The PlayStation 2 era was a great time for RPGs, especially JRPGs. At the time, the console was known for its great games in this genre, some of which have gone on to become great franchises or memorable entries in existing ones. While not all PS2 RPGs have withstood the test of time, many are still highly-regarded today.
Of course, the RPG genre is incredibly diverse, with some being more action-focused and others primarily being vehicles for dialogue-heavy storytelling. Regardless of your preferences, though, there are great PS2 RPGs that appeal to all kinds of players. Here are just five of the best.
Kingdom Hearts
The original Kingdom Hearts that established the beloved Disney/Final Fantasy crossover series remains a fan favorite. What's most impressive is that successfully translated movie characters into a video game, something that was very uncommon at the time. The gameplay was simple and action oriented, allowing anyone to pick it up and play while also having enough depth that hardcore players would have to work to master it. This game spawned a franchise that's still going today and has many die-hard fans, appealing to many who want to explore Disney worlds alongside their favorite characters.
Persona 3
Everyone knows Persona 5 these days, but Persona 3 is still a well-regarded game -- and one that was revolutionary are the PS2 era. Few games at the time had social mechanics where players could get to know their party, and even fewer allowed players to choose their powers so freely. It was like Pokémon but with demon hunting and a wild and dark story. It also had the funky and wild music the series is known for. Persona 3 was really the game that established the style and gameplay that later entries would follow, and while it obvious lacks many of the features fans love from Persona 5, it's still a fun game that holds up.
Tales of the Abyss
While the GameCube had Tales of Symphonia, the PS2 still got Tales of the Abyss, another highly rated Tales game. This was a PS2 exclusive for a long time until it was finally re-released on the Nintendo 3DS. It has all the elements fans of the Tales series expect -- action, multiplayer combat, a story with a twist, plenty of side-quests and challenges, and memorable characters. While not as beloved today with all the new games in the series out, Tales of the Abyss was popular at the time and a good rival to Symphonia.
Grandia II
While it also came out for the Sega Dreamcast, Grandia II is primarily remembered as a PS2 game. This long-forgotten franchise was a solid JRPG for its time, fitting right in with the likes of Tales and Trails in the Sky. It takes players a fairly typical JRPG adventure that involves traveling the world and fighting along unlikely friends. Grandia II's combat is unique, even by today's standards, combining Tales-like action with isometric turn-based mechanics in real-time. Even its story and writing still holds up, making it among one of the best RPGs on the platform.
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X was an excellent RPG that, for the most part, has advantages over FFXII. While many still debate which one is a better game overall, FFX has some better character development and sticks to some more basic gameplay elements. While its world isn't as big (most games of this era were not known for have sprawling maps to explore), FFX does a good job getting its story across. It has both classic Final Fantasy elements and a difficulty level suitable to its time, making it one of the best RPGs to revisit from the PlayStation 2 era.