Entertainment
The 10 Best JRPGs of All Time, Ranked
Japan is one of the leading countries in terms of video games, providing some of the greatest franchises of all time, such as The Legend of Zelda and Metal Gear Solid. They continue to innovate the genre with their creativity and dedication, which can be seen across multiple genres. RPGs are an immersive experience that grounds the player in their role, and Japan spawned its own subgenre from this called JRPGs.
Simply standing for Japanese role-playing games, these titles have a vastly different feel to them, such as a linear story, direction, art style, and less agency, which is why this list will rank the ten best JRPGs of all time. Based on aspects such as gameplay, design, narrative, visuals, originality, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these are the ten best role-playing games that have come out of Japan.
10
‘EarthBound’ (1994)
Nintendo is one of the most famous Japanese gaming companies, and they love their RPGs, so fans can expect a handful of their games on this list, including EarthBound. A cosmic entity known as Giygas threatens to destroy the world, but of the many unlikely saviors, a child named Ness and his friends step up to the challenge.
A lot of fans say Mother 3 is the best, but it sadly was never localized in the West; plus, the first game is much more influential, which is why it is placed here instead. EarthBound has such a unique vibe that blends lighthearted fun with existential dread and bizarre oddities set in a satirical version of the 1990s. As such a redefining game so early on, it stuck out as a timeless masterpiece that deserves another entry in the franchise.
9
‘Xenoblade Chronicles 2’ (2017)
Nintendo doesn’t just rely on old JRPG franchises; they can also deliver new ones, as seen with Xenoblade Chronicles, which started on the Wii. However, it is more dominant than ever on the Nintendo Switch with Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Rex is just a scavenger, and Pyra is a living weapon, but this unlikely duo teams up in order to find Elysium, a supposed paradise for humanity to live in peace.
It was difficult to choose which Xenoblade Chronicles game was the best, considering they are all perfect, but fans seem to prefer the second game the most. Story-wise, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a standout in its franchise, delivering a thematic masterclass that explores existential questions, but that doesn’t get in the way of a deep gameplay system and world with lots to do, highlighting why it is one of the best modern adventure video games.
JRPGs were wildly successful in the 1990s, but they have made a modern resurgence in the 2020s, with this decade sporting one of the best of all time, Metaphor: ReFantazio. After the king’s assassination, a worldwide tournament for the throne is now underway, and as the protagonist, players must fight against all of those unworthy and break the curse on the one true heir.
Earning a nomination for Game of the Year, it instantly proved to spice up the genre that so many casual gamers look down upon. Metaphor: ReFantazio brings in the studio’s defining mechanics and refines them, creating a polished gameplay system that is the best of the social-link and calendar-management mechanics. Plus, with its poignant narrative, this game earns the title of best JRPG of the 2020s.
7
‘Fire Emblem: Three Houses’ (2019)
Every popular game series has a dedicated fanbase, but JRPG fans are more faithful than most, with Fire Emblem having some of the most diehard supporters. This franchise has always been popular, but it reached new heights when Fire Emblem: Three Houses came out. With the nation split into three distinct parts, players control Byleth, a mercenary who is enlisted to become a professor, but when they start having prophetic visions, their nightmare slowly becomes true.
The Nintendo Switch introduced a lot of fans to new franchises, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses was one of the biggest successes, leaving its mark as one of the best Nintendo Switch games. With refined mechanics and investment in character dynamics and development, the party felt authentic, plus the classic grid-style combat and social management continue to be a staple and the reason why Fire Emblem is so beloved.
6
‘Pokémon Black 2 and White 2’ (2012)
Funnily enough, all of Nintendo’s games are placed on the bottom half of this list, but that still proves they are a juggernaut of this genre, with their best franchise being Pokémon, and the greatest game in that lineup is arguably Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Following the events of the first game, the remnants of Team Plasma are still haunting Unova, and it is up to the player to stop this.
Sure, there are more influential and popular Pokémon games than Black 2 and White 2, but in terms of sheer quality, these games are the best. They perfected the timeless formula with gorgeous pixel art and animation, the best story in the franchise, polished combat, engaging exploration, and refined mechanics. Black 2 and White 2 expanded the Pokédex, included a hard difficulty mode, and added lots of post-game content, proving why it is the complete Pokémon package and definitive version of the franchise that perfected the 2D format.
5
‘Final Fantasy VII’ (1997)
Of all the acclaimed JRPG franchises, two stick out the most: Pokémon, which this list already covered, and Final Fantasy. Of the latter, there isn’t a better game than Final Fantasy VII. The evil mega-corporation known as Shinra is draining the life energy out of the planet, but luckily, Cloud Strife and his band of eco-terrorists are the only ones who can stop Sephiroth from achieving godhood.
In terms of how iconic it is, Final Fantasy VII is the biggest on this list, with Cloud and Sephiroth alone being instantly recognizable legends of the gaming scene. This game is a cinematic masterclass that brought the weight of storytelling to video games. More than that, Final Fantasy VII is a fantasy game masterpiece and a landmark in the industry that broke the JRPG genre into the mainstream.
4
‘Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King’ (2004)
Akira Toriyama is the most influential manga artist, best known for Dragon Ball, but he also dabbled in the JRPG genre, with two games on this list, starting with the Dragon Quest franchise. There are many remarkable games, like the fifth and eleventh, but the best goes to Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, which follows an adventurer and his party as they reverse the curse of the king and the prince by defeating an evil jester.
Dragon Quest has a habit of redefining itself with new games, but Dragon Quest VIII decided to perfect what is already incredible, creating the definitive experience in the franchise. It has a classic fantasy vibe with stunning cel-shaded graphics that make up this ambitious world. Dragon Quest VIII is intricately balanced and boasts a party of compelling characters that make the journey even more memorable.
3
‘Chrono Trigger’ (1995)
JRPG’s have been around for a while, but they gained prominence in the 1990s, and a big reason for that was Chrono Trigger. When an alien parasite named Lavos threatens to consume the entire world, a group of adventurers must travel through the past, present, and future in order to stop it, taking them from a prehistoric era of dinosaurs to a highly advanced future of robots.
A lot of RPGs are bloated with content or rush their story, but Chrono Trigger avoids that with meticulously crafted pacing from start to finish. Everything done in the past directly affects the future, meaning players need to understand the weight of their choices and how it changes the narrative. This creates multiple endings, a new feature for the time, that makes each playthrough something new and special in this flawless 1990s fantasy game.
2
‘Persona 5’ (2016)
RPGs don’t just fit into one category; they can be all sorts of things, including JRPGs and turn-based RPGs. In fact, a lot of the games on this list are turn-based, including one of the best modern iterations, Persona 5. A group of high school students forms a group of phantom thieves, aiming to steal artifacts and other valuables from evil adults, stopping their villainous desires from harming the rest of the world.
In terms of engaging characters, Persona 5 excels, delivering a handful of endearing personalities that interact with the world differently, letting players embody multiple distinct characters. However, the gameplay is just as perfect, combining life-simulator elements with dungeon-crawling to create a unique style of combat. From its dazzling and bold aesthetic to striking mechanical prowess, Persona 5 is a modern miracle of the JRPG genre.
1
‘Xenogears’ (1998)
From grand franchises that release new innovative masterpieces in the 2020s to small-scope classics from the 1990s, JRPGs are a vast and deep ocean of content. The best isn’t so easily decided, but this list has selected Xenogears as the greatest of all time. Fei Fong Wong is exiled from his village, which gives him the chance to explore his past and clear his amnesia, but this adventure leads him into a world of the unknown.
If fans want a good story out of a JRPG, then Xenogears is the game for them, because it features the greatest story in the genre. The scale of narrative ambition is unmatched, delving into psychology, philosophy, and gnosticism, which shape the lore of the world. This incredibly intriguing narrative can be text-heavy at times, but Xenogears remains a staple of the genre, cementing itself as the best JRPG of all time.
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