8 Late PS2 RPGs No One Remembers

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The PlayStation 2 was incredibly popular and had a huge selection of games, so everyone was excited to see what came next. The PlayStation 3 finally arrived on November 17, 2006, in North America, just before the Nintendo Wii was released a couple of days later.

Even though the PS3 was out, new games for the PS2 kept being released for several years. Many players had switched to the newer console, so these later PS2 RPGs didn’t get much attention. This list highlights both the good and the bad RPGs that came out in the final years of the PS2, specifically those released in 2006 or later. All release dates refer to the North American versions of the games, unless stated otherwise.

8. Metal Saga

The Metal Max Series Finally Releases A JRPG In NA, Only For It To Launch During The PS2’s Final Days

Metal Saga was the first Metal Max game released in the West, appearing on the PlayStation 2 in 2006. However, the Metal Max series actually began in 1991 with a release on the NES. All of the games are post-apocalyptic RPGs where you switch between fighting on foot and battling in tanks.

Official information about the Metal Saga series has been scarce, but fans have managed to translate most of the older games into English. The newest installment, Metal Max Xeno, came out in 2018 and is only the second game in the series to be officially released in North America.

7. MS Saga: A New Dawn

A Solid PS2 JRPG For Gundam Fans

Since the original Gundam anime debuted in Japan in 1979, countless video games have been released. The series has appeared on nearly every gaming platform imaginable, from arcade machines to the PlayStation 5. While most Gundam games focus on fast-paced action, MS Saga: A New Dawn stood out by using a turn-based RPG combat system.

The game centers around Tristan and Fritz, two orphaned brothers who set out for revenge after their home is destroyed by enemy robots. While that’s just the beginning of the story, it kicks off when they discover a hidden base filled with powerful robots. Like other games in the Gundam series, MS Saga: A New Dawn is best enjoyed by fans who already love the franchise – a big part of the appeal is customizing and building your own unique mecha.

6. Steambot Chronicles

A Late-Arrival PS2 Mecha Game That Is Quite Fun

Released in 2006, Steambot Chronicles is an action-focused mech game. Players can modify and upgrade their mech with different parts as they progress. The story starts with the main character waking up after a shipwreck, having lost their memory.

You’ve seen this story before – it’s a common setup in anime and role-playing games. But the plot isn’t the main focus here. This game is all about exciting mech battles using the Trotmobile. While it might not be the very best mech game on the PlayStation 2, there are probably still some players who have fond memories of it.

5. Digimon World: Data Squad

The Digimon games on the PlayStation 2 weren’t very successful. While Digimon World 4 is occasionally remembered, it’s often criticized for giving Digimon guns. Digimon World: Data Squad seemed like a more promising title, being a traditional turn-based RPG with a simple story similar to the anime. It even looked good with its cartoon-like graphics, and its Digivolution system was well-designed for its time.

It’s easy to see why Data Squad isn’t a well-remembered game. Released in North America in September 2007, it simply isn’t very good. Even for fans who enjoy flawed Digimon titles, Data Squad feels like a constant, draining grind – both in battles and how you progress. The battles themselves are also presented with a confusing and visually unappealing user interface, making the experience even less enjoyable.

4. Shining Force EXA

A Decent PS2 Action RPG In An Underappreciated Series

Released in 2007, Shining Force EXA still holds up visually thanks to its distinctive cel-shaded art style. As part of the Shining series—which began as a classic dungeon crawler before evolving into tactical and action RPGs—Shining Force EXA feels like a return to the series’ roots. The story is fairly simple, and the game focuses more on gameplay than elaborate cutscenes or detailed character portraits.

The game focuses on completing missions, collecting items, and improving your two characters, Toma and Cyrille. While the Shining series began in 1991, new installments are now uncommon, with the last one, Shining Resonance Refrain, released in 2018.

3. Wild Arms 5

Not The Best Wild Arms Game, But Still A Rock-Solid Turn-Based JRPG

Wild Arms 5 was the final game in the Wild Arms series, a franchise that was once very popular. It’s a traditional turn-based RPG with a unique Western setting – one of the few of its kind. Though not considered the best in the series, Wild Arms 5 is still enjoyable for fans of the earlier games, offering strategic combat on a grid-based system.

The last handheld Wild Arms game came out in 2008 with Wild Arms XF, and the final game overall was released on mobile in 2018. That mobile game, Wild Arms: Million Memories, is no longer available, but dedicated fans have something to be excited about: Armed Fantasia, a new game funded through a successful 2022 Kickstarter campaign, appears to be carrying on the spirit of the original series.

2. Baroque

A PS2 Remake Of A Sega Saturn RPG

Originally released in Japan for the Sega Saturn in 1998, Baroque was later updated for the PS2 and Wii. Western audiences first experienced the game in 2008 with these remakes. It’s a post-apocalyptic RPG with elements of roguelikes – you explore dungeons created randomly, viewed from a third-person angle. While the battles happen in real-time, the combat system feels a bit awkward.

The world ended not with a nuclear disaster, but due to a war between angels. Now, you must climb the Neuro Tower, uncover the truth, and grow strong enough to survive the terrifying creatures that roam the land.

1. Eternal Poison

A Tough-As-Nail PS2 Tactical RPG

Released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, Eternal Poison is a challenging and intense tactical game. Its art style is similar to those found in Vanillaware titles, and it was published by Atlus, the company behind many popular games. The game features a classic fantasy conflict between kingdoms and demons, but what makes it unique is the ability to capture and recruit demons to your side – a feature similar to the Shin Megami Tensei series. Fans of Kartia: The Word of Fate on the PlayStation 1 will also recognize similarities in its dark story, monster summoning, and strategic gameplay.

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2026-01-11 00:08