Best PS1 RPGs That Get Better As You Play

Summary

Some PS1 RPGs require patience to get to the best parts, like Rhapsody’s musical cutscenes.
RPGs like Legend of Dragoon and Xenogears have slow starts but offer unique mechanics.
Suikoden 2 improves on its predecessor with a tight combat system, but still requires time to recruit party members.

The PlayStation 1 era offered Role-Playing Game (RPG) enthusiasts an abundance of games to enjoy, and it even sparked the interest in RPGs among many new fans thanks to blockbuster releases like “Final Fantasy 7”. However, while the console boasted numerous excellent RPGs, not all of them made a powerful debut. Some of the best ones needed a bit of time to truly shine and required patience from players.

Maybe some stories are lengthy at the beginning or the best features are tucked away in the heart of these PS1 role-playing games. Regardless, players should persevere through the initial slowness to reach the core aspects of these robust PS1 RPGs. The games will be selected based on how effectively they build up and overall game quality. Although not ranked, these RPGs should show improvement as you progress through them.

Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure

A Literal Musical RPG

Developer: NIS
Publisher: Atlus
Released: July 30, 2000 (NA PS1 Version)
Platforms: DS, PC PS1, PS5, Switch

Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure is a relatively obscure late-era PlayStation 1 game that combines elements of turn-based RPG and music. The major cutscenes are filled with fully sung songs, similar to a Disney musical, although the animation is less detailed. This game isn’t particularly long, but it does take some time for the atmosphere to truly resonate, from recruiting new party members to accessing better songs. It’s part of a trilogy of games that took a while to be localized, and if this game piques your interest, fans may also want to explore Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles.

Jade Cocoon

Ghibli’s Forest Pokemon

Fans of Ghibli might believe that “Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch” was the initial role-playing game where the studio showcased their skills, but let’s not forget about “Jade Cocoon” from years prior. This game is set in an ancient civilization, and players embark on a journey to capture monsters for battles. The premise resembles a mix between “Pokemon” and “Megami Tensei” games, but it has a more gradual development. It can take some time to acquire the more exciting monsters to join your party, and the world doesn’t fully unfold until several dungeons are conquered. However, once it does open up, it’s an enjoyable experience to play.

The Legend Of Dragoon

Get To The Dragons

The game known as “The Legend of Dragoon” was a unique title that Sony assisted in both publishing and designing for the PlayStation 1. Unlike traditional turn-based role-playing games, players in this game could synchronize their attacks to inflict additional damage, similar to the style found in the “Mario RPG” series.

In this game, as you might guess from the title, dragons are significant characters. However, reaching these dragons can be quite a journey. Moreover, Dart, our hero, spends some time gathering his team, which means that the early dungeons can be challenging if you’re not playing with a full party.

Dragon Warrior 7

Late To The Party

The video game titled Dragon Quest 7 was known as Dragon Warrior 7 in the Western world, yet they share almost identical features. This game emerged late for the PlayStation 1 and boasts graphics slightly superior to those of a Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) game. Although visuals are important, there are numerous appealing aspects to this adventure, such as its class system, Vocations, and the time-traveling feature. Players will quickly gather their party, which is advantageous, but they won’t gain access to Vocations until they’ve progressed for several hours. Moreover, the initial puzzles make exploration laborious, a problem that was rectified in the 3DS remake, offering a superior way to enjoy this game.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

All Persona Games Are A Slow Burn

The initial installment of this duology, titled “Persona 2: Innocent Sin,” was released, but it was only the sequel, “Persona 2: Eternal Punishment,” that became accessible in North America. Notably, the narrative continues with a focus on recurring characters such as Maya, who was playable in the first game but assumes the lead role. This shift may have made the game difficult to immerse into when it initially launched on the PS1. However, fans of Persona understand that most games necessitate some patience during the initial hours. As players become more familiar with the Persona system and the storyline gains momentum, they will find themselves appreciating this classic title even more.

Xenogears

Get To The Mechs Already

As a devoted admirer, I’d say Xenogears certainly aimed high, but that ambition occasionally disrupted the smooth flow of the gameplay. The combat system is a thrilling fusion of traditional turn-based RPG mechanics and a fighting game’s intricate combo system, promising an engaging experience right from the start. Yet, the narrative doesn’t immediately grab you due to its complex array of terms, characters, and religious references that can be overwhelming. The most captivating aspect of this game is undoubtedly the mechs, but they take longer than expected to unlock. However, once you get your hands on them, the experience becomes truly rewarding.

Front Mission 3

A Linear Challenge

As a gamer, diving into Front Mission 3, I swiftly find myself piloting Wanzers – the game’s mechs. However, similar to my experience with Xenogears, it presents some initial hurdles. The challenge lies in the fact that I start off with only three characters, yet the tactical RPG maps are always swarming with enemies. To navigate these early stages, a meticulous strategy and a good dose of luck become my essential tools.

Moreover, a key aspect of the Front Mission series is the mech customization, but acquiring new parts takes just as long as welcoming a new party member into my team. Despite the grind, it’s rewarding enough to persevere, even though Front Mission 3 boasts one of the toughest beginnings I’ve encountered in my gaming journey.

Suikoden 2

Building A Resistance

Suikoden 2, unlike its predecessor, significantly improves in numerous aspects. The narrative becomes more engaging, the battles are refined, and the visuals exhibit a slight improvement in cleanliness. However, the core experience of the Suikoden series remains elusive – gathering a vast number of party members. As players, we are tasked with establishing a resistance against an oppressive empire, and our duty involves constructing a base and recruiting party members to manage facilities such as shops. This may not be an effortless endeavor, but it offers a satisfying payoff.

2025-08-09 05:06