I love the Atelier series, both old and new, for very different reasons. It's a great game to relax, spend some time moving towards a goal but without any real stress about. I also like the stories about coming of age or adapting to change.
I have a soft spot for Rogue Galaxy. I know cliche choice, sue me. But I can't help it. An ARPG where you play as a Space Pirate. This is one treasure that deserved to be unearthed.
I was NOT expecting Chulip to show up in this list, nice twist! Great coverage, especially the Atelier Iris and Mana Khemia entries. There is so much to love on the PS2, what a legendary console and what a great lineup of games as well as JRPGs!
Your videos are a life saver! I dropped ToD after an hour because the combat just wasn't that good, but I had no idea there was a remade version only for Japan. Can't wait to play the translated version!
There were so many great RPGS on the PS2, and many I honestly have never experienced aside from seeing amazing videos, such as this one, highlighting them or some gameplay of them I have checked out. Pretty much all of these are on my want list to hopefully pick up one day. Thank you for always providing such great content David, hope all is well and you have a fantastic day.
It's so weird to think of PS2 as retro now... and I do when I see these now. It truly was a golden age in JRPG history and the timing means I wasn't able to partake in any of these, but my local retro shop sells tons of PS2 games and I trust your opinion, so thanks for extending my backlog even further hahahaha. Love ya David.
I'm just glad we got to experience the golden age. Practically every RPG that came out was legendary. We still get the occasional great one but we're lucky if it's twice a year now.
I've been meaning to get into the Atelier Iris and Mana Khemia series for a while as they have interesting concepts. In fact there's a lot of PS2 RPG's i have been meaning to try. I'm lucky to have a hacked PS3 to hopefully play them all.
My personal favorite PS2 hidden gem is Radiata Stories. Not sure if you've covered it in another list but I enjoyed that one quite a bit. I don't hear it mentioned too often either so I'd say yeah it's a gem for sure. Always nice to see your lists. Thanks for sharing!
Great list David, it's too bad that many of These games are stuck on their respectives consoles,i am thinking about buying a PS3 or PS2 to play many of it's hidden gems
The PS2's library is amazing, to this day, I'm discovering new gems that I missed. It also makes me really happy that you featured From the New World, that game doesn't get enough love! Sadly, of all of these, only Chulip has seen any kind of rerelease, but fingers crossed that they'll all be made widely available sometime soon
the SMT Digital Devil Saga duology got re-released on PS3 through PSN, so you can get both of them for dirt cheap compared to physical copies those 2 alongside Chulip are the ONLY games on this list that have at least some modern console re-release (despite the PS3 being a ''retro'' console now)
I loved metal saga, I’ve always heard people on UA-cam say they did not like it but I love the customization of your tanks and open world, and a lot of secrets.
Great video David, I knew about these games but never had rhe chance to take a proper look at them. Thanks for allowing me to do that! Speaking about kinda obscure gems, I liked MR Circus Caravan quite a lot back in the day when Monster Rancher was still a thing.
The last and greatest console of the RPG 'Golden Age' in my opinion. And Mana Khemia 2 has an extra bit at the end if you play through both stories so it's like 2.5 games in one. Amazing game.
I'm so sad that the Atelier Iris Trilogy and Mana Khemia 1&2 are still stuck on the PS2. These games were so much better than any Atelier games since the PS3 transition. Music is awesome (it's really good), story, characters, etc.
What I loved about Suikoden Tactics is that if you uploaded that save data from Suikoden IV you'd get Snowe and Lazlo(Main character from 4). Lalzo is exempt from perma-death and the Rune of Punishment is OP as fuck.
It might be iffy to call just about any Enix game "hidden", but regardless, Radiata Stories is my #1 RPG gem on PS2. Probably one of the richest hub cities ever, super fun gameplay, and tons of characters. Excellent video as usual! Always love hearing your perspective on things, just kinda brightens my day
While Tales of fans won't consider Tales of the Abyss one of the hidden gems (because it's consider the best in the series by many including myself) When it comes to 'the greatest JRPGs of all time' conversation, I honestly feel Tales of the Abyss needs to be in the Chrono Trigger, FF VI etc. conversations, honestly one of the greatest JRPGs ever made, my 2nd favorite game of all time.
I didn't know that Tales of Destiny DC got fully translated! I played the hell out of the PS1 version in 97 and drooled looking at the screenshots of the remake (It has added content im pretty sure) My honorable mentions: Ys 3 remake, Grandia Xtreme, and Okage Shadow King.
I literally searched "best ps2 jrpgs" yesterday and was kind of annoyed I didn't find any good videos to watch (except a certain someone I'm tryna avoid ahem..) so this feels like serendipity! REALLY looking forward :D just finished up Luminous Arc, had no idea Arc Rise Fantasia had another original series set in the same universe and just finished that game was gonna need something to keep me occupied. This list really couldnt have come at a better time! You are an angel david~
I enjoyed Tactics much more than sailing for adventure on the big blue wet thing for 9 hours just to get to the next island over in Suikoden IV itself.
Eh. Yes and no. Or rather, I liked it, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the "hard coded" strategy boss battles required. I don't think that's how a game should propose a challenge to the player. But still, loved a lot how MS were customizable. Fun as heck picking loads.
There was a SEGA Ages on the PS2 that had updated Phantasy Star 1 and 2 that you can get translations for. They were pretty well done and the Phantasy Star 2 remake even had a little extra content thrown in regarding Nei.
My dude looking dapper af in the thumbnail! Well, but I'll have to disagree with you regarding Shadow Hearts FTNW. That game sucks, mainly because the characters mostly suck. Come on, after hanging out with all the winners from the previous games I'm stuck with discount Sora, Gyaru Pocahontas and Ninja Nixon? Not my cup of tea. But anyway, great video again, David. Keep it up.
I always watch these videos hoping i'll see a ps2 jrpg i have been trying to remember for a long time. I used to rent it all the time when i was younger and i had so much fun playing it but i can't remember what it was called. One of the distinct things i remember is traveling along a mountain and some girl wearing blue clothes pursuing my character she was like seeking justice or something. I also remember an almost crystal like cave later in the game where you could buy extremely expensive weapons from a shop. Im always so sad because i can never remember what it was called.
How in the world would you apply a translation patch to a PS2 game...? Either way, great list. It's amazing that digital Devil Saga is more talked about... Literally one of my favorite RPGs from that console.
Hey man, I was meaning to ask you. Have you played the Dark Cloud series? Dark Cloud is most likely a hidden gem but Dark Chronicle (Dark Cloud 2) is a great game that I feel you will like.
Come chat and hang out on the discord! discord.gg/davidvinc And be sure to drop a follow on twitch! www.twitch.tv/davidvincstreams
The ps2 era was a such a great time for rpgs, and I love to go back and play the great games I missed.
I’m doing that right now. I had a GameCube during the era. Got a used PS2 slim in 2009. Been slowly going through JRPGs since.
Same it was the golden age
My top 3 are
1. Tales of Abyss
2. SMT DDS2
3. Persona 4
Digital Devil Saga introduced me to SMT. It holds a very special place in my heart! Seeing Gladius took me way back, I forgot it existed at all.
You're lucky... SMT Lucifer's call introduced me to the SMT series.. I still have PTSD over that game 😂
I love the Atelier series, both old and new, for very different reasons. It's a great game to relax, spend some time moving towards a goal but without any real stress about. I also like the stories about coming of age or adapting to change.
I have a soft spot for Rogue Galaxy. I know cliche choice, sue me. But I can't help it. An ARPG where you play as a Space Pirate. This is one treasure that deserved to be unearthed.
They released it for the ps4 with trophies to achieve.
Ι can't stretch enough how much I love your style in the thumbnail
David, your content and channel deserve so much more attention. I wish I were wealthy and I'd find some way to give you more notoriety.
Well thank you so much!
I see digital devil saga in thumbnail, I click
I was NOT expecting Chulip to show up in this list, nice twist! Great coverage, especially the Atelier Iris and Mana Khemia entries. There is so much to love on the PS2, what a legendary console and what a great lineup of games as well as JRPGs!
Your videos are a life saver! I dropped ToD after an hour because the combat just wasn't that good, but I had no idea there was a remade version only for Japan. Can't wait to play the translated version!
You are getting your money’s worth out of that vest! Love it!
Hahaha! I bought it for a wedding a few years back, I love it :)
There were so many great RPGS on the PS2, and many I honestly have never experienced aside from seeing amazing videos, such as this one, highlighting them or some gameplay of them I have checked out. Pretty much all of these are on my want list to hopefully pick up one day. Thank you for always providing such great content David, hope all is well and you have a fantastic day.
Every time I get a notification for one of your videos, I put down whatever else I'm doing to watch. Thanks for the video 👍
Looking quite dapper in that thumbnail sir.
I have to also give shout outs to “Eternal Poison” and “Arc the Lad: Twilight of Spirits”. Both great games that need re-releases or remasters!
Arc The Lad Twilight of Spirits is on PS4
@@Chelaxim It's honestly incredible how good ToTS still looks on PS2. Wouldn't mind checking it out with a higher resolution someday.
Shadow Hearts deserves more love. I would love it to get a new game or at least a remaster of the ps2 trilogy.
That would be amazing.
It's so weird to think of PS2 as retro now... and I do when I see these now. It truly was a golden age in JRPG history and the timing means I wasn't able to partake in any of these, but my local retro shop sells tons of PS2 games and I trust your opinion, so thanks for extending my backlog even further hahahaha. Love ya David.
I'm just glad we got to experience the golden age. Practically every RPG that came out was legendary. We still get the occasional great one but we're lucky if it's twice a year now.
Great list! I never heard and now want to play most of this games. Btw, whatever you’re using as a setup and capture makes the ps2 look amazing.
Looking sharp in that thumbnail. You’re one of the few people who can pull off a sweater vest well.
The Mana khemia and Iris games sold poorly in Japan (they sold more in the US than they did in Japan) that why they changed in the ps3
I've been meaning to get into the Atelier Iris and Mana Khemia series for a while as they have interesting concepts.
In fact there's a lot of PS2 RPG's i have been meaning to try. I'm lucky to have a hacked PS3 to hopefully play them all.
Both Mana Khemia games are a total delight to play!
Great to see Jade Cocoon 2! No idea how many times I played JC1 and 2 back in the days...
My personal favorite PS2 hidden gem is Radiata Stories. Not sure if you've covered it in another list but I enjoyed that one quite a bit. I don't hear it mentioned too often either so I'd say yeah it's a gem for sure. Always nice to see your lists. Thanks for sharing!
That thumbnail pic looks great nice suit
Great list David, it's too bad that many of These games are stuck on their respectives consoles,i am thinking about buying a PS3 or PS2 to play many of it's hidden gems
For some reason, I was really expecting one of the Ar Tonelico games
The PS2's library is amazing, to this day, I'm discovering new gems that I missed. It also makes me really happy that you featured From the New World, that game doesn't get enough love!
Sadly, of all of these, only Chulip has seen any kind of rerelease, but fingers crossed that they'll all be made widely available sometime soon
the SMT Digital Devil Saga duology got re-released on PS3 through PSN, so you can get both of them for dirt cheap compared to physical copies
those 2 alongside Chulip are the ONLY games on this list that have at least some modern console re-release (despite the PS3 being a ''retro'' console now)
@@martinde-serres8724 Oh, I had totally forgotten the Digital Devil Sagas were on PS3!
Though calling the PS3 retro does make me low key sad ;~;
Perfect timing since i just got a renewed ps2
I would shout out the translation patch for Dragon Quest 5 as well, very fun way to enjoy that excellent game!
Digital Devil Saga was my first SMT. It’s what got me hooked.
Chulip is a game I've long wanted to play myself. Just seems like it has a great atmosphere and I know I could sink into its incredibly strange world.
I love your outfit in the thumbnail! Always look so dapper!
Thank you!
I loved metal saga, I’ve always heard people on UA-cam say they did not like it but I love the customization of your tanks and open world, and a lot of secrets.
Glad to see love for Mana Khemia 2 and Growlanser! I agree, couldn't make it through Heritage of War but I adored II and III.
Great video, I love your top 10 lists immensely.
While I never played it, I do remember some friends raving about how good Mana Khemia was.
Great video David, I knew about these games but never had rhe chance to take a proper look at them. Thanks for allowing me to do that! Speaking about kinda obscure gems, I liked MR Circus Caravan quite a lot back in the day when Monster Rancher was still a thing.
The last and greatest console of the RPG 'Golden Age' in my opinion.
And Mana Khemia 2 has an extra bit at the end if you play through both stories so it's like 2.5 games in one. Amazing game.
I'm so sad that the Atelier Iris Trilogy and Mana Khemia 1&2 are still stuck on the PS2. These games were so much better than any Atelier games since the PS3 transition. Music is awesome (it's really good), story, characters, etc.
They need a remaster and or more entries, Mana Khemia are so damn good!
@@ICgay4 true!
Tales of Destiny Director cut English patch is amazing
Thank you life bottle production
What I loved about Suikoden Tactics is that if you uploaded that save data from Suikoden IV you'd get Snowe and Lazlo(Main character from 4). Lalzo is exempt from perma-death and the Rune of Punishment is OP as fuck.
Wow, i actually didn't know some of these! Thanks bestie
Legends of Legaia 2! A super fun time with an interesting combo mechanic
Thanks David. Nice list and voice over
David in thumbnail looking like he's about to challenge Vince McMahon to a ladder match.
Omg you gave Atelier Iris 2 credit, it's a great game-I enjoyed it after so much intro talk in the beginning and hard, I had to grind a bit.
I... havent played anything on this list 😳
I guess I'm just a mainstream-playing casual now
All I remember anyone talking about from Shadow Hearts 3 when it came out was the sexy transformations.
I know it didn't make it on the list but I still love the xenosaga series.
It might be iffy to call just about any Enix game "hidden", but regardless, Radiata Stories is my #1 RPG gem on PS2. Probably one of the richest hub cities ever, super fun gameplay, and tons of characters.
Excellent video as usual! Always love hearing your perspective on things, just kinda brightens my day
While Tales of fans won't consider Tales of the Abyss one of the hidden gems (because it's consider the best in the series by many including myself)
When it comes to 'the greatest JRPGs of all time' conversation, I honestly feel Tales of the Abyss needs to be in the Chrono Trigger, FF VI etc. conversations, honestly one of the greatest JRPGs ever made, my 2nd favorite game of all time.
I didn't know that Tales of Destiny DC got fully translated! I played the hell out of the PS1 version in 97 and drooled looking at the screenshots of the remake (It has added content im pretty sure)
My honorable mentions: Ys 3 remake, Grandia Xtreme, and Okage Shadow King.
Looking like the boss in those threads David!!!
thank you for the list, i was searching for a good ps2 jrpg to play rn. tales of destiny intrigued me and i think that it is right up my alley
I need to hunt down a copy of Gladius now, completely forgot that game existed.
Oh look my favorite videogame of all time in n°9!
Great list as always. Looking fresh good sir.
Good video loved the ps2 rpgs good to see digital devil saga on the list
Tales of Destiny was one of my fav for the psx... But a remake for the ps2? Sign me up. I must try.
I literally searched "best ps2 jrpgs" yesterday and was kind of annoyed I didn't find any good videos to watch (except a certain someone I'm tryna avoid ahem..) so this feels like serendipity! REALLY looking forward :D just finished up Luminous Arc, had no idea Arc Rise Fantasia had another original series set in the same universe and just finished that game was gonna need something to keep me occupied. This list really couldnt have come at a better time! You are an angel david~
Glad I could help!
I love ephemeral fantasia. Sure, it looks horrible and the story is confusing, but it was such a neat concept.
Gladius is SO good, would like to see a QTE tactics game released again
Thank you for these lists! I always learn about new games and put them on my "to play" list
I'd say relying on thiccccc thighs(0:50) is a great cure for most evil in this beautiful and chaotic world.
I love shadow hearts from the new world. I played it before the other 2. It is also the main reason I kept my ps2
Tales of destiny DC is incredible. Definitely in my top 5 tales of games
I enjoyed Tactics much more than sailing for adventure on the big blue wet thing for 9 hours just to get to the next island over in Suikoden IV itself.
You know you can speed the ship up, right?
I didn't Luke Suikoden Tactics much either to be honest. The game play Was good, but the story was weird and the creepy eyeless NPCs really bugged me
Gladius is a really good couch co op RPG.
I would like to recommend MS Saga: A New Dawn.
It's a Mobile Suit game that's a JRPG.
It works WAY better than it should.
Eh. Yes and no. Or rather, I liked it, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the "hard coded" strategy boss battles required. I don't think that's how a game should propose a challenge to the player. But still, loved a lot how MS were customizable. Fun as heck picking loads.
Can we talk about how hunky David looked in the thumbnail?
There was a SEGA Ages on the PS2 that had updated Phantasy Star 1 and 2 that you can get translations for. They were pretty well done and the Phantasy Star 2 remake even had a little extra content thrown in regarding Nei.
My favorite PS2 hidden gem is a little-known game called Final Fantasy X
Tales of destiny DC traslated !
You made my day.
Sweet. Good video.
Tales of Destiny Remake...translated? Now THIS is a reason for me to get a PS2 emulator!
Now to see if they've translated Tales of Rebirth...
I watched someone stream a full playthrough of Chulip once, that was incredibly strange but fun
mana khemia 1 and 2 are my favorites. they had my favorite stories in the atelier series. also a HUGE fan of tales of legendia
seriously, those 2 HAVE to come back. 1, i looooooved the darker story. i played 2 first before 1, and cried at the bad ending
6:45 oh no Ma'am, we don't insult and tarnish the good name of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance in this household.
Awesome thank you so much for your list! Ps you look fantastic in a suit!
Of these, the only one I've played is Jade Cocoon 2. Never beat it but I did have some fun with it.
Jade Cocoon 2 is by Studio Ghibli? I had to grab my copy and look. i cant find any info on Ghibli involvement in it?
I really need to try out that tales of destiny remake
Goodness David! Lookin fine as hell in that vest
Thank you so much!
holy crap i remember Gladius i played it to death when it came out and forgot about it thanks!
My dude looking dapper af in the thumbnail!
Well, but I'll have to disagree with you regarding Shadow Hearts FTNW. That game sucks, mainly because the characters mostly suck. Come on, after hanging out with all the winners from the previous games I'm stuck with discount Sora, Gyaru Pocahontas and Ninja Nixon? Not my cup of tea.
But anyway, great video again, David. Keep it up.
Love these hidden gem videos!
I see a davidvinc video and I click instantly :)
I always watch these videos hoping i'll see a ps2 jrpg i have been trying to remember for a long time. I used to rent it all the time when i was younger and i had so much fun playing it but i can't remember what it was called. One of the distinct things i remember is traveling along a mountain and some girl wearing blue clothes pursuing my character she was like seeking justice or something. I also remember an almost crystal like cave later in the game where you could buy extremely expensive weapons from a shop. Im always so sad because i can never remember what it was called.
I'm not sure, but try dark cloud 2 and tales of legendia.
@@davidvinc thank you i will😊☺
How in the world would you apply a translation patch to a PS2 game...? Either way, great list. It's amazing that digital Devil Saga is more talked about... Literally one of my favorite RPGs from that console.
I love the PS2. Great list; no notes!
good video :) oh the remake of tales of destiny is in english ! that's a great news , on which console?
Love the content as always David
thanks for the video
In TV and Cinema there's the Gold,Silver and Bronze age.. the 4th,5th and 6th generations of gaming can't ALL be the Golden age of JRPGs lol.
Hey man, I was meaning to ask you. Have you played the Dark Cloud series? Dark Cloud is most likely a hidden gem but Dark Chronicle (Dark Cloud 2) is a great game that I feel you will like.
I have!
Is Chulip really an RPG though? Also, I don't think you've released moon's review yet.
Heck yeah, Gladius was awesome
i love Atelier Iris 2: AoD :)
I have so many ps2 backlog which I could play when I'm retired., I mean 10 or 15 years 🤣