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Starting with the 16-bit generation, we’ve seen quite a few strong RPG consoles.
For my money, the PlayStation is king in the land of RPGs.
The ’90s was filled with brilliant RPGs.
What makes the PlayStation’s lineup of games so strong?
What about something likeChrono Cross?
Something similar could be said aboutFinal Fantasy 8.
Then you have titles likeSuikoden 2, Breath of Fire 3, Xenogears, andValkyrie Profile.
They are tremendously well-respected.
There are a bunch of incredible Tactical RPGs on the PS1, and, honestly, they deserve theirownlist.
Beyond that, Alundra could be a gorgeous sequel toA Link To The Past.
Well, adepressing,gorgeous sequel, at least.
A familiar setup, but unlike most heroes, Alundra isn’t a miracle worker.
The story can be a somber one at times.
Alundra is a well-written, gorgeous, Action-Adventure clears throatRPGthat features refined, well-designed gameplay.
Alundra 2 deserves a nod as well.
It shouldn’t be called Alundra 2, though.
SaGa Frontier
Would a list of underrated RPGs be complete without a SaGa game?
For starters, the tone is decidedly strange.
You love to see a game that isn’t afraid to get a little weird!
However, SaGa Frontier has more to offer beyond its off-beat tone.
SaGa Frontier 2 is alsoverygood.
I’d say both games are pretty close in terms of quality.
Dragon Valor
Sometimes a game just doesn’t get the love it deserves on release.
Dragon Valor was the final release in the Dragon Buster franchise.
It is also the cause of the series' death, which isprettyrough.
It feels a little likeone of the Dungeons and Dragons Beat ‘em Ups.
We’re not talking about variations in builds, here.
Their dialogue and scenarios shift dramatically.
The differences between Kodal and Arlenn (the first offspring of Clovis) aremassive.
Not only are their stories distinct, but the tone of their respective chapters iscompletelydifferent.
Dragon Valor may just be one of the best-kept secrets on the PS1.
It’s a charming, energetic adventure that deserves your attention.
And what did it say?
“I exist!”
The main hook here is that Guardian’s Crusade is a fusion between a classic JRPG and Tamogachi.
There are only two party members, your hero, and his pink pet Baby.
This is where thatTamagotchi goodnesskicks in.
But wait, there’s more!
The magic system has you collect a whole host of Living Toys.
The more you explore the world, the more Living Toys you’ll find tucked away inside it.
Guardian’s Crusade deserved better!
And we haven’t even gotten into the amazing magic system.
What’s so great about the magic system?
Well, it takes a distinctly Pokemon-esque approach to spell acquisition.
That’s right, you acquire spells by taking them from specific enemies.
It is a delightful combat engine that maintains its novelty all the way to the final boss.
and you’ve got another classic RPG on your hands.
Legend of Legaia had a sequel on the PS2: Legaia Duel Saga.
It is… okay.
On the good side of okay, even.
Despite being the spiritual predecessor to the Souls series, the Kings Field franchise is still woefully underappreciated.
So,King’s Field 2 in the West is simply known as King’s Field.
The King’s Field games were Souls Before Souls, but which one is the best?
Is its combat largely a matter of crab-walking around your opponents and stabbing them in the back?
When it comes to delivering that dread-filled, lonely atmosphere, Kings Field is unmatched.
Clearly, it was its destiny to fall for it to fall into obscurity.
Firstly, its combat style is one of one.
When you encounter an enemy in The Granstream Saga, you’ll enter into a battle screen.
Here you’ll be able to maneuver Eon in a 3D environment and battle enemies.
The combat is absurdly fluid, fast, and reactive.
The second aspect is a little harder to sell.
The story is deeply cliched and tropey.
I know that sounds like it should be a criticism, yet, it just… works?
Come for the excellent combat, stay for the cozy vibes!
Vagrant Story
I had to go back and forth on whether to include Vagrant Story.
Vagrant Story is a game that received rave reviews, and it is most certainly notunknown.
Which is puzzling, as it is a game that does everything right.
The gameplay, and its focus on targeting limbs, still feels fresh and rewarding to this day.
Vagrant Story mayjustbe the pinnacle of the PS1.
Koudelka
Chances are you haven’t heard of Koudelka.
That’s right, Koudelka is the first game in the Shadow Hearts series.
Which, you know, is pretty underappreciated in its own right, but I digress.
You wont be bludgeoning any ghouls with a frozen tuna in this one.
In fact, Koudelka is among the purest horror RPG hybrids you’ll encounter this side of Sweet Home.
While the combat is turn-based, resource management is also a key element.
Meaning that Koudelka’s horror classification is just about tone, it’s legitimately a survival-horror game as well.
And speaking of tone, Koudelka is dripping with atmosphere.
The Mansion you’ll explore is as somber and disturbing as its shadowy past.
The core cast of characters are a likable bunch.
Even if nobody’s ever heard of it.
However, it iseasilythe most under-appreciated.
By and large, Revelations: Persona is disregarded as being a glorified dungeon crawler.
However, its still available by way of Game Shark and is fully translated in the PSP remaster.
Whether a product of its time or an artistic choice, nothing beats a good pixel art RPG.
