The Best JRPG Games

Update : Star Ocean The Second Story R added at rank #3.
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

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

3

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

4

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.


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

5

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

6

Live A Live (2022)

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82
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 PC Windows Android

Live A Live is a cult classic Super Nintendo game that has been brought to the west with this remastered version. With a unique story told across multiple time periods and characters, enjoy an ambitious scope of HD2D visuals, voiceovers in both English and Japanese, unique turn based combat, and fantastic music!


What we like:
  • Unique story told through multiple time periods
  • HD2D visuals and particle work
  • Voiceovers in both English and Japanese
  • Unique turn based combat system with risk/reward elements
  • Fantastic music
What could be improved:
  • Some may feel disappointed by the lack of 3D remake feature

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • grid
  • turn-based
  • remake
  • battle
  • fight

7

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

Embark on a heartwarming journey with Sophie the Alchemist in Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream. Explore a world where you can fulfill your dreams while attempting to return a friend's soul to human form. The game features a beautifully designed anime-inspired world, a captivating story, and an engaging alchemy crafting system. Battle with six party members and utilize weather manipulation to open up new paths. Enjoy lovable characters, great music, and improvements over previous Atelier titles. With a variety of DLC content available, the adventure never ends.


What we like:
  • Beautiful anime-inspired world
  • Captivating story with rich characterizations
  • Engaging alchemy crafting system
  • Excellent turn-based combat with weather manipulation gimmick
  • Lovable characters
What could be improved:
  • Panel Synthesis alchemy system returns mostly unchanged from previous game
  • Fully voiced in Japanese without an option for English
  • Gathering system can be tedious
  • Alchemy system requires a lot of understanding

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

8

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg (2023)

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76
Review score
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sega saturn ps1 Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Playstation 4 ps2 dreamcast PC Windows

It's not about saving the world. In this "leisure adventure RPG," failing student Marie pursues alchemy, adventures, and quests while aiming to graduate in five years. "Atelier Marie," the origin of the Atelier series, has been remade with new elements!


  • japanese
  • rpg
  • remake
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • battle
  • crafting
  • time-management
  • combat
  • relaxing

9

Rise of the Third Power (2022)

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81
Review score
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Playstation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Experience the fusion of East and West, old and new in Rise of the Third Power. Join a party of eight on a suicide mission to topple the Arkadyan emperor in a world of political intrigue. With a custom battle system, persistent equipment, and a captivating story, this RPG is meant to surpass the developer's previous work and leave you wanting more. Will you be able to prevent the reprise of the Great War?


What we like:
  • Top tier character writing
  • Strong balance of serious story with comic relief
  • Story mode for easy battles
  • Humorous dialogue between characters
  • Unique combat mechanics
  • Enjoyable music
  • Well-written story
  • Engaging combat
  • Interesting sidequests
What could be improved:
  • Lack of local map
  • Pacing issues towards the end
  • Some characters feel underdeveloped
  • Smaller party size and limited strategic options
  • Crafting system feels less impactful
  • Challenging and unfair boss fight

  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • war
  • party

10

Bravely Default II (2021)

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77
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows

Bravely Default II is an excellent JRPG that offers a unique job system, turn-based combat, beautiful worldbuilding and music. Players will be able to mix and match jobs to create unique combinations, enjoy the strategy of reserving turns through the Default and Brave functions, explore the detailed overworld, learn more about characters through optional text-based cutscenes and listen to Revo's stellar soundtrack.


What we like:
  • Unique job system
  • Turn-based combat with strategy elements
  • Detailed overworld with secrets to unlock
  • Optional text-based cutscenes for character development
  • Stellar soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Grind nearly required for some bosses
  • Graphical differences between Switch/PC versions are minimal
  • Little reason to purchase if already playing on Switch version

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

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