The PlayStation is a formative video game console that introduced audiences to not only a number of new and exciting characters and franchises, but the console’s hardware also helped push video games to the next level. The capabilities of the PlayStation allowed for many things to be possible, but the advent of massive RPG titles is one of the things that the PlayStation did best.
Many of these RPGs, like the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series, came out courtesy of the juggernaut developer Square, but they’re not the only ones who helped push the RPG genre forward. There are plenty of titles that haven’t gotten their proper due simply because they were overshadowed by Square’s efforts.
10 Tales Of Destiny (Wolf Team)
Tales of Destiny is the second entry in Namco’s illustrious “Tales of” ongoing RPG series. Tales of Destiny reflects many of the fantastical staples that are seen as the norm in early RPG titles, like an ancient world that’s split by the advent of magic, which also sets some noble individuals on a quest to fix this corruption.
Tales of Destiny stars Stahn, an optimistic, young hero who acquires a sentient sword named Dymlos that’s instrumental in righting the wrongs that have infected the world. Addictive combat and an intricate story make Tales of Destiny a winner.
9 Legend Of Legaia (Prokion)
Legend of Legaia, developed by Prokion, creates a compelling adventure that’s set ten years after a devastating event where a mysterious mist transforms humans in monsters. In addition to the unique story, Legaia’s battle system is much more intricate than the standard RPG title.
Rather than simply attacking, players have control over where they’re attacking and with what parts of their body, like their left or right arms. This adds a lot more strategy to the fast-paced action RPG title. The game made enough of an impact that a Legend of Legaia 2 eventually came out for the PlayStation 2.
8 Vandal Hearts (Konami)
Vandal Hearts is an encouraging tactical RPG title from Konami whose success led to both a sequel and a prequel title. Vandal Hearts’ story tackles typical ideas that are seen in RPGs, like a land that suffers from political corruption and a party of underdogs who are desperate to change the world. Vandal Hearts’ linear narrative is where the title is at its most pedestrian, but it still connects. The game’s combat and environments are where Vandal Hearts really shines. The spell effects are incredible and there are seven diverse classes that can be utilized to flesh out Ash’s party.
7 Breath Of Fire III (Capcom)
Capcom’s Breath of Fire III is a major step forward for the series due to its incorporation of 3D graphic and voice acting. The game continues Ryu’s quest to understand his people, who can turn into dragons. Combat excels, but the game is unique in the sense that there’s no major antagonist, with smaller threats and quests making up the majority of the game. Admittedly, some believe that Breath of Fire IV is the superior game, but the title largely restarts the franchise’s storyline, whereas Breath of Fire III acts as a fitting conclusion to its predecessors.
6 The Legend Of Dragoon (Sony Computer Entertainment)
The Legend of Dragoon is one of the biggest endeavors that the original PlayStation took on. The game was in development for over three years, with a budget of $16 million and a team of over 100 people. This level of manpower results in a gorgeous combination of graphics and sound design. The game mixes real-time attacks with turn-based combat, which creates exciting combat and even makes the game feel like a lost PlayStation-era Final Fantasy game. Legend of Dragoon’s Dart has become an iconic hero for the PlayStation who will hopefully hasn’t gone on his last adventure just yet.
5 Wild Arms (Media.Vision)
Wild Arms is an influential PlayStation RPG that many people missed because it was released so close to Final Fantasy VII, which easily overshadowed the smaller title. Wild Arms examines a scrappy team of adventurers who wield powerful and ridiculous weapons in an epic story that leaves the fate of the world in jeopardy. Wild Arms stands out for the fact that the majority of the game is presented in a conventional 2D design, yet the battle system shifts to a 3D environment that pushes the PlayStation’s capabilities. Wild Arms struggled outside of Japan, but it’s celebrated many sequels.
4 Grandia (Game Arts)
Game Arts’ Grandia is considered to be one of the best RPG titles of its era and the concepts that the game introduces, like weapons and spells getting upgrades the more that they’re used, have become fixtures in modern RPGs. It also steers away from random encounters with enemies clearly visible on the map. Grandia examines a world that’s turned asunder from the growing presence of technology and sets its heroes out to discover a legendary lost civilization that the military is also determined to locate. Grandia is one of the best looking 2D titles for the PlayStation, too.
3 Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete (Game Arts)
The Lunar series started on the overlooked Sega CD and this remake title was first released on the Sega Saturn. However, Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete is largely considered to be the best version of the game since it takes everything from the Sega Saturn release and refines the package even further. Silver Star Story Complete adds even more characters, scenarios, and lush FMV sequences to what’s already an impressive and in-depth game. Alex, a humble heir to the Dragonmaster title, is a fantastic protagonist and the trials he must conquer to keep the world safe are genuinely suspenseful.
2 Star Ocean: The Second Story (tri-Ace)
The Star Ocean RPG series isn’t as popular as Final Fantasy, but it’s arguably even deeper in many ways. The Second Story is the apex of the franchise and it’s set in a remarkable world that leans harder towards science fiction than fantasy for its inspiration. The use of real-time combat and action mechanics guarantees that the combat is engaging and the title will keep bringing players back due to the multiple different endings that are possible as well as the two different main characters that can be controlled throughout the epic adventure.
1 Suikoden II (Konami)
The Final Fantasy series is full of charm, but it and every other series truly needs to bow to the ambition of Suikoden II. The RPG series from Konami doesn’t prioritize aesthetics like 3D graphics and instead devotes its time to a deep story that’s full of turns and surprises that will actually resonate with the audience. Suikoden II also features over 100 characters that can be recruited, 40 of which are playable, which is still a technical feat that’s practically unrivaled even in RPGs from the current gaming generation.
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