Japanese strategy RPGs aren't for everyone, especially for gamers more keen on unloading clips into a nasty assortment of aliens, or perhaps those interested in a more kinetic experience like leaping across building tops. Yet even with so many action-filled options, there are still those that garner great enjoyment out of deliberately moving units across a grid, leveling up as you go and building an army, both big and small, to bring onto the battlefield. I consider myself to be one such gamer; I've loved a fair number of strategy games in the past. But there's almost nothing about Eternal Poison that I like. This is an entirely vapid number, utterly devoid of any personality or substance. I feel bad for anyone that makes the mistake of picking up a copy based on the somewhat charming cover art.
The list is as long as it would take you to grind through Dragon Quest VIII. Here are the best JRPGs on the PlayStation 2.
Good list, kudos for adding Shadow Hearts, Covenant is probably the best Jrpg most people have not played and what an improvement over the first one (plus ties with Koudelka which is an awesome game as well).
I own all 3 of those games with 2 copies of Koudelka on PS1 just in case one of the four discs crapped out on me . Same with Legend of Dragoon. That’s one thing I want Sony to get back into , JRPGs , action and turned based
Yep, they should have at least 1 Japanese studio with 2 teams in it specialize in JRPG.
The amount of time I bring up Covenant when referring to amazing RPGs is astounding.
I wish I had played the other Shadow Hearts games, didn't know there was so many until later in the PS3 generation, at that point they hard to get for a reasonable price. I only got to play Covenant sadly, hopefully they'll all get ported to modern systems at some point.
Take a look at the libraries of your favorite consoles. I guarantee you, other than a handful of fighting games better suited on the Dreamcast, PS2 still has the best, biggest, and most varied library. Literally something for everyone. JRPGs on PS1 and PS2 really were special.
Edit: the article basically just lists every single JRPG on PS2 lol
Gamer Limit writes: "Part of Atlus' 3 big releases for the Holiday Season along with Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 and Luminous Arc 2, Eternal Poison was the one with the least anticipation or hype due to it being a new IP and a strategy-RPG, one of the least popular genres. There was something about Eternal Poison which caught my eye; maybe it was the attractive box art. Developed by Flight-Plan, known for their Summon Night series, their latest RPG to make it to the United States introduces us to medieval, gothic world of Besek filled with unusual demons and great art direction. Atlus' latest strategy games weren't met with praise, but can Eternal Poison change this trend?"
Honest Gamers writes: "Closed minds will find Eternal Poison to be a finely-crafted strategy RPG. Open minds will find a lot more, including fresh takes on familar themes: religion, altruisim, selfishness, and the double-edged nature of justice. I spent a week of vacation playing Eternal Poison. I slept at odd hours, I ate at unusual times, and I even dreamt of battles as I tossed and turned on the couch (my bed was further from the PS2). I developed pain in my right wrist, and still I couldn't get this game out of my veins. Mercifully, after each story appeared to be resolved without any real answers, Eternal Poison revealed one more secret that tied everything together for a true - and satisfying - conclusion".
That's a pretty harsh score. I'm currently enjoying it.
Where are the Xbox fanboys...?
That score is way to harsh. He makes all the problems sound WAY worse then they really are and the only real annoying thing about the game is the lack of health bars over characters and that's about it other then that the game is quite enjoyable.