The PS Vita wasn't a blockbuster hit for Sony, but it found a dedicated fan base drawn to Sony's second handheld venture. Its strong suit lay in the impressive assortment of games, particularly appealing to RPG enthusiasts. The device boasted a rich catalog of role-playing games, featuring both exclusives and titles originally designed for home consoles. Notably, these weren't obscure or lesser-known games; many regarded the RPGs on the PS Vita as some of the best ever created.
1. Persona 4 Golden
The Persona series stands tall as one of the most cherished RPG franchises in existence. Persona 4, a standout on the PlayStation 2, is revered as one of the series' finest installments. It was inevitable for an expansion to emerge, and thus came Persona 4 Golden. This rendition continues Yu's tale as he transitions from city life to the rural setting, unexpectedly becoming embroiled in solving local murder cases.
Incorporating its signature mix of RPG and simulation components, Persona 4 Golden amplifies the original narrative with fresh characters, Personas, attire, and additional cutscenes, expanding the already compelling storyline.
2. Final Fantasy 10/10-2
While enjoying a fun deviation within the series is great, nothing quite compares to the impact of a primary installment in the Final Fantasy franchise. The PS Vita gained recognition for hosting several ports, including the combined release of Final Fantasy 10/10-2 originally from the PlayStation 2 era.
The initial game, Final Fantasy 10, acquaints players with the realm of Spira and follows Tidus on his quest to vanquish a creature known as Sin. Subsequently, Final Fantasy 10-2 continues the narrative post the first game, placing the player in command of Yuna as she endeavors to locate Tidus. Though not exclusively tailored for the PS Vita, these games undeniably rank among the finest RPGs available for the platform.
3. Odin Sphere Leifthrasir
The beloved PlayStation 2 classic found its place on the PS Vita in the form of a remake called Odin Sphere Leifthrasir. Set in the fictional realm of Erion, the game unfolds amidst a colossal conflict between the nations of Ragnanival and Ringford, each vying for control of the potent Crystallization Cauldron.
Odin Sphere Leifthrasir delves into the narratives of five characters entwined with the war and a looming catastrophe, the Armageddon, threatening to devastate the continent. This game is a side-scrolling beat-em-up infused with RPG elements, all of which have been significantly enhanced in the remake.
4. Rogue Legacy
When considering the top RPGs for the PS Vita, it's difficult to overlook how the handheld transformed Rogue Legacy. Although fundamentally a platformer, this game incorporated roguelike features, propelling it into the realm of distinctive indie RPGs.
Rogue Legacy's core concept involves navigating a procedurally generated dungeon, seeking treasure, battling foes, and confronting five bosses. Upon the demise of a hero, players select from three descendants, each stepping into the shoes of their fallen predecessor.
5. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II
A title developed by Nihon Falcom, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II, constitutes the seventh installment within the Trails subseries, nestled within the broader Legend of Heroes franchise. Set just a month subsequent to the conclusion of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel, the protagonist Rean Schwarzer and his companion Valimar flee, only to discover themselves embroiled in the midst of the Erebonian civil conflict, endangering Rean's loved ones.
Similar to its precursor, the gameplay centers on turn-based combat, with this sequel tracing Rean's global journey. Choices made in the previous game significantly influence the unfolding events in this installment.
6. Atelier Totori Plus: The Adventurer Of Arland
Another game that made its way to the PS Vita following its debut release, Atelier Totori Plus: The Adventurer of Arland stands as the twelfth installment in the Atelier series and marks its initial release on the PS Vita platform.
Set five years subsequent to the occurrences in its forerunner, Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland, The Adventurer of Arland commences with Totori, a young girl in search of her vanished mother. Under Rorona's tutelage in alchemy, Totori harnesses these skills on her global quest to locate her believed-to-be-alive mother.
7. Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines
It's fantastic when an old game gets a remaster, but it's even more thrilling when that game resurfaces with a sequel after almost 15 years—just like Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines did, following the 1999 PlayStation title Ore no Shikabane o Koete Yuke.
Taking place a century after the original, the sequel focuses on a cursed family gearing up to confront a demon. Players engage in battles against foes to accumulate points, vital for sustaining the bloodline across future generations.
8. Muramasa Rebirth
It's rare to find numerous side-scrolling RPGs, yet Muramasa Rebirth stands as one. Initially released for the Wii as Muramasa: The Demon Blade, it later received an exclusive remaster for the PS Vita a few years down the line.
Taking place in Japan's Edo period, the primary storyline of Muramasa Rebirth follows two protagonists and their connections to the Demon Blades—samurai swords that possess their wielders. Additionally, the game includes four distinct tales rooted in Japanese folklore, presented as the Genroku Legends.
9. Dungeon Travelers 2
Dungeon Travelers 2 has an unusual origin, emerging from a series of Japanese visual novels primarily centered on romance rather than other themes. While it retains some suggestive elements, this game diverges from its predecessors as a dungeon-crawling adventure.
In the Kingdom of Romulea, an unexpected monster invasion unfolds, prompting the player's party to intervene and halt their ongoing havoc. This game embodies a traditional turn-based RPG while incorporating essential features characteristic of the dungeon crawler genre, including treasure acquisition and traversing intricate pathways.
10. Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited
For years, Nippon Ichi Software, often referred to as NIS, has been a prominent RPG developer. Among its renowned franchises is Disgaea, a tactical RPG series that is on the verge of its seventh installment release.
One of NIS's standout Vita RPGs is Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited. The game unfolds in the Netherworld, casting players into the role of Valvatorez, a vampire determined to challenge the established authority, particularly President Hugo. While maintaining its traditional turn-based combat, the game introduces a new mechanic allowing characters to lift and combine forces with each other.
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