The PlayStation 2 was a groundbreaking console that solidified Sony’s chokehold of the gaming industry. One of the most popular genres on this platform was the role-playing game (RPG).
The PS2 had an incredible library of RPGs that offered players diverse and immersive gameplay experiences. From epic adventures in fantastical worlds to strategic battles in dark and gritty realms, the PS2 RPGs had it all. These games were developed by some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Square Enix, Atlus, and Level-5, among others.
If you’d like to play some of these games but don’t have a PS2, take a look at our guide to PlayStation 2 emulators to play them on modern devices.
Ready? Let’s take a trip back in time and look at the best PS2 RPGs for some classic gaming action on a classic console!
1. Dark Cloud 2
You thought it is Final Fantasy? You should not be surprised at all since Dark Cloud is the best RPG on the platform. Although we had a difficult time deciding between Final Fantasy X and Dark Cloud 2, Dark Cloud 2 came out winning because of its implementation of a unique blend of dungeon-crawling, town-building, and action-RPG elements.
Dark Cloud 2 takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where most of the planet has been destroyed by a powerful wizard named Griffon. The few remaining human settlements are in a constant struggle for survival, and it is up to the game’s protagonists, Max and Monica, to rebuild these towns and save the future from Griffon’s tyranny.
To do this, players must first explore randomly-generated dungeons in search of “geostones,” which contain information that unlocks new building options on the game’s town-building screen, known as the “georama.” Once enough buildings have been constructed and enough villagers have been attracted to a town, it will be restored to its former glory and peace will be restored to the future.
One of the most compelling aspects of Dark Cloud 2 is the level of customization available to players. The georama allows players to design and build their own unique towns, while the game’s weapon upgrade system is incredibly deep and rewarding.
Every time a monster is defeated, the weapon used to defeat it gains experience and can be modified with certain items to improve its stats. Once the right conditions are met, weapons can even transform into new, more powerful forms, giving players an incentive to keep upgrading and experimenting with different weapon combinations.
The game’s battle system, while not without its flaws, is also quite unique and engaging. Players can lock onto enemies and attack them from up close or at the range, using a combination of melee and ranged attacks to take them down. Timing and reaction are crucial in battles, as enemies can counterattack if players aren’t careful. However, the level of challenge and customization available in the weapon upgrade system more than makes up for any frustrations players may encounter in battle.
As for the game’s storyline and characters, Dark Cloud 2 is a charming and whimsical adventure that is full of heart and humor. Max and Monica are both endearing protagonists, and their banter and interactions with other characters are often quite amusing. The game’s world is also full of interesting and colorful NPCs, each with its own unique personality and stories to tell.
Dark Cloud 2 is a fantastic game that improves upon its predecessor in nearly every way. The level of customization and depth in the gameplay mechanics is truly impressive, and the game’s charming characters and whimsical storyline make it a joy to experience from start to finish.
2. Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X is an extraordinary RPG. It is much more than a game – it is an immersive experience. The game’s graphics are simply stunning at the time of its release; they are so detailed that even individual blades of grass move and there are ripples and real-time reflections on water surfaces.
The characters themselves are now an more than approximation of those seen in FMVs, with lips that move and expressions that are sometimes displayed. The FMVs themselves are breathtaking.
The battle system returns to purely turn-based as opposed to the active time system seen in a good number of prior titles. There are on-screen cues indicating when it is the boss or enemies’ turn to attack, and when it’s your party’s turn to attack. The game also features a unique substitution system that allows you to use all of your party in each battle.
One downside of the game is the camera, which is still preset, meaning you cannot control it at will. This limits the exploration aspect of the game and makes it difficult to immerse yourself in the game world. Additionally, the disappearance of the overworld map is a negative aspect of the game, as it limits exploration and takes away from the game.
Final Fantasy X’s music is also magnificent, with Nobuo Uematsu’s compositions accompanying the game’s powerful emotional moments. The voice acting is also good, adding to the emotional scenes and making the characters feel alive.
However, the best part of Final Fantasy X is its love story. The story flawlessly blends a wonderful love story inside a decent fantasy tale, making it a truly unforgettable and heart-wrenching experience.
3. Kingdom Hearts II
In Kingdom Hearts II, Square Enix and Disney join forces again, offering a solid RPG with a gripping story, improved camera and direction, and rich gameplay mechanics. This sequel features more characters, worlds, and adventures, which are emotionally powerful and technically impressive, with excellent graphics, animations, and an orchestral score that add an authentic feel to the game.
However, the main drawback of the game is its overall ease, which relies heavily on button-mashing combat and lacks challenging fights. The game’s mechanics, including a level system, ability points, limit breaks, and the drive system, provide flexibility and accessibility for both hardcore RPGers and new players. Despite its shortcomings, Kingdom Hearts II offers a great gaming experience that will appeal to most players, especially those who prefer storytelling and production quality over extremely challenging gameplay.
The game’s cultural impact is significant, as it combines Final Fantasy-style characters with the innocent world of Disney, creating an iconic crossover that appeals to a wide audience and spawns numerous sequels, prequels, remakes, and spin-offs, as well as merchandise, fan art, and cosplays. The game also contributes to the recognition and popularity of the RPG genre and inspires other games to incorporate similar crossover concepts and themes.
4. Persona 4
Set in the sleepy countryside town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows the story of a high school student who moves in with his detective uncle and young cousin for a year. Things take a dark turn when a young woman is murdered in a shocking manner, and more strange disappearances and murders follow. The protagonist and his friends discover that the incidents are connected to a rumored television show called the Midnight Channel, which seems to reveal details about the crimes. They also discover that only they have the ability to solve the mystery and catch the killer before he strikes again.
While Persona 3 was a dungeon crawler in its purest sense, Persona 4 is a murder mystery set against the backdrop of familiar Persona 3 elements. However, it introduces several significant changes that make the experience even richer and more engaging. For example, players no longer have to wait for midnight to fight the Shadows. Instead, they can enter the television realm of the Midnight Channel during the afternoon to search for missing people. Weather patterns also play a crucial role in the game, affecting different aspects of gameplay such as the strength of Shadows, the productivity of shopkeepers, and the timing of dungeon exploration.
Another significant change is that there is no longer a single mega-dungeon like Tartarus in P3 and FES. Instead, each dungeon represents the fears, issues, and psychological hang-ups of individual characters. As a result, each dungeon has a different theme that players must overcome to save the person it represents. These themes explore serious and even controversial issues, ranging from sexual identity to the dissection of personal identity in the celebrity spotlight.
Dungeons in Persona 4 are also smaller, with fewer exits and only one save point before a boss fight. This makes the process of leveling up characters longer and more challenging, but it also adds tension and excitement to the gameplay. Furthermore, characters no longer get tired, allowing players to remain within the television world for as long as they want to level grind. While this can make players extremely powerful, it can also diminish the tension of the mystery and slow down the momentum of the game.
The battle system in Persona 4 also introduces some significant changes, such as the ability to directly control every party member, which eliminates the possibility of unwanted skill triggers or unhealed main characters. Additionally, the Social Link system, which allows players to build relationships with characters, has been further refined, making it an essential aspect of the gameplay.
Persona 4 is an excellent RPG that takes everything that was great about Persona 3 and expands upon it in every way possible. From its engaging murder mystery plot to its refined gameplay mechanics, there is something for every RPG fan to enjoy in this game. If you are looking for an immersive and enthralling RPG experience that will keep you hooked for hours on end, look no further than Persona 4.
4. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
If you want a more traditional RPG, Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, the first game in the series to use cel-shading graphics. This was developed by Level-5, a new development team, but still maintains the same feel and essence of the previous Dragon Quest games. The game has a great story, which follows a hero on a journey to lift a curse that turned the king of Trodain into a toad and his daughter into a horse. Along the way, the hero gains allies run into many monsters, and need to level up before taking on bosses.
The battle system uses a menu-based system with a key action of Psyche Up, where a character can increase their tension to make their next action more powerful. With over 100 hours of playtime, the music remains enjoyable, and the voice acting, which uses exclusively British voice actors, helps distinguish Dragon Quest VIII from other games. The game was well-received, and its use of cel-shading was widely accepted by the fan base, unlike the Legend of Zelda’s attempt to use the style.
Compared to Kingdom Hearts 2, Dragon Quest VIII has a more traditional RPG battle system, whereas Kingdom Hearts 2 is more action-oriented. Kingdom Hearts 2 also has a much more convoluted story that incorporates elements of various Disney movies and characters. The music in Kingdom Hearts 2 is also enjoyable, but its voice acting uses many different voice actors from different countries and is not as cohesive as Dragon Quest VIII’s exclusively British voice cast.
5. Final Fantasy XII
The game is set in the fictional world of Ivalice (same as the GOAT Final Fantasy Tactics), where the player takes on the role of Vaan, a young orphan living in the city of Rabanastre. Vaan dreams of becoming a sky pirate and embarks on a journey that leads him and his companions on a quest to uncover a plot to overthrow the ruling empire.
One of the standout features of Final Fantasy XII is its unique battle system, called the Gambit system. Players set up automated behaviors, known as gambits, for each character in their party, allowing them to perform certain actions automatically during battle. This system streamlines the battle mechanics and allows for more strategic gameplay. As a consequence, many JRPG enthusiasts hated it but most Western RPG lovers adored it for its RTWP gameplay.
The game also features an expansive world, filled with various environments and creatures, as well as a rich and complex storyline. The characters are well-developed and memorable, each with its own unique backstory and motivations.
While the game received critical acclaim upon its initial release, it also garnered some criticism for its departure from the traditional Final Fantasy formula, particularly with its lack of random encounters and turn-based battles. However, the Gambit system was generally well-received and has since been praised as an innovative addition to the series.
6. Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria
Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria is a JRPG that offers something different and unique compared to other games in the genre. The game’s storyline is enjoyable to a degree, but it may not satisfy all tastes, as it can be rather monotonous at times. While some of the characters are well-developed and likable, others are just along for the ride, leaving much to be desired for the most part. Additionally, the main cast of characters is a mixed bag, partly due to characters returning from the first Valkyrie Profile game that does not get any further characterization.
Despite its flaws, Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria shines in its elegant design and subtle storytelling. The voice acting is also well done, with each line being delivered delicately and heavily emphasized without being too flamboyant. While there are a few lip sync issues and other oddities in the cutscenes, the voice performances more than makeup for it.
In terms of gameplay, Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria offers a unique battle system that incorporates platforming elements. Players control a party of characters and engage in fast-paced battles that require quick reflexes and strategic use of abilities. Each character has a unique set of abilities and can be equipped with different weapons and items to suit the player’s playstyle. The game also features a unique “seal system” where players can capture and recruit fallen enemies to join their party as “einherjar”, giving the player access to additional abilities and resources.
Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria is a game that may not become one of your favorite games of all time, but it will certainly leave a lasting effect on you should you manage to finish it. The game is the videogame equivalent of fine dining – its taste may be too rich for some and may not fill the gap for others, but it offers a lot of attractive qualities that set it apart from other games in the genre.
7. Suikoden V
Suikoden V game, which adheres to the series’ roots by focusing on the core Suikoden experience of recruiting the 108 stars of destiny, featuring a lively and expansive cast, a return to the classic six-character battle system, and an engaging plot full of political intrigue. The game takes place in the Queendom of Falena and is centered around the mystery surrounding the power of the nation’s three runes. The game has some pacing issues in terms of storytelling and gameplay, but it is an adventure worth getting swept into.
In comparison to Suikoden III and IV, Suikoden V is better because it takes its time to introduce a large host of characters and factions, leading to surprises with gratifying weight when the traitors come out. The battles have a mix of melee fighting, rune magic, and special skills, and battle formations can change the arrangement of your party to gain certain bonuses, allowing you to use these advantages to your advantage. Duels and army battles are also back and add a neat and dramatic way to advance story progression.
8. Grandia III
Grandia III is a standout game in a quarter that’s swamped with good RPGs. Developed by Game Arts and published by Square Enix, the game was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. It received generally positive reviews from critics and fans alike, with particular praise given to its innovative combat system and likable cast of characters. While not as well-known or critically acclaimed as some of the other RPGs released in the same period, such as Dragon Quest VIII or Final Fantasy X, Grandia III is still regarded as a solid entry in the genre.
The story of Grandia III follows the journey of protagonist Yuki, a young man with a passion for flight who dreams of becoming a pilot. He lives in a world where planes are a new and exciting technology, and he spends his days tinkering with machines in his hometown. However, his life is turned upside down when he meets Alfina, a mysterious girl with magical powers who needs to travel across the ocean to reach her homeland. Yuki and his mother Miranda, who is also a skilled mechanic, team up with Alfina to help her reach her destination.
As the story progresses, the stakes get higher and the scope of the conflict expands. Yuki and his companions find themselves drawn into a larger battle between the forces of good and evil, and they must use all their skills and resources to save the world. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, including Sky Captain Schmidt, a legendary pilot and Yuki’s hero, and Xorn, a powerful villain who seeks to conquer the world.
One of the highlights of Grandia III is its combat system, which is often cited as one of the best in the genre. The system combines turn-based and real-time elements, allowing players to plan their moves and execute them in real-time. Players can also cancel enemy attacks by timing their own moves correctly, which adds an extra layer of strategy to the battles. As the game progresses, players can customize their characters with new skills, spells, and abilities, which keeps the combat fresh and interesting.
Another strong point of the game is its graphics and art design. The game features colorful, vibrant environments that are a joy to explore, as well as detailed character models and animations. The music is also top-notch, with a memorable soundtrack that complements the action on screen.
However, the game is not without its flaws. Some reviewers criticized the game for its predictable storyline and lack of innovation, noting that it follows many of the tropes and cliches of the genre. Additionally, the game’s pacing can be uneven at times, with some parts of the story dragging on while others feel rushed.
Grandia III is a solid RPG that offers a fun and engaging experience for fans of the genre. While it may not be as well-known or critically acclaimed as some of its contemporaries, it is still worth playing for its innovative combat system, likable characters, and charming art design.
9. Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: Covenant is a unique RPG game with solid gameplay, a captivating and dark story, outlandish characters, and an innovative battle system. It is a direct sequel to the first Shadow Hearts game, and the story is set in the early 1900s in Eurasia. The game follows Yuri, the anti-hero of the first game, and his ensemble, which includes a vampire pro-wrestler who turns into different forms before the battle.
The game builds upon its predecessor by adding Combos and a new sidequest-like system of magic collecting that allows the allocation of members of your custom-built and named battle team. The game’s unique battle system, called “the Judgment Ring,” is designed to keep gamers interested in every random battle, shop purchase, and mini-game that most RPGs ever thought to try.
Despite the game’s flaw in the ending that takes all logic and tosses it out the window, Covenant is a fantastic ride filled with gorgeous CG scenes, lengthy in-game dialogue scenes, and several badass moments that won’t fail to disappoint any seasoned RPG gamer.
10. Tales of Abyss
The game initially relies on clichés but manages to surprise players by deviating from the expected formula. The game’s swift pace, open-plan feel, and short conversation scenes that flesh out characters’ motivations make it stand out from its peers. Combat is also different, with real-time battles using a side-on fighting game system. Despite the game’s reliance on its lore and jargon, it is a compelling example of a JRPG that may attract players who are open to Japanese RPG design.
11. Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra
Xenosaga is a 6-part game epic that managed to condense four games worth of story into its last game, Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra. The game’s story has plenty of quandaries surrounding religion, philosophy, ethics, and morals. While there are a ton of cutscenes, the game has the best combat system in the trilogy, and battles often end in about a minute or two.
The combat system is intuitive, and streamlined, and includes a boost meter, which allows players to jump ahead in the turn order to heal or strike. Additionally, the game offers a skill tree for each character, and the player must pick one branch and remain dedicated to it to learn advanced skills like “best ally,” which is paramount to success late game. The game has an HP meter and a break meter that, when filled up, incapacitates characters for several rounds. On the plus side, enemies, including bosses, can be broken, giving free hits to all characters.
12. Radiata Stories
Radiata Stories is an action/RPG with a large lore-backed story, varying races, and mythical beings across different landscapes. The game has a recruitment system with over 170 recruitable NPCs that can be obtained through conversations or by completing certain tasks. The game also allows the player to kick almost everything, leading to items, money, duels, and sometimes friends. The game’s charm is in its character development, art style, and gameplay, making it a must-play for RPG fans.
13. Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is a unique entry in the Breath of Fire series of role-playing games that was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2002. It is a game that has divided RPG fans due to the many ways in which it departs from the traditional RPG formula. The changes made to the game are so extensive that it can be considered a Breath of Fire game in name only. Some of the most significant changes include the omission of random encounters, the lack of an overworld, the inclusion of an Active Point battle system, an emphasis on replayability, and a running time of approximately 10 hours.
These changes have upset many traditionalists, but most critics have been pleased with the departure from the standard RPG formula, scoring the game highly in many publications. However, one has to wonder if they’re doing so simply because the game tries to do something new, as the core gameplay of Dragon Quarter features more than a few significant flaws.
14. Rogue Galaxy
Rogue Galaxy is an action role-playing game developed by Level-5 for the PlayStation 2. The game features cell-shaded polygonal characters that populate colorful worlds, including lush jungles, desert lands, futuristic cities with a touch of steampunk, and even outer space. Although it does not try to break new ground with its generic anime art style, it is still pleasant to the eye.
Rogue Galaxy gameplay follows the modus operandi of most modern-era RPGs, in which a lack of a world map and linearity are mainstays. Most of the game is spent dungeon-crawling, and the battles can become cumbersome due to the number of random battles and long dungeons. This game is admittedly bloated and honestly tiresome in pacing, but if you enjoy the battle system Star Ocean-style, Rogue Galaxy will most assuredly please you.
15. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga is a role-playing video game set in a post-apocalyptic world called the Junkyard, where different tribes fight for survival. The game follows the story of Serph, the leader of the Embryon tribe, who, after a mysterious event, finds himself and his tribe transformed into demon-like beings.
Along with the other tribes, they are ordered by the Karma Temple to fight and feed on each other to reach Nirvana, a promised paradise. As the story progresses, the characters slowly regain their memories and become more human, making their struggle to survive even more challenging. The game features five unique playable characters, a customizable skill system called Mantras, and a battle system that allows players to switch between demon and human forms. The game’s addictive story and gameplay mechanics make it an engaging experience.
16. Wild Arms 3
The game is a traditional Japanese role-playing game set in a world modeled heavily on the Old West. The game’s graphics are cel-shaded, which takes a little getting used to, and the world map is downright ugly in most places.
The game still is a competent Japanese RPG, with each character having physical attacks and magic attacks. Monsters come with weaknesses to certain types of attacks, and battles are turn-based. The game has quite an interesting line in dungeon puzzles, and each character in the party has “tools” which can be applied to solve puzzles and progress through dungeons. The game is marred by the need to search for locations on the world map using a type of radar, which breaks the flow of play and is the single worst element of the game.
17. Odin Sphere
Odin Sphere is an action game with distinct RPG elements set in a warring fantasy world. With five main character stories to play through, the overarching story is a tightly woven-together epic that easily justifies still holding onto those old consoles without making a dent in your wallet.
As an action game, Odin Sphere offers gamers an interesting and in-depth battle system that’s a lot of fun to play. The game takes place in a world called Erion with several different kingdoms, that have an unsteady alliance that eventually erupts into war when one of the kingdoms is mysteriously destroyed by a cauldron that grants an immense amount of power to its possessor. The cauldron inevitably becomes the object that other nations want to get a hold of themselves with the belief that they can control and harness its power or use it for dark purposes. An ancient prophecy that could lead to the end of the world entwines these kingdoms, and the story unfolds via five different playable characters, all with their own histories and purposes.
Each character’s story is connected together to tell the overall story of Odin Sphere and is done so in an impressive way. Although a bit melodramatic and clichéd–as are most fantasies–Odin Sphere’s story is a whimsical and interesting one that is paced well and, above all, is fun to play through.
18. Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia
Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia is a unique RPG that centers around the power of music to change the world. The game takes place in a world of floating landmasses and architectural structures attached to a tower, which is the source of life and stability but also harbors viruses that threaten its harmony. The protagonist, Lyner Barsett, must retrieve an item to restore balance to the tower and becomes intimately connected to two Reyvateils, a female-only species gifted with Song Magic. Lyner must delve into their psyches to strengthen their emotions and songs, all while uncovering the mysteries of the tower.
Although the story is original and interesting, it is poorly executed, particularly in the final phase of the game. The developers attempted to keep things fresh by forcing the player to move to different areas constantly or return to the inn for rest after every plot twist. The localization is also flawed, with text littered with errors and lines directly translated without regard to the character’s tone or personality.
Despite these flaws, Ar tonelico offers a unique experience that may appeal to fans of the Atelier series, featuring Haruka Shimotsuki, the vocalist for the Atelier Iris games, and some special Atelier Marie and Elie cameos. It is not very challenging, but it will take around 75 hours to experience the entire game, with two paths that split off into different events and multiple endings. The game also has little extra content, with only a bonus level in the Cosmospheres and an optional boss.
