10 Criminally Underrated PS1 RPGs That You’ll Still Love Playing in 2025

Summary

This video dives into some of the most underrated RPGs of the PlayStation 1 era, celebrating hidden gems like 'Vagrant Story', 'The Legend of Heroes', and 'Parasite Eve'. It highlights their unique mechanics, such as tactical combat systems, weapon customization, and real-time action elements that set them apart from mainstream hits like 'Final Fantasy' and 'Chrono Cross'. The video offers a nostalgic look back at these titles, emphasizing their innovative features and how they laid the foundation for future RPGs, all while encouraging viewers to share their own hidden gem discoveries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The PS1 era was full of hidden RPG gems that never received the recognition they deserved.
• 😀 Threads of Fate is a charming action RPG that combined platforming and action, offering dual protagonists with unique gameplay styles.
• 😀 Brave Fencer Musashi is an anime-inspired action RPG with a blend of platforming, puzzle-solving, and real-time day-night cycle mechanics.
• 😀 Tearing Saga, created by the designer of Fire Emblem, is a tactical RPG with deep customization, unit development, and permanent death mechanics.
• 😀 Vandal Hearts is a tactical RPG with snappy, fast-paced combat and branching story paths that fly under the radar despite its strategic depth.
• 😀 Wild Arms 2 improved upon its predecessor with refined mechanics, a new combat system, and a stronger Western RPG fusion.
• 😀 Legend of Lega introduced the Tactical Art System, turning turn-based combat into a martial arts combo game and offering a unique, addictive grind.
• 😀 Codelka, a blend of survival horror and turn-based RPG, features eerie atmospheres and unique stat distribution mechanics for character development.
• 😀 Breath of Fire 4 stands out with its 2D art, emotional narrative, and a battle system that lets players chain spells and morph into dragons.
• 😀 Parasite Eve broke RPG conventions by combining real-time movement with turn-based combat, introducing a flexible weapon customization system.
• 😀 These underrated PS1 RPGs deserve more attention, each offering unique gameplay and unforgettable experiences that fans continue to praise.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the video script?

The video explores underrated RPGs from the PlayStation 1 era, highlighting hidden gems that didn't get the recognition they deserved, despite offering unique and enjoyable gameplay experiences.

Why does the speaker believe 'Threads of Fate' deserves more attention?

The speaker praises 'Threads of Fate' for its charming blend of platforming and action RPG elements. The game offers a dual protagonist system with distinct playstyles, a combo-based attack system, and creative level design, yet it went underappreciated due to being released late in the PS1's life cycle.

What makes 'Brave Fencer Musashi' stand out from other RPGs?

'Brave Fencer Musashi' stands out for its variety, combining hack-and-slash combat with puzzle-solving, platforming, and unique features like absorbing enemy abilities with a sword. It also has a fully voiced cast and an engaging day-night cycle affecting NPC routines and quests.

How does 'Tearing Saga' compare to 'Fire Emblem'?

'Tearing Saga,' created by the same developer as 'Fire Emblem,' shares many similarities with the series, such as tactical grid-based combat and character development. However, it introduces deeper customization, perma-death, and more challenging mechanics, offering a darker, more complex version of the genre.

What sets 'Vandal Hearts' apart in the tactical RPG genre?

'Vandal Hearts' is known for its fast-paced combat, where units evolve into advanced classes, and combat is quick and snappy, avoiding the sluggishness common in many tactical RPGs. The game also offers branching story paths with political twists, adding layers to its strategy gameplay.

What is unique about 'Wild Arms 2' compared to the original?

'Wild Arms 2' improves upon the original by offering a more refined RPG experience with a bigger world, better pacing, and deeper characters. It also introduces the Force system, which allows characters to unleash powerful abilities based on combat actions, making it more strategic and engaging.

Why is 'Legend of Legaia' considered ahead of its time?

'Legend of Legaia' is praised for its tactical combat system that allows players to input directional commands for martial arts combos. This system turns every battle into a puzzle, and the game's fast-paced, addictive combat and evolving spirit points made it stand out among other RPGs of its time.

What makes 'Codelka' such a unique and eerie experience?

'Codelka' is notable for its dark, grim atmosphere, mixing survival horror with turn-based RPG elements. The game’s slow pacing, eerie tone, and unique battle mechanics, where players manually distribute stat points after each battle, create a challenging experience that stands out from other RPGs.

What was the significance of 'Breath of Fire 4' in the RPG genre?

'Breath of Fire 4' is celebrated for its atmospheric world-building, 2D art style, and deep emotional narrative. It features a sleek battle system that allows for chaining spells and transforming into dragons, making it one of the most polished RPGs of the PS1 generation, despite being underappreciated.

How does 'Suicoden' lay the foundation for the series?

'Suicoden' is a significant entry in the RPG genre, offering a political drama with empire-building, betrayal, and war rather than typical fantasy tropes. It introduced the concept of 108 recruitable characters, unique battle systems, and a recruitment mechanic that became the backbone of the series.

What makes 'Parasite Eve' stand out from other RPGs?

'Parasite Eve' blends survival horror with RPG mechanics, featuring real-time movement during combat and a deep weapon customization system. Its atmosphere, with a science fiction setting and suspenseful tone, was groundbreaking for its time, making it a cult classic despite its niche appeal.