Must play PSP RPGs.

[Raedon]

I just picked up a used Darth Vader PSP for $99, and being as I've been a real Nintendo DS fanboy for years now, I've been ignoring the PSP scene. I picked up FFVII-Crisis Core first thing because that is THE ONLY PSP title I've ever wanted. Anyone have some RPG recommendations for the system for me to look out for?

I'm not looking for only the OMGRPGOLDSAUCE! RPGS. I play even the bad JRPGs ... I'll play a crappy Harvest Moon game for 14 years. I've got a real problem but I digress.

EDIT:
Thread to PSP RPG list.
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126374


http://www.themott.com/files/store/imagecache/product/files/PSP-Darth-Vader-Slim-White-Battery-Door-Cover.JPG

I HAVE YOU NOW!

[Icarus Moonsight]

I'd recommend Class of Heros. It's a love it or hate it one though.

I don't know how much RPG Half Minute Hero (fixed, thanks maxlords!) is, but that is my next planned purchase and it looks really freakin' cool. :D

Maybe, check this out and see if you want to get in on the Badman pre-order too.
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137237

[mobiusclimber]

Jeanne D'arc and the Legend of Heroes series are the only RPGs I've really enjoyed so far. Tales of the World is ok, just realize that it's a pure dungeon-crawler with mission-based objectives.

[Aussie2B]

Probably would be worth checking out this topic: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126374

If you haven't played it already, I'd recommend Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. The PlayStation original is better, but it's also mega-expensive.

Same kind of deal with Star Ocean 1: First Departure. I'd say the original is better then this PSP remake shoehorned into a Star Ocean 2 shell, but it is the only official release in English (even if the localization does stink).

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is also worth getting if you don't have it on PS1.

For something exclusive to the PSP, Jeanne d'Arc is a nice little strategy RPG with an interesting Joan of Arc theme.

[Press_Start]

Probably would be worth checking out this topic: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126374


Damn Aussie, you beat me to my own punch. LOL

Let's see what else...Ys: Ark of Napisthim has the original anime cutscenes (imo makes it better) unlike the PS2 version which Konami replaced with CG.

If that doesn't float your boat, they're 50+ other titles to choose from. Enjoy! :D

[geelw]

off the top of my head recommendations (some good, some OK, some kinda meh adding to the solid ones folks have already mentioned):

Popolocrois
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
Disgaea 2
Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony
Warriors of the Lost Empire
Dungeon Maker
Dungeon Maker II
Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure
Valhalla Knights
Valhalla Knights II (both are a bit pesky if you hate level grinding, but you'll get your money's worth in terms of how long you'll be playing)
Sega Genesis Collection (for Phantasy Star II III and IV plus Sword of Vermilion if you want to go 16-bit)
Kingdom of Paradise
Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badaman! What Did I Do to Deserve This? (Currently available as a PSN download... BUT, Nippon Ichi took a poll and decided to produce it on UMD if 1,000 people pre-order the game HERE: http://rosenqueen.com/catalog/Holy-Invasion-of-Privacy-Badman-p-16301.html
Blade Dancer
Dragoneer's Aria
Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts
Bounty Hounds
Tokobot (not really a RPG, but it feels like one)

There are a bunch more, but I'm not near by PSP collection...

[Raedon]

Sega Genesis Collection (for Phantasy Star II III and IV plus Sword of Vermilion if you want to go 16-bit)


I love retro (obviously) but I can only finish those early RPG games so many times. ^^;

[Poofta!]

congrats on a great find. i also have the darth vader psp and love it, have been looking to pick up a new one as backup for the later years (the 2000 series seems to be the best so far, no interlacing issues like the 3000, easy to hack and has umds lol. lets see if/what the 4000 will be)

i collect psp rpgs and have 90% of them. heres a quick list of the GOOD ones:

- legend of heroes series - there are 3, not necessary to play them in order since they are all actually ports of japanese pc games. i think the first is actually the 4th, not sure, you can wikipedia the series. they are fun, pretty and traditional jrpgs that will remind you of the 16/32bit games.

- breath of fire 3 - of course, however its UK only, but you can find via ebay

- tales if eternia - also uk only

- disgaea 1 & 2 - great SRPGs. if you like SRPGs, these games let you easily dump 200+ hours into them. you can really tell the developers LOVED what they were making. personally, srpgs usually feel a little impersonal to me, and these games kinda exacerbate the issue. lots of inter-dimensional levels.

- Final Fantasy I&II - the definitive versions of the 2 games that have been remade dozens of times before. if youd like ot play the 8bit originals that started it all, this platform is definitely the way to go

- final fantasy tactics - amazing story and never feels too far removed from traditional rpgs even though it is an srpg. lots of secrets, exploration, side quests and that old familiar loveable FF charm. takes place in Ivalice, same setting as the 2 FFTA games as well as FFXII.

- jeanne d'arc - an interesting revisionist history with a fantasy element injection to the original jeanne d'arc story. nice visuals and very well made game. SRPG.

- persona - remake of the ps1 original. need only apply if youre into the series, even though this game has been updated visually it still shows its age in the gameplay (early ps1).

- popolocrois - very charming rpg with a more kiddie art style. i had a fun time playing it.

- star ocean series - the first game is a remake of the 16bit original and it shows its age in how the game is structured. the second one is better. both look beautiful. if youre not particularly a fan of teh series you can try the 2nd one right away and not miss much.

- untold legends series - excellent hack and slash action rpg. if you like these types of games, you will absolutely enjoy these. same goes for xmen legends 2, btw.

- valkyrie profile - a must play for everyone to at least see if you like it. its a 2d sidescrolling rpg where you are timed. you only have a set amount of time to beat the game. i liked the game a lot, but am wary of recommending it to everyone. try reading a review.

- ys - a likeable action rpg. i recommend dumping this one on your memory stick definitely because the load times can get annoying.


honorable mentions - you should definitely read more in depth reviews of the following games since they are very hit or miss amongst people who play them
-dungeon maker games
-monster hunter series
-all the NIS america SRPGs on the console (there are A LOT of them, most are rather generic SRPGs, if youre really into SRPGs and managed to get bored of disgaea, trying looking at these)

id like to try to steer you clear of valhalla knights, those games are pretty bad. having said that, the psp in general has most of it's rpgs rated 5-8. a lot of people are very critical of the console and tis games in general. may want to use alternate resources for reviews (like an rpg website vs gamespot).

enjoy! and ps - i recommend you hack your psp, it takes 20 minutes max and lets you copy your umds on your mem card. this helps with wear n tear on the drive, battery life as well as load times. also opens the world up to you in terms of emulation. enjoy again

[Raedon]

I'm not sure if I can hack this PSP because I don't know what the original firmware # was or what number was on the box (no box). It could be a TA mobo PSP and I'd hate to brick it. I'll probably just buy an older PSP someday and use a Pandora battery. For now I'd like to just stick with buying used UMD RPG games.

[heybtbm]

A little Crisis Core hate:

FF-Crisis Core is probably the most disappointing game I've ever bought and played in 27 years of gaming. I followed the development, bought it release day, put about 24 hours in, and still haven't finished it 1 1/2 years later. Why was I forcing myself to play this horrible game day after day? It's one of those things that I had to push aside my RPG-completion-OCD and just stop.

When leveling up is based COMPLETELY on chance (yeah...that's right...plain old luck), you know it's going to take a special type of RPG-fan to enjoy it. "Niche" doesn't even begin to describe it's appeal. The gameplay boils down to 100 or so 2 minute missions poorly held together by some ridiculous computer hub-thing. Seriously, that's it.

I guess I can see why a few people like it. It has AAA production values, the story was interesting, and it has all those little "FF7" touches throughout (menu style and sounds, materia, music)...but those still can't break the overwhelming boredom of the combat. Get ready to run up to a bunch of in-game computers, pick and mission and press X a lot.

[Raedon]

Get ready to run up to a bunch of in-game computers, pick and mission and press X a lot.

Well, I'm fine with 1 button gameplay mechanics. Remember those Atari/C64 sticks? :D

Only 3 hours into FFVII core and the story has me wondering wtf will happen next. I do see what you mean about leveling being all luck though. 7 7 7 LEVEL UP!!

[GrandAmChandler]

Raedon - Brave Story (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000R39IKI/?tag=retrcom-20), one of the best RPGs I have played on PSP, easy interface, great story, no needless extra controls:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bY1v4uESL._SL500_AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000R39IKI/?tag=retrcom-20)

-GAC-

[Zing]

For some reason I interpreted the subject line to mean "I must play PSP RPGs". I was going to respond, "so go buy some, then!"

[maxlords]

I'd have to say I've been impressed with the following:

Legend of Heroes 1-3
Kingdom of Paradise
Star Ocean: First Departure (I REALLY like it...don't know why people are ragging on it)
Crimson Gem Saga
Jeanne De Arc (though it's a strategy game really)
Puzzle Quest (though it's a puzzle game with RPG elements
Persona (great remake btw!)
Half Minute Hero (just starting this but I REALLY like it!)
Riviera
Yggdra Union
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth

There are plenty of other good PSP games too.

As for modding...it's risky with a Vader. I got lucky and got an original black 2000 new a couple months ago and a Pandora worked fine on it.

[ScourDX]

You probably need Pandora do add custom firmware. Other RPG worth checking out

- Gurumin: Monster Adventure (play like Zelda)
- Wildarm XF
- Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology
- Final fantasy (original Final fantasy with updated sprites)

Other PSP games worth looking into

- Prinny: Can I be a Hero
- Burnout Legend
- Loco Roco 1 & 2
- Patapon
- Tekken: Dark Resurrection
- Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles

[incubus421]

Crimson Gem Saga

Brave Story

Star Ocean

Spectral Souls (SRPG)

Jeanne D'Arc (SRPG)

and I'd like to say that:
FFT is terrible on the PSP....yea it has added content but the animation load times are awful, it's not worth it, please pickup the original to experience this game in all it's glory.

[sonoranreptile]

I'm not sure if I can hack this PSP because I don't know what the original firmware # was or what number was on the box (no box). It could be a TA mobo PSP and I'd hate to brick it. I'll probably just buy an older PSP someday and use a Pandora battery. For now I'd like to just stick with buying used UMD RPG games.

Your Vader PSP-2000 is fully hackable. The only ones that can go either way are the late edition black (AB02) and the Madden Blue. The God of War, silver and the Vader white are hackable.

[Tokimemofan]

Valkyrie Profile or anything from the Final Fantasy, Legend of Heroes, Disgaea, Star Ocean, and Tales of series. Just note that the Legend of Heroes games have translations so bad that these could be contenders for the "Top 10 Wost RPG Translations" gold silver and bronze prizes.
Just keep in mind that since the PSP RPG library is so remake heavy at the very least most do not suck even if they may be hit or miss.

Edit: About Tales of Eternia there was a small number (Probably about a month's print run) of the game made that had a glitch that makes it impossible to complete the game. Google "Tales of Eternia Volt Glitch" and make sure the seller you buy from covers this. The way to Identify a bad disc involves checking the firmware update that is included on the disc 2.50 and higher is good 2.00 is bad. Just for reference my copy was purchased about 2 months after release and is 2.50 glitch free.

[heybtbm]

FFT is terrible on the PSP....yea it has added content but the animation load times are awful, it's not worth it, please pickup the original to experience this game in all it's glory.

I agree the load times do get tiresome. However, the added characters, animated story scenes and improved translation are pretty nice. Either way, the original just was released on PSN for PSP/PS3. It may be worth picking up.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5100/93790920070516screen001.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7704/93790920071102screen004.jpg

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/2718/ff1psp1.jpg

Back on topic...The PSP version of Final Fantasy is amazing. Very beautiful and unappreciated port. Too bad they didn't give FFT the same treatment.

[unwinddesign]

A little Crisis Core hate:

FF-Crisis Core is probably the most disappointing game I've ever bought and played in 27 years of gaming. I followed the development, bought it release day, put about 24 hours in, and still haven't finished it 1 1/2 years later. Why was I forcing myself to play this horrible game day after day? It's one of those things that I had to push aside my RPG-completion-OCD and just stop.

When leveling up is based COMPLETELY on chance (yeah...that's right...plain old luck), you know it's going to take a special type of RPG-fan to enjoy it. "Niche" doesn't even begin to describe it's appeal. The gameplay boils down to 100 or so 2 minute missions poorly held together by some ridiculous computer hub-thing. Seriously, that's it.

I guess I can see why a few people like it. It has AAA production values, the story was interesting, and it has all those little "FF7" touches throughout (menu style and sounds, materia, music)...but those still can't break the overwhelming boredom of the combat. Get ready to run up to a bunch of in-game computers, pick and mission and press X a lot.

It's hardly based on chance. You really have a hidden, in-game experience amount that the game tracks. Once you hit X number of EXP, the 7-7-7 combo opens up on the slot and you can hit it and level up. I liked the whole slot system. The [small] dose of chance kind of added some excitement to the proceedings.

I thought Crisis Core was one of the better games on PSP. Lots of content and extra missions, even if they were kind of generic/not as fun as typical FF sidequests.

[Poofta!]

your vader is 100% easily hackable. they all are, no risk whatsoever.

im surprised at the FFT hate, i thought it was a perfect game.

anyone who complains about load times needs to dump their umds on the mem stick and stop complaining =D

[Raedon]

your vader is 100% easily hackable. they all are, no risk whatsoever.

im surprised at the FFT hate, i thought it was a perfect game.

anyone who complains about load times needs to dump their umds on the mem stick and stop complaining =D

Hmm ... I've read that every Limited Edition 200X psp is unhackable. Which is the Internet rumor? :-/

[carlcarlson]

I just got a PSP a few weeks ago and have been digging into the rpgs as well. So far the only one I've actually played is Valkyrie Profile and I'm really digging it. I've also got Final Fantasy I and 2, Tactics, both Star Oceans, and Jeanne D'Arc queued up for when I get some time. I'm also loving Patapon, which I've heard described as a "rhythem-rpg". There is a nice demo for it, so you might want to check it out.

Also, I've got some surplus rpgs to sell if you're intersted. I've got FF Tactics, Justice League Heroes, Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony, and the Sega Genesis Collection, which has the Phantasy Stars.

[mobiusclimber]

Wow, some of the games suggested were ones I really didn't like at all.

Dragoneer's Aria has a weird battle system, the game is seriously slow and downright boring, and the difficult ramps way up fairly early.

Untold Legends is decent, but that's all it really is. They rip off a lot of stuff from other, better hack-and-slash titles (like the Butcher from Diablo). It just really feels generic and unimaginative.

Kingdom of Paradise I also thought was just way too repetitive and boring. It's mostly an action game with some RPG trappings.

Well, thats my take on them anyway. I'd say to check out some Youtube vids first.

[Ace Comics]

Really enjoyed Star Ocean - First Departure... haven't picked up the second.

Looking forward to grabbing Persona

Oddly enough, the game I actually bought a PSP for (right near launch) was FF7-CC, and I've still yet to garner the interest to actually go and buy it.

[sonoranreptile]

Your Vader PSP-2000 is fully hackable. The only ones that can go either way are the late edition black (AB02) and the Madden Blue. The God of War, silver and the Vader white are hackable.

.......

[kupomogli]

Gurumin. This has been listed here a few times. Amazing game, one of my favorites on the PSP, but it's not an RPG. Action/adventure I'd say.

Star Ocean First Departure. Thought this was much better than the SNES title. Voice acting was very well done, the graphical representation in creating it to look more like Star Ocean 2 was a really nice touch both in and out of battle. I actually like the battles a bit more than those in Star Ocean 2 because magic users are actually a little bit useful until end game instead of being completely worthless like they were in the second. You also had a far larger variety of characters to use.

Wild ARMs XF This is the best RPG on the system I think. For a tactical RPG, gameplay is usually on your customization and strategy(I say usually because there are those flaws such as the Disgaea series being released,) and with Wild ARMs XF's customization and strategy are the biggest aspects of this game.

Each character class has a set of four special skills called originals, as well as five innate abilities. Character classes will get job levels up and learn all the set of originals and each innate ability one by one, allowing for you to use the previously learned abilities under another class. You can have multiple sets of originals and innate abilities as long as you have enough skill slots to equip them. Having nothing but originals won't really mean much if you don't have the innate abilities to make them as useful as they could be. Aside from the main characters who each have a special class, there are sixteen different classes that you can become, which in turn means 80 different innate abilities you can learn, all of them but "sometimes" the equipment ones being very useful in different ways.

The way missions play out is like your average tactical RPG, except it's more reliant on a better strategy probably any other of the genre. Alot of the time you will have to just kill all the enemies, but there are stealth missions, make sure the characters escape to one point on the map, don't allow enemies to get to this point, etc, etc. There are sometimes if you don't use the correct classes since every class is very different, it'll be far harder to complete the mission than if you were using a set of classes better suited.

The only problem in the game is some flawed AI in some "kill all enemy maps." How the maps are designed this will rarely present a problem, but if an enemy is on a top portion of the map, they will not walk around, but instead move closer to you on that portion of the map, meaning if you have some magic users, you can just take the time to kill them while they wait at that spot. Having the enemies with long range weapons would have nullified this flaw on those maps.

Star Ocean Second Evolution
Breath of Fire 3
Tales of Eternia
Valkyrie Profile(I bash this but it's not bad, a bit repepitive though)
Legend of Heroes
Crimson Gem Saga
Jeane d'Arc
Tales of the World
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy 2(decent, but some people may disagree with this.)
Final Fantasy Tactics(PSX if you can though)
Riviera
Yggdra Union

[Sabz5150]

Crimson Gem Saga

Brave Story

Star Ocean

Spectral Souls (SRPG)

Jeanne D'Arc (SRPG)

and I'd like to say that:
FFT is terrible on the PSP....yea it has added content but the animation load times are awful, it's not worth it, please pickup the original to experience this game in all it's glory.

You can't speak of load times in other games and have Spectral Souls listed as a favorite in the same post. Great title, but (disc access).

[Aussie2B]

People complaining about PSP load times really need to list what model they're using, since the 2000 model loads faster than the original (not sure about the 3000 or Go). I mean, I've read a lot of people say that Ys is downright unplayable, but on my 2000, I wasn't bothered by the load times at all.

[kupomogli]

And there are other games that have hardly any load times at all. Nearly all the games on my list have less than two seconds of max load time.

[Raedon]

Load times are important IMHO.

[ScourDX]

You can always look for digital distribution thru PSN. I know Atlus recently release Yggdra & Riviera for $15 each. Great price if you don't like loading time.

[maxlords]

Or do what I do and buy the games, leave em sealed, and then just play em DLed on my modded PSP. Still legal to have em cause I buy the legit games, but no load time and MUCH longer battery life.

[Tokimemofan]

Hmm ... I've read that every Limited Edition 200X psp is unhackable. Which is the Internet rumor? :-/
When I set up my Star Ocean PSP the first thing I did was Pandora the system, so that would seem to shatter THAT one.

[Aussie2B]

Hey, cool, another Star Ocean PSP owner. :) Pretty looking special version, ain't it?

[Sabz5150]

People complaining about PSP load times really need to list what model they're using, since the 2000 model loads faster than the original (not sure about the 3000 or Go). I mean, I've read a lot of people say that Ys is downright unplayable, but on my 2000, I wasn't bothered by the load times at all.

Spectral Souls load times are insane even when dumped to the memory stick.

I'm not complaining about the PSP's load times... I am complaining about Spectral Souls' load times. With ANY optical media console you have to expect load times, but SS is... damn.

[Raedon]

I own a Neo Geo CDZ so I know long load times. The games I've got so far for the PSP can't touch the CDZ for long loads. ^^;

[Jimid2]

your vader is 100% easily hackable. they all are, no risk whatsoever.

im surprised at the FFT hate, i thought it was a perfect game.

anyone who complains about load times needs to dump their umds on the mem stick and stop complaining =D
Hmm ... I've read that every Limited Edition 200X psp is unhackable. Which is the Internet rumor? :-/I've skipped between various versions of CFW and OFW several times on my white Vader PSP2000 without a single issue, via my Pandora battery... I also have a PSP1001 I keep on CFW all the time.

[Oobgarm]

Half-Minute Hero is AWESOME.

That is all.

[gamegirl79]

Hmm ... I've read that every Limited Edition 200X psp is unhackable. Which is the Internet rumor? :-/

I have a God of War PSP that I hacked with a pandora battery soon after I got it. :)

[Raedon]

I just finished the part in Crisis Core where you're at the beach and fight off Genesis copies in a swim suit and with a beach umbrella.

I don't mind the part about being on vacation but you're hitting guys with the umbrella just as hard as you would with your sword! You even do your Chain Slash and other special moves in the buff and with the umbrella!

... just seemed odd to me.