The PS1 is home to the golden age of JRPGs, with Final Fantasy 7‘s rampant success turning this genre into one of the most profitable ones for the console. From SquareSoft’s litany of wonderful titles to some other developers who wanted players to enjoy their role-playing experiences, it’s easy to see why players have a soft spot for most RPGs on the original PlayStation.
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It’s only a given that not all RPGs on this platform received the same level of love and adoration as some of the console’s other standout titles. Thankfully, these games boast enough quality to convince players to give them a shot despite their mistakes.
8
Koudelka
The Combat Is A Slog But The Story And Atmosphere Make Up For It
Koudelka
- Released
-
December 16, 1999
- Developer(s)
-
SNK
Koudelka is a JRPG that preceded the Shadow Hearts series, with this gothic role-playing game boasting some incredible vibes along with a dark story and memorable characters. However, one area where it falters for many is the slow-paced combat system.
The title’s battles are something that players must power through if they want to appreciate the rest of the experience. As long as players are willing to overlook the title’s combat, they’ll have a great time enjoying the story of Koudelka.
7
Final Fantasy 8
The Junction System May Be Broken, But Fans Don’t Mind As Long As They Get To Enjoy The Game’s Stellar Visuals
- Released
-
February 11, 1999
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Most people are aware of the Junction system’s faults and how broken it may be as long as players are willing to go through the grind of drawing 100 units of each spell. This, coupled with a story that can be downright nonsensical at times, makes it clear why Final Fantasy 8 can be such a rough experience for many.
However, most people love this game for its incredible visuals and characters who have more depth than players would assume. Squall’s inner demons are easy to resonate with for players, who love how the protagonist eventually accepts his role as a leader and saves the world from Ultimecia’s time compression.
6
Chrono Cross
The Sequel Was Never Going To Live Up To The Legacy Of Chrono Trigger
- Released
-
August 15, 2000
- Developer(s)
-
Square
Chrono Cross is a game that fans were hotly anticipating, given the fact that it served as a successor to the greatest JRPG of all time. However, most people didn’t appreciate the suite of changes from Chrono Trigger, ranging from the inclusion of battle screen transitions to the huge cast that could get overwhelming for players.
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It was only a given that Chrono Cross would buckle under the weight of all these comparisons, but players who view this JRPG as an independent product will love how engaging the title is in its own right. As long as players approach the game with tempered expectations, they’ll have a great time playing Chrono Cross and unraveling its ambitious story.
5
Xenogears
The Second Half Of The Story Runs Out Of Steam, But The Journey Is Still Worthwhile Regardless
- Released
-
October 20, 1998
- Developer(s)
-
Square
Mentioning Xenogears either elates or infuriates players, based on their takeaways from this game. The first half of this title lets people enjoy an exemplary story along with memorable characters, only for the second disc to falter under the weight of its grand ambitions.
The story may turn into a downright slog of expositions at this point, but the journey is still special for many players. Even now, Xenogears is a shining example of a PS1 JRPG that could’ve been something greater if the development was handled with greater care but is still worth checking out for fans of this genre.
4
Parasite Eve 2
The Game Is Great In Its Own Right, Even If The Gameplay Changes Were Frowned Upon By Many
Parasite Eve 2
- Released
-
September 12, 2000
- Developer(s)
-
Square Product Development Division 5
With Resident Evil blowing on the PS1, SquareSoft decided to integrate elements of this genre into the sequel for Parasite Eve. Tank controls are a pain to get adjusted to feel like a step down from the simple yet compelling turn-based combat of the first game.
However, players willing to adjust to the game’s frustrating combat system will have a great time playing through Parasite Eve 2. It’s a decent sequel that explores another adventure with Aya Brea and is the last good game in this series before The 3rd Birthday‘s poor critical and commercial performance ensured that the series would be dead for quite some time.
3
Revelations: Persona
The Dungeon Crawling Can Get Grating, But Players Forgive This Game For Its Fun Story
Revelations: Persona
- Released
-
December 14, 1996
Before the Persona series found its stride with the third entry, it was nothing more than a spinoff of Shin Megami Tensei starring high-school kids who band together against a supernatural threat. Revelations: Persona is the first game in the series and suffers from a high encounter rate and slow battles, that can turn the adventure into a slog.
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However, players who power through some of the game’s weaker elements will find themselves enamored by an excellent story and memorable characters who deserve to capture the mainstream in a remake. With Persona‘s popularity being higher than ever before, it’s easy to see why players will love the opportunity to check out an important entry in the series that set the foundation for this spinoff to eventually become bigger and more notable than the parent series itself.
2
Vagrant Story
The Title Has Immaculate Vibes, Even If The Gameplay Systems Can Be Overly Complex
- Released
-
May 15, 2000
- Developer(s)
-
Square
Most people will wonder if Vagrant Story‘s reception was polarizing in the first place, but there’s no denying that the game’s complicated combat and a poor release window ensured that this title flew under most people’s radar.
The amazing localization and tactical combat should be experienced by many JRPG fans who gave this title a pass. As long as players keep their equipment up-to-date and get immersed in the story, they’ll find this romp through the world of Ivalice to be a compelling one that will capture their attention till the very end.
1
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Failed To Live Up To The Standards Of Its Predecessor, But The Amazing Gameplay Makes Up For It
- Released
-
November 30, 2000
Persona 2: Innocent Sin is a game many hardcore JRPG fans adore as one of the best games in the series that is criminally overlooked. However, the reception toward its sequel is more divisive.
Some people love the gameplay improvements and a heightened degree of challenge, while others aren’t huge fans of a narrative that treads the same ground. However, Innocent Sin‘s story is incomplete without experiencing Eternal Punishment, and this game will still wow fans even though it’s not as great as the first Persona 2 game in the eyes of many.
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