There are JRPGs for every type of person, from JRPGs for those who love Studio Ghibli films to ones for players who prefer the old school style of turn-based pixel art adventuring. Fortunately, developers are making JRPGs for all types of players, with indies preferring the more old-school design, while AAA ones offer bombastic story-driven extravaganzas.
CrossCode (2018)
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
CrossCode is a single-player JRPG about a girl named Lea with amnesia who finds herself inside of an MMO. The entire story, which can take upwards of 80-hours to beat, revolves around this MMO, but more broadly, the people playing it and the mystery surrounding Lea. It’s a compelling narrative, one that runs alongside the story of the MMO as well, and is used well to sell the engaging cast of characters players will meet along the way.
When it comes to gameplay, players must adventure across vast open areas, solve puzzles, fight enemies, venture into surprisingly challenging dungeons, and do a plethora of MMO-style fetch quests if they want. They’ve also got a robust combat system to engage with that expands and grows across the entire runtime making sure it never gets old. All of this culminates in an amazing JRPG that is sure to stay with players long after they’ve beaten it and rightfully warrants it a place as one of the best indie JRPGs available.
Bloomtown: A Different Story (2024)
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Bloomtown: A Different Story is a 2024 indie game from the folks behind Graveyard Keeper that’s a blend between Persona 5 and Earthbound with a smattering of Stranger Things for good luck. It features social sim elements, turn-based combat to a jazzy soundtrack, gardening, monster collecting, and a story about children going missing in a mysterious dimension called the Underside. It manages to blend all the best elements of its influences while still offering something entirely new.
Bloomtown: A Different Story is also a relatively lengthy adventure, taking anywhere between 20 and 50 hours to beat, giving players plenty of value for their money. There are dozens of monsters to collect and fuse, collectible vinyls to find, and various minigames to play through. Its stunning visuals and incredible soundtrack complete the overall package, making this an indie JRPG well worth checking out.
Sea of Stars (2023)
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Sea of Stars is easily the definitive modern-old-school JRPG that’s perfect for those craving the JRPGs of yesteryear. Its gorgeous pixel art visuals, sweeping storyline, expansive world, and soundtrack by Eric W. Brown and guest composer Yasunori Mitsuda of Chrono Trigger and Xenoblade Chronicles fame, give it a nostalgic yet modernized and accessible feel. Players will explore a huge overworld, embark on an epic adventure, and take down enemies in challenging turn-based combat throughout the 30-hour story.
It is still being supported, with a huge free DLC coming to Sea of Stars adding a lot of new content and a whole new storyline for players to enjoy. It’s no wonder then that Sea of Stars reviewed so well and continues to be a fan favorite among the JRPG community. While there are plenty of other JRPGs that offer a similar experience, such as Chained Echoes, Sea of Stars really stands out as the best of the bunch.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom (2018)
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom still remains the best JRPG for Studio Ghibli lovers. It offers a heartwarming and whimsical story full of adventure told through the stylings and art direction that Studio Ghibli is famous for. While it had much less involvement in making the sequel, Ni No Kuni 2’s improved mechanics and more varied gameplay make it the better experience of the two.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is still readily accessible for those who would prefer a more traditionally Ghibli experience. It was made with the direct involvement of Studio Ghibli, unlike the second game.
It has one of the best soundtracks in JRPG history, thanks to long-time Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi, as well as frenetic combat that’s sure to delight those who are sick of turn-based battles. Ni No Kuni 2 makes the most of its gorgeous visuals by letting the player explore a densely detailed overworld and gorgeous cities. It truly is a delightful game and perfect for those who want a slightly more family-friendly JRPG.
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… (2021)
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
NieR Replicant ver. 1.22474487139… – henceforth referred to as NieR Replicant for brevity’s sake – is a complex yet ultimately incredibly fulfilling JRPG and the perfect example of a great remake. It massively updated the original experience with improved visuals and quality-of-life features, bringing back a largely overlooked JRPG experience. Its story is beautifully told across its lengthy runtime, with gorgeous cutscenes, art direction, and phenomenal voice acting.
However, it’s important to note that in order to get the most out of the game, players must unlock every ending in NieR Replicant, as they build upon the themes, characters, and story in significant and meaningful ways. Of course, it’s absolutely worth putting in the effort to get them all, much like in the sequel NieR Automata, and players will be grateful they have. This may not be for everyone, simply because of its complexity, but it is a genuinely breathtaking JRPG and well worth the investment for those who have the patience for it.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon (2020)
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
It is still mesmerizing that the Yakuza franchise got a turn-based JRPG entry inspired by the Dragon Quest games, and yet here Yakuza: Like a Dragon stands with a full-blown sequel under its belt to boot. This completely revolutionized the Yakuza franchise, giving players something they never thought to expect, and ending up as one of the best entries in the Yakuza series. It switches the action-packed combat of the original games for thrilling turn-based battles while retaining much of the Yakuza magic.
This is the perfect jumping on point for newcomers to the franchise as it introduced an entire new area to the Yakuza franchise as well as a new protagonist. It is, for the most part, divorced from the original Yakuza games, although it does feature references and characters. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the definitive JRPG for those looking for something more grounded, violent, and still full of whacky fun.
Dragon Quest 11 (2017)
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Whereas Sea of Stars took the old school JRPG formula and revived it almost verbatim, aside from some modern quality-of-life changes, Dragon Quest XI offers a fully modernized version of that formula with gorgeous 3D visuals, large open-areas, and a fully voiced narrative. It still retains a lot of the magic that made older JRPGs so compelling, with its largely unchanged turn-based combat and exploration, but makes it far more approachable for a modern audience. What makes DQ XI so compelling is its colorful cast of characters who feel fleshed out and believable, making the adventure so much more immersive.
There are also genuine emotional stakes that help carry the narrative along and ensure the player never feels bored. The huge amount of variety in enemy types also keeps combat from feeling stale, as do the epic boss fights. Dragon Quest XI is the perfect game for those who grew up on JRPGs, those looking for something a little more simple, or those who just thoroughly love the Dragon Quest series.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024)
Platforms: PS5
This list simply wouldn’t be complete without at least some mention of Final Fantasy, and what better game to play in 2024 than the epic Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Adapting the middle section of the original Final Fantasy VII, this is a huge JRPG packed with so much gameplay for fans to sink their teeth into, as well as one of the most emotional narratives in JRPG history. It’s a satisfying game in its own right, but is obviously best played after enjoying the amazing Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth still remains one of the best open-world JRPGs currently available, with its sprawling landscapes and lush verdant valleys just begging to be explored. There’s so much side content crammed into every nook and cranny, from card minigames to monsters to hunt, giving those who crave a lot of distractions plenty to enjoy. This is easily the most triple-A feeling JRPG available, and a perfect jumping-on point for those more accustomed to open-world RPGs looking to make the jump.
Persona 5 Royal (2019)
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
As frustratingly outdated as some of Persona 5 Royal can feel, at least in terms of its story, there is so much to love about this social sim JRPG that it’s hard not to continue recommending it. From its undeniably impeccable style to its enthralling narrative packed full of interesting characters, Persona 5 Royal really feels like it’s got it all. The whole package is made even more compelling thanks to the massive upgrades and improvements the Royal version made to the base game.
At the very least, JRPG enthusiasts should give its soundtrack a listen, as its easily one of the most unique in the genre. With the Persona 5 Royal Nintendo Switch port proving to be phenomenal, there is a way to play it for practically every type of gamer. Furthermore, thanks to its more grounded approach to storytelling, it serves as a good starting point for JRPG newbies.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (2022)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Frankly, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is one of the best JRPGs ever made, a masterclass in game design and storytelling with some of the best directed cutscenes and music in the entire genre. While its contentious predecessor surpasses it in some areas, XBC3 evolved the series in surprising ways, giving it a far darker tone narratively, as well as greatly expanding its approach to exploration. It features huge open areas that are as dynamic as they are varied, with each one crammed full of engaging side quests.
It is the main quest of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 that is likely to grip players as it tells the sweeping story of Noah and the mysterious world he inhabits. To spoil any of it would be a disservice to those yet to experience it, but rest assured, it’s a truly emotional and groundbreaking JRPG narrative that’s incredibly memorable. Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s only downside is that it’s locked to the Nintendo Switch, but for those who have one, it’s a must-play.
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