The Best Japanese Games

Update, : Meg\'s Monster added at rank #39.
1

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (2020)

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93
Review score
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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.


Pros:
  • Tactical turn-based combat
  • Dynamic shadows
  • Keyboard & mouse support on PC
Cons:
  • Boring side quests
  • PC offers higher frame rate but needs powerful hardware

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

2

Chained Echoes (2022)

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90
Review score
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Playstation 4 Linux Nintendo Switch PC Windows Mac OS Xbox One Playstation 5 Xbox Series X

Take up your sword, channel your magic or board your Mech. Chained Echoes is a 16-bit style RPG set in a fantasy world where dragons are as common as piloted mechanical suits.


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

3

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (2022)

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89
Review score
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Nintendo Switch

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers a mature and captivating storyline that will keep you engaged for over 100 hours of gameplay. The game features stunning visuals, exciting exploration, and flexible combat systems. Class systems and tactical advantages give players endless possibilities to overcome their foes. Though the game can feel old-fashioned at times, it remains one of the finest experiences currently available on any platform.

Buy

Pros:
  • Captivating and engaging storyline
  • Stunning visuals and exciting exploration
  • Flexible class system and tactical advantages
  • Over 100 hours of gameplay
  • One of the finest experiences currently available on any platform
Cons:
  • Can feel old-fashioned at times
  • Slow loading times.

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • battle
  • war

4

Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster (2022)

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88
Review score
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Android IOS iPhone PC Windows

The original FINAL FANTASY VI comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the sixth game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.


  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • dungeon
  • pixel
  • remake
  • classic
  • class
  • empire
  • battle
  • nostalgia
  • emotional

5

Octopath Traveler II (2023)

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84
Review score
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Nintendo Switch 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.

Buy

Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • 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
  • jrpg
  • rpg
  • turn-based
  • battle

6

Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020)

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

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an open world brawler set in a stylized version of Japan, where you control Ichiban Kasuga, an honorable ex-yakuza who took the fall for a crime he didn't commit. As he attempts to get his life back on track, you'll have to navigate the underworld of Yokohama as you battle foes using RPG style combat and utilize environmental objects to aid you in battle. You can also take on jobs and explore side activities such as gambling or kart racing.


Pros:
  • Fast paced combat
  • Strategic use of environmental objects
  • Variety of side activities
  • Funny and touching human stories
  • RPG style battle system with summons feature
Cons:
  • Combat can end abruptly if protagonist is knocked out
  • Long distance travel for some tasks
  • Restrictions on summons use

  • rpg
  • japanese
  • turn-based
  • jrpg
  • crime
  • combat
  • fight
  • brawler
  • battle
  • drama

7

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (2022)

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84
Review score
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arcade Playstation 3 Xbox 360 Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 PC Windows

Named IGN's Best Overall Fighting Game of 2012, and made an official selection of the Evolution Championship Series in 2013, Persona 4 Arena was a roaring success. A collaboration between developers ATLUS and Arc System Works found resonance among the existing Persona/ATLUS fanbase and the hardcore fighting game community.


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

8

Shin Megami Tensei V (2021)

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85
Review score
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Nintendo Switch

In Shin Megami Tensei V, you are an unadventurous manikin that must traverse a post-apocalyptic Tokyo and battle demons in order to gain forbidden knowledge. You must use the turn-based battle system to your advantage as you fight enemies and solve puzzles in order to progress.

Buy

Pros:
  • Challenging boss battles
  • Intricate ecosystem of moves
  • Reward-based structure
  • Great turn-based battle system
  • Three planes of movement
Cons:
  • Under-populated world design
  • Unforgiving difficulty
  • No narrative or implied subtlety

  • rpg
  • demons
  • japanese
  • jrpg
  • dungeon
  • battle
  • turn-based
  • combat
  • boss
  • dungeon-crawler
  • post-apocalyptic
  • skill

9

The Caligula Effect 2 (2021)

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83
Review score
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PC Windows vita Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

Redo is a world without sorrow created by the virtuadoll Regret. Virtuadoll songs give Redo residents respite from their struggles. Our protagonists discover the truth and form the Go-Home Club to return to reality. Make your way home with companions bearing heavy burdens in this school-themed RPG.


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

10

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream (2022)

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82
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 PC Windows

A mysterious story of a mysterious dream ... This is a story about one of the adventures Sophie the Alchemist had after she left her hometown of Kirchen Bell.


  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • battle
  • crafting
  • anime
  • combat

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