The PS2 is one of the best-selling consoles of all time, and it also has an impressive library. That's why the anticipation was so great for the console's successor. The PS3 launched on November 17, 2006 in North America, which was two days before the Wii launched.
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Despite that, PS2 games continued to launch well into the PS3's lifespan. Most of them were missed because many players had already moved on. So to catalog both the best and worst RPGs of the later years of the PS2, here are some obscure examples. RPGs released in and after 2006 are fair game, and all dates, unless otherwise noted, are based on the North American version.
The Metal Max series finally releases a JRPG in NA, only for it to launch during the PS2's final days
Metal Saga is the first game that West got in Metal Max franchise. This was in 2006 on the PS2, but the series debuted all the way back in 1991 on the NES. They are all post-apocalyptic turn-based RPGs, where the game alternates between human and tank battles.
Although official releases have been hard to come by, people are interested Metal Saga should know that most of the retro games have been successfully patched to English by the fans. The last main entry, Metal Max Xenowas released in 2018, and is only the second game in the series to receive a North American release.
7
MS Saga: A New Dawn
A solid PS2 JRPG for Gundam fans
There have been many Gundam games ever since the anime began in 1979 in Japan. From arcade to PS5, the series has hit every console under the sun. Most games are action, though MS Saga: A New Dawn had a different approach to combat, opting to go the turn-based RPG route.
The story follows two orphans, Tristan and Fritz, on a revenge mission after enemy Mobile Suits destroy their orphanage. There's a lot more to the story than that, but that's the starting point when the boys find a secret bunker for the Mobile Suit. Like most of the franchise's games, you need to have a built-in love for it Gundam to really appreciate MS Saga: A New Dawnespecially since much of the fun comes from combining parts to create your own mecha.
6
Steambot Chronicles
A late arrival PS2 Mecha game that is pretty fun
Steambot Chronicles
- Released
-
June 30, 2005
- ESRB
-
T For Teen // Alcohol reference, Crude humor, Fantasy violence, Mild language, Suggestive themes
- Developer
-
Irem Corp.
Steambot Chronicles is another mech game from 2006. Unlike the last two, it is an action game where players can customize their mech with different parts on their journey. The game begins with the protagonist waking up from a shipwreck with amnesia.
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The mecha anime genre's stories of bombastic battles with giant robots are best told in these series, including Gundam and NGE.
It's a trope in anime, along with many RPGs, but the story isn't too important to this game. It's all about that mechanical attack via their Trotmobile. It might not be the best mech game on the PS2, but there are probably a small handful of fans out there who remember this title fondly.
5
Digimon World: Data Squad
Digimon World: Data Squad
- Released
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November 30, 2006
- Developer
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BEC
Digimon had a pretty awful run on PS2. Digimon World 4 is somewhat remembered, although its decision to give weapons to Digimon means its reputation is far from positive. In comparison, Digimon World: Data Squad should have been a safer bet, since it's a turn-based JRPG and tells a fairly straightforward story that isn't too far from something you might see in one of the anime seasons. Heck, the game actually looked pretty good thanks to a cel-shaded art style. Even the Digivolution system was pretty good for the era.
So why isn't this game really remembered? In addition to coming out in September 2007 in North America, Data Squad is also a bit bad. Even as someone who can tolerate tons of uneven Digimon games, Data Squad is such a relentless grind, in terms of both combat and progression, that all enjoyment is quickly removed. In addition, battles are presented through an overwhelming user interface that just looked.
4
Shining Force EXA
A decent PS2 Action RPG in an underrated series
Shining Force EXA was released in 2007, and it still looks great thanks to the cel-shaded graphics. It belongs in Brilliant series, which began as a dungeon crawler before becoming a tactical RPG and then an action RPG. Shining Force EXA is almost like a callback to the dungeon-crawling days, as the story is minimal with little production put into the talking portraits.
It's all about action, loot and leveling up the two playable characters, Toma and Cyrille. Although this series has been around since 1991, new games have become quite rare, with the last being 2018's Shining Resonance Refrain.
3
Wild Arms 5
Not the best Wild Arms game, but still a solid turn-based JRPG
Wild Arms 5
- Released
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December 14, 2006
- ESRB
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T for Teens // Fantasy violence, mild language, suggestive themes, use of alcohol and tobacco
- Developer
-
Media.Vision
Wild Arms 5 was the last console game in this once beloved and popular franchise. It was a turn-based RPG that continued to use the route system from the previous game, adding a bit more strategy to combat. The series has an overall western theme, making it one of the very few literal western RPGs. Although not generally considered one of the Wild armshighlights, the fifth entry is still worth playing for people who fondly remember its predecessor.
The last portable game was in 2008, Wild Arms XFwhile the actual last game was released on mobile devices in 2018. Wild Arms: Million Memories has since shut down its service as of 2020, but hardcore fans should rejoice when the 2022 Kickstarter project, Armed Fantasialooks like a spiritual successor.
2
Baroque
A PS2 remake of a Sega Saturn RPG
Baroque began as a Sega Saturn game in 1998 only in Japan. After various other Japanese ports, it would be remade on the PS2 and Wii, and that's when Western fans finally got a taste in 2008. It's another post-apocalyptic RPG, but one with more of a villainous influence as you explore randomly generated dungeons from a third-person perspective. The combat is real-time, although it was quite clumsy.
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Also, the end of the world was the result of an angelic war instead of a nuclear weapon. Your goal is to climb the Neuro Tower, find answers, and level up enough to not be destroyed by a varying degree of terrifying monsters.
1
Forever married
A tough tactical RPG for PS2
Forever married
- Released
-
February 14, 2008
- ESRB
-
T For Teen // Alcohol reference, Animated blood, Fantasy violence, Mild language, Mild suggestive themes
- Developer
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Aircraft
Forever married came out in 2008 for the PS2, and it's a brutal tactical game. The art style looks a lot like a Vanillaware game, and it was coincidentally published by Atlus, just like most of their titles. The story involves warring kingdoms and demons, which is typical of a strategy game. What sets it apart is that players can recruit demons through a capture feature, sort of like Shin Megami Tensei series. The dark story, monster summoning and tactical gameplay are also reminiscent Kartia: Word of Fate on PS1.
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