The original PlayStation forever changed the industry. Sony swung into the gaming sphere like a wrecking ball and dominated the generation. They smartly utilized the CD format instead of cartridges and rallied tons of third-party support for a massive library of stellar titles.
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6 Best PS1 JRPGs That Are Not Part Of A Franchise
Sony’s first console had a lot of one-off JRPGs that went nowhere. Despite the lack of a larger franchise, they still made waves.
While many of the iconic games for the console have since been ported to other platforms, there still remains a handful that have never left the PlayStation shores. It would be a glorious day if the games below ever see a re-release or remaster. They deserve to be preserved for years to come. As time goes by, it is only going to get harder to find the console and a copy of the game.
While games like Parasite Eve and Xenogears feel like perfect contenders for this list, they were released on PS3 as PS1 classics. Though they have yet to get a PS4 and 5 version, players can still buy them and play them on the older console.
7
Brave Fencer Musashi
An Action RPG That Was Ahead Of Its Time
- Released
-
November 10, 1998
- Developer(s)
-
Square
- Publisher(s)
-
Square Electronic Arts
Brave Fencer Musashi has a lot of mechanics ahead of its time. The game world follows a day-and-night cycle the titular character grows tired and needs to sleep to regain energy. The game also features voice acting, which was still a novelty for an RPG.
Square was the the king of turn-based RPGs on the PlayStation, but Brave Fencer Musashi proved that the developer could stretch its wings a little bit and try something more out of left field. The graphics were impressive for the time and while they have aged considerably, they retain a timeless charm.
6
Legend Of Legaia
A Cult JRPG With Beautiful Graphics In Combat
- Developer: Prkion, Contrail
- Genres: Role-playing, Adventure
- Release: October 29, 1998
Other than its unique combat system where players input a series of inputs to unleash a combo instead of a single attack, Legend of Legaia also sets itself apart from other JRPGs on the PS1 with the mysterious mist that covers the world and makes monsters uncontrollably powerful. The 3D models in combat are also particularly detailed for the console.
Though the towns and dungeons are separated by a world map, Legend of Legaia does not have a lot of side quests and its story stays focused. All the same, it does a great job at depicting the differences between regions as Vahn and the two other party members, Noa and Gala, traverse it in their quest to destroy the mist generators.
5
Gran Turismo 2
Old Racing Sims Still Deserve Love And Recognition
- Released
-
December 11, 1999
- Publisher(s)
-
Sony Computer Entertainment
Though Gran Turismo only gets better and better with each entry, there is still something sad about the fact that Gran Turismo 2 will likely never be re-released. It would be fascinating to back to what was once a cutting-edge racing sim and see how the series has evolved.
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There would most likely be lot of licensing issues to work through if the game was to be re-released, considering the game uses real cars. It would be interesting to see if younger gamers could appreciate how graphically impressive Gran Turismo 2 was when it first came out.
4
Apocalypse
Bruce Willis Shooting Up Monsters In A Dystopian Setting
Apocalypse
- Released
-
October 31, 1998
It was still a novelty to use a celebrity in a video game in the late 1990s. This helps Apocalypse stand out among the crowded PS1 library today. Bruce Willis lent his likeness and voice to the main character, though the dialogue is limited.
The gameplay is a simple mix of shooting and platforming, with the player shooting in whichever direction they press the face button or move the analog stick. Apocalypse was developed by Neversoft and the same engine would eventually go into powering the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games.
Though the gameplay is radically different, one can see some DNA from this game in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, including the use of real people as character models and the inclusion of licensed music.
3
Disruptor
Insomniac Before Spyro The Dragon
Disruptor
- Released
-
November 20, 1996
Before developer Insomniac charmed a generation with the childish angst of Spyro the Dragon, they made a little-known science fiction first-person shooter called Disruptor. Not only is it exclusive to the original PlayStation, but it is also one of the earlier first-person shooters released for the console.
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The game takes advantage of its sci-fi aesthetic by giving players several power-ups in addition to futuristic weaponry. Despite solid reviews, the game did not make a splash in sales. Fortunately, the developer moved on to more financially successful series like Spyro and Ratchet and Clank.
2
Alundra 2
A 3D Action-Adventure Cult Classic
- Developer: Matrix Software
- Publisher: Sony (Japan), Activision (Worldwide)
- Release: March 21, 2000
Alundra has the classic top-down 2D perspective typical of many 1990s action RPGs. The sequel goes full 3D while still staying true to the classic gameplay. Players can now control the camera. While the first game was re-released on the PS3 as a PS1 classic, the sequel is curiously stuck on Sony’s debut console.
It does not have quite the same loyal fanbase, but it is still a great addition to the PS1 library. The game fully takes advantage of the technological leap, with cutscenes that utilize interesting camera movements and even voice acting.
1
Tenchu: Silent Assassin
Sneak Around Fully 3D Sandbox Environments
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Stealth
Adventure
Action
Fighting
- Released
-
December 3, 1994
- Developer(s)
-
Acquire
Tenchu: Silent Assassin ambitious 3D levels and stealth gameplay are more impressive when one learns that it was the debut game from the studio. Each level is a sandbox players need to sneak through using a limited amount of supplies. Multiple versions of each level exist to further increase the tension and encourage multiple playthroughs.
The closest comparison would be Metal Gear Solid, but Tenchu even has camera control and the main character is more mobile than Solid Snake. The North American release added features such as a level editor, which also made its way into the sequel.
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The PS1 had a wide variety of protagonists, and not all of them were adults with a chip on their shoulders, but rather kids on grand adventures.