I love the classics, but I REALLY love the feeling of discovering something that feels a little more hidden or delving down someone’s absolute favorite game that they don’t get to talk about with many people.
I don’t have many to throw in the discussion, Lost Kingdom 2 for Gamecube is unique and I don’t hear it get brought up /too/ often. What are your hidden gems? :o
Not sure if this one qualifies anymore, but Suikoden 2 didn’t get much love on initial release. It’s since gotten better reviews, and is finally getting a remaster. But it’s a great PS1-era RPG - good story, goofy with serious moments, varied combat options, and you get a castle that can be upgraded by recruiting all 106 (I think) characters.
Star Ocean 2 got a bit more attention at release, but I still feel like I’m the only person that played it. Another PS1-era RPG, it has an early active combat system more akin to modern RPGs. Star Ocean has kinda gone off the rails since, but 2 still holds up.
Alundra, think PS1 Zelda, except much harder.
The Last Story was a Wii RPG - hard to find, but it was surprisingly good.
Drawing blanks for PS2/3 stuff, I feel like everything on there that was good, is known as good. Even Demons Souls found a new life. I guess, if you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and play Final Fantasy X?