Best PS2 JRPGs

Key Takeaways

• Grandia 2 offers an outstanding lead character and battle 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 an array of the most acclaimed and influential JRPGs ever created. Many of these JRPGs adhere to traditional elements, featuring fantasy settings and turn-based combat, while others are known for their space opera narratives and distinctive battle systems.

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 isn’t short of brilliant JRPGs that would make a top list of great games. This list features some of the best games in the JRPG genre and the greatest on the PlayStation 2.

8 Grandia 2

An Excellent Lead Character And Outstanding Battle System

Grandia 2 was originally a Sega Dreamcast game ported to the PS2. It was remastered for modern consoles, and the original game was included in a remastered collection. Both games are fantastic, but Grandia is arguably the best game in the series. Aside from themes and its excellent battle system, Grandia 2 is a standalone entry with no storyline connections to its predecessor.

Players take on the role of a mercenary called 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 like the Lunar series. It features a likable supporting cast of characters, a memorable lead protagonist, and great villains to face off against.

7 Tales Of The Abyss

Amazing Character Development

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

Tales of the Abyss has impressive visuals with beautifully rendered towns, cities, and well-designed characters. The game often uses complex terminology and exposition, but fans who appreciate world-building become 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

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 acclaimed titles on the PS2. It’s a two-part series that must be played together to understand the story, characters, and their emerging humanity and emotions.

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

5 Final Fantasy 12

One Of The Most Ambitious Entries In The Final Fantasy Series

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

The voice acting is terrific with excellent protagonists like Balthier, Fran, Ashelia, and Basch. The lead Vaan and his sister Penelo are typical anime-esque characters who are hit or miss. The Final Fantasy series has often paid tribute to the Star Wars movies with similar stories, characters, and Easter Eggs, but Final Fantasy 12 may be the most Star Wars-like 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

The entire Xenosaga trilogy is one continuous story 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 just as ambitious and complex, requiring players to experience the games to appreciate them.

All three games feature a lot of long cutscenes and dialogue to follow along with the story and grasp its themes. Another thing it has in common with Xenogears is the focus on religion, philosophy, identity, and psychology. Opinions differ on the quality of the three games, but the first and the third games are considered the best. Xenosaga 2 does have 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 stands out as one of the most visually striking games on the PlayStation 2, thanks to its beautiful cel-shaded characters and towns, expansive maps, and vast areas open for exploration. As with its predecessors, it doesn’t tell an overly complex story, but there is a sense of adventure that few series can match, and Dragon Quest 8 is easily one of the most timeless games on the system.

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

2 Suikoden 5

One Of The Best Stories In The Genre

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

Suikoden 5 has a slow opening as it sets up its characters, their motivations, and the world-building, yet it ultimately stands out for having one of the most compelling narratives on the PS2. While the panned-out view doesn’t always do it justice Suikoden 5 showcases some of the nicest visuals on the PS2, with some of the most detailed environments and character models on the system with reflective surfaces, detailed characters, and massive towns and cities to explore.

1 Persona 4

Holds Up As One of The Best JRPGs On Any System

Persona 4 is a timeless PS2 classic that is, thankfully, available on modern systems due to the enhanced port Persona 4 Golden. This JRPG is unique for its setting in a contemporary rural Japanese town, 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 TV sets at midnight hoping to catch a glimpse of their future love. Instead, they are drawn into an alternate dream-like realm.

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