Classic PS2 JRPGs That Still Hold Up Today

While the jump to 3D was a revolution in game design with the PS1 and Nintendo 64, the PS2’s increased graphical fidelity from its predecessor brought life to these worlds in a way the previous generation never could.

Good graphics do not last forever though, and now the games have to please fans with their gameplay, writing, and art. Not every game that once impressed millions lives up to the test, but the JRPGs below pass with flying colors. They might have some quirks of being older, but their strengths more than makeup for any shortcomings they have in other areas.

6 Final Fantasy 10

A Great Intro Throws Players Into The Action Quickly

Final Fantasy 10 knew that it was impressing gamers with wild visuals most had never seen before with its intro showcasing massive destruction. Even as the new-generation sheen has worn off, the opening hour remains a compelling introduction to a JRPG.

It introduces so many mysteries while teaching players the basic systems, making sure they never get bored while learning the ropes. The game sets players on a fairly linear path throughout, but it eventually opens up at the end, allowing players to revisit older areas and engage in a plethora of side quests.

Every party member starts out on a predetermined path on the sphere grid, but eventually, players can send them to other areas of the grid. It helps split the difference between characters with assigned classes and letting players choose how they develop their party.

The original PS2 release features vastly different faces
than the various remasters
that have come out. Many argue that the original faces look better.

5 Legaia 2: Duel Saga

Not As Good As Its Predecessor, But Still Unique

Legaia 2 is not as memorable as its predecessor, but it still holds up thanks to the unique battle system that expands upon the first game. It is also significantly longer and includes various new mechanics to explore and toy around with. Where the first game is a tightly knit adventure, Legaia 2 offers players minigames and optional areas to explore.

A campfire mechanic is even reminiscent of Final Fantasy 15, letting players cook meals to beef up the party’s stats. Fans never received a third entry in the series, but here’s hoping a remaster comes around soon of either one or both of the games.

4 Disgaea

Quirky And Charming

A lot of turn-based strategy games from Japan feature darker storylines. Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together come to mind as standout examples of the genre. Disgaea’s gameplay will be familiar to fans of those two titles, but its story and aesthetic are more comedic and lighthearted.

The main character, Laharl, is a prince who awakens from a two-hundred-year slumber to find out his father has passed away. He then seeks to claim the underworld throne he feels is rightfully his. The characters are playful, the scenarios are silly, and the gameplay loop is compelling, especially compared to the darker, more mature themes more modern JRPGs have explored in recent years with titles like Final Fantasy 16.

3 Dragon Quest 8

A Solid JRPG Adventure And The Series’s First 3D Outing

Dragon Quest entered the 3D space only starting with the PS2. Dragon Quest 8 is also the only entry of the storied series on the console, so it had a lot to live up to for console owners who were also longtime fans.

Despite the jump to 3D, the gameplay opts to remain familiar to the rest of the series and does not introduce any mechanics that stray from its JRPG sensibilities. This helps it hold up after all these years, though. People know just what to expect when jumping in and will not be disappointed by this solid JRPG adventure.

2 Kingdom Hearts

Keep It Simple And Fans Will Love It Forever

Sometimes, simplicity works in a game’s favor when it comes to how well it ages. The gameplay of the Kingdom Hearts series has not changed much such its inception, but layers of abilities, special setpieces in boss fights, and other mechanics have expanded the combat. It is still satisfying to go back to the beginning and experience where it all started.

The basic attacks players have with the keyblade means they only have themselves to rely on, along with some assistance from Donald and Goofy. Kingdom Hearts also had a simpler story before future entries became more convoluted. Each world is small, but the size and length make sure players can breeze through the adventure and never get tired of a particular environment.

1 Final Fantasy 12

Feels Too Big For The PS2, But It Somehow Works

Final Fantasy 12 is a huge game in every way, from its massive environments to its grand story. Back in 2006 fans wondered how it could even fit on a PS2 disc. After the novelty of such a large game on a console wore off, there was still a lot to appreciate about the adventure. The move to an MMORPG-influenced battle system was a fresh take on a series that had been turn-based since the beginning.

The various hunts players could take on introduced side quests early on in the adventure and not just in the endgame. Lastly, the license board allows for player choice in character growth in addition to the more linear progression offered by the traditional leveling system. The sense of scale while exploring the world on foot will please fans of Xenoblade Chronicles, which offers a similar feeling while traversing between locations.

Final Fantasy 12
takes place in Ivalice, the same setting as
Final Fantasy Tactics
. However, they are set in different time periods and do not share plot threads.