JRPGs have always been a favored sub-niche within the overall RPG and gaming genre, and over the years has successfully differentiated itself with a few unique and easily identifiable characteristics – sweeping musical overtones, turn-based combat, companions with their own story arcs & bonds; and lengthy but involving story arc. Not all JRPGs compulsorily have each of these elements, but a majority of these characteristics are more than likely to be found. In this list, we have compiled must-play JRPGs for any gaming, and especially RPG fans.
Octopath Traveler 2
| Year | 2023 |
| Platforms | Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
While Octopath Traveler 2 is a sequel, it has a different set of protagonists from the first. There are 8 characters here, and they interact with the world differently, with these interactions also dependant on a night-and-day cycle. Players have a choice as starting with either of the 8 characters, the other characters then become part of the team over the course of the story. The game was received well with 1 million units sold by June 2023.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
| Year | 2024 |
| Platforms | PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S/X |
| Developer | Ryu Ga Gotoku |
| Publisher | SEGA |
Ryu Ga Gotuku first tried their hands at turn-based combat in Yakuza: Like A Dragon; which also introduced a new protagonist in Ichiban Kasuga. In Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, they successfully built upon and improved on the solid foundation of the first game, giving more Jobs and special skills to give depth and fun to combat. In addition, it got in Kazuma Kiryu, the long-time protagonist of the series; 2 sizeable city maps instead of 1, the whacky subquests that the series is known for; and a sweeping, multi-layered story that easily takes 60-70 hours to complete. Little wonder that the final outcome was something that gave the studio their biggest hit, and one of the best, and most unique JRPGs on the list.
Tales of Arise
| Year | 2021 |
| Platforms | PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S/X |
| Developer | Bandai Namco |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco |
Tales Of Arise was the 17th main entry in the much-venerated Tales series, developed and launched with the specific intent of revitalizing the series. It did exactly that, with 3 million sales by early 2024 and a Generally Favorable rating of 87 on Metacritic. The story arc that starts from a small slave camp and eventually keeps expanding to end at planet-altering stakes; and the flashy combat with strong and well-fleshed out companions are rightly considered the highlights of the game, and like any good JRPG, you can easily lose 60-70 hours into Tales Of Arise. The world and story arc were further developed in a well-received DLC as well, ‘Beyond The Dawn’ that takes place a year after the events of the base game.
Final Fantasy XVI
| Year | 2023 (2024- for PC) |
| Platforms | PC, PS5 |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
Final Fantasy XVI, unlike other games in the series, was specifically planned to deliver a more mature, dark fantasy, action RPG experience. The developers also did away with the turn-based combat and streamlined the skill and equipment upgrade system. So while the game plays unlike a typical FF game – it still manages to feel somewhat familiar and identifiable: You ride Chocobos and equip a variety of elemental-based skills and attacks that you obtain from Eikons, but at the same time there are now timed dodges and parries that become important to Stagger enemies, and boss fights not very different from what you would face in a fast-paced soulslike game.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade
| Year | 2020 (for PC: 2021) |
| Platforms | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
Square Enix took a risk remaking the fan favorite Final Fantasy 7 into a 3-part game, but the risk paid off handsomely. The scope of the story was expanded, each setting was lovingly recreated, and the turn based combat was just as exciting and rewarding as in the original. The remake was first announced back in 2015, and the game spent 5 years under development before being finally released to great commercial and critical success: the game managed to sell 3.5 million units within 3 days of launch, and the game currently sits at a Metacritic score of 87. With this in place, Square Enix went on to deliver the second part of the planned trilogy, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth which greatly expanded the things to do; we have, however gone ahead with the PS5 upgrade Final Fantasy 7 Remake – Intergrade as one of the best JRPGs of all time.
Nier Automata
| Year | 2017 |
| Platforms | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch |
| Developer | Platinum Games |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
Nier Automata is a gaming experience that is too good, rich, and unique to give a miss. What makes this one special is the way it combines various genres, and lets the story unfold over multiple playthroughs: one as each of the Androids: 2B, then 9S, and finally as A2. The gameplay at a point in time is hack and slash, then becomes a Metroidvania-type 2D scroller, then becomes a platformer, and so on, and depending on how you play, there are an astounding 26 different endings to the game! All of this, is of course, accompanied by suitably grand orchestral music – one gameplay sequence that has you fighting enemies on a roller-coaster ride in an amusement park, in particular, is an unforgettable experience that makes the game worth it just for that segment.
Dragon Quest XI
| Year | 2019 |
| Platforms | Switch, PS4, PC, Xbox One |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
Dragon Quest XI is the 11th entry in the franchise, and one of its most successful and well-received ones. The game follows the classic and well-established Dragon Quest gameplay loop of exploration and combat, and does that extremely well, and is probably the best example of what a classic JRPG experience plays like. The one that we recommend here is the enhanced version Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age – Definitive Edition, and the game can easily cross the 80-90 hour mark with the endgame activities included.
Persona 5 Royal
| Year | 2019 (2022 – for PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series S/X) |
| Platforms | PS4, PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series S/X |
| Developer | P-Studio |
| Publisher | Atlus / SEGA |
An enhanced version of an already polished game in Persona 5, P5 Royal added more depth, story and dungeons to what is considered as one of the greatest games of all time. The game follows the protagonist Joker – a high school student in Tokyo, as he and his companions explore the ‘Metaverse’ fighting Shadows and various boss enemies at night; and attend school, interact with different NPCs and such activities during day. The gameplay is marked by that distinct visual style Atlus has become known and associated with, pretty intricate turn-based combat, and a storyline that can easily take upwards of 80 hours to complete. The fact that the game is the 3rd highest rated PS4 game on Metacritic speaks of the kind of universal acclaim it received on launch.
Metaphor ReFantazio
| Year | 2024 |
| Platforms | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S/X |
| Developer | Studio Zero |
| Publisher | SEGA, Atlus |
Metaphor ReFantazio is Atlus Studios at the very peak of their considerable game-making power, and combines elements from Persona and Shin Megami, and takes all these systems into a medieval epic fantasy. The end product is something special, with each frame being a visual delight. Everything that you would want and expect in a typical JRPG is present here in spades – the companions, the turn-based combat, various skills and combos, an intricate story, long cutscenes and expositions…and each of this is executed just about perfectly. This is an easy one to recommend not just as among the best JRPGs around, but one of the best games in recent times. The game delivered commercially for Atlus as well, with a million units selling on day 1 itself.
