Here are 10 PlayStation 2 Classics Overdue for Modern Revivals

Despite publishers and developers making an effort to bring back several of their older titles through remakes and remasters, plenty of overlooked gems remain neglected.

Just about every console library has its fair share of games needing modern revivals. So, let’s dive into what the PlayStation 2 offers, a goliath of RPGs lost to time.

Ar Tonelico

While developer Gust is primarily known for Atelier and Blue Reflection nowadays, they made a handful of other IPs, including a personal favorite, Ar Tonelico. This fantasy adventure was notable for including visual novel elements alongside your typical turn-based combat fare.

The crux of the gameplay featured unique girls known as Reyvateils, individuals capable of singing powerful melodies that imparted gameplay benefits. Combat had players switch between offense and defense of the Reyvateils, giving encounters a continuous sense of rhythm and tension.

The real draw, though, was the Diving. Across the series, the protagonists would gain permission to dive into the minds of the Reyvateils they battle with. In these realms, known as Cosmospheres, traveling and choices all count toward the progress of learning more about these girls’ inner strife.

It was a compelling character-driven system that is arguably the anchor of characterizing the series in its entirety. Additionally, the soundtrack is absolutely fantastic, with it no doubt being at least a partial inspiration for NieR.

The first entry, Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia, is nowhere near as beloved as the second entry, Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica. However, it’s still an undeniably enjoyable time that excels thanks to its memorable cast. A revival of this series would be terrific, but I’m unfortunately doubtful after how mixed the reception to the third game was.

Grandia III

Game Arts’ Grandia series is not unknown to modern audiences thanks to the remasters of the first two titles, but the third game has remained stuck on the PlayStation 2 for almost two decades. While not as beloved as the second Grandia because of its story direction, Grandia III has its fair share of fans, primarily due to its updated battle system.

In the first two Grandia games, it became relatively simple to overpower enemies, yet the third game is the most challenging by far. Here, the stat gain per level isn’t as prominent, resulting in a more generally strategic playstyle requiring players to not just be on the offensive all the time.

Grandia III, alongside Grandia Xtreme, remains unported to modern platforms, so another collection in the vein of the Grandia HD Collection would be appreciated to complete the main series. Additionally, neither III nor Xtreme has officially greeted Europe, so that potential collection would remedy that misfortune.

Radiata Stories

Developer tri-Ace is nowhere near the heights of popularity in RPG circles. Still, they’ve crafted some fan-favorite IPs, the most notable being Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile. However, one of their most overlooked games is Radiata Stories, an ambitious RPG with a significant narrative divergence and over 170 recruitable NPCs.

The most unique facet of Radiata Stories is the vast array of recruitable characters, with the in-game Friends List containing profiles of those you befriend. Aside from getting to know them, the choice of who to recruit is major for gameplay reasons since those chosen can’t be given new equipment or learn new skills.

Radiata Stories also stands out because it encourages New Game Plus. You can’t recruit everyone in a single playthrough, and a different ending can be reached depending on your pursued branches. So, you definitely get your bang for your buck here.

Tales of the Abyss

We’re no stranger to discussing the lack of availability for the Tales of games on modern platforms, though one of the most fan-favorite examples is Tales of the Abyss. Despite having a 3DS port, that storefront has shut down, meaning the title’s back to being unavailable officially.

This eighth mainline entry is beloved for several reasons, chiefly its bold narrative that paints the protagonist in a conflicted, multi-faceted light. The Tales of games are primarily known for their memorable characters and dynamics, and Abyss is the cream of the crop in that regard, too.

Tales of the Abyss was also significant for its gameplay evolution. It was the first title to feature Free Running, a combat mechanic that enabled active utilization of the 3D plane instead of altering positioning based on the results of your attacks.

If I had to pick one older Tales of title to get remade or ported, it’d have to be this one. I love plenty of the other games for gameplay or character reasons, but Abyss is what I find to be the perfect melding.

Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

Atlus has grown to almost comical extents in recent years thanks to the immense growth of the Persona franchise and the increased popularity of Shin Megami Tensei. However, the latter is a collectively overwhelming beast in terms of the sheer number of sequels and spinoffs alongside re-releases it boasts. One of my most recommended entries for that newcomer crowd is Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga.

This entry focuses on a group of characters in a tribe called Embryon. They battle other tribes in a digital world known as the Junkyard for the hopeful goal of reaching Nirvana. This conflict is interfered with, though, by the presence of a strange girl named Sera. While the narrative here isn’t constantly engaging, the premise is gripping, with appreciated instances of payoff and intrigue.

Gameplay-wise, the cast can transform into demonic forms during battle, and they have some neat designs. Additionally, victories provide currency for a skill tree-like menu, and the fan-favorite Press Turn system is also present.

There’s plenty of strategic variety and growth here in ways that I believe act as perfect bridges for Persona fans wanting to try out the rest of the Megami Tensei franchise. There’s also a sequel, so a remastered collection would be ideal.

Mana Khemia

There are many Atelier games, and several of them have been made readily accessible, particularly the Dusk, Arland, Mysterious, and Secret trilogies. But a decent chunk still remains on older platforms, such as the Mana Khemia duology.

The first entry, Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis, focused heavily on its protagonist, Vayne Aurelius, the son of a mysteriously vanished legendary alchemist. Initially living alone with a lone mana companion, Vayne joins an atelier at the Al-Revis Academy. Here, he grows and learns more about alchemy alongside a vast cast across three years.

Aside from its own interpretation of the malleable alchemy mechanic, character growth is unconventional. Your commitment to filling out the Grow Book, impacted by both synthesis and combat, determines your combative capability. You can clearly identify the elements here that received substantially increased focus in later Atelier entries.

When taking school time into account, this was relatively ambitious, eventually becoming a cult classic. A collection of both Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis and its sequel, Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy, would be quite welcome.

Xenosaga

I never expected the Xeno video game metaseries to become as popular as it has. Of course, the Xenoblade titles are to thank for that, but they’re merely one part of a whole that isn’t officially available on modern platforms. One piece of the pie is Xenosaga, an admittedly overambitious effort that ultimately resulted in three main games and various avenues of supplemental media.

Xenosaga’s beginnings follow protagonist Shion Uzuki and the android KOS-MOS, who face off against a species known as Gnosis before intra-organization complications take precedence. The setting here is perhaps the most compelling, with Earth having long since vanished, becoming known as Lost Jerusalem. Further, to aid immersive efficacy, the in-universe calendar is revised from AD to TC, which stands for Transcend Christ.

Right from the outset, you can perceive the sheer degree of meticulous care poured into the setting of Xenosaga, and I still find it immensely memorable. The cast is excellent, too, particularly Shion, who, due to the severe strife she faces and consequential growth she endures, is my favorite protagonist in the Xeno franchise as a whole.

After the events of the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed DLC, I’ve become cautiously optimistic about a Xenosaga revival.

Dragon Quest VIII

In a loosely similar manner to the Tales of franchise, much of the Dragon Quest library is unavailable on modern platforms unless you count the mobile phone ports, which are incredibly hit-or-miss. Dragon Quest VIII is one of the most fan-favorite entries in the series, and, like Tales of the Abyss, it has a 3DS port. But that store is now closed, making it unavailable sans phones.

Dragon Quest VIII needs no introduction, really. It’s a cornerstone of JRPGs as a whole, with a compact and lovable cast and a straightforward yet compelling narrative. Truthfully, if it were available on modern platforms, it’d be a prime example I’d point to for beginners of the genre to try out. Dragon Quest XI is also terrific, but VIII has a charm and ambiance that is representative of its time and worth experiencing.

It would be ideal to have an enhanced port that includes the 3DS additions, such as the two new party members and the new Bianca ending, as well as an orchestrated rendition of the soundtrack.

Shadow Hearts

Shadow Hearts has received notable attention in recent years thanks to online communities and content creators highlighting its distinctness from other JRPGs. The original Shadow Hearts, which features a gothic aesthetic and Lovecraftian horror elements, occurs in 1913 with an unconventional protagonist who can shapeshift into monsters.

The tone of Shadow Hearts is all its own and is the crux of the experience, along with the unique combat system. Battles feature the Judgement Ring, a mechanic that requires players to time their button presses to get the most out of their attacks. Just about every facet of combat is tied to the Judgement Ring, and it’s a joy to get a handle on the further you progress.

Two sequels were also made: Shadow Hearts: Covenant and Shadow Hearts: From the New World.

Interestingly, the title is connected to another game called Koudelka. The upcoming Kickstarted Penny Blood is a spiritual successor to Shadow Hearts.

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria

As mentioned earlier with Radiata Stories, another tri-Ace gem is Valkyrie Profile. The first title’s enhanced PSP port, Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, received a native PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 release, but the second, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, has been neglected.

This prequel/alternate timeline of sorts from the original game features the Valkyrie Silmeria and Princess Alicia sharing a body as they task themselves with the duty of halting a war between Midgard and the Gods. This entry features gameplay beats similar to the first game, such as platforming exploration throughout dungeons, but the experience is more lenient thanks to relatively free exploration.

The combat side of affairs has a steep learning curve, though for different reasons than the first entry. For instance, individual enemy parts can be targeted and broken, instilling the sequel with an increased sense of continual strategy that can become overwhelming. Still, like Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, gradually understanding the ins and outs of how the various systems complement each other is gratifying.

After Valkyrie Elysium‘s likely meager performance and the recent port of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, I’m doubtful we’ll see this series resurge. Yet, a part of my mind will always remain hopeful.