Need a new (I guess) RPG to play for PS2/3, loved Rogue Galaxy

[The Man in Black]

I know this whole thread sounds like a personal ad, but I figured I'd ask you guys what you think the next game I should play for one of the Sony Consoles. I only own a PS2, but I'm constantly over a friend's apartment who owns a PS3.

The last game I really played through and liked was Rogue Galaxy for PS2. Other games I have liked: FF7 and the Kingdom Hearts games (unless they have cards >.>)

I guess I might be looking for a new "J-RPG" as my friend loves to call them (I realize it's a legit term)

All in all I have not played a lot of games, at least not all the way through, due to my younger years not being gamer-heavy (not really by choice)

I have been toying with Devil May Cry 3 the other day because I was bored and own it but It's not really holding my interest enough to devote a lot of play time to. My friend suggested maybe I play the God of War rerelease for PS3 but I'm iffy.

As for Rogue Galaxy, I liked the story and the gameplay was decent and had decent graphics and music. Is there anything out there like it, possibly better even?

Figured I'd see what you guys had to say.

[TheGunheart]

Well, White Knight Chronicle comes out in early February, which is by the same developer as Rogue Galaxy and is for PS3, so if you can wait, you might want to pick up that one.

[Captain Highwind]

As for Rogue Galaxy, I liked the story and the gameplay was decent and had decent graphics and music. Is there anything out there like it, possibly better even?

I'm starting Dragon Quest VIII up again this year so I can finish it (played it a little every year, had it since 2005, and I haven't even gotten my full party yet)

Gorgeous music that's better than a lot of RPGs I've played.

Made by the same people who worked on Rogue Galaxy (Level-5)

Even though the plot is seemingly basic, it's all atmosphere. You run around leveling up between towns, but when an essential plot point comes up, the story gets really dark and epic.

The monster designs, while in silly Dragonball style, still have this really creepy feeling to them, especially the corpse monsters in dungeons. I forgot that Toriyama is serious business.

[Gokou Ruri]

Star Ocean 3 is pretty similar to Rogue Galaxy in terms of gameplay/battle, as long as you don't mind some fairly lengthy cutscenes as the game goes on.

[RockmanDash]

Tales of the abyss is a great rpg to go for, it's probably one of the most enjoyable rpg that the ps2 has to offer.

[macattack]

Tri-Ace's lineup of RPG published by Square Enix (Star Ocean: Till The End Of Time, Radiata Stories, and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria) all share similarities to Rogue Galaxy. The two "real" Final Fantasy games, X and XII, are also good choices.

Star Ocean tells an immersive story that takes Star Trek, The Matrix, and every medieval JRPG you can think of and slams them all together. Great, thoughtful stuff, but audio-wise its a little lacking, the score isn't Motoi Sakuraba's best work, and the dub is up or down (ex: Nel's voice is great, Cliff's voice is iffy, and Farleen has one of the worst voices I've ever heard).

Radiata Stories tells a fairy tale-influenced story that isn't quite as complicated or lengthy as Star Ocean. It's really cutesy-looking but you shouldn't let it distract you from the story. It's recommended you play through it twice, as there are two endings that both hinge on a choice you make halfway through. The dub's up-and-down too, but not to the extremes of Star Ocean (no voice is really bad but nobody's really good either).

Valkyrie Profile 2 takes some getting used to gameplay-wise as it is a side-scroller except in battles, where it resembles Star Ocean's battle system but requires a little more strategy. When you hit Chapter 3 you'd better be ready for a hard slog too, the story's breakneck pace slows to a near-complete halt and can become frustrating, especially when you have to keep grinding in order to move on. It has the best dub of the three, and Stephanie Sheh turns in a very surprising performance as the titular character. Motoi Sakuraba's score here is amazing as well.

Final Fantasy X hasn't aged that well but it's still a great story with many twists and turns, but it is also an easier ride than the Tri-Ace ones, you usually don't need to stop and grind every now and then in order to strengthen the characters enough to continue the story. It has one of the best dubs in RPG history, bar none, outdone by its sequel, but still quite good. Its score ois strong, and its graphics outdo every Tri-Ace game on the list.

Final Fantasy XII is the true champion here. I loved this game. Loved it to death. Stellar dub, amazing graphics, great story that subverted yet championed classic Final Fantasy elements, memorable characters, great music, strong battle system . . . its just amazing. At times it can be easy to get lost without a strategy guide, though. Its perhaps the first Final Fantasy game to truly need a guide in order to get through some sections because the sheer scale of the game can be overwhelming without the guide pointing you where to go.

There's also the Dark Cloud games, they are both good choices, but the first one can become immensely frustrating and directionless if you make too many bad decisions. The first one resembles a Zelda game more than anything else, the second game resembles a traditional PG more.

[Gonzales]

I'd like to second Radiata Stories. It's my favorite game, honestly. What really makes it great is the ability to recruit so many characters and the feeling that you're in a living breathing world. Plus is has Stephanie Sheh in it.

[TheGunheart]

I'll third Radiata Stories. Just beware that there are a lot of things you can miss if you progress the story too fast, and the story often progresses if you like it or not due to its realtime nature.

Also, a word of caution on Dark Cloud 2: it's broken. Very broken. It has five different skill branches that you have to level, each requiring quite a bit of EXP to reach each tier. However, you have a mecha you can summon into battle, and it's very easy to level up and out performs all your regular weapons.

[Grave]

It has one of the best dubs in RPG history, bar none, outdone by its sequel, but still quite good. Its score ois strong, and its graphics outdo every Tri-Ace game on the list.

Strange, I quit playing the game because of the voices. Tidus sounded so wimpy and Wakka just sounded off. Matter of preferences I guess.

I only played a little bit of Radiata Stories, but I don't if I can recommend it. I had a hard time trying to get used to the controls. Felt a bit sluggish with the button timing.

I do second Dragon Quest 8 though. I've yet to finish the game, but I've had a blast with what I've experienced of it so far.

I couldn't stand Luke in the later half of the game, but Tales of the Abyss was a blast as well. So I second that too.

Some other rpg's I'm gonna try out eventually that you may want to give a whirl.

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne - If you like difficulty you may want to check it out.
Persona 3: FES
Persona 4

[Michael JJ]

If you like Rouge Galaxy, I'd recommend Dark Cloud 2 for the PS2. It was made by the same people, and I believe it has several similarities (I haven't played RG, so I can't say). The original Dark Cloud I haven't played, but my understanding is the sequel is far superior (and not really connected to the first).

[Daxdiv]

I also recommend Dragon Quest VIII as someone that beat the game. Just be sure after you beat the game the first time to stick around the second time to play it again from where you saved to unlock the events that lead to the second ending.

[Bryangst]

Final Fantasy XII reminds me of Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean mashed into one haha.

[Desensitized]

Valkyrie Profile 2 is the best RPG I've played on the PS2.

I would suggest playing the first on the PSP before playing it, but it doesn't really matter THAT much. It stands on it's own quite well.

Dark Cloud 2 is great, but it's more of an Action RPG.

[The Man in Black]

Well, I picked up Dark Cloud 1 and Xenosaga Episode 1 because I found them for $6 each at Gamestop. Oddly I thought somebody had mentioned Xenosaga in this thread but I guess not. Either way I remember borrowing it from a friend and playing a decent amount of it and liking it.

A little while back I also picked up a Star Ocean game and played a little bit of it but then got busy and haven't touched it in a while. I can't remember exactly which it is in the series but I remember you start off on a ship or something and meet a little girl who's a traveling performer among some others. Then a ship you're on crashes on a planet with much lower tech. For all I know that's not helpful in determining which one I have but maybe it is.

Just thought I would make an update on this discussion for the heck of it.

[The Man in Black]

Was Star Ocean: The Last Hope for PS3 any good?

[Desensitized]

Was Star Ocean: The Last Hope for PS3 any good?The battle system is alright, I guess.

The story, characters, art style, and everything else is awful, though.

[Bryangst]

I bought Star Ocean: The Last Hope and still haven't picked it back up after about five hours of play. Easily the worst in the series, I think.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

There are so many on the PS2. Not all of them are good, and of course people have strong opinions about JRPGs and RPGs in general, but there's no shortage of selection. A random list for your consideration (can't guarantee everyone will like them)

Valkyrie Profile 2
Persona 3
Persona 4
Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne
Suikoden 3
Suikoden 5
Wild Arms 3
Dragon Quest VIII
Dark Cloud 2
Tales of the Abyss
Mana Khemia
Mana Khemia 2
Atelier Iris
Tales of Legendia

You mentioned that you picked up Xenosaga 1. If you like it, try to seek out Xenosaga 3 as soon as you can, even if you plan on playing the games in order. It's the hardest game to find of the trilogy and according to most fans, a good game as well. There are plenty of copies of Xenosaga 2 because it wasn't a popular or acclaimed game, so that should be the last game to seek out. I haven't advanced past 1 hour of Xenosaga 1, so I cannot personally say much about the series. I do have all 3 games though.

[RockmanDash]

Star Ocean 4 is only "alright" but nothing more to say and was pretty disappointing compared to SO3. Also I recommend Persona 3 FES and 4, they are by far the best rpgs I have ever played for the ps2 =)

[Bryangst]

Leaping Larry Jojo mentioned Suikoden 3 and 5, and I know these for PS1, but Suikoden 1 and 2 are definitely the two best in the series. Suikoden 1 can be bought on the PSN, and I'd have to say good luck finding a copy of Suikoden 2. Also, while Suikoden 4 was not as good, I really enjoyed Suikoden Tactics quite a bit, and it is set in the same lands at 4.

Another series for PS2 that I really enjoyed was Shadow Hearts. I'm not sure what the general reaction was to it in the United States, but I thought they were great. Partly due to the fact that they are set in different times of our history. You'd be able to find SH2 in any GameStop, SH3 in most GameStops, and you'd have to do a little searching for the first.