The PS2 is one of the best-selling systems of all time and it also has a stellar library of genres like RPGs. Many RPGs have made the jump into HD with remasters likeFinal Fantasy 10, its direct sequel, andFinal Fantasy 12. Other titles have not been so lucky but it always seems like a matter of time before these classics get revisited.
There are many fans out there who wish to play some RPGs that they never have before too. The reason is thatmany PS2 RPGsnever made it to the United States. Most didn’t even leave Japan although some did make it to Europe. Let’s explore some RPGs the U.S. hasn’t received yet.
6Altered Beast
Sega’s Forgotten Sequel
Altered Beastwas a short but somewhat fondly remembered Sega Genesis game that was all about brawling and turning into anthropomorphic animal men. The simply titled reboot,Altered Beast, took the series to new places on the PS2. Besides Japan, it also came to Europe with a full English translation.
Players could become several different animals from a werewolf to a merman which helped in combat and exploration. These transformations were also quite grotesque like they were filmed by Eli Roth. The merman, for example, could go underwater and explore new regions. Between these various forms and leveling them up with new skills and combos,Altered Beastwas kind of likea 3D Metroidvaniawith a lot of replay value.
5Front Mission 5: Scars Of The War
The One Missing Main Game In The Franchise
Square Enix has a lot of trapped RPGs on the PS2 in Japan exclusively. It’s hard to cover them all butFront Mission 5: Scars of the Warsticks out as it is the online numbered sequel missing in North America. Like all other previousmainlineFront Missiongames, this one featured tactical combat on grid-based maps.
Players could customize their mechs, called Wanzers, with all kinds of parts from guns to legs. The customization options were deep but so was the story for those that could understand the Japanese. There is a mostly complete English patch made by fans though. Besides this PS2 game, there was alsoFront Mission: Onlinewhich was more of an action RPG that focused on multiplayer.
4Maken Shao: Demon Sword
A Shin Megami Tensei-Like
Maken Xwas released in 2000 for the Dreamcast in both North America and Europe which was a year after Japan. The game was remade initially in 2001 for the PS2 in Japan and that version only got translated into English for European territories in 2003. It was retitledMaken Shao: Demon Sword and it got some significant changes.
The Dreamcast version was all in first-person wherein the main character, Kay, used the titular Maken Sword as her main weapon. She could also control other characters and use their abilities. In the remake, players could now play from the third perspective and there was an EXP system to make it more of a visceral action RPG. The changes were good, but North America never got to see them which is a shame becauseShin Megami Tenseifans would surly love to see thisforgotten Atlus project.
3Namco X Capcom
The First Mega Crossover Tactical RPG
Namco X Capcomis a predecessor to bothProject X Zonegames on the 3DS. They are all tactical RPGs with a twist. When players engage enemies in combat, gameplay switches to a more fighting game style set on a timer based on character stats. The other big gimmick is the franchises that crossover which was still a big thing in this era.
TheProject X Zonegames mixed Capcom, Bandai Namco, and Sega characters.Namco X Capcomonly had Namco and Capcom characters to work with but there are still some fantastic series involved including variousTales ofgames,Mega Man Legends,Xenosaga,Darkstalkers,Tekken,Resident Evil, and more. Sadly, it was only released in Japan although there is an English fan patch out there that makes the game very accessible. It’s also worth noting that Monolith Soft made theaforementionedXenosagagameand they now work on theXenoblade Chroniclesfranchise for Nintendo.
2Tales of Destiny: Director’s Cut
A Lost Remake In The Tales Series
There are an astoundingnumber ofTales ofgamesstuck in Japan. The series began in 1995 on the SNES, making way for Namco to create a good hybrid turn-based and action RPG. The second game,Tales of Destiny, was the first one North America got in 1998 on the PS1.
Now, this game was remade a decade later on the PS2 calledTales of Destiny: Director’s Cutwhich added a significant amount of changes besides more voice acting and better graphics. The biggest change was the new campaign beside the original to see the story from a new perspective. Besides the remake, there was a direct sequel on the PS2,Tales of Destiny 2, which followed the original hero’s son.
1Zombie Hunters
The Beginning Of Campy Zombie Horror
In Japan, they have a series of lower-budget titles referred to asSimple 2000 Seriesand they come out in volumes. Sometimes these games turn into bigger franchises likeOneeChanbara. Before it spun off and did its own thing,OneeChanbarabegan on the PS2 asSimple 2000 Series Vol. 61: The OneeChanbarain 2005. Very few of theSimple 2000 Seriesgames have left Japan but this one did, rebranded asZombie Huntersin the final release in European territories in 2007.
It was originally released asZombie Zonein 2005 in Europe but this new version added extras int eh 2007 re-release. The sequel was also released in Europe asZombie Hunters 2in the same year. North America wouldn’t get an entry until 2009 withOnechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squadon the Xbox 360. Those unfamiliar should know these games are very high in the fan service department as they feature scarily cladfemale warriors killing zombies. The RPG elements are low, but the heroines do gain experience and level up after stages.
