The whole PS1 era of JRPGs with pre-rendered backgrounds and chunky polygons was great.
Also:
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Xenogears
Chrono Cross
Breath of Fire IV
Legend of Legaia
2002-2004 was a JRPG golden era for the PS2. Dark Cloud 2, Unlimited Saga, Final Fantasy XI (online), .hack vol. 1-4, and Xenosaga Episode 1 all released in that timeline. All these games have fantastic art style, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time is no different. Gameplay is dated by having to explore maps without a waypoint, and having to mash the X button through dialogue scenes can be annoying, but the characters are well-written and designed. The battle system also holds up as something unique.. but dying from losing all your MP is frustrating (yet all JRPGs kind of are). Looks great upscaled on PCSX2. One day Iām hoping some of those games listed above are remade/remastered bc they started a wave.
Absolutely, without a single doubt in every ventricle of my beating heart, the best JRPG on the GameCube; imho the Clair Obscur of the system. Super interesting card-based battle system, and a real-time inventory system (apples will go from ripe to rotten if not used, and bamboo shoots will mature into full stalks, etc.). Great story, cool world, amazing soundtrack. Also now remastered on Steam with the sequel/prequel! Also an honorary mention of Lost Odyssey -- phenomenal game trapped on the 360 still.
