The Best JRPG Games

Update, : Octopath Traveler II added at rank #2.
1

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

2

Octopath Traveler II (2023)

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84
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

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.


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
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • turn-based
  • battle

3

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

4

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

5

Bravely Default II (2021)

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76
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.


Pros:
  • Unique job system
  • Turn-based combat with strategy elements
  • Detailed overworld with secrets to unlock
  • Optional text-based cutscenes for character development
  • Stellar soundtrack
Cons:
  • 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

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

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

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82
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

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.


Pros:
  • Beautiful anime-inspired world
  • Captivating story with rich characterizations
  • Engaging alchemy crafting system
  • Excellent turn-based combat with weather manipulation gimmick
  • Lovable characters
Cons:
  • 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
  • battle
  • crafting
  • combat
  • anime

8

Live A Live (2400)

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81
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 PC Windows

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!


Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • Some may feel disappointed by the lack of 3D remake feature

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

9

Rise of the Third Power (2022)

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82
Review score
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Playstation 4 Linux Mac OS PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox One

Rise of the Third Power is a retro-themed, console-style roleplaying game, loosely based on the political climate of Europe in the late 1930's. The story takes place in the land of Rin during the height of the Age of Sail, following the events that would lead to the greatest war in human history.


  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • war
  • party
  • retro-jrpg
  • turn-based

10

SaGa Frontier Remastered (2021)

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84
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Android IOS iPhone Playstation 4 PC Windows

The beloved 1998 RPG Classic, SaGa Frontier, is reborn with improved graphics, additional features, and a new main character!


  • japanese
  • rpg
  • jrpg
  • battle
  • non-linear

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