Some RPGs, both from the East and the West, are very lucky to be able to come back as ports, remasters or remakes. Final Fantasy VII is a prime example that won all three types and also remained in the popular zeitgeist thanks to numerous multimedia projects related to Final Fantasy VIIfrom books to movies to spinoff games.
10 old-school JRPGs that are perfect from start to finish
These old-school JRPGs represent the best the genre had to offer before 2010, with no drop in quality during gameplay.
Some games, even if they get a second or third chance at life, aren't lucky enough to last that long, and that's a shame. If more RPG fans played these games, maybe they would be more accessible, or at least more talked about today. Popular or not, they are all great in their own way.
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Find all 10 pairs
Breath of Fire 4
Late to the party
Fire Breath 4 was a late addition to the PS1 in 2000, released in North America after the launch of the PS2. Like all the main entries, the game starred a blue-haired silent hero, Ryu, who could transform into dragons in turn-based combat.
The visuals still look great with the vibrant colors of the polygonal models, and the world is a bit more desolate than other entries in the series, giving it an almost post-apocalyptic feel to begin with. We have good news for Capcom RPG fans Fire Breath 4 released on GOG in 2025, so it's not too late to check out this hidden gem.
Champions Of Norrath: Realms Of EverQuest
A true Diablo Rival
Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest it was released for the PS2 in 2004 and has remained there, along with its sequel, ever since. Just like Diablo In the games, players could choose one of several characters, all belonging to a specific race and class. They could then proceed in a linear level progression through dungeons from top to bottom, fighting hordes of monsters and collecting loot.
It was a staple for PS2 RPG fans who enjoyed multiplayer, and it's a damn shame that Sony never remade it or even ported it to another PlayStation console since releasing it in North America.
Dragon Quest 5: Hand Of The Heavenly Bride
Before Pokemon
Most Dragon Quest fans in North America missed it Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride because it didn't really work out here. Originally released for the SNES in Japan, the 2009 DS remake is the first official playthrough in North America. Release history aside, the second trilogy in the series that includes this game is often forgotten in comparison to the others Dragon Quest titles.
Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride it has a lot of interesting concepts that are worth trying in any version. Over time, players will grow up, choose a bride and befriend monsters instead of a party, and it's important to remember that this was four years before Pokemon.
Final Fantasy 5
Not praised enough
Another fifth installment in the great franchise, Final Fantasyalso doesn't have enough credit. Final Fantasy 5 it was also released in 1992 for the SNES in Japan, and North Americans could play it in 1999 via the PS1 Collection, Final Fantasy Anthologywhich also included Final Fantasy 6.
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This was the second game to use the Job system, following Final Fantasy 3and has done a better job of developing its core four characters over time. The Job system was the selling point, and now there are plenty of versions to choose from, with the GBA release still the best, albeit hard-to-find, option.
Joan of Arc
For France!
Joan of Arc was a PSP-exclusive tactical RPG developed by Level-5, set in an alternate timeline to the Anglo-French War in the 1400s. In this version, the English are aided by monsters and a young girl, Jeanne, is given a magical bracelet to transform into a powerful warrior, and other characters along the way gain similar transformational powers.
The tactical combat is pretty standard with units moving around on a grid, but that doesn't mean it wasn't compelling. Like many RPGs for the PSP, this fell by the wayside due to poor sales of portable games in North America. Fortunately, the game is now available on PS5, along with other PSP gems waiting to be rediscovered.
Lufia 2: Rise Of The Sintrals
Trapped by the SNES
The Luffy the series has largely been forgotten as this is the case where all the games are currently stuck on old hardware. Many fans believe Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals is the best of all and was released on SNES in 1996. It has good music, colorful sprites, interactive dungeons, monsters that appear in dungeons, and much more.
It was way ahead of its time on the SNES, and the only real way to officially play it now is to buy a cartridge, and even the boxed version doesn't come cheap, but anyone longing for the SNES glory days will find a way to run this game.
Orb of Odin
Action anthology
Orb of Odin was a very late release for the PS2 in 2007, a full year after the worldwide launch of the PS3. It's a 2D action RPG developed by Vanillaware, which has always excelled in 2D art with richly painted backgrounds and larger-than-life characters that have been intricately crafted.
Players will go through different fairy tales, all exploring different characters connected to the same world, such as the fairy Mercedes, who uses a crossbow, and Cornelius, who is a warrior who has transformed into a bunny-like creature but can still use a sword. Odin Sphere Leifthrasir was a 2016 remaster, and a good one, but even the reissue didn't set the world on fire. True fans appreciated it and Odin Sphere Leifthrasir can still be played on PS5 thanks to backwards compatibility.
Brilliant history
Lost in time
Brilliant history is a must play DS RPG that was released in 2011 in North America before it got a new addition, Radiant Historia: The Perfect Chronologyin 2018 for 3DS. The attempt at a re-release was admirable, but it would have worked much better on the Switch since the DS cartridges worked on the 3DS anyway and the Switch was just killing it in sales.
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Port history aside, this turn-based RPG used time travel as a major mechanic to tell its story. Instead of going into wild timelines like prehistory or the future, like that Chrono Trigger, Brilliant history she was wiser about her choices because they all involved solvable problems at the time. The art, story, and combat all came together in a “perfect chronology.”
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Alternate history RPG
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
- Released
-
September 27, 2004
Shadow Hearts: Covenant is another alternate history RPG, but this one was set during WW1. From female soldier to female vampire wrestler, the bunch had an eclectic vibe that made the game more compelling than most, and the over-the-top nature of the story also made it more fun to dive into.
Turn-based combat was also a bit more active, as players could time attacks and specials using the ring mechanic to gain bonuses, which wasn't easy. Just like the rest Shadow hearts games, these PS2 gems are completely lost to time, but hopefully die-hard fans will never stop beating the drum.
Xenogears
The start of something big
Xenogears was one of Square's most ambitious games on the PS1, incorporating martial arts, mechanics, and religion into one fantastic adventure. The story is almost impossible to summarize because it's so dense, but the twisted nature of its characters at least kept players entertained and guessing what might happen next.
Combat was turn-based, but players could enter button combinations to create special attacks, and later mechs were unlocked. Spiritual today Xenoblade Chronicles games to get more attention, s Xenogears it now lies forgotten on the PS1.
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Explore the rise and fall of these once promising Western RPGs. Whether it's for the best or not, none of these games are playable today.
