Starting from the originalPlayStation, Sony’s consoles have become a haven for fans of JRPGs. In contrast to Nintendo, RPGs on PlayStation consoles tend to be geared toward older audiences, feature more complex stories, have significantly longer plots, and lean more heavily into aesthetics that appeal to Japanese audiences.
Many, if not most, of the best RPGs of all time were launched on a PlayStation system, making it easy for RPG fans to choose which console to game on each generation. Sony’s consoles consistently produce a good blend of multiplatform and console-exclusive masterpieces.
The original PlayStation was a titan for RPGs. Arguably, no console had a stronger library of RPGs than the PSOne. The RPG that permanently made the genre mainstream in the West was Final Fantasy 7.
FF7 is known for havingone of the biggest plot twists in gaming, but beyond its twist, it has a thematically strong narrative. It explores identity in a mature and profound way, allowing players to experience the life of Cloud, a character who was a foot soldier with primitive defense mechanisms that make him believe he was a great warrior. In contrast, his foil, Sephiroth, is a scientifically enhanced being who has deluded himself into thinking he is a god.
6PlayStation 2 – Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Few games can capture the feeling of impending doom the way Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne does. Nocturne favors telling its stories by making you read between the lines of its dark narrative. The story is minimalistic, favoring vibe and tone — you will be discovering clues about the lore rather than having an elaborate plot and characterization.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne can be punishing for people not used to more difficult titles in the genre. It’s one of the few mainstream RPGs where you feel like you’ll have to strategize even for random battles. Nocturne’s battle system is simple on the surface, but interacting with demons and fusing to create stronger monsters generates a large amount of depth.
Out of all the Persona games, and possibly even all the titles under the Shin Megami Tensei umbrella,Persona 3 Portable has the most cathartic story. It features a slow-burning plot that explores how understanding death can lead to a greater appreciation for life. While there are jarring images, such as fighting by shooting yourself with a weapon, these serve as nuanced expressions of regret and the seriousness of life’s choices.
P3P emphasizes connecting with NPCs and learning their stories, similar to a dating simulator. You grow stronger as you learn more about the characters in your life, some of whom have heartbreaking narratives, such as a happy-go-lucky track star coming to terms with switching his career.
The PS3 was a major console for the mainstream breakthrough of FromSoftware. On this system, they launched Demon’s Souls, which has become the predecessor not only to the Dark Souls series but also inspired a generation of difficult action RPGs, dubbed “Soulslike.”
Dark Souls improved on Demon’s Souls by expanding the size of the map while still cramming more action into nearly every corner. While many video games suffer from being over-scripted, which leads to feeling like they play themselves, Dark Souls maintains a sense that “anything can happen,” which may lead to frustrating deaths but keeps the game unpredictable and vibrant.
Persona 4 Golden sets itself apart from other entries in the series by capturing slice-of-life moments better than any of the other games. It features fun, Scooby-Doo-like vibes as the characters investigate a series of murders caused by magical means. However, it isn’t monotone; there are pivotal moments when the story and tone shift to dark and heavy themes.
P4G rebalances the combat from the original PS2 version and adds more content, making it the definitive version of Persona 4. It’s the perfect game for those seeking an RPG experience that focuses heavily on character development.
FromSoftware scaled down the RPG elements in Bloodborne and focused on creating an action RPG centered on ruthless aggression. While the Dark Souls series is more methodical and slower-paced, often requiring you to judge when to dodge and counterattack, Bloodborne emphasizes fast-paced offense. It is pretty difficult at first, but it starts to give a lot of satisfaction as you become more skilled and tear through enemies easily.
Bloodborne is thebest-written game that FromSoftware has produced. There isn’t much material in terms of cut scenes, but when you explore and read in detail the many items of the lore, it describes an ambitious story about the insignificance of humanity and the folly of ambition. While Bloodborne’s story requires a lot of digging and effort to absorb, it still crafts together one of the most narratively sound Lovecraftian stories in gaming.
There are few RPGs that can match the immersive depth of Baldur’s Gate 3. The essence of Dungeons & Dragons is perfectly captured in the game, offering countless choices for every character throughout a 100-hour experience. It makes you feel like you’re truly roleplaying your characters.
Despite its highly complex web of choices, BG3 effectively details every possible scenario. The voice acting is incredible, and the characters progress and change meaningfully throughout the journey. It isn’t plagued by meaningless choices or filler; it’s filled with action, consequence, and drama.
