Okay guys, today I seriously needed to tackle this PS2 RPG thing. Seen so many “best of” lists over the years, all different. Figured, enough talking, time to actually do it myself. Pulled out the dusty old PS2 from the closet – surprise, surprise, finding cables was the first battle. Why do these things always go missing?
Digging Out the Old Stuff
Right, step one: Actually have the games. Hit up my bookshelves, those old plastic bins in the garage… man, finding specific PS2 cases under layers of other stuff? Total workout. Ended up with a big pile of maybe 25-30 RPGs? Looked impressive, but no way they were all contenders. Knew I had to thin the herd.
Making the Rules, Then Breaking Things
Before playing anything, I set simple rules for myself. Had to be primarily RPG mechanics (leveling, gear, that stuff), released in the US or Europe for PS2 specifically, and be at least… well, remembered fondly by folks. Started trying to fire up the console and test discs. Half were scratched! Spent a good hour cleaning discs, trying boot sequences… failed saves… seriously, old hardware is like dealing with a grumpy old man. Almost quit right there.
Unexpected Problem: My modern TV and the PS2? Not friends. Needed an old-school adapter I hadn’t used in years. More digging. More frustration. Visuals looked grim until I finally dug out the right box of cables. What a hassle just to start!
Playing (and Remembering) the Classics
Okay, got it working. Now the real work began. This wasn’t just about booting them; I needed to feel them again. Played:
- Familiar Favorites: Loaded saves on memory cards I thankfully kept. Jumped back into late-game areas for games like Final Fantasy X, X-2, Dragon Quest VIII. Gotta say, that first DQVIII sunrise still hits.
- Forgotten Gems: Booted up stuff I hadn’t touched in a decade plus – Dark Cloud 2, Rogue Galaxy, Star Ocean Till the End of Time. Completely forgotten mechanics? Totally. But the feelings came back quick.
- The Debate Zone: Games like Kingdom Hearts? Borderline RPG/Action. Suikoden III? Huge fan love. Persona 3 FES? Dark but brilliant. Had to actually play snippets again to see where they fit for me.
The Annoying Reality Check
Got smacked by nostalgia sometimes. A game I loved 15 years ago? Played an hour and went “Oh… right. That pacing is rough.” Others held up way better than expected (shout out to Disgaea’s weird charm). Also had to think: Is a super-hardcore tactical RPG actually better than a flawed-but-accessible one for a “Must Play” list? Weighing accessibility against depth became a real headache.
The Final “Argh, Why Is This So Hard?” List
After days of this (seriously, dust allergies flared up!), I stared at the messy pile and my scattered notes. Made cuts that hurt. Forced myself to pick just ten for the damn list. Ended up shuffling the final spots like crazy. Personal bias? Absolutely! That’s the point of my playthrough. Final order solidified after realizing which games I actually kept wanting to go back to play more of, even after the testing phase. The ones that wouldn’t leave my head.
And honestly? Creating this list was way messier and more involved than just reading one online. But it feels real. Feels like my collection now. Time to wrap this ramble up!