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Menu[Top 15] Best JRPGs To Play Today
BY: Brandy Batz
With beloved characters, enticing backstories, intense combat battles, the gorgeous composition of music, and the whimsical sensation of magic and adventures, it’s no surprise that JRPGs are a popular style game to play amongst video gaming connoisseurs and casual game players.
The 80s and 90s truly created some fantastic roleplay series and have built a strong creative foundation that lasted for generations. Throughout the years, role-playing games have evolved throughout the time leading to even more in-depth storylines, vivid and memorable characters, and of course beautiful music. What are the best JRPGs to play today?
Well, Gamers Decide has curated a list of wonderful modern JRPGs that are impactful and exciting.
15) Sakuna: Of Rice and Reason
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows
With elements of Stardew Valley and Story of Seasons, Sakuna: Of Rice and Reasons follows a young spoiled Princess, her familiar, and a group of humans while harvesting rice and exploring the Isle of Demons.
As a Stardew Valley fan, I love how fun and silly Sakuna can be. Unlike Stardew Valley though, Sakuna focuses on just a rice crop rather than many different ones.
What Makes Sakuna: Of Rice and Reason One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- There’s an interesting take on Japanese Mythology in which the demons and gods are heavily inspired. Cultivating the perfect crop truly makes a fantastic feeling of success.
14) Bravely Default II
Nintendo Switch
Bravely Default 2 is the third installation of the Brave Default games. With an all-new world, new stories, and a brand new cast of characters, Bravely Default 2 brings a magical experience full of adventures. Following the four main characters, Seth the sailor, Gloria the refugee princess, Elvis the traveling scholar, and Adelle the mercenary into a vivid journey to retrieve the stolen four elemental crystals that can restore peace back into the world of Excilliant.
Bravely Default II has been considered a gem or a struggle, but there are some unique experiences within the gameplay and with the combat style. As the title suggests, you can be "brave" and gain extra move sets during combat or choose "default" to build up defensive turns.
What Makes Bravely Default II One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- Bravely Default II has a gorgeous watercolor art style of a beautiful town and overworld and a combat system that stays true to the name of the title.
13) NieR: Automata
PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
Dive into this post-apocalyptic open world of hack and slash action. A proxy war between human-made Androids and machine army invaders from another world, within a dark atmosphere. 2B, the android protagonist's character design is brilliant and beautiful. Having a powerful blindfolded character that can kick some butt is truly fantastic.
What Makes NeiR: Automata One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- The musical score of NieR: Automata is absolutely stunning with its fine mix of instrumental and vocal tracks.
12) Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Nintendo Switch
In Fire Emblem: Three Houses, there are three schoolhouses aligned to a different nation in the continent of Fódlad. Byleth, the mercenary protagonist, enrolls to become a teacher at the Officers Academy of Garreg Mach Monastery. Depending on the house the protagonist chooses, there will be alternative endings including a secret ending that may occur.I truly enjoyed the anime cutscenes with such fantastic characters along with the magical storyline of the complex world in a tactical-style combat system.
What Makes Fire Emblem: Three Houses One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- The combination of a powerful storyline, magic in an academic setting, strong characters, and about 100 hours of exploring brings Fire Emblem: Three Houses a fantastic edition in the series.
11) Persona 5 Royal
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Persona 5 is set in modern-day Tokyo following a student who had to transfer to a different school due to being falsely accused of assault. That student along with others awaken a mysterious power and end up becoming a group of vigilantes known as the Phantom Thieves of Heart. Personal 5 Royal expands the storyline and adds new locations to make a whole new adventure.
Persona 5 Royal, the enhanced re-release of Persona 5, brings ultimate fun changes and additions. With new characters, detailed backstories of main protagonists, and an added third semester, Personal 5 Royal goes strong with its transformation.
What Makes Persona 5 Royal One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- Persona 5 was already an incredible game, but the new additions of School Life and Phantom life bring entirely new gameplay to the enhancement.
- There are 29 additional songs added to Persona 5 Royal which gives the enhanced edition brand new life.
10) Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Exclusive Age
Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Stadia
In the world of Erdrea, the kingdom of Dundrasil is destroyed by an army of monsters. A baby miraculously survives the attack. An elder named Chalky of the town Cobblestone finds the baby floating down the river and takes the baby into safety. The daughter of the elder takes in the baby. When the baby grows up, the mother tells her child about the truth of their birth and sends him off to meet the king of Heliodor. That child is the protagonist of the story and embarks on a grand adventure. There’s something nostalgic and grand about the Dragon Quest series, with Akira Toriyama’s beloved art style, broad storytelling in each game, and a fantastic array of enjoyable characters. There are many easter eggs from the previous Dragon Quest games to be discovered.
What Makes Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Exclusive Age One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- Dragon Quest XI is available on many consoles to be enjoyed as well as having a 2D option and a 3D option that can bring both a nostalgic and a modern atmosphere.
9) Octopath Traveler
Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Stadia, Windows
Eight characters, with very different backstories and pasts, intertwine their lives for a journey unlike any other. Those eight heroes consist of a cleric, a scholar, a former knight, a dancer, a merchant, a former noble, a traveling apothecary, and a thief. Each dealing with a personal purpose and plan but end up having each other as a great support team to conquer their missions. Playing through each character's backstory while exploring the world of Orstella is entertaining and fun. Innovating battles and completing each mission brings a true JRPG delight.
What Makes Octopath Traveler One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- With strategic and tactical turn-based combat, many characters with unique abilities, and its retro charm makes Octopath Traveler an incredible game.
8) Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Nintendo Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 takes you into the world within a sea of clouds inhabited by giant creatures called Titans and where humans also coexist called Alrest. Join Rex, a treasure collector, who finds himself in a world of adventure after finding a legendary Blade named Pyra and needs Rex to bring her back home to Elysium.You can find the characters Pyra and Mythra on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as downloadable content with a new stage and music.
What Makes Xenoblade Chronicles 2 One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- The Xenoblade series has always been a fantastic JRPG that brings magic and adventure within a fantasy world and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is no different.
7) Monster Hunter: World
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Travel to an unpopulated world as a part of the Researcher Commission to capture and study monsters is the premise of Monster Hunter: World. Joining the expedition to explore the New World to hunt and study the Elder Dragons are the main focus and goal as part of the Fifth Fleet. The player character, who is a hunter and a member of the Fifth Fleet, finds an Elder Dragon and thus the research journey begins.Although Monster Hunter: World may not be easy, filled with complexities and an introduction that may bring more struggles than none, it's a unique and interesting game that provides a great experience with vivid graphics and intense gameplay.
What Makes Monster Hunter: World One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- The multiplayer cooperative mode can bring a different element of fun to this monster-catching game.
6) The Legends of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Stadia
The fourth and final installment of the Trails of Cold Steel series brings a traditional JRPG with a turn-based combat style and features from the earlier titles like mini-games, order, and orbment systems.
Two weeks after the events in Trails of Cold Steel III, which ended in quite the cliffhanger, Trials of Cold Steel will continue the storyline and give a climax that fans of the series ultimately deserve.
What Makes The Legends of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- Although this may be a terrible game for new players of the series, as it could lead to confusement due to being the final arc of the previous games if you are continuing the story The Legends of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV will bring you the closure that you may be seeking.
5) Tales of Berseria
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows
If you are excited for another Tales game that has a happy disposition filled with sunshine and rainbows, then you may want to skip Tales of Berseria. But that would be an absolute shame because Tales of Berseria, even though more dark than its Tales counterparts, brings an in-depth ride of emotions through vengeance and tragedy.Velvet Crowe, the protagonist of Berseria, has a tragic backstory and teams up with three other characters who also have a tragic backstory of their own. But through their self-reflection and teamwork, the crew explores their environment while trying to stay afloat in their world.
What Makes Tales of Berseria One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- Exploring deep into the human heart brings out a tragic tale of storytelling that is extremely unique compared to most other JRPGs.
4) Kingdom Hearts III
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Diving into an experience of magic, mystery, and fun is the twelfth installment of the Kingdom Hearts series. This hack and slash magical adventure of Final Fantasy characters, Disney characters, and KH original characters create a mash-up of fantastic elements and nostalgic memories for players. With gorgeous music, vivid cutscenes and vocal tracks, magical Disney characters, and worlds, it truly feels like you just jumped into a Disney Parks experience without leaving your home.
What Makes Kingdom Hearts III One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- With the continuation of the previous Kingdom Hearts story and arc, there is a lot of emotion and intensity throughout Kingdom Hearts III and getting to visit beloved Disney worlds makes the experience even more incredible.
3) Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen
Windows, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Vita
One day a mysterious masked man named Hakuowlo, unconscious and injured, is found by two girls and their grandmother. Living with his new family, Hakuowlo soon leads a rebellion to defeat the greedy ruler of the village to restore peace within the village.An interesting plot, with dating-style elements, and a tactical combat system had me really enjoying Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen.
What Makes Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- Utawarerumono is a visual novel turn-based tactical game with a broadcast of characters, an anime and manga series, a trilogy of games that can all be enjoyed.
2) Trials of Mana
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows
Trials of Mana is the remake of the 3rd installment of the Mana series. Transformed to a 3D adventure, the story follows six characters with extensive backgrounds who all end up performing the same mission -restore the Mana Tree and defeat the evil Benevodons. I absolutely love the Mana games, and Trials of Mana is no different. With bright and fun characters and gorgeous music, Trials of Mana is certainly a fantastic game.
What Makes Trials of Mana One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- It’s wonderful how the storyline stayed true to the original and expanded on the character's backstories and gameplay.
- Charming and whimsical, there are elements of resemblances like past mana games that bring an incredible sensation of nostalgia.
1) Final Fantasy VII Remake
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
It's no doubt that Final Fantasy hails as one of the most prominent JRPGs in our lives. Final Fantasy VII definitely remade a masterpiece within a previous masterpiece with the reimagining of beloved characters, nostalgic music, and incredible experiences. Even if you are playing Final Fantasy VII for the first time, the adventures and memories within the dystopian cyberpunk metropolis of Midgard will last a lifetime.Enjoyed the game so much and would love a continuation? Well, you're in luck! Keep an eye out for news on Part 2, as the story will continue and expand!
What Makes Final Fantasy VII Remake One Of The Best JRPGs of Today?
- Sometimes remakes of iconic games may not always be worthy of the original gameplay, but Final Fantasy VII Remake truly made an excellent rendition with its new additions and changes of retelling the story.
Well there you have it, Gamers Decide's list of excellent JRPGs that are truly phenomenal to play! Sit back, relax, and have a wonderful time immersing yourself in these pretty fantastic fantasy worlds!
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