When Nintendo made the decision to stick with cartridges for the Nintendo 64, it lead to one of the greatest RPG developers of all time jumping ship. Nintendo's loss was Sony's gain, and, thanks in no small part to Sony's partnership with publisher Square, the PS1's game library boasts some of the greatest RPGs ever made.
From the narratively excellent Xenogears to the behemoth that is Final Fantasy VII, no other 5th-generation console can compete when it comes to RPGs. The PS1 had a lot more going for it than just Square and Final Fantasy though. Of course, these are the titles that dominate the conversation, but there are a host of other fantastic games on the system for RPG lovers to sink their teeth into.
Updated April 9, 2022, by Tom Bowen: With hundreds of classic games set to be available through some of the upper tiers of Sony's newly revised PlayStation Plus platform when it goes live a little later this year, many subscribers now find themselves wondering which of their favorite retro games - if any - will make the final cut. While more recent titles from the PS3 and PS4 eras will probably make up the majority of what's on offer, some are hoping that these massively underrated PS1 RPGs will also be included in PS Plus Premium.
12 Threads Of Fate
Threads of Fate combines platforming, action, and a healthy spattering of RPG elements to deliver an end product that Dr. Frankenstein himself would be proud of. The game's platforming is tight, the art style is endearing, and the soundtrack is exactly what gamers had come to expect from Square.
It's not a particularly complicated game in terms of story or gameplay, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It really is one of the most unique games released on PS1. Sadly though, most Western gamers overlooked it due to it being released so late on in the console's lifecycle.
11 Koudelka
When it comes to underrated PS1 RPGs, they don't come much bigger than Koudelka. Developed by the same studio that would later be responsible for the fantastic Shadow Hearts games on the PS2, the game perfectly blends together elements from the horror and RPG genres to create an experience that is unlike anything else on offer during that era.
Set in the year 1898 near the seaside town of Aberystwyth, Wales, Koudelka is a little like a cross between Resident Evil and Final Fantasy, mirroring the tone and exploration elements of the former and featuring a battle system that's somewhat akin to the latter. The pre-rendered backgrounds are starting to look a little rough around the edges, but, as a piece of gaming history, it's still well worth a look.
10 Chrono Cross
A lot of people dismiss Chrono Cross as being nothing more than a poor imitation of Chrono Trigger. It’s worth remembering though that the latter is one of gaming’s true masterpieces. When compared directly with the Mona Lisa, most art looks like a child's drawing.
It’s certainly true that Chrono Cross is inferior to its younger brother in practically every way, but that doesn’t mean that there’s not still enjoyment to be found here. The huge cast of characters is a little overwhelming and the story confusing, but for the most part, it provides an engaging journey with an interesting twist. Yasunori Mitsuda also returned as the game’s composer, so it’s rocking a fantastic soundtrack too.
9 Alundra
While many RPGs were making the leap to 3D, the team behind Alundra opted to stay in the second dimension. It was a bold decision, but one that definitely paid off in the long run and one that ensures that the game still holds up well today.
Alundra features a beautiful art style with some of the most intricate sprite work of the period. The story is admittedly nothing special, but the game’s dungeons provide just the right amount of challenge to avoid frustrating the player while also keeping them coming back for more.
8 Vandal Hearts
Vandal Hearts was one of the first RPGs to really make the most of those extra 16-bits, with impressive visuals that used 3D environments and objects to show off what the PS1 was capable of. The game is held back a little by its linear narrative and lack of exploration, but redeems itself through its gorgeous graphics and a grid-based combat system.
It's a system that really makes players think about what they're going to do next rather than just diving in headfirst. All told, it's a relatively short game and one that players will be unlikely to return to after completing it once, but Vandal Hearts is definitely worth checking out.
7 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
Though Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together technically started life on the Super Famicom in Japan, it was eventually ported to the PlayStation in late 1997, with a North American release coming early the following year. This was the first time that the series had been readily available in the west and led to strong reviews from both critics and players alike.
Unlike most other RPGs from the mid-nineties though, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together uses a grid-based system that's not too dissimilar from Final Fantasy Tactics. The Isometric viewpoint may not be to everybody's liking, but it really compliments the art style and ensures that the game still holds up fairly well today despite now being more than three decades old.
6 Thousand Arms
Thousand Arms may share a lot of similarities with other JRPGs from the '90s, but where it sets itself apart is through its use of dating-sim mechanics. The main character is able to date female party members as well as various NPCs, and doing so will allow them to imbue their weapons with new powers and skills.
It's pretty rudimentary by today's standards, but at the time offered a unique element to the genre. Anime fans will love the game's art style and humor whilst those who enjoy a challenge will not be disappointed with what Thousand Arms has to offer.
5 Jade Cocoon: Story Of The Tamamayu
With Katsuya Kondo of Kiki's Delivery Service fame serving as Jade Cocoon’s animation direction and character designer, it’s no surprise that the game ended up being one of the most visually impressive titles of the era. Like almost every other RPG ever, the aim of the game is to save the world— but it differentiates itself through its battle system that has players using captured monsters that they can also breed to create new types.
Unfortunately for Jade Cocoon, it failed to live up to the expectations set by the earlier released Pokemon Red & Blue, which provided a simpler experience, not to mention cuter, more appealing monsters.
4 Brave Fencer Musashi
Brave Fencer Musashi might not be one of the best-looking games for the system, but it is definitely one of the most charming. From its endearing cast of characters to its well-designed towns, there really is a lot to love here. While the story certainly has its moments, it's the gameplay that really carries the experience and will keep players coming back for more.
It's challenging, it's rewarding, and it's a lot of fun. Granted, it's perhaps a little more action than RPG, but Square has meshed the two genres together exceptionally well here. The game also features some pretty decent voice-acting, which at the time was something of a rarity.
3 Legend Of Legaia
Visually, Legend of Legaia is pretty similar to Final Fantasy VII, whilst its combat system is reminiscent of the one found in Xenogears. Although Legend of Legaia failed to emulate the success that the aforementioned titles achieved, it is every bit as enjoyable.
The game's story is one of the best out there, and the atmosphere created through the game's audio and visuals is perfectly in keeping with the themes and ideas set out through the narrative. Some mediocre dialogue does detract from the experience at times, but, given the quality of the overall package, it's pretty easy to excuse.
2 The Legend Of Dragoon
The Legend of Dragoon is a first-party title released towards the end of the PS1's lifecycle. As a result, the development team was able to push the system to its limits— leading to one of the best-looking games on the PlayStation.
Combat can become a little repetitive and the combo system frustrates, but these are but small blemishes when looking at the larger picture. Legend of Dragoon isn't quite a masterpiece, but if a banana can find a place in an art gallery, then Legend of Dragoon can find a place on a gamer's shelf.
1 Suikoden
Suikoden tells the story of a young man who builds an army in order to free an enslaved population from the tyranny of a corrupt empire, offering a much-welcomed deviation from the tired "save the world" plotline. Combat is intuitive and features more than 90 playable characters. Some of them are a little underdeveloped and generic, but that's perhaps to be expected given the sheer volume. Even so, it's no less upsetting when one of them dies in battle and is lost forever.
It's a real tragedy that Suikoden never really took off in the West, as it's not only one of the best RPGs on the PS1, it's one of the best ever made, period. With any luck, the series' spiritual successor, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, will right that wrong when it finally releases in 2023.