Hey all, first time poster here.
I've come to you all in my utter hopelessness, hoping that you will be able to help me. I have nothing to play at the moment! I'm mid wild arms 5 and I am getting so sick of how childish the dialogue is. As a 21 year old, I feel like its dumbed down gaming. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for any ps2 rpg I could play which is geared towards an older audience.

I only play console style, not action rpg's - and I also don't have a problem with srpg suggestions.
Now I should preface all this by saying that I've probably exhausted a lot of my options but any suggestions would help!

I'm just getting frustrated because I haven't really been that interested in a game released for the ps2 since the first shadow hearts. At the moment I was looking at air tornelico, soul nomad and the world eaters and tales of legendia, but I think they are all going to be unoriginal and childish - if anyone could comment on these games as well, that would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance to all posters!
jjapp1
P.S. not really into megumi tensei/persona in case anyone was going to suggest (however, I'm sure I'll eventually play it a couple years down the track)

Have you played Tales Of Legendia? I haven't had a proper go of it but it doesn't seem childish so far but perhaps some one else can fill you in on that. Or is it the graphical style that's putting you off?

The Suikoden series is awesome, Suikoden III, possibly IV, Tactics and V may be worth your time. You liked Shadow Hearts did you try it's sequel Covenant? Also maybe try the Xenosaga trilogy, Tales Of The Abyss, Growlanser Generations and Grandia 2.

I know you said you aren't fussed right now, but the SMT series is about as mature as it gets for Japanese RPGs. What sort RPGs have been your favourite thus far?

Tales of the Abyss is a for-sure. Haven't played Tales of Legendia though (it's supposedly not the best Tales game though), but you could give it a whirl.

From the two newer games I've been playing lately, at least take a look at Valkyrie Profile 2, and Odin Sphere. Two different games, but perhaps they might strike your fancy.

I find it hard to consider Odin Sphere an RPG just more of side scrolling action game with RPG elements but to be fair I didn't stick with it long enough to find out. I personally found it too repetitive and he didn't specifically want action RPGs so I didn't recommend that one. Definitely not a childish game though.

Persona 3 is about as un-childish as you can get. Front Mission 4 (as many people despise that game) is very non-kiddy, but an SRPG. I found it fun at the least.

Seconded. All of it. And despite being PSX titles, the first two games are well worth your time as well, though a bit difficult to obtain. If you'd be willing to fork over a good sum of cash for some high-quality games, though, they're definitely worth it. Otherwise, try one of the PS2 titles.


I'll definitely second this. It's a bit different from standard RPG's, but give it a chance. (At the least, try up to chapter 3 or so.)


When you mentioned SRPG's, this was the first title that came to mind. FM4 can -- and likely will -- consume huge amounts of time, as most of the battles can take at least half an hour to an hour. Definitely fun, though, if you enjoy blowing things up and customizing things to further blow things up. =P

Now for my own recommendation: Legaia 2: Duel Saga - Not exactly your FF-quality game, but surprisingly good. Should be a pretty cheap game. But, uh, yeah. All of the previous titles mentioned are probably better recommendations. ^^;

Phew! A lot of replies already, thanks everyone.
I don't know where to start....
I see that Persona popped up again, but I remember playing shin megumi tensei on was it genesis or snes and I wasn't liking it at all - although I think those were the days when it was more like shining in the darkness. I tried Persona 2 a long time ago I think, but I remember stopping after an hour. It's just cause so many people think its good, and I don't mean that I didn't give it a chance but I just didn't end up liking it that much.

I've tried some front mission before - that was definately serious enough but I got kinda bored!

Valyrie profile 2 was nice, if not a let down - only saying that cause I loved the first one so much! Now that was a game someone could get emotionally invested in.

Haven't played Tales of the Abyss so could anyone give me the low down on what its like/about?

And to cloudycat (and Chalryn) - I'm very happy someone brought up Suikoden. Its my favourite series - have loved it since the first one. I have such fond memories of Suikoden...it was one of my first psx games.

I had also played Xenosaga (just finished the 3rd a couple months back after a 3 year break from the series - still sad!), growlanser and Grandia (also brings back fond psx memories).

And to the question about my favourite, I don't know if its strange, but I would have to say shining force II. I don't even know how I came to obtain it - I was so young when I got it my mum must have bought it not knowing what it was. I used to play it over and over and its sort of what got me into rpg's. This was the days (in Australia at least) before everyone had internet, the days before walkthroughs and strategy guides. I sat and played this game and would have had no idea that anyone else in the world also enjoyed it. Compared to games today its rather simplistic (in story, gameplay etc) but I think its such a great game because it was like a pre-curser or foreshadowing to the realised potential that so many games have now.

SO ANYWAY.... thanks for suggestions so far. Will look into Tales of Abyss - any further coment would be helpful. Also someone mentioned Odin Sphere, is that action rpg or traditiona?

I wouldn't judge Persona 3 based on the previous games without giving it a chance. Shadow Hearts for example isn't the same as Koudelka, even though it's a sequel. There's a reason so many people talk about Persona 3. It's set up in a very original way compared to other rpgs that makes it stand out as something unique.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v7HVvHSHbc

I think this review is good and explains some of the most important factors. You should watch it. But it's something you have to discover for yourself. To mix a dating sim and full blown traditional rpg this way is something I've never seen before. The game has a great cast with really good voice acting, and and an interesting story that spans over the course of a year. You can chose for yourself when you want to call it a day, or if you want to keep going. You have a calendar where you can check major events like school trips, festivals, exams or other things you should be aware of. As mentioned in the video, although it may sound like a struggle between school and fun, the two halves come together surprisingly well. The gameplay is fun, and it has a soundrack that's quite different form what you're used to, and something people really liked. And most of all I'd describe Persona 3 as "addictive". And I know this feeling was shared with a lot of other members here as well.

On PS2, it's up there along with my favorites, Xenosaga, Suikoden V, Shadow Hearts, etc.

Here's a little video of Odin Sphere it's certainly not a traditional RPG and more action based but to be fair although it's not my sort of game it has a huge fan base.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmbEVHI5_MQ...feature=related

Tales Of The Abyss vids

Intro - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gaMKbv-xHU

Review - http://www.gametrailers.com/player/14194.html

If you like your SRPG's and don't mind playing PS1 games then one of my favourites is Vandal Hearts it's very basic and simplistic compared to say Final Fantasy Tactics and Disgaea but I really loved the gameplay and story - I've yet to try the sequel though.

That trailer looked pretty cool - once I finish Wild arms I may give it a go. But would I get more out of it if I play Persona and Persona 2 first?

And you know what other game I played this year I was sorta impressed by - Magna Carta. It was really really really uneven. It's not one of my favourite games ever. But it sorta could have been great - it wasn't, but I could at least see that it could be. Maybe that's what you get from a Korean made RPG instead of a Japanese one!

No not really, since Persona 3 isn't connected to the previous games, besides a reference to some character names. So it's not like Suikoden where there are some connections, but more like Final Fantasy in that it's a stand alone new game in the series.
The upcoming Persona 4 is connected to Persona 3 though, (not sure to what degree) since it takes place in the same world only few years after, and there are a few returning characters even. But as far as I know you're not missing anything by not playing Persona 1 and 2.

Which Wild Arms are you playing btw?

An RPG that isn't remotely childish? Sign me up.

The most mature RPGs are probably the Personas, especially Persona 2, but you didn't like that.
Xenogears is also mature, we deep psychological thoughts.
Of course there's always FF7 and FF8 those are most mature in the FFs, FF12 has its moments for maturity, but I can't stand that game.
FM4 is mature, though you'll feel like you didn't do much after you beat it, go with FM3 for even more maturity.
Most RPGs aren't that mature because we have to remember these RPGs are coming from at least JRPGs which revel is comedy which is strange to us, lots of colors, and many times an oddly designed childish character who most people don't like. Every now and then RPGs get deep, but not as much as you'd think, especially not in recent times.
All the RPGs I mentioned were on the PS1 and there are some mature RPGs on the SNES, Tactics Ogre(extremely rare), CT can be mature at times when I think about it, FF6 and 4. Therefore RPGs have gotten a little dumbed down.
When TotA got the ball rolling with concepts then the title really matured, though you are going to think the start is childish, cept Tear will hold you over.
From what I've seen Nippon Ichi titles can be childish as are recent Wild Arms, Wild Arms 1 wasn't that childish and neither was 2, Wild Arms 3 started to get childish, but honestly it's maturer than most as half of the main cast is mature(Jet and Clive)

Suikoden V isn't that childish though Lyon might bug you, IMO Suikoden 3's childishness depends on your character with Geddoe and Chris it's mature, with Hugo and Thomas not so much.

RPGs are different these days, especially considering we have a a forum dedicated to Kingdom Hearts, which for me is one of the most childish RPGs ever, Disney characters that can't be overlooked.

The thing with Magna Carta is, while the story and most things are alright, the gameplay was ghastly, and not just that but so very slow. It felt like they didn't have enough content in the game so they deliberately slowed down everything just to be able to prolong it.

Shin Megami Tensei Persona 3 and Tales of the Abyss should be your top priority as a RPgamer if you're looking for a strong and smart character development with a good story. Xenosaga is good, especially the 3rd one. Too bad you couldn't get into that. Grandia series are not bad too, not connected at all so you could try aether one.

If you want some oldies you should try Wild Arms I&II, it's among my favorites.

Again, so much to reply too.
Too Athrun > I'm in the middle of Wild Arms 5. I'm not really into it at all. My favourite was the first one (then 2nd), only cause i had this memory of the main villain (was it mother?) having this scary laugh. Probably wouldn't be scary if I heard it now. And wasn't the 3rd installment one of the few games with a female protaganist? 4th was trash "adults act this way".... "how would an adult act"..... "I need to act like a grown up!". This naive childish talk has spilled over to the 5th one as well - I only hope is a bad translation of whatever the Japanese versions are trying to say.

Cloudycat again it seems we have something in common. Love Vandal Hearts - thought it was one of the best games released on psx. Liked the second one as well, even though I lot of people are turned off by how political it was. Any other games you enjoy - I assume I'd like it as well at this point.

And I'm a big fan of Xeno series Crimson Cloud - liked xenogears the best though. It was shin megumi tensei I didn't get into, but after looking at those clips Persona 3 looks pretty cool

Tactics ogre was a good one as well - way better then ogre battle. I also got around to playing that GBA tactics ogre which focused on the bad guy - I have a very vague memory of it.

I'm pretty seasoned with most of the long running series. Played all the FF's except 12. I started it and stopped a couple hours in. Loved the IV, VI and IX though. Don't know what 8 was - that games was weird! I felt like I was playing some weird sci-fi love novel.

As said before, I'm a suikoden fan so played all of them - wish I hadn't played 4.

I don't think I'd ever play Odin Sphere cause I wouldn't really play and action rpg.

Has anyone played Namco X Capcom? I heard there's a translation patch out and I wouldn't mind seeing Ryu and KosMos on the same battlefield.

Haha Vandal Hearts is awesome it's one of my all time favourites. I'm sure I'll enjoy the sequel It's a tough one trying to find an RPG that isn't too childish but after rooting through my games cupboard this is all I could come up (I'll even list non PS2 games) with I've got a load of catching up to do in the RPG department but here goes -

Speaking of PS classics how about Breath Of Fire 3 and 4?

Since you seem to be opening up to Persona 3 how about Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2?

DDS 1 TRAILER

They are both two part episodes of the same story, apparently the story really begins to the shine in the second, but both need to be played. There's a lot grinding involved in these games but the combat is quite traditional and the theme is really mature and has an excellent story.

and Nocturne trailer

Lost Odyssey on the 360 probably my fav this year so far

TRAILER

I don't know if you have a Gamecube but Tales Of Symphonia was one f my favourites, don't be put off by the cute appearance of the game it definitely has a dark side to its story.

TRAILER

Other games I have waiting to be played are Ar Tonelico, Atelier Iris 1, 2 and 3 and Rogue Galaxy but I haven't mentioned these as they may come across as a but too cutesy or humorous lol!