We already published the list of best PS2 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS2 action RPGs of all time.
With amazing titles like the Kingdom Hearts series, The Lord of the Rings series, and X-Men Legends series, the PS2 surely have a great collection of action RPGs.
If you’re a fan of both PS2 and action RPGs, I know that you want to know the best PS2 action RPGs of all time.
Most of you will recognize (or even still play) some of the games mentioned on this list.
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See also: Best PS1 Games & Best PSP Games
#25. Dual Hearts
- Release Data: Matrix Software/SCEI, 2002
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Dual Hearts is well-made and enjoyable enough that anyone who likes action RPGs should have a good time with it.
It may not be the most original game, since so many of its elements are lifted directly from Zelda and Mario, but that doesn’t stop Dual Hearts from being a lot of fun.
#24. Tales of Legendia
- Release Data: Namco, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Tales of Legendia is an easy recommendation for those who enjoy Japanese role-playing games; the battles are fast-paced and enjoyable, the story moves along enough to be interesting, the characters are personable, and the whole package is very well-polished and pretty to look at.
It may be on the formulaic side, but it’s still an engaging journey.
#23. .hack//G.U. vol. 1//Rebirth
- Release Data: CyberConnect2/Namco Bandai Games, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
The game does a good job of developing the world of .hack by introducing some likable characters and padding it out with interesting touches, but all of the development and detail doesn’t add up to any sort of appreciable story.
The pacing of the game are tedious and slow, and the battle system is too simple to keep you entertained.
#22. .hack//Mutation Part 2
- Release Data: CyberConnect2/Bandai, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
From a technical standpoint, Mutation is every bit as good a game as Infection was before it.
But even if you really liked Infection, you probably won’t like this second installment as much, since it’s just like the first, minus the originality.
#21. Ys: The Ark of Napishtim
- Release Data: Falcom/Konami, 2005
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Ys: The Ark of Napishtim isn’t perhaps the sharpest-looking hack-and-slash adventure with the most refined gameplay, but it still provides a solid and satisfying experience.
Fans of the series and button-stomping pros looking to carve up legions of foes in the company of a large cast of personable characters will be right at home with this iteration of Ys.
#20. Radiata Stories
- Release Data: Tri-Ace/Square Enix, 2005
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
You can beat the game in about 20 hours, but then you can go back and try the alternate storyline for another six to 10 hours of gameplay.
Although Radiata Stories doesn’t really bring anything new to the genre, it’s still an enjoyable game simply because it delivers the humor that role-playing games so often lack.
#19. Champions: Return to Arms
- Release Data: Snowblind Studios/Sony Online Entertainment, 2005
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
The improvements that Champions: Return to Arms makes over its predecessors are modest, and after four years of roughly the same game, the fundamental formula is starting to feel a little tired.
That said, this is Snowblind’s most accomplished game to date, and those who are just being introduced to it, will find a lot to like here.
#18. .hack//Infection Part 1
- Release Data: CyberConnect2/Bandai, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
You can finish the game in 20 hours or less, though you can continue playing after that, unlocking some secrets and finding better equipment.
It’s not that the first game in the series isn’t any good—it’s just that the concept is much better.
#17. Summoner 2
- Release Data: Volition Inc./THQ, 2002
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Those who enjoyed the first game should by all means give Summoner 2 a go, while anyone who missed the first game shouldn’t hesitate to start with the sequel.
Summoner 2 is an all-around good game and a solid sequel, offering up an engaging story and an original mix of action and role-playing elements.
#16. Dark Cloud
- Release Data: Level 5/SCEE, 2001
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
As one of the longer single-player experiences currently available for the PlayStation 2, Dark Cloud successfully blends adventure, RPG, simulation, and strategy elements into one incredibly addictive game.
Despite its gameplay quirks and repetitive dungeons, this game will handsomely reward those who invest the time to learn the nuances of its weapons system.
#15. Tales of the Abyss
- Release Data: Namco/Namco Bandai Games, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Tales of the Abyss is one of those games that should please die-hard Tales fans and win over a number of newcomers to the series.
Even with the glut of similar RPGs on the PS2, Tales of the Abyss is an entertaining experience throughout.
The story isn’t especially engaging, but the characters are, and the combat is simple but satisfying.
#14. X-Men Legends
- Release Data: Raven Software/Activision, 2004
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
X-Men Legends does a good job with the comic license, so fans will probably enjoy the game’s attention to detail.
It also does a good job with the standard action RPG formula that was popularized by games like Dark Alliance.
But most importantly, it’s an entertaining game with a story that you’ll want to see through to its conclusion.
#13. X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse
- Release Data: Raven Software/Activision, 2005
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Overall, X-Men Legends II is a definite step up from its predecessor.
It doesn’t do anything new or groundbreaking in terms of gameplay mechanics, but the cast of characters and the story are more than enough to make it worth playing.
#12. Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
- Release Data: Tri-Ace/Ubisoft, 2004
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Those who get the most enjoyment out of Star Ocean: Till the End of Time will be those who enjoy a little of both worlds—a real-time, responsive, progressive type of battle system right alongside deep dungeon crawls, sometimes restrictive item quantities, and lots of character leveling.
#11. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II
- Release Data: Black Isle Studios/Avalon Interactive, 2004
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance was an RPG for people who didn’t like RPGs, and its sequel does a fine job of maintaining that design philosophy.
Though the ending is a little unsatisfying, and the actual adventure is a little short, the game offers plenty of replay value with five appreciably different character classes and a really satisfying cooperative mode.
#10. Rogue Galaxy
- Release Data: Level 5/SCEA, 2007
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Rogue Galaxy definitely brings the noise to longtime RPG fans.
Though its storyline isn’t on the same level as other great PS2 games in the genre, its mixture of strong combat mechanics, addictive sidequests, and absolutely stunning visual style more than makes up for what it doesn’t do.
#9. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
- Release Data: Raven Software/Activision, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Beyond being a well-made and accessible action RPG, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance captures the essence of the Marvel Universe.
This is simply a must-have for Marvel fans, though the action itself remains satisfying enough for those in search of a good dungeon crawler to enjoy.
#8. Odin Sphere
- Release Data: Vanillaware/Atlus, 2007
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Odin Sphere is a great-looking game that also plays well.
If you aren’t hooked by Odin Sphere‘s unique visual style, then you’ll be grabbed by its classic sentimentality and tough-as-nails difficulty.
Add to that a good 40 hours of gameplay, and Odin Sphere is a game worth playing.
#7. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Release Data: Stormfront Studios/Electronic Arts, 2002
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
In the end, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is an action RPG with a terrific gameplay system that encourages you to battle it out like there’s no tomorrow.
Fans of the first film will definitely want to pick this one up, in spite of the game’s short length.
#6. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
- Release Data: Snowblind Studios/Pacific Century Cyber Works, 2001
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is the beginning of a wonderful story, and you can really appreciate all the work that went into making sure that all of the little things came together so nicely.
Anyone with a love of the source material or those who can appreciate an immersive, combat-based experience will have a blast.
#5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- Release Data: EA Games/Electronic Arts, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King features fast-paced, cinematic action with plenty of pick-up-and-play appeal.
On its own merits, it’s not a particularly lengthy or complex game, so you should be able to get through most of its content in a weekend.
#4. Champions of Norrath
- Release Data: Snowblind Studios/Sony Online Entertainment, 2004
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
The core components that make up the game experience all come together to create an experience that is better than the original Dark Alliance and better than any of Champions‘ rivals.
Overalll, Champions of Norrath is truly great, and that speaks to the sheer quality of work that Snowblind has put into this game.
#3. Kingdom Hearts
- Release Data: SquareSoft/SCEE, 2002
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Kingdom Hearts is great, largely because it successfully captures the spirit of both Square and Disney in a single game.
The way it pulls this off can’t be described as easily as it can be experienced, so you should give Kingdom Hearts a try.
Like the Disney cartoons that inspired the game, it can be recommended to pretty much anybody.
#2. Kingdom Hearts II
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
The game offers an extremely long gameplay experience that takes you through an absolute whirlwind of Disney and Square franchises, letting you interact with virtually every character you could conceive of joining up forces with or fighting against.
Nevertheless, there’s enough to the game both in depth and in story to make it entertaining for a long time.
#1. Dark Cloud 2
- Release Data: Level 5/SCEE, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Every element of the game, from the weapon upgrading to the interaction with a large cast of characters, displays a polish and attention to quality that you find only in real classics.
Dark Cloud 2 could very well be the PlayStation 2’s Zelda, and it will appeal to fans of the action RPG genre for a long time to come.
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding the best PS2 action RPG is no doubt a little bit late since this legendary console has been around for almost two decades, but thanks to emulator and remastered games, it’s still exciting!
