I'm thinking of buying a Playstation 2, I went to pawn shops and they cost $110 bucks and they do work when I asked them to show me to see if it works or not. I love role playing games (Main reason for thinking to buy Playstation 2) and what role playing games do you reccomend if I buy Playstation 2? Thanks!

I'll start with the obvious Final Fantasy games. I don't have a PS2 but they're the reason i want to get one as well since i've played 7 of the previous 9.

You may think I'm nuts but I hate Final Fantasy games.

It all depends upon what type of "role playing" game you are talking about. I mean do you like the dungeon crawl (Baulder's Gate) type role playing or are you more into puzzle type role playing w/o much action (a Myst sort of thing) or the survival/horror (Resident Evil sort of thing)? Anyway this list should give a decent idea of what's available, I don't think it contains everything though and obviously there is some crossover w/ other genres

http://www.gamefly.com/ (EDIT: Just noticed the link isn't working... Go to the main page, select PS2 and then RPG under categories. Alternatively try this link http://www.gamepricezone.com/cgi-bin...:Playstation+2)

I haven't played much on the list but some I would recommend are the Baulder's Gate series, Ghosthunter (not on the above list) was kind of enjoyable, I thougt The Hobbit was fun too. The biggest problem I have w/ RPGs is that they aren't very replayable. I mean the 20-50 hours to get through it the first time might be fun (although I usually find myself at the end just wanting to get it over w/ ) but who wants to (or has time to) go through it again?

EDIT: Speaking of which Way of the Samurai is a pretty enjoyable one that gets around that (atleast for awhile) IMHO. It's more like one of those "choose your own adventure" books (if you remember those). The overall story is relatively short but each encounter can be handled in many different ways which then effects the rest of the game.

On a personal note, I was vehemently against the PS2, because most of the "top" games available for it just didn't appeal to me (Metal Gear Solid 2, Final Fantasy X). But I've enjoyed the minor releases, the sleeper hits, the one that flew under the radar.

The RPGs for the PS2 have been hugely disappointing. The Xbox has the best RPGs.

xbox has the best rpgs? hmm... well, i like star wars kotor and i like that kotor 2 and jade empire is coming out, and... maybe fable. but that's about it, imo. 1 yes, 2 coming soons and 1 maybe - am i missing something?

if anything, i'd love to see a lot more rpgs for the xbox.
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are you looking for diablo type of rpgs? if they're multiconsole, xbox is the way to go, imo.

if you're looking for ps2 exclusive japanese rpgs, i guess you have a plethora of them... of which, i've played only a few. you mentioned you don't like the FF series... to me, they're all like FF so i'm not sure what that leaves.

some other series that comes to mind...
xenosaga
suikoden
star ocean
wild arms
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another note... $110 at a pawn shop??? well, glad it works, but i think you could do better used at ebgames or something. how much do they have it for? or even ebay. personally, i would rather buy a new one (or wait for the new smaller pstwo) for the $40 difference (assuming you don't get a coupon). didn't FYE have some sort of rebate deal? target.com seems to have 10% coupons every once in a while as well.

Personally, I think there's not a single good RPG for the PS2. I've played almost all of them.

FFX - weak combat engine, horrendously bad voice acting

Xenosaga - too many cutscenes that are too long, overcomplicated battle system

Wild Arms - it was okay, but like all WA games feels extremely generic

Suikoden III - again, an OK game, but they changed way too much from the first 2 games that made them the great games that they are. I felt like the series was going backwards. The trinity system was interesting but it was done better in Shining Force III, even if it is in Japanese

Star Ocean - what the hell happened to the battle system? SOII for PSX was a pretty mediocre game too IMO, much like DQVII was too focused on nostalgia but was annoyingly unplayable. It's annoying because the story is good but the game is too unbalanced to play.

Dark Cloud 2 - had potential, but when you have a system dependent on making items out of other items, you should probably give the player items that are actually worth it.

The fact of the matter is that if you like RPG's, the PS2 has more RPG's available for it either of the other two systems have. Many of them can easily be found for less than $20. At that rate, you can experiment, and find plenty of games you like.

The Xbox has one of the best RPG's out there in KOTOR but that's about it. If you want RPG's then the PS2 is your best choice.

FFX
FFX-2
Xenosaga
Arc the Lad
Star Ocean
Wild Arms
Kingdom Hearts

Those are a few but they're all solid RPG's. If you like tactical RPG's there's Disgaea, La Pucelle Tactics, and Phantom Brave. Soon to be released Shadow Hearts: Covenant and LOTR RPG look very promising. Shadow Hearts will be released next week and in PSM latest issue it scored a 10/10.

So, if you want RPG's then PS2 would be the system I'd recommend.

I would buy it for Gradius V alone....

The PS2 will also play all the great PS1 RPGs.

The good rpg's have been pretty spaced out in year among consoles. There's no one stop solution anymore. Are the games you want to play on ps2? Then buy it! Here's a breakdown of some of the good ones I liked.


PS2:

FFX
Disgaea (strategy/turnbased)
Suikoden III
Kingdom Hearts (action rpg)
Star Ocean 3 (not as good as Star Ocean 2)

Gamecube:

Tales of Symphonia -Best rpg of the year!
Paper Mario 2
Baten Kaitos

X-Box (caters more to PC rpgs):
KOTOR -didn't like it at all, not my cup of tea but you might.
Fable- haven't played it yet but supposed to be overhyped.

The statement that you say you don't like final fantasy games make me think you like pc rpgs better. if thats the case then the choice is already made.

I don't like PC RPGs

I already have a Gamecube and I am planning to buy Tales of Symophia if I can (If it's not sold out)

I already have Skies of Arcadia Legends (Played that on the Dreamcast), BEST RPG EVER!!!