The 20 BEST PS2 RPGs

The 20 Best PS2 RPGs

Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’re leveling up as we grind our way through the PS2 role playing games that let us forget all our real world troubles and get lost in a brand new fantastical experience.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age” (2004)

When most gamers think of Lord of the Rings games on PS2, naturally their minds conjure up memories of the Two Towers or Return of the King, but there was another adventure that was just as deserving of your time. Telling an original tale parallel to the main story of Frodo and the one Ring, players follow behind the Fellowship and deal with the mess left in their wake and can even side with Sauron and help ensure Middle Earth’s destruction in an “Evil Mode” minigame. The turn-based combat borrows heavily from the battle system in Final Fantasy X and is all the better for it. Each character also has their own special skills and can learn new abilities allowing players to customize their playstyle. For die-hard fans of the films, The Third Age is an incredible companion piece that expands on the world fans are familiar with.

“Radiata Stories” (2005)

Admittedly, Radiata Stories isn’t going to be for everyone. The story prefers to take its time getting going, fully establishing the game’s world and characters rather than throwing players headfirst into climactic conflicts. However, once the story begins ramping up and you start to build your party of almost 180 recruitable characters, all with their own backstories and motivations, it all becomes worth it. With too much content for a single playthrough, thankfully New Game Plus helps ease some of the struggles at the start. Combat is also surprisingly deep as players can issue commands to their party, letting them develop strategies based on their strengths, especially since each member of your party is only proficient in a single skill. Radiata Stories is an RPG that rewards the player’s time even if the slow burn might be a hard sell for casual players.

“Final Fantasy XII” (2006)

Final Fantasy XII might not be everyone’s favorite Final Fantasy out of Square's extensive catalog, but there’s also few who will deny it’s one of the most polished and well-crafted entries in the acclaimed series. Marking a stark departure from the traditional turn-based combat of the past entries, FFXII not only allowed players to see enemies before encounters but also introduced a more MMO-style combat system while also giving players more control over their companions than ever before thanks to the “Gambit” system. With it, players can set parameters for companions to perform specific actions if the criteria are met, adding even more strategic depth to the game’s solid combat. The massive conflict between warring kingdoms gave players some of the best character writing, music and cinematics in the series’ history and once the new gameplay mechanics click, you’re locked in for one of the franchise’s best games.

“Wild Arms 3” (2002)

Wild Arms 3 not only brought its unique Wild West aesthetic to the PS2 but also updated it with a gorgeous cel shaded art style. Wild Arms 3 gives players a massive open world to explore that gradually reveals itself as the player uncovers new information or purchases maps, giving them plenty of side quests and activities to discover. The Wild West setting is used to great effect in everything from the characters to their weapons and even open world exploration. Combat is improved from its predecessors, allowing players to move freely around the arena and while it does offer a bit of strategy to its encounters, the game is more focused on the player having a good time rather than a frustrating one. With wonderfully written characters, a deep narrative in an interesting world filled with a surprising amount of lore, Wild Arms 3 is not your traditional RPG and is all the better for it.

“Star Ocean: Till the End of Time” (2003)

Star Ocean might not have the same recognition as Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, but it remains of the most consistently entertaining RPG series of all time, and one of its best is undoubtedly Till the End of Time. Ditching the traditional turn-based combat, players instead engage in real time combat alongside their AI companions, allowing them to dodge and even parry incoming attacks while issuing commands to the rest of their team. Borrowing elements from Star Trek, players are dropped onto an "underdeveloped" planet and with their advanced technology must help the locals deal with an otherworldly threat while also uncovering the mystery of the rumored “4D Space”. The story admittedly does go to some wild places, but the characters are all solidly written and the world and combat are interesting enough that even if the game doesn’t stick the landing narratively, you still had a great time regardless.

“Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria” (2006)

Valkyrie Profile 2 is unlike any of the other games on our list. Not only does it have one of the most stunning art styles, but also one of the most unique characters in an RPG as war looms between the human world Midgard and the realm of the gods Asgard. With 2D exploration, players can explore the game’s many towns and dungeons, leveling up and upgrading equipment for the game’s many challenging battles. While exploration might be two-dimensional, combat is fully 3D. Silmeria offers players a far more strategic style of combat than your traditional RPG, with time only moving when the characters do, allowing players to tactically plan out their next attack with the battle system’s limited action points. Valkyrie Profile 2 deserves a playthrough just for its wonderful narrative and art design, but it’s the inventive and deep combat mechanics that are unlike anything else the PS2 had to offer.

“Champions of Norrath” (2004)

Champions of Norrath might take place in the universe of the MMO Everquest, but its roots are very much in traditional Diablo-esque territory. Likewise, players will be hacking and slashing their way through numerous dungeons with their fully customizable character, encountering all manner of beasts while finding more powerful loot to go even further and become even more powerful. The gameplay itself might not have been especially deep, but it was extremely rewarding with meaningful upgrades to both your gear and your skill tree making each run feel worthwhile. The addition of multiplayer only increased the amount of entertainment players could have with their friends, but even going solo, the addictive gameplay loop is more than enough to encourage “just one more run”.

“Suikoden III” (2002)

The Suikoden series is widely respected as one of the best RPG series of all time, and while most of the accolades are heaped on Suikoden II, the series’ third entry is just as deserving of recognition. Featuring three incredibly written protagonists whose lives become interconnected as the plot unfolds alongside 108 recruitable companions (which thankfully can be recruited at any time during your playthrough), Suikoden 3 is one of the deepest and most intricately designed RPGs of all time. Suikoden 3 not only offered players a much more mature adventure than typical RPGs of the time, but also a dynamic battle system that would account for the dramatic moments in the narrative and make these encounters feel especially cinematic. With an intriguing world, a diverse and interesting cast of characters, a multitude of minigames and some of the series’ best combat, Suikoden 3 is perfect for players looking for a deep, rewarding RPG experience.

“Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne” (2003)

The Shin Megami series is decidedly much more emo than its Persona series cousin, but that undeniably works in its favor. While the two share some similarities, entries such as Nocturne further differentiate the two. Dealing with a demon-riddled post-apocalyptic world is hard enough, but thankfully the many recruitable demons and enemies that can battle at your side ease some of the game’s inherent difficulty. With a focus on targeting enemies' weak spots during encounters, the game’s many dungeons are full of hidden secrets and the game fully embraces the weirdness of its concept. Every area is brilliantly designed, much like the game’s many characters, and there are multiple endings depending on the player’s choices. The Shin Megami series isn’t for everyone and offers a more significant challenge for those coming from the Persona series, but where else can you recruit Dante from Devil May Cry to fight at your side?

“Marvel Ultimate Alliance” (2006)

Giving players a roster of Marvel heroes that would make the MCU jealous and allowing them to build their ultimate team and take on Doctor Doom in a battle for the fate of the planet is a concept so brilliant we’re shocked the series isn’t still going today. Not only could you recreate your favorite teams from the comics and even gain specific bonuses for doing so, but the game also allowed you to team up with four of your friends. Even though there are only 23 playable characters, all with their own abilities and powers, with 140 Marvel characters within the game, your favorite at the very least appears in a cameo. Alongside the main campaign is a series of side missions that can end up affecting the ending of the game depending on how many you complete before the credits roll. For sheer fan service, it doesn’t get much better than this.

“Xenosaga” Episodes 1-3 (2003-06)

Admittedly, we’re cheating with this entry by including all 3 entries of the Xenosaga series in one, but considering all 3 are necessary to get the complete story, we’re gonna let it slide because it’s our list and we get to make the rules. A spiritual successor to Xenogears and a precursor to Xenoblade Chronicles, Xenosaga tackled many of the same serious issues present in its predecessor such as religion, commentary on humanity’s place in the universe as well as the rise of AI and machines. The story of KOS-MOS and humanity's expansion into the universe and their fight against the Gnosis for control of a God-like artifact called the Zohar offers a refreshingly mature take on the conventional RPG storytelling. Originally planned as a six part series, Xenosaga was instead cut in half but still managed to complete its story arc albeit a bit more abruptly than originally planned.

“Tales of Symphonia” (2004)

The Tales series is one of the longest running RPG series in gaming and while it may not reach the same heights of popularity as the Final Fantasy series, it still has a loyal fan base. Arguably one of the most beloved titles in the long running franchise is Tales of Symphonia and with its anime-inspired art style and its easy to learn, tough to master free flow combat that requires players to think a bit more strategically than other more traditional RPGs, it’s easy to understand why. The game’s themes of symphony play into the story as well as actions that Llyod and his companions make in his world can affect another parallel world and can have dire consequences for both. Tales of Symphonia remains the benchmark for the series and while there have been other equally beloved entries in the franchise, this is the one that made the series what it is today.

“Shadow Hearts: Covenant” (2004)

Set in an alternate history WWI full of secret cults and Lovecraftian horrors, Shadow Hearts: Covenant earns its spot on our list just for setting and premise alone. However, the game’s unique setting wasn’t enough and Covenant had to one up itself by implementing one of the most intriguing combat systems in any RPG with the Judgment Wheel. In order to use any attacks, spells or items, the player must land on that section of the wheel and missing the area can risk canceling their turn entirely. This system keeps battles frenetic and unpredictable due to one missed wheel turn completely upending a well-planned strategy or combo. Coupled with a sanity meter and the late game ability to turn into one of numerous monstrosities, Covenant’s mature themes and dark Lovecraftian overtones still has fans demanding a sequel even today.

“Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King” (2004)

As the inspiration for the arguably more popular Final Fantasy series, Dragon Quest still has a rabid fanbase that eagerly awaits any news or future projects in the franchise. The first fully 3D entry, Dragon Quest 8 doesn’t stray too far from the familiar RPG format that made it a mainstay in the industry and it doesn’t need to since it created the template to begin with. Everything from its beautiful art style courtesy of Akira Toriyama to the compelling story and wonderfully symphonic music, everything comes together perfectly to create one of the best entries in the franchise that birthed the RPG genre that remains one of the best selling and well received RPGs on the PlayStation 2 hands down.

“Rogue Galaxy” (2005)

Planet hopping RPGs might be more common nowadays but on the PS2 they were almost unheard of. However that didn’t stop Level 5 from creating one of their most ambitious RPGs on the PS2. What begins with a simple setup quickly becomes a galaxy spanning adventure full of planet hopping space pirates and an evil that threatens the entire galaxy. In addition to its ambitious story, Level 5 carried over much of what made its Dark Cloud series such a success including real-time combat and a focus on crafting and leveling up your weapons rather than your character. Equally impressive was the tech under the hood as the entire game featured zero loading screens which was almost unheard of back in the days of the PS2. Rogue Galaxy has since been ported to modern consoles so if you haven’t already, you owe it to yourself to take a trip into the stars.

“Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance” (2001)

Dungeons and Dragons has had no shortage of video game adaptations over the years and out of all of them, the Baldur’s Gate series is the one most highly regarded and synonymous with the tabletop RPG. Forgoing the turn-based combat of many other adaptations, Dark Alliance uses its hack and slash combat to keep players constantly engaged in battle, running the many calculations and dice rolls off screen so players never need to worry about anything beyond the many creatures right in front of them. The addition of couch co-op gave fans of Diablo a console friendly version of the dungeon crawling RPG and its straightforward approach to the often complicated tabletop game brought in many new fans who would have never known it was something everyone could enjoy.

“Dark Cloud 2” (2002)

Level 5’s follow-up to their first ever game managed to not only build on everything that made the first title great but also expand on the mechanics and create an all-encompassing RPG that still puts many modern RPGs to shame with its breadth of content. Tasked with rebuilding the world, players must battle through randomly generated dungeons to collect GeoStones and rebuild the destroyed villages while also contending with the many requests of the rescued villagers for a better version of their hometowns. Along with a new art style also came the implementation of time travel that allowed players to travel to the future to see the fruits of their efforts that makes the many battles they faced in their quests all the more rewarding. It’s a shame the series hasn’t continued as we’d have loved to see how Level 5 could have improved on the series even further.

“Kingdom Hearts II” (2005)

The original Kingdom Hearts was a concept that shouldn’t have worked as well as it did. Combining elements of Final Fantasy games with beloved Disney properties sounds like a fever dream but ended up being the start of a franchise with a legion of fans still trying to decipher its overarching plot. Kingdom Hearts 2 streamlined everything fans loved about the first game and improved upon it. Combat was faster, the story was much easier to follow, there was more diversity in the worlds you visited, Donald was useful, and the much-maligned Gummi ship sections were actually fun. Square Enix even tapped into the coveted Disney vault and allowed players to explore the worlds of Steamboat Willie and Tron! Kingdom Hearts II improved on nearly every aspect and remains many fans' favorite entry in this increasingly convoluted series.

“Final Fantasy X” (2001)

The first entry in the long running franchise on the PS2, every new Final Fantasy game was an event, but there was something different about Final Fantasy X’s release. Thankfully Final Fantasy X more than met the hype and made some huge leaps for the franchise going forward. The first FF title to feature voice acting, as we’ve said for better or worse, fully voiced characters added an extra level of depth to their struggles as opposed to simply reading about their pain and frustrations, now you could hear it. FFX was also the first entry to use fully 3D backgrounds bringing more life to the world as Tidus and his companions openly explored the vast and vibrant landscape. Final Fantasy X marked a turning point for the franchise that every future entry has built upon but at its core this is the best and most accessible title for new and old fans alike.

“Persona 4” (2008)

Yes, believe it or not, Persona 4 released on the PS2 almost a full 2 years into the PS3’s lifecycle. While many experienced the title on Sony’s PSVita, longtime series fans eagerly dusted off their PS2s for what some would argue is the best entry in the franchise. Arguably one of the most stylistic RPGs on the market, Persona 4 just oozes charm with instantly likeable characters living their day to day lives going to class and building friendships all while investigating a series of murders connected to the TV World. You would think that living out the daily lives of school children would grow tiresome but the clever writing and numerous twists and turns in the narrative kept players engaged and constantly guessing until the very end. Persona 4 has been re-released numerous times with extra content and has even seen multiple spin offs including rhythm and fighting games.

What was your favorite RPG on PS2? Let us know down in the comments.