25 Years Later, This PlayStation 2 RPG Is A 10/10 Masterpiece That Has Aged Beautifully

Published Sep 20, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Tom Wilson is a Gaming Features Writer at Screen Rant. Over the past five years, Tom has worked as the Editor-in-Chief at The Game Crater, as a Staff Writer for GamingIntel, a List Writer at TheGamer, and, of course, as a Senior Writer at ScreenRant. Tom has experience writing reviews, guides, news, and features, and has been responsible for teams of writers, training them and editing their work.

Tom graduated with a Masters in Multimedia Journalism, and has since gone on to build up his portfolio of games journalism work.

The PlayStation 2 played host to some of the very best games of the era, many of which remained classics for some time after. However, for the most part, while the aesthetic, penchant for vivid colors, and level of ingenuity on display are still admirable to this very day, the vast majority of PS2 titles haven't aged all that well. Indeed, the era is synonymous with simpler mechanics and bold ideas, a combination that does feel somewhat refreshing by today's bloated standards, but is nevertheless not congruent with worthwhile replays.

Yet, among all the worst-aged PlayStation 2 titles, there stands an RPG that absolutely still holds up today. From a visual perspective and a gameplay one, this RPG is a true masterpiece, one that should undeniably inspire future titles with its innovative ideas and unique style. If you have somehow skipped this legendary PS2 gem, then now is the best time to play, not least because it has been ported and remastered for practically every available system.

This PlayStation 2 RPG Still Holds Up Today

There were certain PS2 RPGs that everyone seemed to own in the 2000s. Of course, chief among them was Kingdom Hearts, a series of games that were undeniably ambitious, head-scratchingly frustrating at times, and understandably incredibly popular. However, while they have all aged relatively well and remain gorgeous titles thanks to their close collaboration with Disney, Kingdom Hearts simply cannot hold a candle to the PlayStation 2's greatest RPG of all time: Final Fantasy X.

It is hard to believe that Final Fantasy X is among the handful of PlayStation 2 games turning 25 in 2026. Playing it today certainly doesn't feel like switching on a contemporary AAA title, but it also doesn't feel like you're venturing too far into the past, its hyper-stylized visuals and striking color palette showcasing a game way ahead of its time, the stunning skyboxes burning with vibrant oranges as the sunset sears a hole in the sky, drenching the sapphire waters and tropical beaches of FFX's Spira in a mesmerizing glow.

Mechanically, Final Fantasy X has also aged remarkably well. Sure, Blitzball continues to be a frustrating mess, a minigame that makes absolutely no sense to anyone outside of those who've invested thousands of hours into mastering it. However, outside of that, its fluid, tactical, and fast-paced turn-based battles, enjoyable exploration, and emotionally impactful cutscenes all feel largely contemporary, capable of going toe-to-toe with the vast majority of JRPGs launching today.

Final Fantasy X Is An RPG Masterpiece

Of course, it is easy for me, someone who is inherently biased toward loving Final Fantasy X, to say that it feels timeless. Were I to remove my rose-tinted glasses, it's clear that there are elements of FFX that don't feel particularly modern (the aforementioned Blitzball and its random encounters included). However, while it would be ridiculous to state that FFX still plays like a modern game, it is undeniably true that Square Enix's masterpiece has aged wonderfully.

This is a title that was ahead of the curve when it launched, a game that has proven repeatedly with each port and remaster that its story, gameplay, and visuals were all leagues above what was on offer and continues to be at the forefront of JRPG innovation 25 years later. It was also one of the last truly great Final Fantasy games (the MMOs not included). While 12 has its fans, 13 proved to be a disastrous overcorrection, and 15 more so. I'd also argue that FF16 also doesn't come close to being as engaging or fun as FFX.

One can only hope that Square Enix eventually returns to this era of Final Fantasy games (something it has perhaps shown a potential for with the 2D pixel art title, Final Fantasy: Resonance), as they are sorely missed. There's something about Final Fantasy X's goofy earnestness, its beautiful world and gorgeous use of vivid colors, its ability to be playful and gripping and somber all at the same time, that makes it so endearing and compelling. Final Fantasy X is truly the best RPG on the PlayStation 2, and easily one of the best RPGs of all time.

Systems