This Underrated PS2 Game Deserves a Remake More Than Persona

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The PlayStation 2 is fondly remembered for its amazing collection of role-playing games, with titles like Persona and Final Fantasy leading the way. These games really sparked my passion for the genre, and the console hosted a ton of other creative and unique RPGs. While it’s great to see some of these older games getting remade now, I think we should be focusing on the lesser-known titles. There are so many hidden gems that deserve attention and could be just as popular as the classics.

As fans discuss which Persona game deserves a remake, another Atlus title deserves attention: Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity. Though largely forgotten, this unique strategy RPG would be perfect for a modern update in 2026. It blends influences from classics like The Lord of the Rings and Xenogears, creating a distinctive look that could truly stand out with updated visuals, and showcase the quality of Atlus games beyond the Persona series.

Stella Deus Feels Like Persona Meets Final Fantasy Tactics

Released towards the end of the PlayStation 2’s lifespan, Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity was a unique RPG from Atlus that combined several familiar ideas. It was a tactical role-playing game, much like Final Fantasy Tactics, with battles taking place on grid-based maps where strategy – including positioning and turn order – was key. The game also borrowed elements from Persona, featuring engaging characters and social interactions.

What really set Stella Deus apart was its focus on characters and their relationships, built on top of its existing game mechanics. Even before many recent games made character interactions a central feature, Stella Deus heavily emphasized how the characters connected with each other. Your choices in conversations and how the story unfolded changed how characters felt about one another, impacting both the story’s direction and how well they fought as a team.

The game’s atmosphere blended classic fantasy strategy with the character-focused stories Atlus became famous for. While the world was dark, it wasn’t hopeless, and the characters felt realistic even within a fantastical setting. For fans of later Atlus games like Persona, Stella Deus offers a glimpse into the company’s developing design approach and feels like a key early work.

Its Deep Narrative And Engaging Gameplay Need A Remake

What really stands out about Stella Deus is its powerfully dark and complex story. It delves into difficult topics like war, faith, and making tough choices, but avoids portraying characters as simply good or evil. Instead, the characters grapple with their own flaws, beliefs, and loyalties, and their decisions often feel realistically human, not overly heroic. This approach reminds me of games like Xenogears – RPGs that try to offer something more thought-provoking than the usual gaming experience.

I’m still amazed by how well this game plays, even now! The battles really make you think – you need to plan things out, build a team that works well together, and be ready to change your strategy on the fly. What I really appreciated was that, unlike a lot of similar games from that era, you didn’t have to spend forever grinding just to get stronger. It felt like the game wanted you to learn how to play, not just overpower everything. As a huge fan of games like Final Fantasy Tactics and Fire Emblem, I immediately fell in love with it – the combat just clicked with me from the very beginning.

As a long-time fan, I think a remake of this game could be amazing! They could really polish what’s already great without changing what makes it special. Things like a better user interface, quicker battles, and more helpful tutorials would make it way easier to get into. And honestly, the art style and atmosphere are already fantastic – with updated graphics, they could really shine. Atlus has shown with other recent releases that people are hungry for these older titles, and unlike Persona, this game doesn’t need to be constantly rebooted to stay relevant. It just needs a little love!

A PS2 Classic Forgotten To Time

Although Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity was initially popular with players, it never got a follow-up game and has since been largely forgotten. Atlus, the company behind it, decided to concentrate on more commercially successful series like Persona. It’s a shame, considering how innovative Stella Deus was for its time. The game combined strategic battles with a strong focus on characters, a formula that’s now common in many games, but which Stella Deus pioneered years ago.

This game was incredibly ambitious, perfectly capturing the spirit of the PlayStation 2 era by focusing on intricate gameplay rather than being easy to pick up. I really enjoyed it and was eager for a follow-up, but unfortunately, a sequel never happened. It ended up being one of those overlooked gems that deserved more recognition. While the Persona series never really appealed to me, even though it’s much more well-known, Stella Deus felt like it was made specifically for my tastes.

With so many games being remade these days, Stella Deus is one that really deserves a second look. It’s not just about reliving the past; this PS2 classic was genuinely influential in the way RPGs are designed today. If Atlus is searching for overlooked gems beyond their biggest successes, Stella Deus should be a priority. While it’s been twenty years since the original release and a remake seems unlikely, I’m still hoping it gets one.

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2026-01-09 21:13