PS2 RPG Recommendations

[kymaera]

Looks like I'll probably be out of commission and just hanging around the house for the holidays next week due to some health problems, so I'm looking for a good RPG to keep me occupied. Right now, I only have a PS2, so please keep your recommendations limited to that. I'd prefer to have something of the strategy/tactics type, but if it's good, that's not a necessity.

I've already finished:
Disgaea and the rest of the prequels/sequels
FF Tactics
Suikoden Tactics
Stella Deus
Atelier Iris (both)
.Hack (all four of the first series)
FF VII through X-2
Dragon Warrior VII
Xenosaga I

Some that I've tried but given up on:
Saga Frontier II
Unlimited Saga
Vagrant Story
Star Ocean Second Story/Till the End of Time

I'm considering FF XII but from the description of the game mechanics I've seen, I'm not sure if I'll like it or not. Also, Valkyrie Profile II looks like it might be interesting.

I don't have much interest in any of the rest of the Xenosaga games (the first had too many FMV's) or the new .hack game (I'm a bit burnt out on the franchise).

[EmperorBrandon]

I love the Valkyrie Profile series. Both games are quite unique and fun to play.

If you haven't tried Chrono Cross yet, I recommend checking it out too.

[ADC]

I'm a bit biased, having played over 100 hours of it, but I think Final Fantasy XII will work out just nicely for you. Don't be afraid of the new gameplay mechanics; they really do streamline the game a great deal. Also, if you haven't, you should get Dragon Quest VIII, which will only hit you for $20 if you hate it, and will take 50+ hours to complete. (Judging from your tastes, this is not an obstacle.)

[RommieSG]

I've had a lot of fun playing Kingdom Hearts. And the second one looks even better than the first. So it may be worth looking into. The first game can be found quite inexpensively since it's gone to their 'Greatest Hits' category.

[Johnny]

Dragon Quest VIII is all you need :)

[Greywing]

Dragon Quest VIII is all you need :)

It is a very good traditional RPG. Yay for turn-based combat! :neko:

I liked Magna Carta, though it's a very divisive game - you'll love it or hate it.

Shadow Hearts is one of my favorite RPG franchises, kind of a gothic Final Fantasy with some... interesting subquests (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/10/04).

[kymaera]

Dragon Quest VIII is all you need :)

Forgot that one on my list. I got most of the way through it and got distracted when Disgaea 2 got released :) I'll probably end up finishing it next week, but I would estimate that I probably only have a day's worth of time left on it.

[Soulblazer]

Are you sure? After you "beat" the end boss the first time, another dungeon opens up and you have to do additional things to get the "true" ending.

[Lovely]

Shadow Hearts series (especially 2), Tales series, and Suikoden 3 and 5 are all my personal faves.

Oh yeah, and Wild ARMS 4 is short, but it's fun as all heck. As long as you go in with a sense of humor. (the game seems INTENTIONALLY campy and over the top sometimes.
anti-tank chainsaw FTW XD !

[pathos]

I enjoyed Suikodn 4 and 5. Havent played any of the others, but I got 3 used the other day. Probably play it after Tales, maybe.

The tactical battles in 4 were fairly easy. 5's could be pretty tough. I enjoyed the actual battle system from both games more than the tactical aspects myself though.

[AbeChinchilla]

Shadow Hearts.
Start with From the New World, as it stands on its own (it is still a sequel to the second Shadow Hearts game). The battle system is at its best, and the difficulty is very good. The only downfall is that the story isn't as good as the first two.

All I can say though is DO NOT play Shadow Hearts II: Covenant unless you played the first Shadow Hearts, otherwise, it's not as emotionally powerful...

Give .hack//G.U. a try, as it's a fresh new start for the franchise.

[mifuneral2]

Has anyone here played Devil Summoner yet? I'm very interested in getting that game...

[Chacranajxy]

Has anyone here played Devil Summoner yet? I'm very interested in getting that game...

I've got it and I've played through the whole thing. I really liked it, but it wasn't as good as past SMT games have been. The combat system is a radical departure as you run around a small map and hack up your enemies in an action-y kind of fight and you summon demons to aid you (which has quite a bit of strategy to it.) The storyline in the game was really good, though more lighthearted than other SMT games and overall, the game was a lot of fun. I'd definitely recommend it.

[kymaera]

I ended up going with Valkyrie Profile 2 and have been enjoying it so far. :D