7. Wild Arms 2
I’ll never forget the dizzying prologue of Wild Arms 1, where Jack narrowly dodges spikes, collapsing platforms, and spears, instantly throwing me into nonstop action from the very first moment. When I first started Wild Arms 2, I wasn’t sure it could match those standards, but it quickly proved to be just as engaging, offering similarly stylish character introductions, inventive dungeons, and a world that pulls you in from the very start. Wild Arms 2 takes place in a world that blends 1800s aesthetics with advanced technology. The game builds on its predecessor with strategic combat using Arms, force abilities, and crest-based magic. Dungeons and puzzles are well-designed and fun, aided by character-specific tools, while customization through the Personal Skill Shop allows for varied playstyles. Optional areas, sidequests, and secret characters add challenge and replay value. Graphically, it improves on Wild Arms 1 with charming visuals, and stylistically, the game shines in its boss and town introductions. The soundtrack is solid but slightly less memorable than the original. Overall, Wild Arms 2 is not a sophomore slump; it offers a satisfying adventure for fans, despite minor frustrations like the cumbersome radar.
Check out my review of Wild Arms here!
6. Lennus 2
I never expected to enjoy this game, especially after struggling through Paladin’s Quest, but I was quickly engrossed. The story, while containing some cliches, is unique and takes neat, sometimes mature turns, complemented by soothing music that stands out, aside from average battle tracks. Graphics are vibrant, colorful, and distinct, with well-designed sprites, spell animations, and gorgeous battle backgrounds, proving that SNES visuals are capable of aging well. Controls take a short adjustment period but allow fast, intuitive input, and the magic system feels more powerful than basic attacks. Unique mechanics, like the mercenary system, add variety, though they can limit character development if mercenaries are cycled too quickly. Overall, it’s a very solid Japanese-only RPG that deserves attention, and a shame it never came to the States; it should have been an instant classic and outshines Paladin’s Quest in every way.
5. Breath of Fire 2
I didn’t beat Breath of Fire 2 the first time I tried it. But I came back to it in 2011, ready to give it an honest try and have beaten it once more, in 2019, largely on the strength of its story. The plot is deep, with mature themes that explore religion and race, set 500 years after the first game. Players control Ryu, who can transform into various dragons, and assemble a party of nine unique characters with special moves that influence both combat and exploration. The game features colorful sprites, detailed towns, engaging puzzles, and optional mechanics like shamans and town-building that add a lot of depth to the game. While dungeon design is uninspired and battle music can become repetitive, the soundtrack shines during key plot moments and boss encounters. Some systems, like the Shaman mechanic, benefit from careful experimentation. The game gets tougher near the end, but careful preparation pays off. Despite minor flaws and high encounter rates, Breath of Fire 2 delivers a rich, compelling experience and remains a hidden SNES gem for those seeking a deep RPG.
4. Kingdom Hearts 2
I desperately wanted to love Kingdom Hearts, but the janky camera, clunky controls, endless respawning enemies, and obtuse navigation made that incredibly difficult. Kingdom Hearts 2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering more fluid combat, a vastly improved camera, and streamlined exploration while retaining the series’ signature mix of Disney worlds and Final Fantasy. Players guide Sora alongside Donald, Goofy, and other allies through a story that expands on the Keyblade lore, confronts the Heartless and Organization XIII, and introduces intriguing side quests, optional worlds, puzzle piece collection, and Colosseum challenges. While some elements, like AI companions, the dodge roll delay, and certain boss gauntlets, remain frustrating, the game shines with creative Disney-inspired visuals, faithful voice acting from original movie casts, and a soundtrack that evokes the films’ iconic moments. Optional systems like drive forms, summons, item synthesis, and gummi ships add depth without overwhelming, and the combat offers varied strategies. Overall, Kingdom Hearts 2 feels more polished, adventurous, and fun than the first game, making it highly recommended for fans of action RPGs and Disney worlds alike.
3. Lufia 2
I found Lufia to be a charming and approachable RPG, though a little too simple, and it hasn’t aged too well. Lufia 2 may have been overlooked due to its late SNES release, but it’s a gigantic improvement over the first and offers enough engaging content to be worthwhile for retro RPG fans. The story, a prequel to the first Lufia, is generic and focuses on mankind versus the evil Sinistrals. The game improves on RPG conventions of the time with visible on-screen enemies and puzzles integrated into dungeons, making it a thinking person’s RPG, while tools and capsule monsters add strategy and party depth. Optional content, like a100-floor dungeon, four sets of dragon eggs, and rare IP skills tied to equipment, provides hours of challenge, though some elements rely heavily on luck. Graphics and towns are average, with late-game boss sprites standing out. While the music has a few memorable tracks, some repeated themes can be annoying. Despite a typical story and basic character development, Lufia 2’s puzzles, extras, and optional content make it a mentally engaging and solid RPG, offering 50+ hours of gameplay for dedicated players. It’s certainly aged much more gracefully than Lufia 1.
2. Lunar 2
I loved every moment of Lunar: Silver Star Story and was eager to try Eternal Blue when it was first released. At the time, it was a letdown, but in hindsight, after a recent replay, I saw it in a new light. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue is a wonderful game that, with Working Designs’ unique translation, delivers a truly special experience. The game’s quirky humor is a highlight, with many jokes adding charm, and the cut scenes are beautifully animated, enhancing the story, though voice acting and in-game NPC sprites are more dated. While the characters may take time to grow on you, Lucia stands out as particularly charming, and even the more flawed personalities develop redeeming qualities, though some villains, like Ghaleon, feel less threatening than they should be. The battle system is straightforward but requires some strategy with range and positioning, and bosses demand thoughtful preparation rather than brute force. Memorable music, especially town themes, enriches the atmosphere, and the game offers a bonus chapter with extra dungeons and a true ending, along with optional side quests. Overall, Lunar 2 is a memorable and charming PSX-era RPG that every gamer should experience.
Check out my review of Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete here!
Seiken Densetsu 3 (Trials of Mana)
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, Seiken Densetsu 3 was my number-one Japan-only game I was always longing to play, and when a fan translation finally made it accessible, starting it for the first time became one of my favorite gaming memories. It is a worthy successor to Secret of Mana that improves nearly every aspect of the original. The game pushes the SNES to its limits with vibrant, diverse environments, detailed character and enemy sprites, and a dynamic day/night and elemental calendar system. Players control three characters from a choice of six, with battles requiring patience, strategy, and attention to stats, positioning, and enemy weaknesses. While equipment and class upgrades can be tedious due to rare drops and chance-based processes, perseverance is rewarded with powerful gear. Magic plays a key role, offering impressive spell animations and a system tied to intelligence and spirit stats, without the need for grinding magic levels. Character development is stronger than in Secret of Mana, with three distinct story arcs depending on the lead character, and the music enhances every moment, from peaceful town themes to tense boss battles. Despite being skipped for localization in the U.S. due to programming challenges, this instant classic combines deep gameplay, replayability, and engaging design, making it a must-play for SNES and RPG fans.
Check out my review of Secret of Mana here!
Be on the lookout for part 2, where I dive into even more sequels worth playing!
Read my full, detailed reviews for each game on my GameFAQs contributor page here.