A Brief Guide to Unique and Unconventional RPGs Available on PS5 and PS4

Sure, let’s dive in, shall we? PlayStation’s been like this magnet for RPG aficionados. I mean, there was that odd phase back in the 2000s where everything seemed brown and “realistic,” whatever that means. But seriously, RPGs have just found their home here. Everyone screams “Final Fantasy,” like it’s the only game in town, but that’s just a tiny sip of the ocean. Tactics, action-packed stuff—yeah, it’s all there. Think Tales series, or maybe something tactical like Divinity. PS platforms have been this buffet of RPG goodness.

So, what do we do with this knowledge? Let’s peek at some cool options you might have missed. We’ve got stuff like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—what a name, right? And stuff like Legends of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak, mingling with the oddball Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Even RAIDOU Remastered rings a bell. Future releases? Yeah, they’re lurking—Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road and Super Robot Wars Y are coming in hot. Feels good to explore, doesn’t it? All on PSN. You can find some gems there if you check it out.

SaGa Emerald Beyond takes the cake for being different. Kawazu’s genius at work here with stuff that’s hard to put into words. Campaigns range from blink-and-you-miss-it to epic journey status. The variety is head-spinning, but hey, different strokes for different folks!

Visions of Mana? Yeah… it’s one to chew over, especially if you know its backstory. Takes a bit before it unfolds, and when it does? Boom! You’re immersed. It’s got heart and soul, for sure.

Jumping over to the Fuga series, where you cruise around this beautifully sketched world in, wait for it—a tank! The child-catapulting thing is… well, unique, let’s just say that. The trilogy finally wraps up, and it’s part of the wider Little Tail Bronx universe. Dig into that if you’re curious.

Live A Live? Might not be so niche anymore, but it’s got its hooks in me. Play through different genres, each like a mini adventure. Space horror, tournament arcs, and those final chapters—gotta say, quite a ride.

Strangers of Paradise… I know, I know, stop snickering! Hear me out. Even with its rough entry, it’s now genuinely stealing hearts. Characters are so well-written; Jack’s up there with Zidane and Cloud. Seriously wasn’t expecting to love it, but here we are.

Then there’s Moon, aka the “anti-RPG.” It’s quirky, influential, reminds me how much it shaped stuff like Undertale. Be ready to use a guide – it’s one of those.

Kowloon High-School Chronicle… It’s this old-school dungeon crawler. Once trapped in Japan, thankfully now free! Got that mysterious dungeon vibe and relationship drama—classic late ’90s, early 2000s anime game stuff. If that tickles your fancy, Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi calls.

Captain Tsubasa’s a joyful curveball. A soccer anime RPG, believe it or not. It’s much more emotional than you’d guess, even if you’re clueless about soccer or the anime. Miracles happen, folks.

“Chrono Cross ain’t niche!” I hear you yell, and you’re right. But it owns its quirks. Some stuff falls flat, sure, but the story, those tunes? Pure gold. Cannot resist mentioning Kid—just love that character.

Lastly, say hi to Resonance Of Fate 4K/HD Edition. Slice of life meets gun-fueled action. Characters Vashyron, Zephr, and Leanne pull you into this wild ride where fashion’s king. It goes places—you gotta see it to believe.

And that’s just scratching the surface of this deep, magical RPG land. So many paths, so little time. But hey, I’m all ears – any faves you’d throw into the mix? Hit the comments below!