Member
Xenosaga Episode II is the weakest link in the trilogy... but still have good story and wonderful OST and fun battle system.
You should give Nocturne another chance. It's kinda slow at first, story is alright and most central characters are terrible but the world is pretty interesting, music is wonderful (sound quality is bad tho) and the combat is fantastic. Plus if you've already finished SJ then it shouldn't be hard at all.
If not, there's always Digital Devil Saga. Gameplay isn't as exciting but it's still great, and you get the whole package here. Everything from story, to characters and music is superb.
If not, there's always Digital Devil Saga. Gameplay isn't as exciting but it's still great, and you get the whole package here. Everything from story, to characters and music is superb.
Vincent Grayson
Member
I wish we could open a portal to the universe were Xenogears was a well-executed 6-part sci-fi saga that has yet to be matched in gaming. Some sad series called "Mass Effect" tried, but just couldn't hit the peak that Xenogears did.
But no, instead we got Xenosaga, and that was pretty cool too, but then got all butchered and weird with three different games with wildly different gameplay, visuals, and general quality (IMO). I mean, I'm glad it exists, but I can't think of another trilogy where each title is so different from the previous one in so many ways, and on a single console no less!
The Praiseworthy
Member
Yeah I know what do you mean... Xenosaga Episode III hit the PERFECT note and ended up being one of the best JRPG games of all time, if only they decided on the same note as Ep III from the start....
Magicpaint
Member
FInal Fantasy XII
Dragon Quest VIII
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Suikoden V
Tales of the Abyss
Tales of Rebirth (because best battle system ever)
SMT: Nocturne (you can also try the DDS games but Nocturne is the best and you should give it another look)
Persona 3/4
Dragon Quest VIII
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Suikoden V
Tales of the Abyss
Tales of Rebirth (because best battle system ever)
SMT: Nocturne (you can also try the DDS games but Nocturne is the best and you should give it another look)
Persona 3/4
Dark_castle
Junior Member
DS?
You're counting its backward compatiblity list right? The system itself only otherwise house a neat selection of DQ and Pokemon, and some Atlus's RPG's here and there, but otherwise it wouldn't even come close to SNES, PS1 and PS2.
I would honestly suggest playing it on emulator if you can, the ability to fast forward during the filler dungeons or when you are hunting for virus cores is a god send and it will make the title at least enjoyable.
I feel like PS1 has the highest degree of truly memorable stuff, PS2 quality is overall weaker ( I'm not saying bad, mind you) and we lost a lot of important features like the world map but it does have really A LOT of more games.
themagicalkitsune
Member
Dragon Quest 8 but if you have a 3ds I suggest waiting until it releases there in the west since there's loads of extra content.
Breath of Fire V would also be a clear choice based on your avatar.
Breath of Fire V would also be a clear choice based on your avatar.
Robert at Zeboyd Games
Banned
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is easily one of my Top 3 RPGs of All Time. It's almost nothing like the other games (or other RPGs in general) and it quite unforgiving (but it is possible to beat without restarting if you play well), but so worth it. It's almost a Survival Horror/RPG hybrid in a lot of ways. It features fantastic music, a minimalist but exceptionally well done story (and some of the best directed cutscenes ever), an excellent battle system, and good replay value.
A gaming life that has not had Nocturne in it is a poorly-led one.
what is this!!
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
SatelliteOfLove
Member
hot damn.
Maybe i should get into the smt series.
The only games ive played are the persona ones.
Im hoping nocturne is on the playstation store (ps2 classic?).
I assume this series is like final fantasy where they don't connect and I can jump in wherever.
The guy right above you linked to the PS store.
And yeah, you don't need to play any of the previous SMT games or anything.
Edit: For Nocturne, I mean. Some SMT games are direct sequels, Like Digital Devil Saga>Digital Devil Saga 2
It's available on the US PSN store as a ps2 clasic for PS3 at least, and yeah very few games in the series are directly connected, and Nocturne is fair game for newcomers.
It's a bit punishing at first but as long as you learn to use de/buffs and fuse new demons regularly, you won't have much trouble. Combat is similar to P3 and 4 except 10 times more fun and with more freedom. It's a blast.
No
Yes
Yes
Story / setting is godlike, but the battle system is utter trash imo.
It's ok. Just average in everything and can be very grindy if you want to complete everything. Just played it earlier this year and I've played worse.
GOD NO DON'T (and I love the game).
NO
Yes (if you can co-op)
I thought about this, and considering what games I have played and what remains (and I have played a sizeable chunk of RPGs), I'll probably still have stuff to play when I'm in my 80's, even if Japan suddenly decides to completely shut down their core gaming development tomorrow.
People have a way of making this game sound amazing. Does it run well on pcsx2? Might be my next buy.
Awesome post. It makes me really happy that someone else appreciated the cutscene direction as much as I did. The models are simple, the animations are limited, there's no voice acting, but for to the direction they feel light years ahead of other PS2 JRPGs of the time (not naming names).
Elven_Star
Member
I really want to get into this, but the fact that it's an unfinished project always holds me back. Xenogears is my favorite game of all times, btw.
My favorite trilogy of all time... prepare yourself for falling in love with this masterpiece.
I mean Xenogears is an unfinished product. So it's not any different I assume.
KoolAidPitcher
Member
I recently played Final Fantasy XII, and it was way, way better than I had remembered it. At the time I thought it was strange it didn't have random battles, but now I realize it was way ahead of its time.
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I had a friend in school who would not shut up about this game back then haha. Mind you, I wouldn't shut up about Final Fantasy IX so...
That's amazing. I wonder what her favorite demon is
Right on regarding SMT games! And yeah, that 10 hours wasted is better than 60 is a great quote that I need to always remember haha