# Any good RPGs for the PS2? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 21, 2002, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134 "2002-05-21T17:47:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/1 "2002-05-21T17:47:24Z")
Other than FFX? I find myself with two whole weeks for freedom after school gets out and before my job starts. I could spend all my time watching M_A_S\*H and Buffy, but I want more out of my vacation than that. I want to play an RPG. However, I’m completely out of the loop game-wise, and I have no idea if there are any out there, much less any good ones. What would you other PS2 owners suggest? ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/2 "2002-05-21T17:51:08Z")
Go check a game site. You’ll get much more complete info. Admittadely, I’m primarily playing PS1 games on mine, but then, I have a big backlog of games I want to beat, so that’s a seperate issue. ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/3 "2002-05-21T18:00:25Z")
I’ve had a lot of fun playing Dark Cloud lately. (60+ hours!) It’s a good RPG-type fighting game, with lots of variety and a few interesting puzzles. Plus, it’s just gone on the “Greatest Hits” list, so you can pick it up for $20-$25. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/4 "2002-05-21T18:00:44Z")
I never got into it, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about **Ico**. If you missed 'em, catch up with **FFVII** , **FFVIII** , and **FFIX**. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/5 "2002-05-21T18:10:25Z")
Grandia II is supopsed to be pretty good if somewhat linear. I think that’s out for the PS2. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/6 "2002-05-21T18:24:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by erislover \* > \*\*Grandia II is supopsed to be pretty good if somewhat linear. I think that’s out for the PS2. \*\* I’ve heard that it’s a great game, but a pretty bad port. The Dreamcast version is miles better. ---
**Author:** ![tirial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@tirial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tirial)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/7 "2002-05-21T18:26:52Z")
Summoner isn’t bad (I’m re-playing it now). Nice graphics, but it is a bit linear. On the other hand, the Summoner geeks (after the credits) are worth getting hold of the game for. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/8 "2002-05-21T18:42:08Z")
[Grandia II](http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters/products/0,11114,530934,00.html) [Dark Cloud](http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters/products/0,11114,197042,00.html) If you’ve never played Star Ocean for the PS you might try and dig that up. That was an awesome game, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/9 "2002-05-21T18:54:56Z")
_Summoner_ - I’ve got it, played it for a while, liked it, then lost interest. I suppose I’ll go back to it sometime. Has an absolutely enormous world. _Grandia II_ - Haven’t played the PS2 version but the Dreamcast version was excellent. Probably worth picking up. _Shadow Hearts_ - I liked this one; sort of a FF in a demon-infested world. I did think it relied a bit too much on the ring-interface thingy it used. (Forgot what they called it.) If I wanted a reflex game I wouldn’t be playing an RPG for Cthulhu’s sake! ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/10 "2002-05-21T18:58:56Z")
Oops. Almost forgot. Square re-released both _Final Fantasy IV_ and _Chrono Trigger_ for the Playstation as a set. (I think they called it _Final Fantasy Chronicles_ or something like that.) And this is the full version of FFIV, not the stripped down version that was released for the SNES. If you haven’t played either of them it is definitely worth tracking them down. Yeah, they’re SNES-level graphics with some cut-scenes added but they’re also two of the best RPGs ever released. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/11 "2002-05-21T19:07:43Z")
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I’ve played Summoner. Liked it the first time, tried to play it second and lost interest. I’m surprised to see it mentioned though because I thought I was te only one who liked it! Dark Cloud…eh. My husband rented it, and I quickly lost interest. To me, it seemed very repetitive. I’ve played FFVII, VIII, and IX games, and we bought FF Chronicles the day it was released. (What losers we are.) FTR, I loved Chrono Trigger. It’s one of my favorite games of all time. I’m working on seeing all the endings…I think I have 3 more to go. Grandia II and Shadow Hearts looks good though… Has anybody played Final Fantasy Tactics? I think we own thta game, but I’ve never played it. Is it worth the time? ---
**Author:** ![Seraphim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Seraphim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seraphim)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/12 "2002-05-21T19:31:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pepperlandgirl \* > \*\*Thanks for the suggestions so far. > Has anybody played Final Fantasy Tactics? I think we own thta game, but I’ve never played it. Is it worth the time? \*\* Are you kidding? That’s one of the best strategy games I ever played! ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/13 "2002-05-21T19:47:53Z")
OMG… I thought _anyone_ who liked RPGs had played that! PLAY THAT GAME IMMEDIATELY. And revel in it. And in revelling in it, love it. And in loving it master it. So it shall ever be. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/14 "2002-05-21T19:59:25Z")
What eris just said. Leave work, school, where ever you are _right now_ and run, do not walk, to your nearest store and get a copy. It’s now out as part of the Greatest Hits series so you should be able to pick it up for \< $20 too! Not only that, Square has now confirmed that FF:T will be released for the Game Boy Advance. Another excuse to buy a GBA. (Story - [http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2002/031502a.html](http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2002/031502a.html) ) ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/15 "2002-05-21T20:23:53Z")
[Breaking off from solely thinking about Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis for GameBoy Advance] Eh? FFT? Why it is one of the best of the strategy genre. I wouldn’t be playing TO:TKOL if it wasn’t for that game. (Not quite true, I fell in love with the Ogre Battle series with the N64 game) To call yourself a fan of RPGs, necessitates that you play this game. Grandia II has one of the best game sytems for battles that I’ve seen in a long time. Pure fun. The only problem is that it is a bad port of a great Dreamcast game. Still perfectly enjoyable on the PS2 if you haven’t played it elsewhere. Shadow Hearts looks cool. My friend loved it. That’s all I have to say on that. [Resumes thinking solely about Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis, and possibly the Buffy & 24 season finales] ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/16 "2002-05-21T21:08:49Z")
Wow, I had no idea that FFT was so important! 😉 It has become the first game on my list to play. (Which is great, cuz now I don’t have to buy a new one.) ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/17 "2002-05-22T02:11:58Z")
I played Grandia II on the DC, very nice in VGA. Then bought the ps2 version & played it then thought it looks too cartoony & besides, its the same game, so not about to use another 40 hours on it. Baulders Gate is fun, not too long, maybe 20 hours? Fast battles- nice graphics. rent it rather than buy it., ---
**Author:** ![sghoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@sghoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sghoul)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/18 "2002-05-22T12:09:09Z")
Well, if you are willing to go back to PS1 games, I would also suggest Vagrant Story (also by Square). For the PS2, Dark Cloud and Shadow Hearts were both good 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2002, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/19 "2002-05-25T19:42:06Z")
Just wondering, **pepper** , how’s it going? Are you enjoying it? FFT: the only RPG I’ve played more than 4 times. Replay value on this sucker is huge! And I’ve _still_ not done everything. (stupid deep dungeon, stupid masmune, stupid cloud so hard to level up) ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2002, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134/20 "2002-05-25T19:59:27Z")
On the topic of PS1 games, go find a copy of Xenogears. Very well worth it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-rpgs-for-the-ps2/110134.md?page=2)