The 10 BEST PS2 JRPGs of All Time
In today’s video I’ll be sharing what I believe to be the top 10 best PS2 JRPGs. The PlayStation 2 is still the best selling home console of all time and is home to some of the greatest JRPGs of all time! Let’s dig in and see what the very best are.
Gameplay via
HazVsRPG: https://youtu.be/cKLROWewLys
Super Derek: https://youtu.be/ikgXwaAzM6E
Clemps: https://youtu.be/MT1w5zIsYik
Bawesome Burf: https://youtu.be/UdfXqCIRShc
Resonant Arc: https://youtu.be/ZreoH1Hd3qc
Hell Fire RPGs: https://youtu.be/y2Dxvfg6zek
High Level Reviews: https://youtu.be/xCFOcjXAcGI
🔔 Subscribe for more high quality, Japanese gaming content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjwl-kkkLtMZtgJ-KMtjTOg?sub_confirmation=1
🎧 Listen to my JRPG Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLastHonestGamer/videos
🎮 Reviews on the latest JRPGs and other Japanese games: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe6Fr8KCSQ4FRZwN5w2Qjtmtrbkl39srx
✅ For business inquiries contact me at thegamingshelf@gmail.com
✅ Let’s Connect!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaylorsShelf
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegamingshelf/?hl=en
Discord: https://discordapp.com/invite/WQg7fAk
Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
No Final Fantasy XII? You’re unbelievable
star ocean 3 bro
Where is Digital Devil Saga 1+2 (the actual best role-playing game on the PS2)?
Good list, other than kingdom hearts. Tear away the nostalgia and u get the most tedious game in the world
Watch next: 10 Must-play PS1 JRPGs https://youtu.be/T04YJfZjZ8E
putting dark cloud on the list is so right, super suuuuuper good, 2 was even better than 1
Never heard of Shadow Hearts before, looks really interesting.
No Star Ocean Till The End Of Time?
Man, the Nocturne snub hurts my heart.
Tales of abyss was awesome.
Redemption story was great
Covenant is definitely better than SH, but you should definitely play the original yes, though I thought this was a "best" list not a "best for newbies. =p
KH1, however, is better than KH2.
Personally, take out KH as it is more like an action jrpg and include Wild Arms 3 or Suikoden V.
valkyrie prof silmeria is one of gems
Persona 4 oh man this is a gem for ps2 amazing
Plahing Shadow hearts again, so cool. I hated the ending of Disgaea 1, i am pretty sure i didn’t kill any ally, had to watch the real ending online 🤬
Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song
That’s blitzball music always hit
I’ve been playing Dark Cloud 2 recently on my PS5 and clicked this video to see if it would be on it, it’s not, but props for putting Dark Cloud 1 and Rogue Galaxy on there!
i actually loved the english voices of FF10 and about the infamous laughing scene: this sound odd was intended, the japanese original is no better in this scene
SMT fans furious about no Nocturne/DDS 🥲 (seriously though, if you haven’t played those games you really should)
I’m relieved to see Xenosaga and Shadow Hearts on that list, but I have to say that for me, FFX, TotA and Kingdom Hearts are surprisingly overated (Aside from a few lines of eye-rolling dialogue, I actually vastly prefer FFX-2). I have the utmost respect for everyone’s opinion of course, but I think as far as strategic gameplay and interesting storytelling goes, Pantom Brave and Digital Devil Saga are easily on equal footing with every game here. It’s also surprising to see that Nocturne didn’t make the list.
Phantom Brave is a mostly unknown gem and I’ve never heard it mentionned anywhere in any kind of top ten or jrpg recommendation list. I actually tend to prefer spin-offs of the Disgaea franchise to the main games themselves (aside from DS4), and I would strongly recommend checking it out if you like NIS’s games, as it is a masterpiece in my opinion. It is also noteworthy for being very different in its storytelling, going for a (mostly) very serious narrative that is extremely emotional and touching, whereas NIS games are generally very silly.
Digital Devil Saga, like most Shin Megami or Persona games, deal with very particular topics, including a mix of science, esoterism, mysticism and more in a way that makes the story exceedingly compelling. I can admit to the very drab and dreary look of the game though, but I think it’s also one of those unknown masterpieces people seldom know or recommend.
Ffx is so good i get sick of it by time you reach the calm lands. So good that you are required to use everyone in every turn making battles take ages. So good that encounter rates make you run into enemies every 2 steps. So good, that i uninstalled it before finishing it. These feelings came all 5 attempts to finish it. Such a shame because the story is quite impactful.
On another note, i love rogue galaxy! Its grindy af for 100% but the story got me good
no Suikoden 3 or 5, you sir, are pure fail based on that alone
Great video like always.
You mentioned Tales of the Abyss but not the 3DS remake. Any thoughts on it?
Shadow heart incredible good memories
I hate everyone who gets upset about that laughing scene they were sposed to be forcing the laugh it was actually kinda emotional
No smt nocturne?..
Shadow hearts hd collection for the love of God
When talking about the PS2 and RPGs you should go with top 50 at least.
For rogue Galaxy they are 2 version on with a planete in addition
Pretty good list, but Id probably drop Dark Cloud (really, not that great of a game and Dark Cloud 2 is far better), and put in Suikoden 5 or Grandia 2.
I’m so Happy to see Tales of Abyss
Bro Real Talk! As soon as the Persona 4 Music kicked on I teared up lol😁😥 Oh the Nostalgia. Great List Man! Officially A New Sub
(Talks about persona 4)
**shows p4g gameplay**
Rogue galaxy simply the best man, all the features and the gameplay. I am a huge Persona fan, but Rogue galaxy is hands down better than Persona 4.
Valkyrie Profile 2
Grandia 3
Rogue galaxy is definitely my favorite PS2 Jrpg
All I remember from Shadow Hearts Covenant are oiled up wrestlers. Very oiled…
Wild arms 3
Ah, the ps2. The memories. Loved all the games listed. I would switch disgaea, xenosaga, and dark cloud with star ocean 3, radiate stories, and persona 3.
Instant fan of the channel
Currently replaying Rogue Galaxy.. Even after 13 years its still a blast to play.
Level 5 is easily one of the best JRPG developers.
Persona 4 Golden PC
The ps3 generation sucked for jrpgs lol It was pretty much attributed to mostly crapy ports and indie developed titles.
"in the west" aka white countries, Google it
I’ve always hated Disney cartoons so Kingdom hearts was always a no go for me. Maybe I missed out on something because I hear the game is “SUPER”
Shadow Hearts <3. I played the first episode on PS1 just to see how it began but… don’t really like it. I do not remember the title.
Shadow Hearts Covenant is the best from my point of view.
I’m sick and tired of people spreading disinformation about the FF10 laughing scene. It’s intentional and is actually one of the sweetest scenes in the whole game. If you don’t believe me then go play the game or look up the scene on YouTube.
OMG AMD SHAWDOW HEARTS!! Such A great List!
I’ve just liked and subbed after finding your channel on what seems to be super content and excellent breakdowns on a subject close to my heart in Jrpgs which I play a lot.
If I am to debate but obviously each to their own opinion:
1) I thought Dark Chronicle was better than the original Dark Cloud just because it felt a little less grind through the caves due to the entertainment of the golf and fish side games added plus the story I felt was more interesting and for the record I played the 2nd one first and it held no real tie in with the 1st game.
2) KOH2 is better than 1 but I agree with you that it is better to play the first one as it is far more of a catalyst and its still a hell of a great game.
3) Another sequel battle… Disgaea 2 I think made just enough improvements to edge the prequel but again just an opinion.
4) Where is Star Ocean? One of the best storylines and entertaining RPGs on the Ps2. I would also shout out Valkryie Silmeria as another excellent shout although tbf your list is pretty stacked despite me being from PAL and not having played a couple of those games due to non Pal releases but it was good to see them in action. 👍
5) One last shoutout to Final Fantasy XII. I didn’t appreciate this game when I was younger but now I am older and gone back to it, there is something brilliant about it and Balthiers story despite Vaan and Penelo being non existent leaders. Again great video and loved the detail.