Complete RPG List for the PS2 - Updated 2017

[lendelin]

No problem. Happy to add toward the list. I was wondering if it would be helpful if the games that were only sold in deluxe/special edition form, like Dragon Quest VII, Magna Carta, and those that had the choice between standard and deluxe like Growlanser and .hack//Gu were differently marked?

By the way, I'm a gal, not a guy. :)

I'm sorry, gal! :)

Your suggestion makes a lot of sense. I think Dragon Quest VIII, Magna Carta, and Star Ocean were only sold in the special packages.(??) All the other titles wree available in standard or deluxe if I'm not mistaken.

[lendelin]

I wanted some more information for my RPG list and added to the titles the developer, publisher, and release date over the last two weeks...so I thought why not posting this additional information as well. Hope some of you find it useful and the list as readible as before.

QUESTION: Was SMT Digital Devil Saga sold only in the deluxe set or available in a standard edition as well? I thought it was sold in both editions but I'm not so sure anymore.

[eternalblue81]

QUESTION: Was SMT Digital Devil Saga sold only in the deluxe set or available in a standard edition as well? I thought it was sold in both editions but I'm not so sure anymore.

I'm almost positive it only came out in the cardboard box version. I seem to recall some people were kinda miffed about it retailing for $55 instead of $50 and didn't think it was worth it for just cardboard box and soundtrack. Not too sure since I haven't seen any yet in stores, but I think that Ar Tonelico is only going to be available in deluxe form with the artbook.

Another form of variants that might be considered are the RPGs that were also released as Greatest Hits. Might also be noted that Star Ocean was available without the cardboard box when the GH version came out. It had the instruction booklet on the outside back of the case under the plastic.

These are the only PS2 RPG Greatest Hits that I am definite about:

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Dark Cloud
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X-2
Kingdom Hearts
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

Really like seeing the developer, publisher, and release dates on the list. Still easy enough to skim through with the bolded titles. Nice job!

[lendelin]

I'm almost positive it only came out in the cardboard box version. I seem to recall some people were kinda miffed about it retailing for $55 instead of $50 and didn't think it was worth it for just cardboard box and soundtrack. Not too sure since I haven't seen any yet in stores, but I think that Ar Tonelico is only going to be available in deluxe form with the artbook.

Another form of variants that might be considered are the RPGs that were also released as Greatest Hits. Might also be noted that Star Ocean was available without the cardboard box when the GH version came out. It had the instruction booklet on the outside back of the case under the plastic.

These are the only PS2 RPG Greatest Hits that I am definite about:

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Dark Cloud
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X-2
Kingdom Hearts
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

Really like seeing the developer, publisher, and release dates on the list. Still easy enough to skim through with the bolded titles. Nice job!

eternalblue, I really appreciate your input! I made a note for Star Ocean in the deluxe set list about the GH version coming without the box. (You are right, I forgot about it) I'll keep an eye out for Ar Tonelico if it is only available in the deluxe set, and for SMT Digital Devil Saga I have to look further into it. I'll make changes when i know for sure. Keep those informations and suggestions coming! :)

Yeah, now that the list is a bit elaborate (much more detailed than I ever intended), it makes sense to add the Greatest Hits games as well. I looked them up on the official Playstation website, and you missed only three games: X-Men Legends, LOTR Third Age, and Champions of Norrath. Thanks again for the suggestion and the list!

Looking through the Greatest Hits list confirmed what we all know: those movie licensed games still pay off, mediocre or bad gameplay, great sales. Well, Enter the Matrix set a new example in the very old tradition. Chronicles of Narnia as Greatest Hits?? Even Cabela Big Game Hunter got a GH edition, not of course Dragon Quest VIII. Shooting deer is still more popular than saving princesses and talking to kings transformed into green trolls. Should we blame the world for all this? Absolutely.

[lendelin]

I made two corrections: Ar tolenico is (at least so far) sold only in the deluxe set (game plus hardcover artbook, the soundtrack CD is a pre-order goodie from NIS and not part of the set); SMT Digital Devil Saga was also sold only in the deluxe edition.

That makes only three games available in deluxe and regular versions: FF XII, Growlanser, and dot hack G.U. (well, plus Star Ocean if accounted for the GH version).

If Ar tolenico will be eventually available in a regular edition, I'll change the note in the list.

[carlcarlson]

digital devil saga also had that deluxe box set edition as well. I don't know if you'll want to mention that. and as long as you are getting elaborate, it might be cool if you listed what exactly came with each game. for instance, phantom brave came with a soundtrack as well as the normal stuff. someone happening on that game at a used shop would want to know that. either way, great guide, I use it often!

[eternalblue81]

digital devil saga also had that deluxe box set edition as well. I don't know if you'll want to mention that. and as long as you are getting elaborate, it might be cool if you listed what exactly came with each game. for instance, phantom brave came with a soundtrack as well as the normal stuff. someone happening on that game at a used shop would want to know that. either way, great guide, I use it often!

All deluxe versions are below the regular RPG list, along with what came included. Totally forgot about Phantom Brave, though! There were two different versions of Phantom Brave, one that came with a music CD, and one without. Both versions came in regular PS2 cases and the only outward way of checking which version is on the back, in a circle above the bottle it would say "Special Edition" or not. Or I suppose the item number on the spine, where an "S" is added after SLUS-20955.

[carlcarlson]

ah, I hadn't seen the added content at the bottom. and I guess I was wrong about dds, I thought there was a regular version that just had the cardboard box, and a deluxe box set version that had another outer sleeve as well. was the soundtrack for dds in a paper sleeve?

[lendelin]

carlcarlson and eternalblue, thanks so much for your input! I wasn't at all aware about Phantom Brave. I checked my sealed copy and obviously I have the non-CD version.

I made a separate list for games in regular cases with extra content. I wanted the games in deluxe sets/cardboard boxes still separately listed. Myabe there are more games like Phantom Brave available in two versions in regular cases? Thanks again for this important information. I just used your detailed information, eternalblue, and listed it. I hope I can trust you? ;)

calcarlson, my copy of DDS is still sealed so I can't tell if the CD is in a paper sleeve. However, I saw pics of the deluxe set in which the CD is in a blank white paper sleeve...so I guess it is.

[carlcarlson]

alright cool. now here's another question. the dds box set has a place for both dds games, but it only came with dds 1 correct? what went in the other slot? I just got a copy of the dds box set and it has this sort of outer sleeve thing advertising dds 2. was that the placeholder, and if so, was anything in it?

[lendelin]

alright cool. now here's another question. the dds box set has a place for both dds games, but it only came with dds 1 correct? what went in the other slot? I just got a copy of the dds box set and it has this sort of outer sleeve thing advertising dds 2. was that the placeholder, and if so, was anything in it?

It came only with Digital Devil Saga 1. The other slot in the so-called "art-box" is for Digital Devil Saga 2 which has to be purchased separately and was just empty. The entire set came in a slip cover which reads "Deluxe Box Set" and on its back also lists which items are included in the set.

[carlcarlson]

so what is this sleeve thing that I got? It's basically like the cover to a hardback book, and it is advertising dds 2.

[lendelin]

so what is this sleeve thing that I got? It's basically like the cover to a hardback book, and it is advertising dds 2.

I don't know. Mine is still sealed, and as long as I don't play it I keep it that way. When I described the content for the list I looked around on ebay, found and saved a pic and read the back of my copy...yeah, it came with this sleeve thingie; it can't be what they described as "artbox" for the two games since that thing is cardboard and visible in the slip cover.

[lendelin]

I corrected the guide entry for SHADOW HEARTS. It was listed as having a guide, but actually there was no guide published in the US as far as I know. I think there was a mini-guide published by Brady but in the UK only.

Sorry about that. Don't know how that mistake happenened. :) I updated my personal lists and noticed that I had the game checked as owning the guide. Well, I looked and looked and didn't have the guide on the shelves, and I can't remember ever owning it. (and despite hundreds of guides I usually can still remember if I owe one).

BTW, I noticed that the the two guides for Shadow Hearts Covenant and Shadow Hearts From the New World are a bit on the more expensive side. Both go on ebay for $25 to $30, on Amazon used even higher. Pretty high for guides just published one year and two years ago.

[lendelin]

LINK EBAY:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230092609468&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013

For $50 I would have violated my rule not to spend more than $20 for a RPG since I've never even seen one of those. But at THIS price? Some people just...well, no comment. The game was just released 4 months ago, c'mon people.

First time I actually saw this Haseo action figure.

[lendelin]

I added the Action/RPG Shining Force EXA (Sega, Sega) which was released just a couple of days ago to the normal RPG category.

For all you guide maniacs, there is a guide released for the game by Brady.

A heads up:
Circuit City has some pretty good games on clearance in their bargain bins for some time now, among them Grandia III, Xenosaga III and Tales of Legendia for $16.96 each. (Also in the bins is Final Fantasy XI for the Xbox 360 for the same price and Onimusha Dawn of Dreams)

...not as good as a $5 or $10 sale, but still worthwhile checking it out.

[carlcarlson]

i was just looking through gamespots rpg database, and there are still a few rpgs coming out for the ps2 yet. oddly enough, they are all slated to be released within a month of each other. dawn of mana is may 22, odin sphere is may 29, atelier iris 3 is may 15, and persona 3 is in june. grimgrimoire is also supposed to be out in june, though its rts (nippon ichi though). anyway, i think that's pretty exciting, because all of those games look pretty good, and I can't wait to play persona 3. does anyone know anything about these games?

[heybtbm]

I can't wait to play persona 3. does anyone know anything about these games?

Based on the Gamestop/EB website, it looks like we will be getting the "Fes" special edition of Persona 3 when it's released this summer. Persona 3: Fes is a directors cut of the game that adds 30 hours after the final boss. The Fes Edition will be released in Japan in 2 weeks. Pretty cool.

[Daria]

You know I really want to be excited over these titles. Especially Persona 3, but The PS2 RPGs I've played so far (minus DQ8) have all proved to be so bland I find it hard to care anymore.

[lendelin]

You know I really want to be excited over these titles. Especially Persona 3, but The PS2 RPGs I've played so far (minus DQ8) have all proved to be so bland I find it hard to care anymore.

My attitude towards the titles as well. I have to say that my enthusiasm for RPGs decreased this console generation which has nothing to do with game quality. It is just that my gaming habits shifted from adventure games and RPGs towards...oh...the...shame...racers and tennis games. In particular racing games.

While Metropolis Street Racer and GT 3 and 4 with their rich gameplay value turned me into a fanatic who finished even Moto GP 3 (Xbox) and Burnout 3, I finished only a handful RPGs. At times I find the flood of RPGs truly overwhelming anyway. I have around 90 of the games now, and my reaction to new RPG announcements is simply "ANOTHER title to add to my list?" :)

...but I have to say that FFX and in particular Dragon Quest 8 were spectacular, some of the best gaming experiences I've had. DQ 8 captured perfectly the feel of the old Dragon Warriors, the gameplay, story, characters, and humor matched and was in balance. The game is a truly special treat.

BTW, I got lucky and got two deluxe sets of dot hack G.U. Rebirth, and put one of them up on ebay with detailed scans of the box and inserts. The link is here for the ones interested what exactly in the box and how the action figure and disc look:

http://cgi.ebay.com/hack-G-U-Vol-1-Rebirth-SP-EDITION-NEW-Playstation-2_W0QQitemZ110112226934QQihZ001QQcategoryZ62053QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...but I have also to say that I'm looking forward to Persona 3, not with the old enthusiasm, but with warm feelings nevertheless.

[lendelin]

Darias comment provokes a Q which goes for RPGs of the PS2 but also for game libraries in general of specific consoles: IS MORE BETTER? or from a game development standpoint, is it better to rush a game and get more of them or polish it to great gameplay value and get less releases? or from a economical standpoint, is it better to publish more of the same with minimal risk or publish a bit less following some new risky paths?

On the one hand we got an incredible library to choose from with numerous titles even for the niche like the tactical strategy RPGs, on the other hand we have to sift through mediocre titles which look and play awfully similar; sometimes I get the feeling that the quality of the top titles certainly didn't improve compared with the smaller libraries of the NES or SNES.

[heybtbm]

Darias comment provokes a Q which goes for RPGs of the PS2 but also for game libraries in general of specific consoles: IS MORE BETTER? or from a game development standpoint, is it better to rush a game and get more of them or polish it to great gameplay value and get less releases? or from a economical standpoint, is it better to publish more of the same with minimal risk or publish a bit less following some new risky paths?

I think a good example of this is extra long development cycle of Final Fantasy XII. Final Fantasy had essentially 11 games of turn-based battle systems that were all very similar. I loved the FF battle systems and when I found out that FFXII would be dropping random battles and only let you directly control 1 character, I was skeptical and a bit disappointed. When the game was released, it only took me an hour or so before I realized this was the best FF battle system yet. Square-Enix took a "risky path" by taking their game play in a different direction and ended up reinvigorating a stale franchise in my eyes.

Another perfect example of long development paying off in the end is with Resident Evil 4. It may have took 5 years to produce, but the end result is one of the best games ever made.

[Aussie2B]

On the one hand we got an incredible library to choose from with numerous titles even for the niche like the tactical strategy RPGs, on the other hand we have to sift through mediocre titles which look and play awfully similar; sometimes I get the feeling that the quality of the top titles certainly didn't improve compared with the smaller libraries of the NES or SNES.

One thing that has to be considered is that the RPG libraries for the NES and SNES were essentially cherry-picked for us. It's not so much a matter of the companies producing less games as it is the fact that we more or less were only presented with what the best Japan had to offer (I mean this more in the sense that, of what we did receive, it was only top tier RPGs from Japan, rather than us receving ALL of the best Japanese RPGs, which was certainly not the case). In Japan, Squaresoft, Enix, and others were pumping out RPGs like there was no tomorrow. These days, since PlayStation and now PS2 even more so, we're experiencing what Japan has for years. While there are still some RPGs that don't get localized, the ratio is far slimer, so we're getting closer to experiencing EVERYTHING that Japan has to offer in terms of RPGs. Now we're stuck sifting through the mediocre titles as well.

[Xexyz]

Not a new title to add, but minor corrections involving the two Shining Force titles. Neo and EXA were both developed by Neverland, not Amusement Vision or any other internal Sega studios.

[lendelin]

Not a new title to add, but minor corrections involving the two Shining Force titles. Neo and EXA were both developed by Neverland, not Amusement Vision or any other internal Sega studios.

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it. You are absolutely right, and I corrected the data. (meaning added Neverland as a developer for Shining Force EXA and Neo)

[lendelin]

I added the following four games:

Dawn of Mana. Square Enix, Square Enix, 5/22/07.
Odin Sphere.* Vanillaware, Atlus, 5/22/07.
.hack//G.U. Vol. 2: Reminisce.* CyberConnect2, Bandai Namco, 5/8/07.
Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm.* Gust, NIS America, 5/29/07.

Except for Dawn of Mana, none of the games got a published guide. However, since three games will be released in two and three weeks, I'll keep my eyes open if there are indeed guides coming out for those games. It were the first time that a Dot hack game would not get a guide.

If you have information that Odin Sphere, dot hack GU 2 or Atelier Iris 3 has a guide, please let us know.

I'll also watch if the upcoming release dates for the games are correct.

HEADS UP: Not only Grandia III, Xenosaga III, and Tales of Legendia ended up in the Circuit City bargain bin, but DISGAEA 2 for $16.96 as well since last week. Certainly a good price for a game that usually goes for $50.

By this time they are probably all gone, but it never hurts to check after awhile since restocking is unlikely but sometimes indeed happens.

ANOTHER HEADS UP: A couple of weeks ago CC had for all games $16.96 and cheaper a special 25% price discount for a week, and the $17 games dropped to $12.50. I assumed that CC makes price adjustments for about a week or so and was surprised to learn that they do it for up to 30 days. (which means that I got 3 RPGs and other games for $12.50 although I just made it on the 31st day after purchase)

If you bought a game and notice a price reduaction within the next 30 days, get the receipt out and do a price adjustment.

[lendelin]

I forgot to mention another bargain:

AMAZON is selling Phantasy Star Universe for the PS2 for $9.99 for two days now, and sold for a couple of days Marvel Ultimate Alliance (PS2) and Justice League Heroes (PS2) for $14.99.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is up to its old price ($30) and Justice League is slightly more expensive ($20) but it is worthwhile to check periodically since Amazon is known for dropping the price again, sometimes even cheaper than the old bargain price.

[lendelin]

Just a heads up:

The so-called "GameDay Sale" from EBGames/GameStop (started today) for NEW games offers for PS2-RPGs the best bargains of the sale:

RPG Maker 3 $15
Champions Return to Arms $15
Harvest Moon A Wonderful Life SE $15
Final Fantasy XII Collector's Edition $30

The stores got well stocked since last week, so to find these games in store is very very likely.

In particular RPG Maker and Champions are for these prices a bargain. I can't remember when I saw RPG Maker 3 new in a store, not to mention for this price. (was used usually around $30)

The sale is also ONLINE since yesterday evening. Here is the link:

http://www.gamestop.com/gs/gamedays/Default.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1&

If you use the discount code SAVER when ordering, shipping is free. Like in the store you only pay sales tax.

...and if you got sick and tired of RPGs you can always pick up the "Real World Golf" oversized package with club and motion sensor controller and strap for the bargain price of $20 (Xbox and PS2, offered only in-store, original price $70, dropped to $40, never saw it for this price). Is a "true" golf simulator a "true" RPG? I really don't know and I don't wanna know. :)

[lendelin]

Just a heads up:

Amazon sells Justice League Heroes for the PS2 for $12.99. If your order is $25 or higher, there are no shipping charges, and, like always, no tax. (Strategy guides (like the new one for Dawn of Mana) are good fillers, and are in most cases cheaper than in-store prices of GS, EBGames, or the electronic chains; also cheap sports games from $2 to $4 are great to use as fillers.)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009H7UJI/ref=nosim/cheapassgam08-20

Not a bad price for a game to fill up your RPG collection.

[lendelin]

Another heads up:

Amazon sells Marvel Ultimate Alliance for the PS2 for $12.99 as well.

Link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000G7YX4G/ref=nosim/cheapassgam08-20

[lendelin]

Another heads up about an Amazon deal: (hope you don't get sick and tired of it)

Final Fantasy XII regular edition for $22.99. Order additionally a $3 sports game and shipping is free, and like always no sales tax.

http://www.amazon.com/Square-Enix-P2SQE-662248904078-Fantasy/dp/B000F5IH2I/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1178912-0550515?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1182786310&sr=1-1

These Amazon deals won't last long. Usually they go back to the old price after 24 or 48 hours. If you don't want to wait until you get the game for $8 or $10 in a year or two, now is the time to get it it.

[carlcarlson]

thanks for all of these heads-up. I appreciate them, as I'm sure others do as well.

[vaportransmitter]

Wish I would of found this sooner. I have an almost identical list saved on my comp.

Some titles to consider:

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (Konami) / Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (Konami) - I'm always trying to find a reason to add these games. It has experience, levels, equipment, storyline, stats... but I still dunno if they should be counted.

Colosseum: Road to Freedom (Ertain) - I've never played. Looks like a hack n slash. Many places have classified it as an RPG.

Digimon World 4 (Bandai) - Hack n Slash RPG. Plain and simple.

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (Interplay) - Hack n Slash RPG. Plain and simple.

Gauntlet: Dark Legacy (Midway Games West) - Arcadey Hack n Slash.

Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows (Midway Games) - More traditional Hack n Slash RPG.

Pirates: Legend of the Black Kat (7 Studios) - Hack n Slash RPG of sorts, haven't really played it.

----

Samurai Legend Musashi is an RPG and should not be in borderline.
Furthermore, I remember hearing that monster Rancher EVO was an RPG this time around that abandoned many of the simulation elements of the previous games.

I've never understood why Harvest Moon (and RIver King for that matter) were considered RPGs. Enlighten me.

[lendelin]

I added:
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3. Atlus, Atlus, 8/14/07. (Got guide from Doublejump in book format)

The game was also added to the list of special editions:
08) Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3. The cardboard box contains an art book and a soundtrack CD in a regular white slip cover. Sold only in the deluxe set.

It seems that this won't be the last deluxe set we get for a PS2-RPG; Wild Arms 5 will come in one (scheduled for end of this month) and Growlanser: Heritage (scheduled for September) will get a deluxe set in the tradition of the Working Designs special editions.

I think the collector's edition stuff gets a bit out of hand; an additional art book alone with a CD doesn't justify a price increase of ten dollars. It seems that the special edition policy is a way to keep the price up to $50 for a niche genre like RPGs at the end of a consoles life.

I liked the NES and SNES times better when we had hardly collector editions; for RPGs it is still harmless (nine out of 130 so far), but for other genres it is certainly exaggerated.

BTW, the games themselves in the deluxe sets are identical with the regular editions. There is only one game which has a different cover art, manual, and disc label from the regular version. (FF XII)

[lendelin]

Added:

Wild Arms 5. Media Vision, XSEED, 8/28/07. (guide from Prima)

Added to the list of deluxe sets:

10) Wild Arms 5. The cardboard box (“Series 10th Anniversary Edition”) contains an art book covering the entire span of the series. Sold only in the deluxe set.

According to the publisher (XSEED) the game is only available in the set. Although the press release stresses this this goes for launch titles only, I doubt that the game will see a print run sold without the art book and box. However, if the game will be sold in a regular version without the box I change the entry of the deluxe set list.

[lendelin]

Added:

Standard RPG list:

.hack//G.U. Vol. 3: Redemption.* Cyberconnnect2, Bandai Namco, 9/11/07. (No guide)
Growlanser: Heritage of War.* Atlus, Atlus, 9/18/07. (No guide)

Deluxe set list:

06) Growlanser: Heritage of War. The cardboard box includes a hardcover art book, a multi-media disc with art and music from the game, a keychain, two lenticular cards, and three pins. Sold only in the deluxe set.

Updated # of games: 123

[carlcarlson]

I added:
[b]
BTW, the games themselves in the deluxe sets are identical with the regular editions. There is only one game which has a different cover art, manual, and disc label from the regular version. (FF XII)

Actually I think Star Ocean 3 LE adds some extra content which was later included in the Greatest Hits re-release. The cover art is different as well.

[Aussie2B]

There's no such thing as a limited edition of Star Ocean 3. There's just the original release, which were all in the cardboard boxes, and the Greatest Hits release. It's confusing because so many people threw out or lost the outer box, and then you'll see the game in just the case with the pink cover being sold as "complete".

The original release and the Greatest Hits version also have the same gameplay content. Square Enix made it even more confusing by talking about "extra features" on the back of the box. Japan got two different versions of the game - the original and the Director's Cut, but the US only got the Director's Cut in all versions.

Oh, and just for the sake of completeness, there was a limited edition of the original Star Ocean 3 in Japan. When the game first came out, it was released with a clear white case, and there was a cool picture on the underside of the cover which you'd see through the plastic when you open the case up. I think they sold a ton of them, though, so it really wasn't that "limited".

[Sothy]

i dont think mmorpg games should count.

[Raedon]

MMORPG console collecting got old faster then my GC broadband adapter.

[carlcarlson]

There's no such thing as a limited edition of Star Ocean 3. There's just the original release, which were all in the cardboard boxes, and the Greatest Hits release. It's confusing because so many people threw out or lost the outer box, and then you'll see the game in just the case with the pink cover being sold as "complete".

The original release and the Greatest Hits version also have the same gameplay content. Square Enix made it even more confusing by talking about "extra features" on the back of the box. Japan got two different versions of the game - the original and the Director's Cut, but the US only got the Director's Cut in all versions.

Oh, and just for the sake of completeness, there was a limited edition of the original Star Ocean 3 in Japan. When the game first came out, it was released with a clear white case, and there was a cool picture on the underside of the cover which you'd see through the plastic when you open the case up. I think they sold a ton of them, though, so it really wasn't that "limited".

wow, I never knew that. Here I was always looking for the "regular" version. I'd get a lot on ebay with Star Ocean and be disappointed when it was the same ol LE I already had. HA! I guess I shouldn't have questioned a guy who calls himself the Tri-Ace super fan!

[lendelin]

I have a Q for you RPGrs: Since I have limited experience with RTS games and strategy RPGs, I'm really not sure if we should add GrimGrimoire and the new Soul Nomad & The World Eaters to the RPG list, let it be in the regular list or in the borderline category? What are your thoughts about it?

I know that both are RTS games, on the other hand they have a distinct RPG fantasy setting and atmosphere to them. I feel a bit strange to have Disgaea in the list but not Soul Nomad. Maybe in the Borderline list?

I removed Dirge of cerberus from the borderline list despite its strong RPG story background -- the gameplay goes really more in the direction of Devil May Cry, I think. (haven't played it yet, though)

I added Final Fantasy XII to the Greatest Hits list. I don't know if it is released yet as a GH game; it is scheduled for October 31st.

[vaportransmitter]

Soul Nomad is a StrategyRPG. GrimGrimoire is an RTS. I would consider putting GrimGrimoire in the borderline list, since it's story heavy and has a RPG-feel. Soul Nomad is part of the list.

You still need to add the ones from the post I made a few posts ups.

[lendelin]

Added to the regular list:
1)Soul Nomad & The World Eaters. Nippon Ichi Software, NIS America, 9/25/07.
2)Musashi Samurai Legend (changed from borderline list to the regular list)
3)Digimon World 4. Bandai, Bandai, 6/1/05.

Added to the borderline list:
1)GrimGrimoire.* Vanillaware, NIS America, 7/26/07.

Additionally, I removed the MMORPGs from the regular list and put them in a separate list after the borderline category. They really shouldn’t be in the regular list, and the entries include all FF XI games (added was FFXI: Wings of Goddess), Everquest Online games, and Monster Hunter.

[lendelin]

Soul Nomad is a StrategyRPG. GrimGrimoire is an RTS. I would consider putting GrimGrimoire in the borderline list, since it's story heavy and has a RPG-feel. Soul Nomad is part of the list.


Sorry to respond so late, but I was out of the country for six weeks with limited Internet access.

Completely agreed. I followed your suggestions and updated the list. (See the update post above)

[lendelin]

Wish I would of found this sooner. I have an almost identical list saved on my comp.

Some titles to consider:

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (Konami) / Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (Konami) - I'm always trying to find a reason to add these games. It has experience, levels, equipment, storyline, stats... but I still dunno if they should be counted.

Colosseum: Road to Freedom (Ertain) - I've never played. Looks like a hack n slash. Many places have classified it as an RPG.

Digimon World 4 (Bandai) - Hack n Slash RPG. Plain and simple.

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (Interplay) - Hack n Slash RPG. Plain and simple.

Gauntlet: Dark Legacy (Midway Games West) - Arcadey Hack n Slash.

Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows (Midway Games) - More traditional Hack n Slash RPG.

Pirates: Legend of the Black Kat (7 Studios) - Hack n Slash RPG of sorts, haven't really played it.

----

Samurai Legend Musashi is an RPG and should not be in borderline.
Furthermore, I remember hearing that monster Rancher EVO was an RPG this time around that abandoned many of the simulation elements of the previous games.

I've never understood why Harvest Moon (and RIver King for that matter) were considered RPGs. Enlighten me.

Musashi Samurai Legend should be indeed in the standard RPG list and not in the borderline category. I updated the list accordingly.

Digimon World 4. It is indeed an action RPG which plays much like FF Crystal Chronicles. I guess the Digimon title threw me off, I added it to the standard RPG List. THANKS!!

About your other suggestions:

This goes in a direction I tried to avoid, namely the definition of a RPG since you address important fusion categories. No matter how we define a RPG (from a minimum definition to a maximum definition) and/or identify specific elements as necessary but not sufficient elements of a RPG (e.g. statistics for characters, leveling up by various methods of increasing these statistics, menu-driven combat systems, and others), there will always be hard to define cases, borderline cases, and exclusions of games we actually want to include and vice versa.

The fusion categories strategy/RPG, action/RPG, adventure/RPG, and simulation/RPG are not only the result of insufficient genre definitions which plague videogames since their origins (the unfortunate and non-sensical ‘arcade game’ comes to mind), but are the result of design development in the last twenty years towards hybrid games as well. Even sports games nowadays have trivial RPG elements, and the separation lines between the genres are awfully thin at times. (Thinking about Alundra, the Zelda games, or Shadow of the Colossus.)

In the end we can only evaluate certain RPG-elements of specific games if they dominate or are pushed into the background in order to flavor a certain genre of a game.

Castlevania games: nah, otherwise we should include Devil May Cry and many other games too. One or two elements we’d identify as necessary for an RPG isn’t enough to be recognized as an RPG, otherwise we might include Madden games as well. (otherwise I share your enthusiasm for Castlevania games completely, from the first NES Castlevania to Curse of Darkness the series is one of my all-time favorites. Too bad that the first Devil May Cry was what Castlevania LoI should have been - bad Konami, great Capcom!) :)

Fallout Brotherhood of Steel. The similarities to Baldur’s Gate are clear since the same game engine is used, but the few RPG-elements (exploration, leveling up with upgrading armor and weapons) are clearly minor and the action elements are emphasized. It is a hack’n slash game with RPG elements added as nice spices, but the action dominates to such a degree and in particular the story is pushed into the background to such a degree that I wouldn’t put it even in the borderline category.

Same as the above goes for the two Gauntlet games. To add some collecting elements and customization elements to an otherwise button mashing hack’n slash fest spiced up by some weak story isn’t enough to make a game a RPG. I regard the three games as much a RPG as the original Gauntlet or the new Ninety-Nine Nights.

Harvest Moon and River King: my weak defense/justification is to be as inclusionary as possible, and the weakest justification for listing them is the agreed fusion category simulation/RPG which is out there. I can’t justify the listing with gameplay elements since I never played a Harvest Moon game. Maybe you can argue for the inclusion or exclusion from the list, and others can provide their input too. I’d have no problems to remove them or putting them in the borderline category.

[lendelin]

Added to the MMORPG list:

Final Fantasy XI: Vana’diel Collection 2008.* Square Enix, Sony Online Entertainment, 11/20/07.

[lendelin]

Added to the standard list:

Digimon World: Data Squad.* BEC, Bandai Namco, 9/18/07.

According to reviews a bad RPG, but nevertheless a RPG.

[lendelin]

Just a heads up, not so new anymore but still available and an attractive offer for some of you:

$19.99 at GS/EB Games: (new)
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner
Shin Megami Tensei Digital Devil Saga 2

$19.99 at Walmart:
GrimGrimoire
Shining Force Exa
Rogue Galaxy

(NOTE: Rogue Galaxy is at Target, K-Mart and Sears between $9 and $20, and Circuit City has it since yesterday for $20))

[rapstyle]

Nice list,well done,XD:

[eternalblue81]

I'd just like to add that anyone looking for Final Fantasy XII for cheap might want to check out their local Toys R Us. They recently clearanced it to 9.98 and through 1/1 they have a half off sale for clearance games under $10. I couldn't help but buy one for $5 even though I already have the GS collector's version, so now I have a regular version in my collection, too.

[lendelin]

I have a Q:

Today I noticed that "Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Special Edition" is a Greatest Hits game although it is not listed in the official PS2 site as such. (I added the title to the Greatest Hits list)

The Q is if the Greatest Hits version belongs into the category "regular cases with extra content" as well. On the cover it says 'Includes Bonus Disc.'

Does anyone of you have this version of the game or played it and can give some information which new gameplay content the Special Edition includes and what the content of the bonus disc is?

This way we could decide if the title belongs in two categories. (extra content/greatest hits)

[Wolfrider31]

What about Okami as borderline? It's styled so much after Zelda and most consider that in the RPG category.

[lendelin]

I bit in the sour apple and bought today the Marvel Ultimate Alliance Special Edition which is the Greatest Hits version as well. (im not interested in GH versions otherwise)

There seems to be no expanded game content (unlike the Gold Edition of the game for the 360), but it includes a making-of DVD with trailers of the game.

I added the title to the category 'Regular Cases with extra content.'

The game (GH) is $14.80 at Walmart.
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/lendelin/Marvel1.jpg

[lendelin]

What about Okami as borderline? It's styled so much after Zelda and most consider that in the RPG category.

I wouldn't include it. The inclusion would open a box of other "adventure" games like Shadow of the Colossus and many others.

[lendelin]

Just a heads-up:

It seems that we'll get in March an interesting RPG. The game is Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis, a quirky, and so it seems fun Japanese RPG developed by Gust and published by NIS.

Unusual about the game is that it will get not only one, but two DIFFERENT deluxe sets. It will be only sold in the deluxe box that all retailers get, containing a mini-poster and a soundtrack CD. (similar box like Magna Carta or Ar Tonelico) Retail price is $39.99.

The second deluxe set is an exclusive release from ROSENQUEEN. It contains the soundtrack CD and mini-poster as well, however, it comes additionally with a Jess figurine and comes in a special, limited collector's box. It does NOT contain the regular deluxe box retailers will get...which makes it TWO sets to buy if you go for a complete RPG set for the PS2.

To get the 'regular' box won't be a problem, I guess, and I'll wait when it gets cheaper; but the exclusive Rosenqueen release might be hard to get in 6 months for the release price of $49.99 (think the $40 to $50 price increase of the Gamestop/EBGames exclusive box for .hack GU volume 1 with the figurine) Shipping is $7, which makes it $57 altogether.

The limited special edition can be pre-ordered from Rosenqueen. LINK:
http://www.rosenqueen.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=219&HS=1

[Trebuken]

huh...I always thought of Okami as an RPG, but I can see why you would not include it....tough call for me...I like it in the RPG category myself.

[Wolfrider31]

What about Heavenly Guardian?

[lendelin]

Added to the category 'Regular Cases with Extra Content:'

03) Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. Limited Edition. Available in a standard edition and in an edition with a soundtrack CD. The front covers of the two versions are indistinguishable. The first printing contains the CD with the comment on the back cover “Includes Limited Edition Soundtrack CD,” whereas the second printing was released without the CD.

[lendelin]

What about Heavenly Guardian?

I remember reading about it in preview sections, but it is not released yet in the US. I can't remember anything about the gameplay and if it qualifies as a RPG. Do you have any information about it?

[heybtbm]

Added to the category 'Regular Cases with Extra Content:'

03) Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. Limited Edition. Available in a standard edition and in an edition with a soundtrack CD. The front covers of the two versions are indistinguishable. The first printing contains the CD with the comment on the back cover “Includes Limited Edition Soundtrack CD,” whereas the second printing was released without the CD.

Has this been confirmed? It doesn't make much sense seeing as Atlus had tons of the Nocturne CD's left over. They printed more soundtrack CD's than they did games and ended up giving them away free with orders from the Atlus.com store.

Also, there was only 1 printing of SMT: Nocturne according to Atlus USA themselves. Unless you've personally seen the different covers, I'd hold off "officially" updating the RPG list. There is a huge bootleg industry for rare games, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a boot. Atlus has been very clear about how many printings SMT: Nocturne received (which was 1).

[Daria]

I normally don't care for the NIS exclusive "packages" as they're usually just a bunch of memorabilia bundled together for an exorbarent price. But the Mana Khemia set isn't any more expensive than any other new game and that outer case would look... impressive on the shelf. Figures not half bad either. I'm tempted to pre-order it.

[lendelin]

Has this been confirmed? It doesn't make much sense seeing as Atlus had tons of the Nocturne CD's left over. They printed more soundtrack CD's than they did games and ended up giving them away free with orders from the Atlus.com store.

Also, there was only 1 printing of SMT: Nocturne according to Atlus USA themselves. Unless you've personally seen the different covers, I'd hold off "officially" updating the RPG list. There is a huge bootleg industry for rare games, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a boot. Atlus has been very clear about how many printings SMT: Nocturne received (which was 1).

I'm afraid the entry is correct. I wasn't aware of it either, but I'm sure one of our fellow RPG-DPers has the version with the CD.

Before I made the entry I looked around on various RPG sites which mentioned it frequently. I then looked around on ebay, and the CD-version with a double disc case was offered a lot. I then found this picture in the completed listings:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/lendelin/SMTNocturne.jpg

It says indeed on the back cover "Includes Limited Edition Soundtrack CD." Also, the CD version was released with the security strip on top of the case, while the later version without the CD doesn't have the security strip. If that can count officially as a second printing, I don't know. It was referred to as such very often.

Too bad that the thing exists. I have the two versions of Phantom Brave and Marvel Ultimate Alliance, but not Nocturne. I got the non-CD version from a Gamecrazy sale new for $18 some time ago, it is still sealed, and thought I lucked out considering the price for the game today. That is why I never looked around on ebay or other sites and didn't notice that the CD version exists.

One thing is for sure: I won't pay $90 for the CD version, that is out of the question. It would just irk me to no end to pay so much money.

I assumed I'm only two games short of all the PS2 RPGs, and now there are still the two deluxe sets for Mana in March, Baroque will be released in one month, and now last but not least this damn CD version. :)

[lendelin]

I normally don't care for the NIS exclusive "packages" as they're usually just a bunch of memorabilia bundled together for an exorbarent price. But the Mana Khemia set isn't any more expensive than any other new game and that outer case would look... impressive on the shelf. Figures not half bad either. I'm tempted to pre-order it.

Same here. It is not like the $90 Growlanser Deluxe set, and the packaging looks just too cute. :) Besides, it is its own version in its own package and not just a bundle thrown together which comes with the game.

[Wolfrider31]

I remember reading about it in preview sections, but it is not released yet in the US. I can't remember anything about the gameplay and if it qualifies as a RPG. Do you have any information about it?

I'm not sure, it looks a little action-adventurey in the oldschool Zelda vein. I'm planning on picking it up though. I'll let you know when I get a chance to play it.

[heybtbm]

I'm afraid the entry is correct. I wasn't aware of it either, but I'm sure one of our fellow RPG-DPers has the version with the CD.

Before I made the entry I looked around on various RPG sites which mentioned it frequently. I then looked around on ebay, and the CD-version with a double disc case was offered a lot. I then found this picture in the completed listings:

It says indeed on the back cover "Includes Limited Edition Soundtrack CD." Also, the CD version was released with the security strip on top of the case, while the later version without the CD doesn't have the security strip. If that can count officially as a second printing, I don't know. It was referred to as such very often.

Too bad that the thing exists. I have the two versions of Phantom Brave and Marvel Ultimate Alliance, but not Nocturne. I got the non-CD version from a Gamecrazy sale new for $18 some time ago, it is still sealed, and thought I lucked out considering the price for the game today. That is why I never looked around on ebay or other sites and didn't notice that the CD version exists.

One thing is for sure: I won't pay $90 for the CD version, that is out of the question. It would just irk me to no end to pay so much money.

I assumed I'm only two games short of all the PS2 RPGs, and now there are still the two deluxe sets for Mana in March, Baroque will be released in one month, and now last but not least this damn CD version. :)

Wait a minute. I'm confused. The only version of Nocturne is the version that comes with the soundtrack CD. There wasn't a "non soundtrack CD" version. What I was doubting in my original post was the existence of a "non soundtrack CD" version. The picture you provided (as well as the bulk of your post I'm quoting above) just shows the version of Nocturne that everyone has. Am I missing something?

It's not really a big deal, it just seems like we're having two totally different conversations about the same thing.

My understanding:

Nocturne (with soundtrack CD) = exists. This is what I have.
Nocturne (without soundtrack CD) = rumor. No evidence supporting its existence.

[Daria]

Well... Lendelin says that he owns a non-cd version of the game and that it was factory sealed without a security strip. That just screams a Game Quest Direct reprint.

[lendelin]

My understanding:

Nocturne (with soundtrack CD) = exists. This is what I have.
Nocturne (without soundtrack CD) = rumor. No evidence supporting its existence.

AHHH...:) For you the early release was the regular version and not in doubt, for me the later non-CD version was the regular one and I doubted the early CD release. Lucky you, I don't have the CD version.

Here is a pic of the later release without CD:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/lendelin/SMTNocturneBack.jpg

I bought it new and on sale from Gamecrazy about a year and a half after its release, it is still sealed. I suspect Daria is right, it might be a GameQuestDirect reprint, I think I remember darkly that this was the case. The non-CD-version was released when Sony didn't use the security strip anymore.

[heybtbm]

Here is a pic of the later release without CD:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/lendelin/SMTNocturneBack.jpg



Wow. A non-CD version does exist. I stand corrected.

For what it's worth, Atlus has posted on their old forums that there never was a GQD reprint of Nocturne. I'm beginning to question if that was truly a "fact" or not.

I've always had the version with the soundtrack. I bought it on Nocturne's release day (sometime in Oct. 2004) at Gamestop.

[esquire]

I assumed I'm only two games short of all the PS2 RPGs, and now there are still the two deluxe sets for Mana in March, Baroque will be released in one month, and now last but not least this damn CD version. :)

Make that 3 games short if you don't have Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus, as you don't have it listed on the first page. I completely forgot about this until I saw it at the local Gamestop. A brief check on IGN shows it was released 11/20/07, but I don't recall seeing it until recently.

http://ps2.ign.com/objects/890/890126.html

[lendelin]

Make that 3 games short if you don't have Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus, as you don't have it listed on the first page. I completely forgot about this until I saw it at the local Gamestop. A brief check on IGN shows it was released 11/20/07, but I don't recall seeing it until recently.

http://ps2.ign.com/objects/890/890126.html

Are you a sadist? ANOTHER game to get? :)

Seriously, thanks a lot!! I completely overlooked the game, never saw it, I can't remember reading a review about it. I will update the list when I'm sure about the release date and do some more checking. IGN says indeed November 20th.

Did you buy it new from GS or used? Maybe the release was delayed and IGN didn't update the entry.

[esquire]

Are you a sadist? ANOTHER game to get? :)

Seriously, thanks a lot!! I completely overlooked the game, never saw it, I can't remember reading a review about it. I will update the list when I'm sure about the release date and do some more checking. IGN says indeed November 20th.

Did you buy it new from GS or used? Maybe the release was delayed and IGN didn't update the entry.

I didn't buy it, I just saw it on the shelf.

[lendelin]

esquire, thanks again! I checked, and it seems indeed that the game was released on November 20th. IGN says it is also on xbox 360, but I couldn't find it anywhere for the 360. Only for the PS2 and PC...btw, CC and BB don't have it offered online, but amazon, GS/EB, and many other retailers.

I added to the regular list:

Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus.* Expansion pack to Phantasy Star Universe. Sonic Team, Sega, 11/20/07.

[bcks007]

Does anybody know if Duel Masters has another version?
I got a used copy from someone on ebay, it was in a double cd case, that included a limited edition dvd for this game.
The extra dvd, is not a official ps2 disc with slus code. It has tips on how to play the actual video game, kinda like a learn to play this game video.

It seems to have the same artwork as the normal version. My copy was missing its free trading cards though.:grumble: So i will prolly snag a new version in the future.

Could be another version of this game?, or what?
This person would have had to take it out of a single cd case, and put it in a double cd case if it wasn't a double cd version of this game. So im unsure about it. Maybe other people have this limited edition dvd aswell.:-/

[Daria]

I went ahead and preordered Mana Khemia, but I'm curious. The description Rosenqueen has posted claims Mana is the 5th Atelier Iris game starting with Eternal Mana, however I thought this was only the forth game. Was one not localized? I know there's more Atelier games for the Marie series... but not for Iris. I'm confused.