PS2 RPG recommendations?

[theworldwithout]

For a while now, around 4 or 5 years, I've pretty much been "out" of gaming. I used to be a big RPG buff, then for some reason just kinda got burned out on them and gaming in general. I still played from time to time, usually getting one or two games a year, but that's about it.
For the last few months I've been really wanting to play some good RPGs, but I've no idea what the good from the bad are nowadays. So can anyone recommend any good Playstation 2 RPGs? Turn based (Final Fantasy-esque) or action/adventure (Kingdom Hearts/Champions of Norrath-ish) like games would be great.

 

[Lasosa]

You should check out Tales of Symphonia or Tales of the Abyss. They're action/adventure RPGs with really great characters and battle systems. If I had to choose between the two, though, I'd go with Symphonia.

I hear good things about Persona 3, but I haven't had a chance to check it out myself yet.

 

[evil_danger]

to be honest I've not played many roleplay games outside of the Final Fantasy series, and if I do I will always compair to how they play against a Final Fantasy game.

Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 for me were the best games on the PS2, and I also did enjoy Final Fantasy XII but not in the same way. I could never get into Kingdom Hearts.

 

[theworldwithout]

I've heard a bit about the "Tales" games, but I thought those were for Gamecube. I'll try looking about for them. I'll have to see what Persona's about too, never heard of that one.
Thanks for those suggestions .

 

[ravensblackmind]

persona3 is a new personal favorite of mine. I really enjoyed it. but i didnt like the second "part" of that game. so i never actually finished the other story line.

maybe look into the xenosaga series, theyre really good. especially the first and the third. the seconds alright, but its the weakest of the 3.

digital devil saga 1 and 2 are amazing. great music and story.

 

[WaffleT]

I agree with evil_danger the final fantasy series is really good and ruled my gaming life for a couple of years. kingdom hearts is a nice different style to the final fantasy games but still enjoyable ^^

 

[theworldwithout]

Hmm...what's it take to mod a ps2? Is it simple, or should it be done by someone that has experience doing it?
Also, I've played the first and second in the Xenosaga series. I liked the first, the second was alright. Never did get around to the third game though. I'll have to run over to the game store here and see if they have it.

 

[theworldwithout]

Wow. I never imagined how simple it is to do that.

Thanks!

 

[The Warmth]

Fourthing Tales of the Abyss, you will NOT be dissapointed. The battle system is like crack, you won't be able to stop, and the storyline REALLY picks up at a certain point that'll have you putting other affairs in your life on hold.

I can relate to being burnt out on gaming too, 2006 was probably my last year as a "gamer".

 

[Glafna]

If you want to backtrack through time, you can always grab some original PlayStation games(I like Legend of the Dragoon and FF-Tactics)

 

[linkxzelda]

If you like action RPGs Star Ocean: Till the End of Time and Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria are must-haves - their battle systems are probably the best you'll find on the PS2. VP:S uses my favourite battle system in an RPG and it's a semi-turned based, free movement, fighting game combo mix that works really well. You can also chop off limbs, heads, wings and other body parts to get item drops, so it's always really fun.

Shadow Hearts and Shadow Hearts: Covenant are also good choices. SH is a very dark, horror RPG that uses the Judgment Ring battle system. For every action in battle a ring with a spinning dial comes up and you have to press buttons in time to complete the action (think of a clock with a hand spinning round and having to press a button when the hand reaches 2, 4 and 9 o'clock as an example).

SH:C is much less dark but it makes up for it by being the gayest RPG I've ever played. There are at least 6 gay characters in the game that I can think of and one of the optional sidequests ends in one of the playable male characters being forced to have sex with another man, so... yeah.

Other than that I'd also highly recommend Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 and Persona 3 (in that order). But like Effortless_Pro said, the games are difficult, especially Nocturne which is rock-hard.

 

[Glafna]

Shadow Hearts and Shadow Hearts: Covenant are also good choices. SH is a very dark, horror RPG that uses the Judgment Ring battle system. For every action in battle a ring with a spinning dial comes up and you have to press buttons in time to complete the action (think of a clock with a hand spinning round and having to press a button when the hand reaches 2, 4 and 9 o'clock as an example).

I actually have the Official Prima Guide for Shadow Hearts, but have never played the game, lol.

 

[slyfer]

Best RPGs on the PS2 are hands down: Final Fantasy X and Persona 3. Persona 3 is the last damn near perfect rpg in existence.

 

[theworldwithout]

If you want to backtrack through time, you can always grab some original PlayStation games(I like Legend of the Dragoon and FF-Tactics)

It would be cool if I could find Legend of the Dragoon, have had Tactics forever, but PS1 games are so hard to find anymore. I'd like to get the Grandia games along with Breath of Fire III, Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and Legend of Legia along with a lot of others. If I can't find them anywhere I guess I'll have to look through ebay.

If you like action RPGs Star Ocean: Till the End of Time and Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria are must-haves - their battle systems are probably the best you'll find on the PS2. VP:S uses my favourite battle system in an RPG and it's a semi-turned based, free movement, fighting game combo mix that works really well. You can also chop off limbs, heads, wings and other body parts to get item drops, so it's always really fun.

Shadow Hearts and Shadow Hearts: Covenant are also good choices. SH is a very dark, horror RPG that uses the Judgment Ring battle system. For every action in battle a ring with a spinning dial comes up and you have to press buttons in time to complete the action (think of a clock with a hand spinning round and having to press a button when the hand reaches 2, 4 and 9 o'clock as an example).

SH:C is much less dark but it makes up for it by being the gayest RPG I've ever played. There are at least 6 gay characters in the game that I can think of and one of the optional sidequests ends in one of the playable male characters being forced to have sex with another man, so... yeah.

Other than that I'd also highly recommend Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 and Persona 3 (in that order). But like Effortless_Pro said, the games are difficult, especially Nocturne which is rock-hard.

I have Star Ocean: Till the End of Time; great game, although I still kinda favored the second a bit more (waiting impatiently for the release of ST 1 and 2 for PSP). For the Valkyrie games, I haven't played any of them but I've heard they're very good.
Shadow Hearts I really know nothing about, and I never really knew that there were that many dark horror RPGs outside of PC gaming. That alone makes it sound interesting, and wanting to see what the story's about.

Thanks for all the suggestions . If anyone has anymore, just add it so I can try them out.