The Best RPGs That Can Only Be Played On The PSP

Highlights

• The PSP had a great library of RPGs, some of which are still exclusive to the console and can only be played by buying a PSP or Vita.

• 
  Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep
  
  
  is a prequel to the
  
  
  Kingdom Hearts
  
  
  series that offers a fresh gameplay experience with its Command System and three unique playable characters.

• 
  Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days
  
  
  is an improved version of the original game with added playable characters and a streamlined Item World, making it a must-play for tactical RPG fans.

The

PSP

was Sony’s first foray into trying to dethrone Nintendo as the king of the handheld market. While the console did not reach the same commercial heights as the Nintendo DS, it was still an incredible device in its own right.

It amassed a large library of games over its lifespan, populated with some of the finest

RPGs

ever made. While many of the best games have since been ported to other consoles, several RPGs are still stuck on the older piece of hardware, forcing players to buy a PSP or a Vita to play the game via the PlayStation Store.

Updated on October 24, 2023, by Rhenn Taguiam:



Baldur’s Gate 3 has recently released for the PS5 to critical acclaim, so fans of the Sony console may be eagerly waiting for what other RPGs its most recent platform could offer fans in the future – especially as it boasts better graphics and overall performance. However, fans of classic games may opt for more retro entries, especially for the likes of the 2005 PSP, which at the time revolutionized portable gaming for its improved graphics and performance at such a small frame. While the PSP’s games back then are no Baldur’s Gate 3, some of the PSP’s line of RPGs boast some of the most innovative gameplay approaches seen at the time. Before players grab a recommended

PSP RPG

, just why should they try specific titles?

18


Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep

With

Kingdom Hearts 3

finally capping Xehanort’s “Dark Seeker Saga,” fans may be eager what awaits Sora in the franchise’s future installments. However, fans of the Disney-Square Enix team-up confused about Heartless and Nobodies might want to check the game that started it all:


Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep



.

As a prequel to the

Kingdom Hearts

series,

Birth By Sleep

explains much of the series’ lore through the eyes of Ventus, Terra, and Aqua – a trio of Keyblade Warriors whose investigation of Master Xehanort’s disappearance will reveal a much sinister plot. Although the higher-def

Final Mix

edition was released across 2014 to 2021 to “hype”

KH3

, the original 2011 version was the last major entry in the franchise prior to 2019’s threequel that wasn’t a spin-off or interlude.

Despite originally being a PSP exclusive, this action RPG is a full-fledged

Kingdom Hearts

title that improves upon

Kingdom Hearts 2

‘s already impressive hack-and-slash system with a Command System that gives more flexibility to players. This improved level of combat

control

meshes well with the game, locking its full story behind three playable characters, each of which has unique focuses (Ventus for speed, Aqua for magic, Terra for combat) that offer varied experiences.

Why Play Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep

As the game that started the overarching plot of the entire

Kingdom Hearts

series,

Birth by Sleep

packs a lot of story for a portable title. Weaving the story from the perspective of three protagonists demands three playthroughs, with varying gameplay styles providing a fresh experience per run. Traditional

Kingdom Hearts

mechanics won’t bore players with how many fast-paced battles they can indulge in.

17


Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days

Although

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories

was originally a PS2 release, its 2009 PSP port


Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days


was so drastic an improvement to the former that it may be considered its own title. While retaining the same plot of warrior Adell in his journey to defeat Overlord Zenon and revert his undead townsfolk into regular humans, it’s in changes to gameplay where

Dark Hero Days

truly shines.

Both minute and major changes make

Dark Hero Days

the “true” predecessor to

Disgaea 3.

Chief among these changes is the inclusion of numerous playable characters, most of which have made appearances in other

Disgaea

games. New to the game is the Magichange system that allows monsters to be transformed into other characters, vastly adding new options to combat.

The Item World has also become more streamlined to make item crafting less of a pain. Considering the infinite gameplay loop encouraged by the game’s reincarnation system, the quality of life changes in an immensely-flexible turn-based RPG like

Dark Hero Days

have made it a more cohesive version of its original iteration.

Why Play Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days

If players find

Dark Hero Days’

comedic approach to dark fantasy somewhat overwhelming, tactical RPG fans can enjoy its nigh-limitless gameplay options. Leveling up characters to upwards of 4-digit levels with both class change and reincarnation systems can encourage players to raise units to ridiculously overpowered levels. Moreover, players who want a change of scenery could always hop into Item World to raise their favorite item’s stats by diving into dungeons inside that very piece of gear.

16


Class of Heroes 2

Compared to most other RPGs at the time,


Class of Heroes 2


takes on the same gameplay formula as its predecessor: a modernized version of the dungeon crawler. And like the first game of the series,

Class of Heroes 2

doesn’t give players a complicated story. Instead, players take the role of young adventurers in Crostini Academy who have to juggle schooling shenanigans with the occasional saving the world. While a remastered version of the game was announced for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, the PSP is currently the prevailing platform to play the classic.

Instead of the usual turn-based combat in most other JRPGs,

Clash of Heroes 2

aims to revamp the old-school first-person dungeon crawler. Characters can be recruited based on a player’s preferences, with the option to change their alignment and class whenever they go back to school. While its first-person dungeon-crawler approach has been a contested element of the title, the game also serves as a great “introduction” to the classic genre, given its simpler and more manageable UI on top of an anime aesthetic.

Why Play Class of Heroes 2

Despite its rather simplistic approach to the genre, fans of classics such as

Wizardry

could quickly see the appeal of

Class of Heroes 2

. Creating a party and expanding their skillset according to a player’s preference gives a lot of leeway to customization. Dungeons also offer varying degrees of difficulty, with a healthy mix of creature and boss variants to encourage leveling characters. Should players get the groove of the game’s difficulty curve,

Class of Heroes 2

can be a pretty engaging RPG.

In the ever-expansive

Fate

universe, players aren’t just confined in Fuyuki City across its entries. Whereas the

Fate/Grand Order

mobile game will have players jump across timelines to save the Earth from certain doom,


Fate/Extra


takes place in a virtual world of the Moon Cell, where the protagonist is paired with a Servant and then coerced into joining the Holy Grail War as they try to recover their memories. Given its nature as a parallel timeline to that of the original

Fate/stay night

story,

Fate/Extra

is a relatively safe way to get into the franchise and its concepts without being overwhelmed.

However, where

Fate/Extra

shines is in its combat system. Taking the form of a modified rock-paper-scissors system, Servants and their enemies set up actions (Attack, Breakthrough, Protection) that clash with each other in a combat phase. Winners of this

janken

system get damaged while getting three consecutive hits will make an additional attack. This simple system that demands foresight on the part of players is what makes

Fate/Extra

quite the intriguing alternative to a turn-based RPG on top of its deep plot.

With a rich story worked within the backdrop of Type-Moon’s

Fate

franchise, a player’s

Fate/Extra

experience could become the entry point to a bigger world of games such as

Fate/Grand Order.

Moreover, transforming rock-paper-scissors into a core combat mechanic can make

Fate/Extra

fights a surprising brain teaser for players. The wrong choice of attack can easily transform a fight into a nightmare to deal with, forcing players to become more tactical with their combo strings.

14


Gods Eater Burst

Players who want an alternative to

Monster Hunter

might appreciate


Gods Eater Burst


, the 2011 re-release of the original

God Eater

game, both of which were available on the PSP. Set in a

post

-apocalyptic Earth overrun by monstrous Aragami, players are God Eaters armed with God Arcs, a transforming weapon that eats Aragami in order to improve. With hunting scenarios set in sprawling environments, as well as the option to have AI companions,

Gods Eater Burst

already makes for an exciting

Monster Hunter

alternative.

However,

Gods Eater Burst

also shines in how it handles both its story and approach to gameplay. Players themselves are a part of the Fenrir Far East Branch of God Eaters, where they interact with NPCs and partake in missions that dive deep into the origins of the Aragami and how it relates to the rest of their teammates. Meanwhile, players can customize their appearances as well as their God Arc’s performance by crafting weapon sub-types that allow their God Arcs to have different swords, guns, and shields optimized for specific combat scenarios.

Why Play Gods Eater Burst

Despite comparisons to

Monster Hunter

, the anime aesthetic and post-apocalyptic premise of

Gods Eater Burst

makes it a grittier and more action-packed experience. Players being able to carry and customize a gun, a sword, and a shield all at once adds tactical variety to fights, especially when the game’s many locales pack not just target monsters but also equally-pesky threats.

13


Tales Of The World Radiant Mythology

Proving the PSP as the home for JRPG fanatics,

Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology

is the only game of its series to be released in the west and localized into English. To be more specific,

Tales of the World

is a spin-off of the

Tales

franchise, which has been around since 1995 and is still going strong to this day.

The game’s Metacritic score sits at 66, an average rating. However, it earns a place on this list for being the only official release of this series in the west thus far, one of the more unique games on the console.

Why Play Tales Of The World Radiant Mythology

Being a

Tales

game that offers a customizable main character immediately gives players a degree of personal stake in the game. Not to mention, the game’s full 3D graphics and its real-time combat system make fantasy fights more fast-paced and engaging. Compared to other fantasy titles,

Radiant Mythology

‘s more vibrant visuals make it a breath of fresh air

versus

its contemporaries.

12



Final Fantasy

20th Anniversary Edition

The first two

Final Fantasy

games are available almost everywhere, including mobile phones. However, the version available on PSP is wholly unique to the system. It includes a distinguished 2D art style with some of the most beautiful sprites of any game. It is not cartoonish like the steam releases from a few years ago, and it is not pixelated like the recent remasters. The debut entry is worth playing today and still holds up, thanks to its simplicity and charm. The sequel is better reserved for curious fans.

Final Fantasy IV

is also available on the handheld device in a similarly unique form. This release also comes paired with the sequel,

The After Years

. A small episode taking place between the two stories,

Interlude

, is the new piece of content added to this release, and it is still not available anywhere else.

Why Play Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary Edition

Although

Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary Edition

is a straightforward PSP port of the original experience, the inclusion of content such as the Labyrinth of Time and the “Dawn of Souls” areas can give players an extra few hours of playtime. Owning a PSP at the time should enable players to enjoy this classic title’s turn-based RPG format before enjoying other PSP offerings, such as the action-oriented

Crisis Core

and the more strategic

Tactics

.

Metal Gear

‘s first PSP outing opted to drop the stealth action for which the series is known. Instead, the non-canon spin-off,

Metal Gear AC!D

, is a card-based strategy game.

While incongruous with everything fans expect from

Metal Gear

, the turn-based gameplay works well for the handheld. One sequel was also developed for the PSP, while the next two entries,

Portable Ops

and

Peace Walker

, would return to the more traditional gameplay.

Why Play Metal Gear AC!D

While opting for a card game instead of traditional stealth is a radical departure from

Metal Gear

mechanics,

Metal Gear AC!D

gameplay does a solid job of providing tactical depth to the new experience. Combat options being spread into action cards with corresponding costs forces players to double down on strategy, ensuring Snake and his allies maximize their resources or risk placing themselves in compromising situations.

10


Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

It might be hard for some people to believe, but

Monster Hunter

had a long history before

Monster Hunter: World

. The older games served a more niche market and were not quite as accessible. If anybody missed the boat on the original two

Monster Hunter

games the first time around, there is always the opportunity to jump into the enhanced remakes released for the PSP. And for those who want to take things a next step further,


Monster Hunter Freedom Unite


is a must-try for PSP owners.

Considered the largest PSP entry for the acclaimed monster-hunting franchise,

MHFU

boasts more than 500 hours of gameplay courtesy of new creatures and subtypes. The game also introduces Felyne Comrades to aid solo fighters, as well as new weapons such as the Longsword, Gunlance, Hunting Horn, and Bow.

Why Play Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

serves as a massive upgrade to

Monster Hunter Freedom

, with its new weapon types providing much-needed tactical flexibility to the series. The new quests and monsters can also provide longer playtimes for players, which, when incorporated with its multiplayer component, can lead to enjoyable parties in a pre-

MHW

era.

9


Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core

This prequel to


Final Fantasy VII


gave fans something they wanted for years: an opportunity to learn more about Zack Fair. The combat varies greatly from the seventh mainline entry, but it was still well-received in its day. Unfortunately, this game was never put on the PlayStation store, making a physical copy the only way to play. Perhaps we’ll receive a proper remake in the future as a part of the

Final Fantasy VII

series of remakes.

While the original version of this game very well might not make it to other platforms, Square Enix announced a remaster.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion

is more than just a small HD facelift. Character models are heavily updated, the soundtrack has a new arrangement, and all the dialogue will be voiced mostly by actors from the remake series.

Why Play Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core

Experiencing the events that led to

FF7

‘s story can make

Crisis Core

a must-play for

Final Fantasy

fans. Not to mention, the game’s real-time combat system combined with the DMW’s slot-based bonus mechanic adds a level of tactical complexity to fans. Despite its rather small-scale story,

Crisis Core

provides a deep and engrossing narrative that can add depth to anyone’s previous or upcoming

FF7

playthrough.

8


Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

This remake of the classic tactical JRPG adds much-needed improvements and conveniences to make

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

a more enjoyable experience. It is a good thing the gameplay is fun because the story sure isn’t. The conflict makes for one of the darker RPGs, removing mysticism and magic in favor of political strife and personal drama. We’d sure love a re-release or full-fledged remake on modern consoles.

After years of fans asking, the game is finally being remastered for modern consoles with

Tactics Ogre Reborn

. Voice acting will be added to the package as well. This should introduce the game to a whole new legion of fans.

Why Play Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

The bleak yet realistic story of

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

already sets it apart from other RPGs at the time, with narrative twists that can keep players on the edge of their seats. Despite the familiar isometric tactical RPG approach, the title’s rather challenging combat forces players to go all out in terms of planning and over-optimization. Fans looking for a means to test their tactical mettle should consider trying this experience.

7


Jeanne d’Arc

Some RPGs find inspiration in the strangest places. Jeanne d’Arc is a fictional retelling of the Joan of Arc’s story. With demons populating the battlefield, it is clear this game does not take place in the real world’s historical Europe.

The gameplay will be familiar to anybody who played RPGs like

Final Fantasy Tactics

, but it is notably less challenging. Still, the unique aesthetic helps it stand out.

Why Play Jeanne d’Arc

This fantastical take on the real-life story of Jeanne D’Arc takes players on a personal journey under the backdrop of a tactical RPG. Despite the level of challenge in some of the game’s stages, the title gives players numerous opportunities to “cheese” their way out of them in the same way Jeanne can overcome impossible odds. Mechanics such as transformations and auras that can give select buffs to allies add a layer of strategy that separates the game from other PSP titles.

6


The 3rd Birthday

Perhaps the weakest of the many great PSP-exclusive RPGs,

The 3rd Birthday

is the third game in the cult-classic

Parasite Eve

franchise. The gameplay should be somewhat familiar to fans of the older games, and the story even features characters from the prior titles.

While it was nice to see the franchise return after so long, it was not exactly what fans were hoping for. Maybe a proper console continuation will come out in the future.

Why Play The 3rd Birthday

While

The 3rd Birthday

has quite a linear story, the body-switching gimmick the game offers gives players numerous tactical opportunities to get out of sticky situations. This level of “freedom” in controlling Aya across fights can make

The 3rd Birthday

quite a fun and quick RPG experience – starkly contrasting to the darker

Parasite Eve

prequels.

5


Brave Story: New Traveler

It is pretty rare to see an RPG based on a novel series, but this is exactly what

Brave Story: New Traveler

is. The game is a loose interpretation of the

Brave Story

series, featuring some of the same characters but telling a new story.

A young boy is taken to a distant land to complete a mission and save his sick friend in the real world. While the game was received positively, it never received a port to other consoles.

Why Play Brave Story: New Traveler

Lying at the heart of

Brave Story: New Traveler

is quite the generic turn-based RPG that emphasizes building bonds with teammates to build strength, making the game quite a wholesome alternative to other titles. Being a predictable fantasy RPG doesn’t make

New Traveler

bad, however, as its balanced gameplay and fleshed-out story can provide a decent experience for PSP owners who want to play something uncomplicated.

4


Phantasy Star Portable

After

Phantasy Star IV

, the numbering convention of the JRPG


series went out the window. The franchise found itself on numerous consoles, including the PSP.

Phantasy Star Portable

is a sequel to

Phantasy Star Universe

on the PS2. The PSP game was popular enough to warrant a sequel, though neither game has ever been ported to other systems. The sequel even features a multiplayer mode. The PSP was one of the first consoles with in-depth online functionality, so it was great to see games take advantage of it.

For anyone yearning for the older style of

Phantasy Star

, the second, third, and fourth entries are available on the PSP as a part of the

Sega Genesis Collection

. The first entry came out on the Sega Master System but is available on the PS3 in

Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection

. For a more modern online experience, play

Phantasy Star Online 2

, which has been out in Japan for years but only made it to the west in 2020

Why Play Phantasy Star Portable

Despite its lackluster story,

Phantasy Star Portable

becomes an enjoyable dungeon-crawler courtesy of its action-packed full-3D combat and deep customization. Customizing one’s classes and equipping a multitude of different weapons can give players a different way of clearing dungeons, with the techniques in the Action Pallete giving characters unique combo options to spice up the action.

3


Wild Arms XF

The

Wild Arms

series had its best time on the original PlayStation, but it still lived on past Sony’s first console. Where the series mainly dabbled in turn-based RPGs,

Wild Arms XF

is a tactical RPG. The genre made a nice home for itself on the console.

This was the last game released in the

Wild Arms

franchise, though developer Media Vision is still going strong, making renowned JRPGs like

Valkyria Chronicles

. In addition to this PSP-exclusive game, players can also play the original on the PSP as a PS1 classic.

Why Play Wild Arms XF

The only setback to

Wild Arms XF

‘s decent story is its rather complex gameplay, especially since battles tend to demand players have suitable classes for specific situations or risk losing quickly. The objective-based missions in the game tend to be difficult as well, with even the slightest mistake often prompting a reload. Players looking for a more challenging tactical RPG may consider giving

Wild Arms XF

a shot.

2


Persona 3 Portable

Persona 3


Portable

is indeed a port of a PlayStation 2 game. However, there is enough new content and changes to warrant playing through the game again. Players can now play as a female character, control their allies in combat, and even run into new characters from

Persona 4

and even

Catherine.

Unfortunately, none of these new features were ever brought to other platforms in a port, so be prepared to whip out the PSP for this version of the game.

Why Play Persona 3 Portable

Saving the world after classes has never been cooler in

Persona 3 Portable

, especially with the premise that players must stop the end of the world with schoolmates. The game’s quirky interface, bright visuals, and enemy designs bordering on the uncanny provide an incentive to further immerse oneself in the game. Despite the premise of being a traditional RPG, juggling between the right Personas while exploring a tower with increasingly-difficult dungeons can lead to memorable fights.

1


Valkyria Chronicles 2

The first

Valkyria Chronicles

is a cult classic relatively easy to play today thanks to the PS4 re-release. For those unfamiliar with its unique style, it is a tactical turn-based strategy game with more real-time elements. Every unit gets its turn, but foes will automatically attack characters if they run into their line of sight.

The sequel was only released on the PSP and has yet to receive a port of any kind. Even more unfortunate, the third game never even saw release in the west. Don’t let the portable format make discourage you; the game was still warmly received and a worthy successor. The most recent release,

Valkyria Chronicles 4

, came out on the PS4.

Why Play Valkyria Chronicles 2

On top of its painterly backgrounds and reality-rooted story,

Valkyria Chronicles 2

combines turn-based RPGs and tactical gameplay to form a compact military strategy experience. Its anime graphics don’t harm its compelling strategic experience, especially when things such as trenches, shield generators, and even weather can drastically alter the flow of combat.

​​​​​​​Players who want a more complex RPG that gives a lot of room for combat flexibility should give

Valkyria Chronicles 2

a shot.

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