The Best RPG From Every Year Of The PS1’s Life
The original PlayStation put Sony on the (gaming) map, delivering a game library that would go on to have quite a few classic RPGs. Sony shook things up when it made a new console following a botched partnership with Nintendo. This moment undoubtedly changed gaming forever, introducing another key player to the industry that is still going strong roughly three decades later. The PS1 was groundbreaking, and its arrival saw quite a few publishers strike partnerships with Sony.
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Squaresoft, for example, was tight with Nintendo until Sony came along. One of the biggest genres on the PS1 was RPGs, partially thanks to Squaresoft’s involvement, although many developers contributed to the console’s legacy. That said, releases were slim in the West for the first few years, which is why these dates will correspond more with Japan. From the Japanese premiere in 1994 to the waning years of 2002, let’s take a look back at the PS1’s RPG history.
To limit confusion, a game’s first release date will be considered, be it in Japan, North America, or Europe.
9
1994: King’s Field
Start Of Something Special
King’s Field
- Released
-
December 16, 1994
- ESRB
-
Teen // Animated Violence
King’s Field was the first game that FromSoftware ever made, and it remained in Japan. The West’s first introduction to the developer and series was via King’s Field 2 in 1996, which was just renamed to King’s Field, so there is a good chance that some people think they played the original game but have actually only experienced the sequel.
Like other FromSoftware games, King’s Field does not hold the player’s hand as they dive into a labyrinthine dungeon. Monsters and treasure are around every corner, and survivability is slim. While not an outstanding RPG, the pickings were slim in 1994, and King’s Field had a unique vision, along with impressive world-building that would become a staple of FromSoftware’s projects moving forward. Nowadays, this 1994 classic is mostly worth playing to see the origins of ideas that would eventually define the developer.
8
1995: Suikoden
Ambitious Character Roster
While overshadowed by its sequels, the original Suikoden was still a fantastic achievement, and it was arguably the first truly great PS1 RPG. Suikoden looked like a higher-res version of an SNES game, so it didn’t blow anyone away graphically, which is even more true in 1996 when the West got it. However, the core turn-based gameplay was unique for an RPG.
The basic premise revolves around gathering over a hundred party members. Some were used for battling, and others were for taking care of the home base, and it’s still one of the most interesting PS1 games to this day. Suikoden‘s main selling point was its massive roster of recruitable characters, offering players over 100 options to craft their 6-party teams. The turn-based combat was also a solid evolution of what came before.
Other Great 1995 PS1 RPGs
- Arc the Lad – While rough around the edges, G-Craft’s game was a respectable entry in the tactical RPG subgenre that told a great story for the era.
- King’s Field 2 – Improves on the original in most ways, although it is still hard-as-nails and fairly obtuse.
7
1996: Wild Arms
Classic Take On 3D Turn-Based Combat
Wild Arms was an interesting mix of fantasy-based RPGs like Final Fantasy and Western games like Sunset Riders. The world was a vast desert with little plumage in the background, while the sprite work made everything look like cute chibi characters, which clashed against the more serious tone of the narrative.
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The series would improve with its subsequent sequels, but that does not take anything away from the original Wild Arms. This was one of the first attempts at 3D battles, and it delivered a solid system that can still be enjoyed all these decades later.
Other Great 1996 PS1 RPGs
- Arc the Lad II – Builds expertly on its predecessor to craft an adventure that is better in nearly every way.
- Revelations: Persona – Although not a great entry-point into the series, the original Persona showcased Atlus’ talent for strong writing and addictive but challenging combat.
- Vandal Hearts – Very grounded strategic combat, mixed with an OK story.
6
1997: Final Fantasy 7
The Definitive PS1 JRPG
1997 was an amazing year for PS1 RPGs, but there really is only one answer to this question: Final Fantasy 7. When somebody thinks “PS1 JRPGs,” FF7 will likely be the first thing that pops into their mind, and it is still regarded as one of the greatest entries in the genre of all time. While FF6 was also a masterpiece, its successor’s switch to full 3D marked the start of a new era, and it was accompanied by a gripping story that managed to feel epic while also having a personal touch. The turn-based combat is traditional and, more importantly, timeless.
FF7 had a mature story, CG cutscenes, unforgettable music, an addictive Materia system, and so much more. There is a reason why this game created a legacy that is still going strong today, and it did all that while being relatively accessible.
Other Great 1997 PS1 RPGs
- Breath of Fire 3 – Capcom’s underrated JRPG series produced mostly great games. While the second entry was superior, the 1997 release was nevertheless very good.
- Final Fantasy Tactics – Honestly, an argument could be made that Tactics was the best Final Fantasy game of 1997; however, FF7 is just too iconic and influential to pass up. Nevertheless, this spin-off has aged well and is still among the franchise’s crowning achievements.
- Tactics Ogre – This one is a bit of a cheat, as Tactics Ogre launched on the Super Famicom in 1996. However, the PS1 port came out in 1997.
- Tales of Destiny – The real-time combat has aged worse than its turn-based peers, but the story is still pretty good.
5
1998: Parasite Eve
Arguably The Greatest Horror RPG Of All Time
Parasite Eve was and still is a unique take on JRPGs, and it was among Squaresoft’s most creative projects during this era. With New York City as its backdrop, the game took horror and puzzle elements from Resident Evil and added RPG elements with a magic-like system and guns as the primary weapons. Aya Brea, the heroine, was a detective in charge of investigating a mass outbreak of monsters in the city.
The mix worked shockingly well, to the point that it is surprising more developers have not tried to combine horror and RPGs. The PS1 RPG offers an atmospheric setting, challenging combat, and a creepy storyline that makes good use of the console’s hardware.
Other Great 1998 PS1 RPGs
- Brave Fencer Musashi – Good visuals, endearing sense of adventure, and good real-time combat.
- Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu – Fun blend of JRPG tradition and creature-taming.
- Star Ocean: The Second Story – Still regarded as a high-point in tri-Ace’s series, The Second Story was an important release in the action JRPG genre.
- Suikoden 2 – Improves upon its predecessor in nearly every way. In a vacuum, this could be seen as superior to Parasite Eve; however, doubling down on the franchise seemed unnecessary.
- Xenogears – An ambitious project that pushed the genre forward in a big way, with great storytelling and a novel twist on turn-based combat.
4
1999: Front Mission 3
Tactical Masterclass
Front Mission 3 was the first game in the series to be released in the West, which was a year after Japan’s in 2000. The series began on the SNES, and they all followed relatively similar plots involving nations warring with each other. This was the future, so instead of ground troops, soldiers fought in mechs called Wanzers.
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Gameplay took on the form of a tactical RPG, and players got deep customization options with their Wanzers. While a fairly niche game, Front Mission 3 has aged pretty darn well, arguably better than most PS1 RPGs that are more commonly cited as being the best on the console.
Other Great 1999 PS1 RPGs
- Chrono Cross – While overshadowed by its predecessor, Chrono Trigger, Square’s follow-up was nevertheless great in its own right. (Chrono Trigger also received a PS1 port in 1999)
- Grandia – Fantastic battle system, and decent everything else. Grandia 2 is much better, but the first game was still impressive.
- The Legend of Dragoon – Visually, Japan Studio’s game pushed the PS1 to its limit. The gameplay and story are both fine but not necessarily amazing.
3
2000: Final Fantasy 9
Arguably, The Best Final Fantasy PS1 Game
Final Fantasy 9 was another simultaneous release between Japan and North America. This was a throwback to classic games in the series that focused on crystals and magic above high-tech gadgets, and it was a refreshing change of pace after the experimental, but still good, Final Fantasy 8. FF9 might stick to tradition, but it also brings to life a fully-realized world that is brimming with personality, memorable NPCs, and gorgeous locations.
FF9 is an unforgettable masterpiece brimming with adventure and whimsy, more so than its two immediate predecessors. In terms of “traditional” Final Fantasy games, this release can stand toe-to-toe with any other entry in the series, including FF6.
Other Great 2000 PS1 RPGs
- Breath of Fire 4 – This is the best BOF game on the PS1 and one of Capcom’s greatest JRPGs.
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment – Like its predecessor, this entry has aged peculiarly and is difficult to recommend, particularly the PS1 version. Nevertheless, it is dark and intense.
- Vagrant Story – Action JRPG masterclass that is comfortably among the genre’s best efforts on the PS1, and it would have taken the top spot in most other years.
2
2001: Darkstone
A Decent Diablo-Like Hack And Slash RPG
By 2001, new PS1 RPGs were hard to come by, especially outside of Japan. Technically, the year’s best release was Final Fantasy Chronicles, a compilation containing Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 4. I mean, those are both fantastic, and the former is arguably the greatest JRPG of all time.
However, to keep things a bit more interesting, let’s highlight a lesser-known title that dropped right at the tail-end of the PS1’s relevancy. Debuting on PC in 1999, Darkstone made its way to Sony’s console in 2001, delivering a simple but still impressive Diablo-style adventure. The game focuses almost exclusively on dungeon-crawling and hack-and-slash goodness, and it manages to fit a surprising number of characters on screen, considering the hardware’s limitations. Darkstone is a bit too rough around the edges to warrant seeking it out all these years later, but it was a fun time for its era.
1
2002: Final Fantasy Origins
A Great Compilation Of A Few Classic JRPGs
Final Fantasy Origins was a collection of the first two Final Fantasy games, which was a 2002 release in Japan and even later released in the West in 2003. This was three years into the PS2’s life cycle, astoundingly. Unlike Final Fantasy Chronicles, this collection was more than a port as it redid the graphics for both games and made them more palpable and less archaic.
This was a first for the West as well, since Final Fantasy 2 was never released over here in 1988 on the NES. Instead, North America’s Final Fantasy 2 was actually Final Fantasy 4, and the confusing names didn’t stop there.
Other 2002 PS1 RPGs
- Digimon World 3 – Just to mention a new PS1 RPG that came out in 2002. Digimon World 3 is a solid-enough turn-based RPG, although you need to be a die-hard fan to enjoy this.
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