We already published the list of best PS2 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS2 RPGs of all time.
With amazing titles like the Final Fantasy series, Shin Megami Tensei series, and Kingdom Hearts series, the PS2 surely have a great collection of RPGs.
If you’re a fan of both PS2 and RPGs, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
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. Rogue Galaxy
- Release Data: Level 5/SCEA, 2007
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Rogue Galaxy is a fantastic tale that’s a mix of swashbuckling pirate adventure and space opera.
It’s considered one of the greatest RPGs to come out for the PS2, and is featured on many “hidden gem” and “underrated classics” lists on game blogs and games media sites.
#24. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
- Release Data: Raven Software/Activision, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a gigantic game with over 20 characters that span the entire Marvel universe.
With a story that goes from New York to the halls of Asgard, there’s a ton of content to explore, optional missions and plenty of team configurations that reward you for knowing Marvel comic’s lore and the powers of the characters.
#23. Odin Sphere
- Release Data: Vanillaware/Atlus, 2007
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Odin Sphere is another underrated classic.
The story weaves the lives of more than 5 characters and shows just how deep and complex a narrative can be in a PS2 era game.
The art style is a beautifully rendered 2D storybook affair, with bold colors, detailed character models and fluid animation.
#22. Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra
- Release Data: Monolith Soft/Namco, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
The game’s combat system is straightforward and easy to understand and offers a few unique additions to the traditional JRPG with its “Break gauge” and “Boost gauge” which add a risk versus reward style to encounters.
If you are a fan of the series, you’d be crazy not to see how it all ends.
#21. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
- Release Data: Atlus/Ghostlight, 2005
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
The combat system is the same as the original, taking advantage of the enemies’ weaknesses or scoring critical hits will net you an extra turn, while your opponents themselves can take advantage of the same system.
This game is a must for any Persona and Shin Megami Tensei fans.
#20. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Release Data: Stormfront Studios/Electronic Arts, 2002
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
The combat is a third-person hack and slash affair, with the ability to play through the levels as Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.
You are awarded experience points by how well you do in combat, and you can get a bonus to experience earned while playing by filling up a meter on the bottom left of the screen.
#19. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
- Release Data: Atlus, 2004
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is not only one of the most beautiful games on the PS2, but it’s also one of the most challenging RPGs made.
With multiple endings, a ton of monsters to recruit and a deep narrative to explore the game has become a cult hit with hardcore JRPG fans.
#18. Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
- Release Data: Monolith Soft/Namco, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
The story and setting are rich and complex, and the characters are likable and interesting.
Some characters also have a boost gauge that can be filled up during combat that also allows you to take an additional turn while simultaneously removing the enemies from the turn order.
#17. Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
- Release Data: Tri-Ace/Square Enix, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
The game is separated between 2D exploring and puzzle solving, while the combat takes place in a real-time 3D battle arena.
With an engaging and well thought out story, in addition to the tightly designed combat, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria is a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.
#16. 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 an action RPG based on the 3rd edition of the Dungeons and Dragons system.
It’s reminiscent of the Diablo franchise in basic combat mechanics.
The story is wonderfully tropey in all the best ways D&D can be, and if you’ve ever played a tabletop RPG, this game will put a smile on your face.
#15. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- Release Data: EA Games/Electronic Arts, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Much like the previous game, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is an action RPG that awards experience based on how well you do in combat.
You’ll be delighted to guide Gandalf the White, Aragorn and Sam through their journey to finally destroy the One Ring, and end Sauron’s reign for good.
#14. Final Fantasy XI
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2004
- Genre: Role-Playing » Massively Multiplayer
The game is incredibly ambitious, especially for a PS2 era game.
With a bevy of minigames that include fishing, gardening and even raising Chocobos, there is an amazing variety of things to enjoy in this huge and well thought out MMO.
#13. Champions of Norrath
- Release Data: Snowblind Studios/Sony Online Entertainment, 2004
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Champions of Norrath is set in the EverQuest universe and uses a lot of that franchise’s lore to establish the setting and ground you in the narrative.
There’s a lot of customization options for each class that really gives you the ability to build a character that fits your style and make your hero truly yours.
#12. Suikoden III
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 2002
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Suikoden III offers a plot full of twists, turns, and political intrigue.
The combat has a good variety to it, using a more traditional turn-based 6 party member setup and occasionally dips into a turn-based strategy game when large armies clash.
#11. Shadow Hearts: Covenant
- Release Data: Nautilus/Aruze Corp, 2004
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
In this game, there is something called Judgement Ring that not only effects attacking, skill use and item use, but also things outside of combat as well.
If you like occult elements and turn-based combat that requires your full attention, Shadow Hearts: Covenant is the game for you.
#10. Final Fantasy X-2
- Release Data: SquareSoft/Electronic Arts, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
The story for the sequel to Final Fantasy X is considerably more lighthearted, and was designed to reflect Japanese pop culture.
With a robust new set of systems and the continuation of Yuna’s story, Final Fantasy X-2 is a must for any fan of the franchise.
#9. Kingdom Hearts
- Release Data: SquareSoft/SCEE, 2002
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Kingdom Hearts is a beloved franchise, and the first game in the series is a large part of that.
This is the game that started the phenomena that is the Kingdom Hearts franchise, and is a must if you want to enjoy the other games in the series.
#8. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
- Release Data: Atlus, 2007
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 is an excellent game worthy of being an entry in the Persona series.
It’s the first game in the franchise to introduce the Social Link system, where you gain bonuses in-game and flesh out the story of your schoolmates.
#7. Kingdom Hearts II
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
The gameplay has been further refined based on fan feedback, and new systems were put in place for combat specifically to make battles feel more dynamic than ever.
With these combat mechanics and the continuation of a story that captured the imagination of its fans, it’s easy to see why people love this series.
#6. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES
- Release Data: Atlus, 2008
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES is the epilogue of the original story.
The gameplay remains the same and is just as satisfying as it always has been, while the characters you know and love from the main game get a satisfying payoff to their stories.
#5. Dark Cloud 2
- Release Data: Level 5/SCEE, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
The story of Dark Cloud 2 is a lighthearted adventure that involves time travel, and the mechanic of rebuilding towns that have a direct impact on the events in the world’s future.
The story is fun, the characters are rich and complex, and the town rebuilding mechanic offers a nice change of pace to dungeon crawling.
#4. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
- Release Data: Level 5/Square Enix, 2005
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is another entry in the storied franchise and features a beautiful world and characters designed by the master manga artist Akira Toriyama.
It’s truly a classic representation of why people love JRPGs.
#3. Final Fantasy XII
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2006
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Final Fantasy XII is the first big departure from the normal Final Fantasy formula.
This is also the first Final Fantasy that foregoes the random battles and lets you see your enemy before you decide to engage them.
With all this gameplay and story-driven content, this is one of the biggest Final Fantasy games on the PS2.
#2. Final Fantasy X
- Release Data: SquareSoft, 2001
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
This is the first Final Fantasy that took advantage of voice actors, and the production values and performances really make the narrative shine.
There’s just enough old and new mixed together that makes this Final Fantasy accessible, yet still innovative.
#1. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
- Release Data: Atlus, 2008
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
The story and characters draw you into the mystery of the strange occurrences in Inaba, and the bonds you form with your classmates are some of the best-realized characterizations in the franchise.
This game keeps new players interested, and long-time fans hooked. It may be the best Persona game ever made.
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding the best PS2 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!
