Hello! This thread was inspired, frankly, by the sudden and surprisingly rich lineup of RPGs on the PSP that’s coming in the future. The announcement of the Tactics Ogre remake and the upcoming release of Ys Seven doesn’t hurt either 
But the fact is clear: if you like JRPGS (or Strategy RPGs or Action RPGs), there is no excuse for not owning a PSP. You’re just going to be depriving yourself… And I didn't even include games that have been released in years prior!
Quick notes before we begin. I only included games which have already been announced for North American release. I also try to use in-game English screenshots whenever possible. Yes, I occasionally fudge the RPG classification, but not so much that you’ll see games like Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker on here. Anyhow, hope that this thread will inspire some people to go out and get a PSP for these games (or at least get the games!).
2010 Titles:
Lunar: Silver Star Harmony
Company: XSEED Games
Category: RPG
Release Date: March 2nd, 2010
Website: http://www.lunarsilverstarharmony.com/
Metacritic: 80/100
The original Lunar needs no introduction, but this ground-up remake has also been favorably reviewed, as can be seen on Metacritic (current score: 80). It’s so pretty now! And it’s currently on sale on PSN for $14.99! What are you waiting for!
Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley
Company: Natsume
Category: Farm Simulation
Release Date: April 26th, 2010
Website: http://www.natsume.com/coming_soon/games/hmholv/index.html
Metacritic: 74/100
If you want a Harvest Moon game on your PSP, then apparently this is the game to get. Can’t say much since I have admittedly never played any of the Harvest Moon games…
Hexyz Force
Company: Atlus USA
Category: RPG
Release Date: May 25th, 2010
Website: http://www.atlus.com/hexyzforce/
Metacritic: 68/100 (ludicrous - should be at least 75+!)
Don’t let the bafflingly low review scores fool you – this is one fine RPG! For one, it has one of the best features ever in an RPG – the fast-forward button. It means tedious combat can now be finished in seconds! Plus, the story of the male protagonist is quite good. Luckily I didn’t start with the girl since I can see why people would find her and her friends annoying…
Persona 3 Portable
Company: Atlus USA
Category: RPG
Release Date: July 6th, 2010
Website: http://www.atlus.com/p3p/
Metacritic: 91/100
What else is there to say? It’s Persona 3, but now in portable form. And with a whole new female protagonist. Which means different social link options. Very well-reviewed, although it just lost its position as the #1 game on PSP ever on Metacritic…
Ys Seven
Company: XSEED Games
Category: Action RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: August 17th, 2010
Website: http://www.worldofys.com
Metacritic: 79/100
The legendary Ys series returns to North America, this time with a brand new sequel developed directly by Falcom themselves! Adol Christin’s 7th adventure has already been released in Japan to great acclaim, with many calling the fast-paced ARPG one of the best in the series. Just check out the official website – if the music alone doesn’t knock your socks off, then you don’t have a pulse. And the collector’s edition is positively yummy.
Valkyria Chronicles II
Company: Sega
Category: Tactical RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: August 31st, 2010
Website: http://www.sega.com/games/valkyria-chronicles-2/
Metacritic: 83/100
Having never played the original game (since I don’t own a PS3), all I know of the game is via its stellar reputation…and the amount of bitching that occurred when the sequel was announced for the PSP. Anyhow, from the looks of it, the art style and the combat carries over quite successfully, although the maps are obviously smaller for portable play. The game’s coming out soon, and Sega didn’t even bother with a proper trailer except for this ludicrously short “Announcement Trailer”.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
Company: Square Enix
Category: Action RPG
Format: UMD only
Release Date: September 7th, 2010
Website: http://na.square-enix.com/khbbs/
Metacritic: 82/100
What else needs to be said? It’s the Kingdom Hearts prequel on the PSP, and judging by the impressions of the Japanese version, it’s one of the best titles in the series. Oh, and there’s a delicious-looking Collector’s Edition slated for Europe (but not for North America??). Anyways, if you are a fan then you’ll be picking it up already!
Gladiator Begins
Company: Aksys Games
Category: Gladiatorial Action
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: September 14th, 2010
Website: http://www.aksysgames.com/games/gb/
Metacritic: 59/100
OK, this is NOT an RPG, but I’m really looking forward to it, so I’m cheating a bit by including it here In some ways you could consider it a dungeon crawler – there’s a lot of stat upgrades, customizations and equipment you can get as you win battles. Jiji has a wonderful thread on the game here. It certainly explains the game much better than I ever can. There’s even a demo out on Aksys’ website, so why not go and try it out? The graphics are even surprisingly good. Trailer is here.
Phantasy Star Portable 2
Company: Sega
Category: Action RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: September 14th, 2010
Website: http://www.sega.com/games/phantasy-star-portable-2/
Metacritic: 69/100
After unexpectedly selling a boatload of copies in Japan (and much, much less than that in North America), Phantasy Star Portable is getting a new localized sequel, to the relief of PSP (that’s Phantasy Star Portable!) fans. Again, followers of the Phantasy Star Universe series can probably do much better than me in explaining the game, so instead here’s another trailer from Sega that manages to say very little about the actual game. Plus, the game now has full infrastructure mode.
Cladun: This is an RPG
Company: NIS America
Category: Action RPG
Format: PSN (UMD unconfirmed)
Release Date: September 21st, 2010
Website: http://www.nisamerica.com/games/cladun/
Metacritic: 80/100
Actually this is NOT an RPG – it’s an Action RPG, but whatever. Something about this game’s sprites reminds me of Namco’s classic The Legend of Valkyrie, which is a very, very good thing. Anyways, this purposefully retro-looking game (I guess the craze is still going strong?) is a hack-n’-slash/loot-athon paradise. You can even choose between TG-16-esque chiptunes or the regular soundtrack. Here’s the English trailer. Note: the game is only on PSN, so no UMD release.
Blazing Souls Accelate
Company: Aksys Games
Category: Strategy RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: October 19th, 2010
Website: http://www.aksysgames.com/games/bsa/
Developer Neverland (Generation of Chaos, Spectral Force) ported the original 2006 PS2 Strategy RPG game to the PSP in 2009 and gave it a nonsensical new title. Considering how the last few PSP Neverland/Idea Factory games were received, hopefully this game will be an improvement (for one, the load times problems in earlier games have been corrected). Aksys Games (the BlazBlue guys) are localizing it.
Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger Vs. Darkdeath Evilman
Company: NIS America
Category: Dungeon Crawler RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: October 26th, 2010
Website: http://nisamerica.com/games/zhp/splash/
Metacritic: 81/100
NISA continues to be enamored by long titles with this long-awaited localization of Zettai Hero Project, the wacky dungeon crawling, quasi-strategy RPG developed by the main Disgaea team. In order for you to appreciate the humor, I present to you its amazing trailer. Admittedly I still don’t quite get how the game works, but am looking forward to finding out more!
Ys: The Oath in Felghana
Company: XSEED Games
Category: Action RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: November 2nd, 2010
http://www.worldofys.com/ysf/
Metacritic: 81/100
This remake of the much-maligned Ys III was released on the PC to much fanboy adulation, although admittedly I will miss the voice acting from the original TG16 CD-ROM version (Chester anyone?). Gone are the side-scrolling action, replaced with a top-down 3D engine first sported by Ys: The Ark of Naphistim, but now refined to perfection by developer Falcom themselves. The PSP port now even sports full voice-acting!
Knights in the Nightmare
Company: Atlus USA
Category: Strategy RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: November 9th, 2010
Website: http://www.atlus.com/knightspsp/
Metacritic: 75/100
Sting/Atlus does it again with yet another enhanced port to the PSP (after Riviera and Yggdra Union). Part bullet-hell, part Strategy RPG, this was original a DS game that uses the stylus. How the game translates to the PSP is still a bit of a mystery, to be truthful (yes I know the game’s out in Japan!). But the game has upgraded visuals and music, and also features Princess Yggdra as a playable 3rd character. English teaser trailer here.
But the fact is clear: if you like JRPGS (or Strategy RPGs or Action RPGs), there is no excuse for not owning a PSP. You’re just going to be depriving yourself… And I didn't even include games that have been released in years prior!Quick notes before we begin. I only included games which have already been announced for North American release. I also try to use in-game English screenshots whenever possible. Yes, I occasionally fudge the RPG classification, but not so much that you’ll see games like Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker on here. Anyhow, hope that this thread will inspire some people to go out and get a PSP for these games (or at least get the games!).
2010 Titles:
Lunar: Silver Star Harmony
Company: XSEED Games
Category: RPG
Release Date: March 2nd, 2010
Website: http://www.lunarsilverstarharmony.com/
Metacritic: 80/100
The original Lunar needs no introduction, but this ground-up remake has also been favorably reviewed, as can be seen on Metacritic (current score: 80). It’s so pretty now! And it’s currently on sale on PSN for $14.99! What are you waiting for!
Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley
Company: Natsume
Category: Farm Simulation
Release Date: April 26th, 2010
Website: http://www.natsume.com/coming_soon/games/hmholv/index.html
Metacritic: 74/100
If you want a Harvest Moon game on your PSP, then apparently this is the game to get. Can’t say much since I have admittedly never played any of the Harvest Moon games…
Hexyz Force
Company: Atlus USA
Category: RPG
Release Date: May 25th, 2010
Website: http://www.atlus.com/hexyzforce/
Metacritic: 68/100 (ludicrous - should be at least 75+!)
Don’t let the bafflingly low review scores fool you – this is one fine RPG! For one, it has one of the best features ever in an RPG – the fast-forward button. It means tedious combat can now be finished in seconds! Plus, the story of the male protagonist is quite good. Luckily I didn’t start with the girl since I can see why people would find her and her friends annoying…
Persona 3 Portable
Company: Atlus USA
Category: RPG
Release Date: July 6th, 2010
Website: http://www.atlus.com/p3p/
Metacritic: 91/100
What else is there to say? It’s Persona 3, but now in portable form. And with a whole new female protagonist. Which means different social link options. Very well-reviewed, although it just lost its position as the #1 game on PSP ever on Metacritic…
Ys Seven
Company: XSEED Games
Category: Action RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: August 17th, 2010
Website: http://www.worldofys.com
Metacritic: 79/100
The legendary Ys series returns to North America, this time with a brand new sequel developed directly by Falcom themselves! Adol Christin’s 7th adventure has already been released in Japan to great acclaim, with many calling the fast-paced ARPG one of the best in the series. Just check out the official website – if the music alone doesn’t knock your socks off, then you don’t have a pulse. And the collector’s edition is positively yummy.
Valkyria Chronicles II
Company: Sega
Category: Tactical RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: August 31st, 2010
Website: http://www.sega.com/games/valkyria-chronicles-2/
Metacritic: 83/100
Having never played the original game (since I don’t own a PS3), all I know of the game is via its stellar reputation…and the amount of bitching that occurred when the sequel was announced for the PSP. Anyhow, from the looks of it, the art style and the combat carries over quite successfully, although the maps are obviously smaller for portable play. The game’s coming out soon, and Sega didn’t even bother with a proper trailer except for this ludicrously short “Announcement Trailer”.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
Company: Square Enix
Category: Action RPG
Format: UMD only
Release Date: September 7th, 2010
Website: http://na.square-enix.com/khbbs/
Metacritic: 82/100
What else needs to be said? It’s the Kingdom Hearts prequel on the PSP, and judging by the impressions of the Japanese version, it’s one of the best titles in the series. Oh, and there’s a delicious-looking Collector’s Edition slated for Europe (but not for North America??). Anyways, if you are a fan then you’ll be picking it up already!
Gladiator Begins
Company: Aksys Games
Category: Gladiatorial Action
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: September 14th, 2010
Website: http://www.aksysgames.com/games/gb/
Metacritic: 59/100
OK, this is NOT an RPG, but I’m really looking forward to it, so I’m cheating a bit by including it here
In some ways you could consider it a dungeon crawler – there’s a lot of stat upgrades, customizations and equipment you can get as you win battles. Jiji has a wonderful thread on the game here. It certainly explains the game much better than I ever can. There’s even a demo out on Aksys’ website, so why not go and try it out? The graphics are even surprisingly good. Trailer is here.Phantasy Star Portable 2
Company: Sega
Category: Action RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: September 14th, 2010
Website: http://www.sega.com/games/phantasy-star-portable-2/
Metacritic: 69/100
After unexpectedly selling a boatload of copies in Japan (and much, much less than that in North America), Phantasy Star Portable is getting a new localized sequel, to the relief of PSP (that’s Phantasy Star Portable!) fans. Again, followers of the Phantasy Star Universe series can probably do much better than me in explaining the game, so instead here’s another trailer from Sega that manages to say very little about the actual game. Plus, the game now has full infrastructure mode.
Cladun: This is an RPG
Company: NIS America
Category: Action RPG
Format: PSN (UMD unconfirmed)
Release Date: September 21st, 2010
Website: http://www.nisamerica.com/games/cladun/
Metacritic: 80/100
Actually this is NOT an RPG – it’s an Action RPG, but whatever. Something about this game’s sprites reminds me of Namco’s classic The Legend of Valkyrie, which is a very, very good thing. Anyways, this purposefully retro-looking game (I guess the craze is still going strong?) is a hack-n’-slash/loot-athon paradise. You can even choose between TG-16-esque chiptunes or the regular soundtrack. Here’s the English trailer. Note: the game is only on PSN, so no UMD release.
Blazing Souls Accelate
Company: Aksys Games
Category: Strategy RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: October 19th, 2010
Website: http://www.aksysgames.com/games/bsa/
Developer Neverland (Generation of Chaos, Spectral Force) ported the original 2006 PS2 Strategy RPG game to the PSP in 2009 and gave it a nonsensical new title. Considering how the last few PSP Neverland/Idea Factory games were received, hopefully this game will be an improvement (for one, the load times problems in earlier games have been corrected). Aksys Games (the BlazBlue guys) are localizing it.
Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger Vs. Darkdeath Evilman
Company: NIS America
Category: Dungeon Crawler RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: October 26th, 2010
Website: http://nisamerica.com/games/zhp/splash/
Metacritic: 81/100
NISA continues to be enamored by long titles with this long-awaited localization of Zettai Hero Project, the wacky dungeon crawling, quasi-strategy RPG developed by the main Disgaea team. In order for you to appreciate the humor, I present to you its amazing trailer. Admittedly I still don’t quite get how the game works, but am looking forward to finding out more!
Ys: The Oath in Felghana
Company: XSEED Games
Category: Action RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: November 2nd, 2010
http://www.worldofys.com/ysf/
Metacritic: 81/100
This remake of the much-maligned Ys III was released on the PC to much fanboy adulation, although admittedly I will miss the voice acting from the original TG16 CD-ROM version (Chester anyone?). Gone are the side-scrolling action, replaced with a top-down 3D engine first sported by Ys: The Ark of Naphistim, but now refined to perfection by developer Falcom themselves. The PSP port now even sports full voice-acting!
Knights in the Nightmare
Company: Atlus USA
Category: Strategy RPG
Format: UMD, PSN
Release Date: November 9th, 2010
Website: http://www.atlus.com/knightspsp/
Metacritic: 75/100
Sting/Atlus does it again with yet another enhanced port to the PSP (after Riviera and Yggdra Union). Part bullet-hell, part Strategy RPG, this was original a DS game that uses the stylus. How the game translates to the PSP is still a bit of a mystery, to be truthful (yes I know the game’s out in Japan!). But the game has upgraded visuals and music, and also features Princess Yggdra as a playable 3rd character. English teaser trailer here.
