Best PS2 JRPGs

Important takeaways

  • Grandia 2 offers an outstanding main character and combat system.
  • Tales of the Abyss excels in character development and visuals.
  • Final Fantasy 12 stands out as one of the most ambitious entries in the series.



The PlayStation 2 hosts a number of the most acclaimed and influential JRPGs ever created. Many of these JRPGs follow traditional elements, with fantasy settings and turn-based combat, while others are known for their space opera stories and distinct combat systems.

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The genre offers a diverse selection of games that cater to all preferences, including titles that have set standards in various ways. With such a large catalog of games on the PS2, the system is not short of brilliant JRPGs that would make a top list of great games. This list includes some of the best games in the JRPG genre and the best on the PlayStation 2.


8 Grandia 2

An excellent main character and outstanding combat system


Grandia 2

Released
December 6, 2000

Developer
Game Arts, Rocket Studio

Grandia 2 was originally a Sega Dreamcast game that was ported to the PS2. It was remastered for modern consoles, and the original game was included in a remastered collection. Both games are great, though Great is arguably the best game in the series. Apart from the themes and its excellent combat system, Grandia 2 is an independent contribution with no connections to its predecessor.

Players take on the role of a mercenary named Ryudo who gets caught up in a battle between followers of the God of Light and the God of Light. Its themes are more mature than the first game and other titles from Game Arts such as Lunar series. It has a likable supporting cast of characters, a memorable protagonist and great villains to face.

7 Tales Of The Abyss

Fantastic character development


Tales of the Abyss

System

super grayscale 8-bit logo PlayStation-1

Released
October 10, 2006

Developer
Namco Tales Studio

Next Tales of Symphonia, Tales of the Abyss was considered the best game in the series during the PS2 and GameCube era. Symphony has the better story, though Abyss has improved the combat system and featured outstanding character development with its protagonist Luke. As a spoiled rich boy, he is insufferable for a few hours but becomes a more selfless warrior and a leader after dealing with a major identity crisis

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Tales of the Abyss features impressive visuals with beautifully rendered cities, towns and well-designed characters. The game often uses complex terminology and exposition, but fans who appreciate world-building will be immersed in the universe of Tales of the Abyss and grow to love its characters, especially Luke.

6 Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2

A dark and visually stunning two-part JRPG


Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2

System

PlayStation-1

Few JRPGs deviate from traditional fantasy and science fiction themes, yet Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga stands out as one of the darkest and most celebrated titles on the PS2. It is a two-part series that must be played together to understand the story, the characters and their emerging humanity and emotions.

The games take place in a post-apocalyptic world where tribes fight each other to the death. During the battle, the protagonist Serph and his tribe called the Embryos are interrupted by a capsule that hatches on the battlefield and turns everyone into demonic and cannibalistic monsters. A mysterious young woman named Sera emerged from a tub, and all the tribes were instructed to eliminate each other until only one remained, who would then take her to Nirvana. There's a lot more to the story, and the way it unfolds over two games is amazing.


5 Final Fantasy 12

One of the most ambitious entries in the Final Fantasy series

Released
31 October 2006

Final Fantasy 12 is often overlooked compared to other titles in the series, but the game should be applauded for its ambition. The visuals, character models, highly explorable world, and customizable combat system make it one of the most accessible and stylish entries in Final Fantasy series.

The voice acting is fantastic with excellent protagonists such as Balthier, Fran, Ashelia and Basch. The main character Vaan and his sister Penelo are typical hit or miss anime-like characters. The Final Fantasy the series has often been praised Star Wars movies with similar stories, characters and easter eggs, but Final Fantasy 12 can be most Star Wars-like the game in the series. Balthier and Fran mirror Han Solo and Chewbacca, while a rebel princess contrasts with Gabranth, a villain reminiscent of Darth Vader.


4 Xenosaga trilogy

An epic and ambitious sci-fi trilogy

Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

System

PlayStation-1

Released
February 25, 2003

Whole Xenosaga the trilogy is a continuous one pptory so this is combined into one entry for this list. Developed by Monolith Soft, this science fiction RPG series serves as the spiritual successor to Xenogears. Xenosaga is equally ambitious and complex, requiring players to experience the games to appreciate them.

All three games have a lot of long cutscenes and dialogue to follow along with the story and understand its themes. It has another thing in common Xenogears is a focus on religion, philosophy, identity and psychology. Opinions differ on the quality of the three games, but the first and third games are considered the best. Xenosaga 2 has some memorable and epic moments, so it's still worth playing.


3 Dragon Quest 8

A fun JRPG that takes players on a grand adventure

Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King

System

phone transparent PlayStation-1

Released
November 15, 2005

Developer
Level-5

OpenCritic Rating
Powerful

Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King stands out as one of the most visually striking games on the PlayStation 2, thanks to its beautiful cel-shaded characters and cities, expansive maps, and vast areas open for exploration. As with its predecessors, it doesn't tell an overly complex story, but there's a sense of adventure that few comics can match, and Dragon Quest 8 is easily one of the most timeless games on the system.

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It's a classic JRPG fantasy adventure that's as traditional as the genre can be, but it's so well executed that it Dragon Quest 8 such a memorable and fun experience. Players undertake a quest to defeat the evil magician and fool, Dhoulmagus. The hero and company join forces to restore peace and cure King Trode, who has turned into a troll-like creature, and the princess, who has turned into a horse.


2 The Sui Code 5

One of the best stories in the genre

The Sui Code 5

JRPG

Fighting

Adventure

Strategy

System

PlayStation-1

Released
February 23, 2006

Developer
Konami, Hudson Soft

The The Sui Code the series has always focused on creating a world with believable characters. It still operates in a fantasy setting but emphasizes how war and devastation affects ordinary people and their heroes. The Sui Code 2 rightfully seen as the best in the series, but The Sui Code 5 comes very close. As with its predecessors, players are tasked with recruiting 108 Stars of Destiny and their contribution to building a base.


The Sui Code 5 has a slow opening as it sets up its characters, their motivations and world-building, but ultimately stands out for having one of the most compelling stories on the PS2. Although the panned view doesn't always do it justice The Sui Code 5 showcases some of the best looking visuals on the PS2, with some of the most detailed environments and character models on the system with reflective surfaces, detailed characters and huge cities to explore.

1 Personas 4

Holds up as one of the best JRPGs on any system

Personas 4 is a timeless PS2 classic that is thankfully available on modern systems thanks to the improved port Persona 4 Golden. This JRPG is unique for its setting in a modern Japanese city, focusing on a new transfer student who becomes involved in a supernatural murder mystery. Without revealing too much of the plot, the students are tricked into staring at their televisions at midnight in hopes of catching a glimpse of their future love. Instead, they are drawn into an alternate dream-like world.


It tells an engaging story and script with well-written scenarios and relatable characters, regardless of whether the players themselves are students or older and remember school life. In between fighting and rescuing students from the TV dimension, players must also go to school to socialize and build friendships. Thanks to the excellent presentation and storytelling, the turn-based battles feel fresh, and the social aspect of the game is always entertaining.

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