For most veteran gamers, the PS1, also known as the original PlayStation, was their first point of contact with gaming. Released in Japan back in December 1994, the PS1 had great exclusives, mesmerizing worlds to explore, and likable characters throughout its life cycle. Naturally, the console’s graphics no longer hold up according to today’s standards. Still, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it forced developers to focus on other non-hardware-limiting aspects, such as gameplay and story.
Similar to today, some of the best PS1 games back in the day were released by AA studios. These developers had more creative freedom than many of their AAA counterparts, which typically had much larger budgets for development and a considerably bigger employee list. To reminisce and revive some timeless classics, here are the best AA games on the PS1.
Related
7 Best PS1 Racing Games, Ranked
The PS1 was home to several popular racing franchises. These games, however, tend to stand above the rest.
7 MediEvil (1998)
Metascore: 67
MediEvil
- Released
- October 21, 1998
- Developer(s)
- SCE Cambridge Studio
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure , Hack and Slash
- Decent weapon selection.
- Sir Dan is quirky and likable.
MediEvil follows the story of Sir Daniel Fortesque. Once the legendary hero of Gallowmere, he awakens in his tomb 100 years after being struck in the eye with an arrow, which caused his death. His mission is to defeat his old nemesis, the evil necromancer Zarok. This game wasn’t just great because of its main character and his quirks, but also because it had a certain air of horror combined with comedy and fun combat mechanics.
For a game of its time, MediEvil has a decent weapon selection, ranging from axes to longbows and throwing daggers. Players can even use Dan’s skeletal arm as a weapon at the beginning of the game.
6 Parasite Eve (1998)
Metascore: 81
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Turn-based combat.
- Biological horror at its finest.
Parasite Eve is set in 1997 in New York City. It follows the story of police officer Aya Brea in a race against the clock to try and stop Mitochondrial Eve, or simply, Eve, a woman whose sole objective is to end humankind by causing people to combust spontaneously.
![Aya Brea Parasite Eve](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/aya-brea-parasite-eve.jpg)
Related
Parasite Eve’s Aya Brea Is Back, But Not How Fans Would Expect
Square Enix surprises fans by bringing back Aya Brea, the beloved character from the cult classic Parasite Eve, although in an unexpected crossover.
This survival horror game has many RPG aspects, such as turn-based combat and an often necessary strategic approach to boss fights. Parasite Eve was so beloved by its fans that it received a sequel in 1999 (Parasite Eve II) and a PSP exclusive release in 2010 (The 3rd Birthday).
5 Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee (1997)
Metascore: 85
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
- Released
- September 18, 1997
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
- Heartwarming story with a noble cause.
- Large variety in environments.
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee follows the story of Abe the Mudokon, who belongs to an alien species with powerful shamanistic magical abilities. While working his job as a floor waxer at RuptureFarms, Abe overhears his evil boss, Molluck the Glukkon, plotting to turn him and his fellow Mudokons into treats to save his failing meat-packing business. As Abe, the player’s mission is to save as many Mudokons as possible, while fighting off angry guards and navigating through challenging environments.
With its large environmental variety and noble main character, this game is a timeless classic that everyone should play at least once. For players who can’t look past older graphics and want a more modern experience, the most recent franchise installment, Oddworld: Soulstorm, might be the way to go. It’s not as good as Abe’s Oddysee, but it’s not terrible either.
4 Alundra (1997)
Metascore: 86
Alundra
- Released
- April 11, 1997
- Developer(s)
- Matrix Software
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Interesting dreamwalking concept.
- Alundra’s character design heavily resembles Link.
When Alundra, a young elf who can enter people’s dreams, is shipwrecked on the outskirts of the village of Inoa, he sets out on a noble mission. The villagers have recurring nightmares that impact their daily lives and affect them negatively in more than one way. In an effort to help, Alundra will do his best to fight off the villagers’ nightmares once and for all.
It’s worth noting that Alundra’s character design and moveset suspiciously resemble those of Link from The Legend of Zelda. However, the game still manages to deliver fun and unique gameplay with challenging bosses, like the Soul Leech.
3 Syphon Filter (1999)
Metascore: 90
Syphon Filter
- Released
- February 17, 1999
- Developer
- Eidetic
- Genre(s)
- Stealth , Third-Person Shooter
- Great stealth-based mechanics for its time.
- Compelling story with a touch of realism.
Led by a top-secret agent, Gabe Logan, Syphon Filter‘s story seems more like a real-world event than a fictional game. After stealing a lethal secret virus, terrorists plan to unleash it on the unsuspecting citizens of the world. It’s Gabe’s mission to frustrate the terrorists’ plans and save humankind from the horrors of biological warfare.
![every syphon filter game](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/every-syphon-filter-game-feature-image.jpg)
Related
Every Syphon Filter Game, Ranked
Syphon Filter is a cult classic franchise, but what is the best game in the series?
This stealth-based game will have players hide and progress through tunnels, open areas, and other environments perfect for a carefully calculated ambush. While Syphon Filter wasn’t the first game of its kind, it helped shape and redefine what, up until that point, was known as a spy game.
2 Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver (1999)
Metascore: 91
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver
- Released
- August 16, 1999
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure , Platformer , Fighting , Puzzle , Adventure
- Great combat mechanics.
- Sinister world design.
Players who played and liked Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain probably also loved its successor, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. Set 1500 years after Blood Omen, this sequel follows the story of Raziel, a former vampire now turned wraith who was executed by Kain. Revived by the world’s all-powerful entity, The Elder God, Raziel becomes the deity’s “Soul Reaver,” the ultimate instrument for revenge.
This underworld-themed beat ’em up has great combat mechanics, interesting lore, and a grim concept and world design that made it stand out from the crowd back in the day.
1 Vagrant Story (2000)
Metascore: 92
Vagrant Story
- Released
- May 15, 2000
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- A complex story that will have players scratching their heads.
- Classic, yet entertaining turn-based combat.
Led by elite agent Ashley Riot, Vagrant Story mainly takes place in the kingdom of Valendia. When Ashley is tasked with discovering the suspicious link between a cult leader and a renowned Duke of Parliament, he will have to go through a nearly infinite set of obstacles and enemies to uncover the truth.
Vagrant Story is not only fun to explore and play, but it also has one of the most complex conspiracy stories in the history of JRPGs. As they progress through the story, players will have a challenging, yet fun time trying to figure out who’s who.
![Forgotten Hack and Slash Games on PS1](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/forgotten-hack-and-slash-games-on-ps1.jpg)
More
6 Forgotten PS1 Hack And Slash Games
For whatever reason, these buried titles couldn’t hack or slash their way through a crowded market.