Best Classic JRPG's on PS Plus

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that diving into the world of PlayStation classics never fails to bring back nostalgic memories. And oh boy, do these games take me back!

As the Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) genre regains its 90s-level popularity, it’s only natural that Sony is taking advantage by offering numerous classic JRPGs as part of the PS Plus service.

We aim to select the top choices from among many available, enabling you to focus on the finest options and maximize the benefits of your subscription.

So, without further delay, here are some of the best classic JRPGs on PS Plus.

10 Arc The Lad: Twilight of the Spirits

An Old Gem

Best Classic JRPG's on PS Plus

Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits” stands out as one of the intriguing Japanese Role-Playing Games from the early 2000s, but it didn’t receive much attention because its visuals couldn’t compete with those featured in other games during the same period.

It’s unfortunate as this narrative holds an engaging, adult plot revolving around two hostile races harboring deep-seated animosity, with elements of racism and discrimination prevalent throughout.

As a seasoned gamer, I find myself deeply immersed in this game’s strategic combat system, where every move counts. The depth lies in the variety of weapons at my disposal, each with its unique range that dictates how far I can reach when engaging in battle.

In contrast to many strategy games, this one offers the unique feature of allowing you to navigate freely in real-time across the battlefield. This aspect works surprisingly effectively. The game features team attacks, chances to outmaneuver opponents, and various ways to utilize the terrain, which empowers your creativity when deciding how to respond to different situations.

The game features magical abilities, unique powers typical of JRPGs, but there’s a strategic element woven into the experience as well.

In this game, you’ll take on various roles, providing a distinct perspective for each narrative thread. This is not common in games similar to this one, but Arc the Lad excels at delivering such an experience.

9 Secret of Mana

Discover the Magic

One significant game in the annals of JRPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game) history is Secret of Mana. This game dates all the way back to 1993 when it was launched on the Super Nintendo, taking us down memory lane.

One of the early JRPGs to achieve popularity beyond Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior series, this game offers an enjoyable trip down memory lane, revealing the origins of the RPG genre.

Visually, it’s a bit more rugged today, but it does sport some cool character designs and attractive landscape art.

The story begins by introducing a boy who retrieves a cursed blade from its slumbering position. From this point forward, we follow the journey of the character named Randi, who is banished from a settlement and must navigate the harsh, unforgiving world independently.

The story is cookie-cutter, but it gets more complex as you go on, with evil empires, armies, and destiny coming into play, and for its time, it was quite the ambitious tale.

In 1993, this game offered real-time combat, a significant achievement back then, and it remains entertaining to play even now.

As a gamer, I understand the essence of timing, the significance of managing resources wisely, and the thrill of amplifying attack power for maximum impact. In this game, there’s an array of weapons at my disposal, each with its distinct swing speed and exclusive special effects that add an exciting twist to gameplay.

This game’s combat system is surprisingly intricate, considering it was released before the advent of the PlayStation. It’s amazing to ponder over the skillful game design that existed even in those early days.

It’s a valuable piece of video game history, and you can play it whenever you want on PS Plus.

8 Kingdom Hearts 1.5 & 2.5 Remix

An Unmissable Package

Even though some might have thought it would fail, the game Kingdom Hearts turned out to be a massive success with numerous spin-offs and sequels. Fortunately, most of these can be found in the compilation known as Kingdom Hearts 1.5 & 2.5 Remix.

Experience a six-in-one adventure! If you haven’t embarked on this journey previously, it’s definitely an exciting excursion you should consider now.

In this game, the protagonist Sora is unexpectedly transported into a realm where both beloved Disney figures and Final Fantasy characters reside. However, beneath the surreal blend of these two worlds lies a deep and troubling narrative.

This series features a variety of mysterious antagonists, and among them, Xehanort from Birth By Sleep stands out as the most captivating. Countless intense and legendary battles make it difficult to tally their number.

One way to rephrase the sentence might be: The complexity of the story at times arises because key details are shared in supplementary games, which many fans may overlook.

In this case, there’s no need for concern because these games come complete with numerous updates, enhancing their appeal even beyond their original versions on the PlayStation Portable (PSP).

This game encapsulates everything a JRPG fan could ask for. It boasts colossal bosses, intense battles, hidden foes, explorable bonus zones, powerful artifacts, sub-quests, enchanting magic, and unique abilities. To top it off, it’s crafted by the undisputed masters of the JRPG genre, Square Enix, during their peak period.

In essence, this collection offers more than 100 hours of exhilarating role-playing game action spread across multiple titles, representing one of the most outstanding fantasy franchises that emerged during the start of the new millennium.

7 Jeanne D’arc

History in JRPG Form

Jeanne d’Arc, in essence, is an extraordinary role-playing game (JRPG) that weaves a fantastical tale based on the true life of a historical figure, Jeanne d’Arc.

The individual you’re referring to is Joan of Arc, and as far as I know, there’s only one game out there that tells her story in a playable format, and that’s the one we’re discussing.

Beyond the intriguing portrayal of historical figures and conflicts, it’s layered with elements such as Dark Elves, Dragons, and transformation sequences of magical girls.

Additionally, it boasts a strategic depth that takes various aspects into account, such as the placement of enemies and the power of your adversary, to calculate the amount of damage you inflict or whether your strikes will successfully land.

In this game, you’re able to personalize your characters by equipping them with diverse skills, enabling melee characters to perform magic spells and allowing magical characters to engage in close combat, resulting in intriguing character builds.

In this tale, you can expect a rather somber tone, even with its incorporation of familiar elements from fantasy lore. The narrative delves into some profound topics, making it stand out as one of the more thought-provoking role-playing games of that time period.

It’s an easy recommendation for someone looking to explore a JRPG of a different flavor on PS Plus.

6 Wild Arms 2

Some Bullets For Your Fantasy

The second installment of the extended Wild Arms series is arguably the finest, making it a great find for PlayStation Plus subscribers.

You follow an eclectic cast as they get pulled into a world-ending conflict against their will.

The protagonist, Ashley Winchester, is exceptionally well-portrayed, while the combat and dungeon exploration are particularly impressive features of this ’90s treasure.

Every character possesses unique types of firearms, and the combat mechanisms centered on these weapons mark a distinct shift from typical Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs).

Despite not having the large production budget of Final Fantasy, it boasted an authentic charm reminiscent of 90’s Japanese Role-Playing Games, with its characters and narrative taking center stage above all else.

For gamers seeking a tough test beyond the ordinary in their JRPGs, Wild Arms 2 offers an ample amount of challenging battles to keep you engaged.

5 Grandia

A Grand Adventure Awaits

Grandia stands as one of those JRPG series that significantly contributed to the glory days of JRPGs, and it kicks off with a young lad embarking independently on an exciting journey of discovery.

This game offers a straightforward, numerically basic start for a Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG), yet it excels remarkably in its execution. The underlying concept of exploration and adventure remains consistent throughout the gameplay.

The art is a standout to this day, as it is one of the most gorgeous-looking 2D JRPGs out there.

In this game, the battles truly shine and are emblematic of the series. They’re significantly more tactical compared to the average RPG from the golden age.

In combat situations, you can choose between strategies that involve multiple strikes at once or a single strike, adjust the sequence in which your characters take their turns to attack, and numbers that decide how swiftly your characters act to make their attacks.

This system is far more complex than the typical “Attack, Spell, Equipment” turn-based games that were popular during that time period.

Additionally, voice acting was quite novel back then, though it may not seem remarkable now by today’s high standards. However, experiencing this aspect of video game history still holds a fascinating appeal.

If you’re in search of an amusing journey filled with playful elements typical of this type of storytelling, Grandia remains an enjoyable choice.

4 Dark Cloud

A JRPG City-Builder?

Dark Cloud was a groundbreaking video game that was expected to challenge the popularity of Zelda. Given the substantial influence of Zelda in its design, this expectation is understandable.

The primary character, Toan, bore a striking resemblance to an animated representation of Link, and they weren’t at all discreet about it. This work also featured intricate dungeon traversal and elaborate world construction, reminiscent of classic elements.

In Dark Cloud, instead of merely exploring or battling, you have the unique ability to construct an entire world. The building aspect plays a significant role in this game, allowing you to create entire towns from scratch.

This feature sets it apart from Zelda in more ways than just one; there are multiple playable characters, each boasting distinct skills.

Despite some visual roughness reminiscent of early PlayStation 2 era, it’s still a remarkable game and the foundation for a series that should have had more installments.

3 Rogue Galaxy

A Galactic Anime Come To Life

Rogue Galaxy stands out as one of the top-tier JRPGs during the PlayStation 2 period, but it arrived at a point when the genre was gradually losing popularity.

As a gamer, I find this game remarkably distinct. Instead of the usual fantasy setting common in JRPGs back then, it takes me on an exhilarating journey through space, offering a fresh take on storytelling and immersion.

In the stellar lineup, Jaster takes center stage, drawn unwittingly into a conflict surpassing his rank, only to discover that the destiny of the cosmos unexpectedly rests upon his shoulders, compelling him to complete the task at hand.

Initially, the game faced significant pressure as it aimed to dethrone the titans in its genre, but unfortunately, it didn’t reach those heights. However, it provided an enjoyable experience nonetheless.

In this game, you’ll find an engaging, live-action battle system, complete with an exciting group of characters to manipulate. Although the narrative occasionally leans on common tropes, it manages to maintain your interest and encourage you to continue exploring new aspects of the game.

As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but express my admiration for the stunning graphics on display. Even compared to contemporary visuals, these stand out remarkably, and they still hold their ground impressively well in today’s world.

2 Tales of Symphonia

The Best Tales Game

Reminiscing about certain video games can transport you to specific periods in your life, and Tales of Symphonia is one such game that does exactly that. During its release, Final Fantasy had a firm grip on the JRPG market, leaving few competitors able to challenge its dominance.

Later on, Tales of Symphonia emerged as another significant competitor in the realm of JRPGs, making a big splash in the mainstream gaming world. While the series already had a presence, nothing quite matched the impact of Tales of Symphonia at that time.

In contrast to the conventional turn-based battles prevalent in Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) back then, this real-time combat was a significant shift. Moreover, the graphics possessed an endearing, vintage charm that seemed to fade as games gradually adopted more lifelike appearances.

The narrative is exceptional too, boasting Lloyd as one of the most compelling characters in the series. His journey spans more than 80 hours and features some of the finest writing that the Tales franchise has to offer.

Choosing among various games on PlayStation Plus, this particular title stands out due to its exploration of numerous universes, gradual escalation towards apocalyptic risks, and dynamic combat system that consistently updates, making it an exceptional choice in the JRPG genre.

1 Legend of Dragoon

Enter the Dragon

In its day, the game titled “Legend of Dragoon” arrived when Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) were particularly popular. Although it managed to succeed, it fell short compared to its fellow games of the same era.

It’s truly unfortunate that the show didn’t live up to its full potential, as it was on par with many other great games. However, we can still delight in it even today.

In this scenario, you find yourself stepping into the shoes of Dart, a youth whose village meets devastation as the game begins, embarking on an intriguing, thought-provoking adventure.

You’ll delve into entirely new realms, dealing with advanced topics such as treachery, mortality, and rejuvenation. In essence, this narrative is intricate, profound, and ranks among the finest in its category.

The main attraction lies in the engaging combat sequences. In this game, you’ll execute strategic timed combos within a unique, turn-based battle system. As you progress, the excitement escalates as you unveil the Dragoon transformations for each character, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience.

The collection of personalities is impressive as well, boasting noteworthy figures such as Kongol, Rose, and Lavitz, forming an unforgettable ensemble that you’ll enjoy spending approximately 80 hours with.

In Lloyd’s storyline, the final antagonist stands out as an exceptional villain, sporting silver hair like many post-Sephiroth JRPG characters, yet displaying remarkable complexity. This complexity gives him a somewhat relatable quality despite the devastation he unleashes upon the world.

Don’t miss this one; it’s an all-time great.

2024-11-18 15:11

Best Classic JRPG’s on PS Plus