Polarizing PS2 RPGs That Are Still Worth Trying Out

Usually, the consensus about a video game’s quality is that it is good, bad, or somewhere in between with very few divergences. Naturally, this follows suit for role-playing games, with many of the better entries in the genre regarded as some of the best games ever made.

Still, there are times when not everyone is in agreement. Sometimes a story does not connect with some in the way it does with others, or there are differences of opinion on other aspects like gameplay, control schemes, or art-style. Whatever the case, Sony’s mighty PlayStation 2 is packed with such polarizing RPGs, and it’s worth dusting off the old console and seeking out a copy to give them a try.

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10

.hack//G.U. Vol. 1//Rebirth

Unique Digital Setting And Premise

A game within a game, .hack//G.U. vol. 1//Rebirth is set in an MMORPG called ‘The World’. Ridiculous game name aside, it is a spin-off of the wider .hack universe. This entry is the first in the G.U. trilogy, and is the most polarizing of the three, since the latter two were more negatively received.

Controlling Haseo, players seek out another mysterious player known as Tri-Edge, who deliberately caused Haseo’s friend Shino to fall into a coma in real life due to his in-game actions. The game received legitimate criticism for the repetitive nature of some aspects, but the immersive elements and the unique premise make this game a curiosity.

9

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner – Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army

Demon Summoning And Battling In 1930s Tokyo

There are several major changes in Devil Summoner – Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army compared to the rest of the Devil Summoner series. The most notable is the move to real-time combat, as opposed to the more traditional turn-based battles that fans were used to. Another is the more historical setting.

As Raidou Kuzunoha, a private detective in the 1930s in Tokyo, players are able to freely explore the Japanese capital, battling various demons with Raidou’s sword, gun and summons. The short length, underwhelming graphics, and major gameplay changes were met with a mixed reception, but the choice of location and time period, as well as demons appearing in historical Tokyo, intrigued both players and critics.

8

Okage: Shadow King

Tim Burton-esque Animation And A Quirky Sense Of Humor

Systems

Released

March 15, 2001

Developer(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Clearly inspired by Tim Burton films, Okage: Shadow King does not appeal to all players. Controlling Ari, a quiet and ordinary boy in the land of Tenel, players must venture out to defeat evil spirits after Ari’s sister is cursed by a ghost. Assisted by Stan, an evil spirit who has infiltrated Ari’s shadow, combat is turn-based.

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Much like the art-style, the story and humor have a “love it or hate it” vibe. Taking over 20 hours to complete left some reviewers feeling that the game overstayed its welcome, but players who enjoy wacky characters and zany comedy should view this title as a must-play.

7

Dawn Of Mana

Charming Characters, Cool Weapons, & Some Major Irritations

Systems

Released

May 22, 2007

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Perhaps the most heavily criticized game on this list, Dawn of Mana received negative reviews at the time, despite being part of the popular Mana series. Combat is like a less-refined Kingdom Hearts, a game that was already five years old by that point. Rather irritatingly, the player’s levels and equipment are reset after every chapter.

Despite these poor qualities, Keldric’s whip is a cool weapon that is fun to use, allowing him to throw nearby objects or enemies. While many balk at the derivative story, it’s still somewhat enjoyable with its charming characters, and the stunning visuals make up for other flaws.

6

Legaia 2: Duel Saga

Fun Combat Let Down By A Flawed Story

The sequel to Legend of Legaia, Legaia: Duel Saga is much more divisive than its predecessor. The story and characters don’t seem to appeal to everyone, but fans of the first game will likely enjoy it, especially since it has more features like weapon and armor customization.

Like the first game, Duel Saga features the unique “Tactical Arts System” for turn-based combat, which is surprisingly intuitive and makes it feel more like a fighting game. This, along with some other fun gameplay mechanics and timeless art-style, make it an enjoyable experience for any players willing to give it a go.

5

Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain Of Memories

3D Remake Of A GBA Classic

Action RPG

Digital Card Game

Systems

Released

December 2, 2008

Developer(s)

Square Enix

A remake of the Game Boy Advance game, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories received a mixed response from fans. The main improvements include a complete change in art-style from 2D to 3D and the addition of voice acting and full-motion video in cutscenes, keeping this entry on a par with other Kingdom Hearts games on the PS2.

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Maintaining the card-based battle system from Nintendo’s handheld port received some criticism, with many feeling that the game was not well-balanced. Despite this, fans of the series enjoy the story here, and many of their favorite characters from the Kingdom Hearts games feature prominently.

4

Fallout: Brotherhood Of Steel

Not Popular With Fallout Fans

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel

Systems

Released

January 13, 2004

A game that draws a lot of ire from Fallout fans, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel is vastly different from the rest of the series. However, it can still be enjoyable if not compared to other Fallout games. Very much of its time in terms of edgy dialogue and humor, it’s now the butt of many jokes, rather than a serious entry in the post-apocalyptic franchise.

The game plays more like a dungeon-crawling shooter with platforming elements, and features six playable characters. The skill tree functions in much the same way as the rest of the series. Perhaps if Brotherhood of Steel had been a standalone game with similar themes, rather than part of the Fallout series, it wouldn’t receive the same amount of vitriol.

3

Monster Hunter

Lukewarm Reception, But The Start Of A Popular Franchise

Systems

Released

September 21, 2004

It’s amazing to think that such an iconic series could get off to a rocky start, but the debut title Monster Hunter was not the roaring critical success one would expect. High sales were undoubtedly responsible for more releases because there are myriad issues with this game, most notably the nonsensical control scheme.

Sadly, most of the game is inaccessible for most nowadays, since online servers have closed down. However, a dedicated fanbase has found workarounds. Featuring 30 monsters and five weapons, it is still a fun game to play, though players should prepare for a high amount of grinding if they wish to progress. There are three main mission types in Monster Hunter:

• Capturing: weaken, but do not kill an enemy, then capture it.
• Gathering: collect items like herbs and monster parts.
• Hunting: track a monster, engage in combat, and defeat it. Most missions are hunting missions.

2

Xenosaga Episode 2: Jenseits von Gut und Bose

Long Cutscenes And Complex Controls, But A Fantastic Presentation

The second installment in the trilogy, Xenosaga Episode 2: Jenseits von Gut und Böse is a sci-fi RPG set in the distant future, long after humans have left Earth. As in the other entries, the title refers to a Nietzsche quote and translates to “Beyond Good and Evil”, due to the themes of morality, religion and the afterlife.

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Players and critics enjoyed the more polished visuals and character designs compared to the first game, and the narrative has largely been praised. The main issues in this entry are the unnecessarily complicated changes to combat and the removal of customization options which were present in the previous entry. Prospective players should prepare themselves for ludicrously long cutscenes too.

1

Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7

A Major Gameplay Divergence In The Final Fantasy Series

Departing from the roots of the series, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 is a third-person shooter with some familiar role-playing elements. Set three years after the events of Final Fantasy 7, players take control of Vincent Valentine in his battle against the mysterious Deepground organization.

The major change to a third-person shooter baffled many fans, and sluggish controls made matters even worse, especially for players with modern sensibilities. Still, the story is decent, providing more information about the enigmatic and fan favorite character, Vincent, so it’s worth playing. Players just need to be a bit patient.

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