To the casual gamer, Japanese RPGs are usually synonymous withPokemonorFinal Fantasy.But the genre offers up much more than ball-dwelling monsters, and blonde spiky-haired swordsmen. WithFinal Fantasy XVset to rejuvenate everyone’s interest in JRPGs onSeptember 30, gamers will have a few months to brush up on their JRPG chops before Noctis and his entourage take over.
That’s where we come in. From the classic SNES era to the recent gaming generations, here are what we consider to be 10 of the greatest JRPG’s ever created.
14Pokemon Gold/Silver
There’s a very simple reason whyPokemongames are the poster-child for JRPGs: they’re really good.
But whilePokemon RedandBluestarted the craze, we thinkPokemon GoldandSilverare the standout games in the franchise. From day and night cycles, newPokemontypes, breeding options, and the ability to visit otherPokemonregions,GoldandSilverprovided the formula that the newerPokemongames still follow today.
WithPokemon SunandMooncoming later this yearfor the 3DS, perhaps we might see another innovative leap in the franchise.
13Kingdom Hearts
Combining characters from Disney and theFinal Fantasyfranchise into one game should have been a recipe for disaster, butKingdom Heartsmanaged to make it work perfectly. In telling an idyllic coming-of-age story about Sora, Riku, and Kairi,Kingdom Heartsblends the boundless energy of an over-imaginative child, with some of gaming’s most unique action-RPG gameplay.
We may be adults here, but we also would love nothing more than to indulge in some more shenanigans with Sora, Donald, and Goofy whenKingdom Hearts3finally comes out.
12Xenoblade Chronicles
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We absolutely lovedXenoblade Chronicleswhen it came out in 2012, and our opinion hasn’t changed since. The game effortlessly blends an enormous open-world with one of the best RPG combat systems we’ve seen in a long time. The Nintendo Wii’s lack of graphical grunt is a minor downside, but that is quickly overshadowed by some truly beautiful artwork.
Combined with a bunch of likable characters and a compelling storyline, it’s no surprise why we - and many others - thinkXenoblade Chroniclesis one of the defining JRPGs of the last gaming generation.
10Dragon Quest V
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With two beloved remakes over the last two decades, there is no doubt thatDragon Quest Vis a timeless classic. Featuring artwork from the creator ofDragon Ball,and a sprawling coming-of-age story told over different time periods,Dragon Quest Vhas resonated with players over the last three gaming generations.
But beyond the game’s unmatched storytelling,Dragon Quest Vwas a big influence for some of its fellow JRPG peers. If it weren’t for the originalDragon Quest V’s monster-collecting concept, we probably wouldn’t havePokemon.
8Secret of Mana
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Secret of Manastarted off as aFinal Fantasyspin-off, but it quickly became one of the most unique JRPGs ever made at the time. This is quite a feat when you consider how many other RPG games also feature super-powered swords, giant chickens, and cute forest sprites.
Combining RPG combat elements with the real-time action ofThe Legend of Zelda, Secret of Manaeschewed the usual RPG level-grinding cliche in favor of actual skill and strategic thinking. But beyond the game’s beautiful graphics and epic story,Secret of Manahad an innovative co-op multiplayer system, something that was unheard of back in the SNES days.
6Persona 4
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Part high-school simulator, and part supernatural murder mystery,Persona 4is a creepy, yet brilliant game that really shouldn’t have worked as well as it did. Not many games can combine an RPG with a weird story about television sets that lead people to their soulmates, butPersona 4somehow managed to pull it off.
The game may be nearly a decade old and has been remade once already, but we’re holding out hope that aPlayStation 4 re-releaseofPersona 4is on the cards soon.
