The Best Japanese Games

Update : Persona 3 Reload added at rank #4.
1

Chained Echoes (2022)

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90
Review score
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Playstation 4 Xbox One Mac OS PC Windows Nintendo Switch Linux

Chained Echoes is an indie JRPG that surprises players with engaging combat, compelling characters, and stellar worldbuilding. It pays homage to classic RPGs and adds clever twists. The turn-based combat system is excellent, requiring strategy and skill upgrades. Well-written characters and a thought-provoking story make the game enjoyable throughout its 30-40 hour runtime. The music perfectly complements the high fantasy setting. Chained Echoes is a fresh and smart adventure that celebrates classic JRPGs while incorporating modern improvements.


What we like:
  • Engaging combat
  • Compelling characters
  • Stellar worldbuilding
  • Thought-provoking story
  • Excellent music
What could be improved:
  • Grindy levelling system

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • mech

2

Persona 5 Royal (2019)

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96
Review score
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Playstation 4 Android PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One Nintendo Switch

Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG that mixes turn-based combat with stealth and puzzles, creating an unbelievably cool and unique gaming experience. You play as a high schooler fighting supernatural forces while balancing everyday activities and relationships. The game features excellent visuals, an outstanding soundtrack, and a well-realized story that deals with some serious teenage issues. With refined mechanics and new additions, Persona 5 Royal is undoubtedly worth playing.


What we like:
  • Well-realized story
  • Unique gameplay loop
  • Top-notch combat system
  • Outstanding soundtrack
  • Multiple meaningful additions
What could be improved:
  • Heavy on dialogue and story
  • Slow start
  • Can be overwhelming

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • dungeon
  • turn-based
  • battle
  • fight
  • combat

3

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (2020)

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93
Review score
Logo of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero Screenshot of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero Screenshot of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero Screenshot of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch PC Windows

The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero is a classic Japanese JRPG that has been localized for the West. Players take control of a team of young police recruits in a major city as they strive to improve the reputation of their force by completing odd tasks for citizens. With impressive visuals and engaging characters, Trails From Zero will provide an enjoyable experience for both newcomers and veterans alike.


What we like:
  • Tactical turn-based combat
  • Dynamic shadows
  • Keyboard & mouse support on PC
What could be improved:
  • Boring side quests
  • PC offers higher frame rate but needs powerful hardware

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • detective
  • battle
  • turn-based

4

Persona 3 Reload (2024)

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88
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Dive into the Dark Hour and awaken the depths of your heart. Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era with cutting-edge graphics and gameplay.


  • rpg
  • japanese
  • remake
  • turn-based
  • jrpg
  • dungeon
  • combat
  • battle
  • dungeon-crawler
  • strategy
  • supernatural
  • classic

5

Star Ocean The Second Story R (2023)

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87
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5

In this science fantasy RPG, choose between Claude or Rena, play through their perspectives, and unlock various endings. Recruit allies and defeat foes in fast paced real-time battles.


  • rpg
  • japanese
  • jrpg
  • remake
  • battle
  • sci-fi
  • dungeon
  • combat

6

Octopath Traveler II (2023)

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84
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox One) (Xbox Series X/s PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5

Octopath Traveler is a stunning homage to 16-bit era JRPGs. It features beautiful art design, nuanced and mature storytelling, complete with 8 unique characters that the player can get to know in their own journeys. Players will also experience a behemoth of an overall narrative, a robust combat system, and plenty of content to explore.


What we like:
  • Homage to 16-bit era JRPGs
  • Beautiful art design
  • Nuanced and mature storytelling
  • Unique characters with personal stories
  • Robust combat system
  • Plenty of content to explore
What could be improved:
  • Can be difficult to navigate the world at points
  • Battles tend to go overlong
  • No visual indication when bosses are weakened or close to death

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • battle

7

METAL GEAR SOLID 2: Sons of Liberty - Master Collection V... (2023)

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94
Review score
Logo of METAL GEAR SOLID 2: Sons of Liberty - Master Collection V...

PC Windows Xbox One

Reintroduce yourself to the plantlike Pikmin and strategic gameplay that this charming series is rooted in. From finding a way home to collecting treasure, Olimar must partner with a parade of Pikmin to survive the harshest of conditions. Both games support optional motion controls for more options when guiding your floral friends.


  • rpg
  • japanese
  • card
  • strategy
  • turn-based
  • jrpg
  • battler
  • truck
  • trading
  • simulation2018
  • pvp
  • cover-ups
  • multiplayer
  • anime

8

Cassette Beasts (2023)

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85
Review score
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Xbox One Linux PC Windows

Embark on an epic adventure in Cassette Beasts, a fresh take on monster collecting games! Capture, transform, and fuse monsters for thrilling turn-based battles. Explore the rich world of New Wirral, master a deep battle system, and enjoy the compelling narrative and stunning art. This game is a must-play for all monster collector enthusiasts!


What we like:
  • Unique and original monster collecting concept
  • Intuitive and strategic battle system
  • Gorgeous art and creature designs
  • Engaging story with complex themes
  • Immersive soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Main story ending
  • Confusing puzzle and map design
  • Lack of clear instructions on battle mechanics
  • Post-game content feels unrewarding

  • turn-based
  • rpg
  • japanese
  • battle
  • open-world
  • collector
  • creature
  • jrpg
  • pixel
  • pokemon
  • exploration
  • local
  • combat
  • boss-fight
  • retro

9

Tales of Arise Windows (2021)

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82
Review score
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PC Windows

300 years of tyranny. A mysterious mask. Lost pain and memories. Wield the Blazing Sword and join a mysterious, untouchable girl to fight your oppressors. Experience a tale of liberation, featuring characters with next-gen graphical expressiveness!


  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg

10

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE (2021)

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85
Review score
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Playstation 5 PC Windows

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - join a group of idealists fighting against the Shinra Electric Power Company, who are destroying the planet for their own gain. With a mix of traditional and real-time action combat and stunning graphics, the classic game has been re-born with new elements and an expanded story. The new DLC episode featuring Yuffie Kisaragi adds more excitement to the game. Get ready to save the world from certain doom!


What we like:
  • Deep and engaging storyline
  • Stunning graphics
  • Fun and exciting gameplay
  • Expansion of original story with character development
  • Exciting DLC with promising plot
What could be improved:
  • Departure from original storyline may disappoint some fans
  • Too much padding
  • Micro-stutters and performance issues on some systems

  • rpg
  • ninja
  • remake
  • japanese
  • real-time
  • combat
  • fps
  • jrpg
  • fight
  • action
  • battle
  • first-person
  • narrative
  • turn-based
  • tower-defense

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