The PS1 and PS2 had a vast library of RPGs between turn-based, action, and tactical titles from both the West and Japan. The PS3 was a bit of a downgrade in terms of its library. Sonny struggled next to the Xbox 360 as developers took a while to figure out the PS3’s internal capabilities.
Eventually, there were some good turn-based JRPGs on the PS3 like Final Fantasy 13, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, and Persona 5. More so than the turn-based sub-genre, action JRPGs burned brighter than ever before on the PS3. Let’s go through the best and rank their overall quality.
8 Nier
Rough, But Unique
Nier
- Released
- April 27, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Cavia
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Toylo Engine [Note 1]
- Franchise
- NieR
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 22 Hours
The first Nier is a bit rough around the edges compared to NieR: Automata. Most games in the overall Drakengard series can be described this way. However, what sets them all apart from other action RPGs are the stories and music with Nier being a top candidate. Right away players will be thrown off as an older man defends a young child against monsters in the future, only for things to go into a fantasy world. Said world is semi-open without much to do but around and attack stuff. The action gameplay is sound, but players will be more thrilled with the character progression of the party.
7 Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3
Cel-Shaded Perfection
Nier
- Released
- April 27, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Cavia
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Toylo Engine [Note 1]
- Franchise
- NieR
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 22 Hours
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 is the finest Musou game on the PS3 and one of the best Gundam games overall. It features dozens of seasons from the anime, each displaying countless heroes and mechs to assume control over. It’s the only game in the franchise to feature cel-shading which helps it stand out from other Musou games of this era and fits the anime vibe. Go on missions, attack hundreds of enemies, level up, and repeat. It’s the perfect game for Gundam fans on the PS3 and it’s a shame there hasn’t been a modern remaster.
6 Dragon’s Dogma
Capcom’s More Medieval Monster Hunter
Dragon's Dogma
- Released
- May 22, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
Capcom has been making Monster Hunter games since 2004. In 2012, they made something new in vaguely the same RPG territory. Dragon’s Dogma was an open-world action RPG that was hard as nails and perhaps a bit complicated for many to understand.
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Open-world games on the PlayStation 3, like Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows and The Saboteur, deserve more appreciation from gamers.
Players could create their character and fellow party members and adventure into a fantasy world filled with mythological creatures like chimeras. The bigger monsters could be mounted and slain, making it feel more immersive and risky at the same time.
5 Eternal Sonata
A Musical Dream
Eternal Sonata
- Released
- September 17, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- tri-Crescendo
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- How Long To Beat
- 30 Hours
Eternal Sonata is one of the weirdest RPGs on the PS3 and it all begins with the real-life composer, Chopin. On his dying bed, he starts to hallucinate which eventually transports him to a fantastical land similar to an Isekai premise. Most of the party members he befriends are named after musical themes like Beat and Jazz. In battle, a meter will tick down and players have free range to move and attack enemies until it is depleted. While depressing since the game is ultimately about death, the cheery vibes of the world will help players forget about the grim dark fate of Chopin.
4 Yakuza 4
Diversifying The Heroes
Eternal Sonata
- Released
- September 17, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- tri-Crescendo
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- How Long To Beat
- 30 Hours
Yakuza 4 was a big deal in the franchise because it no longer featured just Kazuma as the hero. There were three other characters that players could assume the roles of: Masayoshi, Shun, and Taiga. These four stories eventually came together in a satisfying and dramatic conclusion. The gameplay was just as brutal as ever as players could explore Kamurocho and slam punks into walls or bash their heads in with objects like bikes or couches. As dramatic as it was, Yakuza 4 was still pretty goofy too thanks to the side quests.
3 Demon’s Souls
The Birth Of A New Genre
Demon's Souls
- Released
- October 6, 2009
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Computer Entertainment, Atlus, Namco Bandai
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 29 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Demon’s Souls was a stealth hit and neither Atlus nor Sony could have predicted the impact it would have when it came to the West. Panned by some, and praised by others, it was a polarizing action RPG to be sure. Those who got it really understand what FromSoftware was trying to do though.
It was brutal beyond belief but patient warriors were rewarded with some of the best moments on the PS3. Thanks to its moderate success, FromSoftware would go on to make Dark Souls and solidify the Soulslike genre that has been dominating the industry since 2009. It is rough around the edges to be sure, but still a classic that opened up new doors.
2 Dragon’s Crown
Remembering Dungeons & Dragons Arcade Games
Dragon's Crown
- Released
- August 6, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Vanillaware
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus, NIS America
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
Dragon’s Crown was a throwback to the Capcom-made Dungeons & Dragons games they made for arcades in the 90s. Dragon’s Crown was 2D, featuring a few characters to play which represented classic RPG classes like mages and warriors. Players could go into dungeons alone or with three other friends. The game even connected to the PS Vita for some crossplay action. With multiple characters to choose from, tons of loot to collect, and secrets to uncover in every level, it was one of Vanillaware’s finest of this era. It’s still a fun co-op game to go back to.
1 Tales Of Xillia
So Good, They Made A Sequel
Tales of Xillia
- Released
- August 6, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
Tales of Xillia is one of the best games in the series which was starting to feel a little stale in this era. Players could choose to play as either Milla or Jude, but both characters were part of the story regardless. The perspective and choices just shifted a bit. Like Final Fantasy 10, players could explore an interconnected world instead of traveling across a world map. While this disheartened some, it was the right move to freshen the series up. Besides that rejuvenation, the battle system was faster than ever, offering tons of moves for each party member and a link system that allowed players to perform slick combos. The game was well-reviewed enough to grant it a direct sequel which should say something.
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