The best JRPGs can pull us into fantastical adventures, send us on quests in unique places, and introduce us to a cast of characters we’ll remember. They also tell some of the best stories about games, which keeps us interested. But defining a JRPG isn’t always as simple as saying it’s an RPG made by Japanese developers. The term “JRPG” is often quite vague these days, but it usually refers to role-playing games that look and sound like they were made in Japan and focus more on storytelling than just action.
Of course, you can always find similarities to some of the best RPGs out there, and some have been influenced by some of the best JRPGs over the years. Even though different people may have different ideas about what makes a JRPG, our team of JRPG fans at GamesRadar+ came up with this list of the very best games in the genre. From old favourites to newer adventures, there are a lot of great things to do out there. Below we mentioned the Best JRPGs.
Best JRPGs
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
Features
- Hundreds of hours of content
- Future Connected is a nice bonus
- New, streamlined design
With the Definitive Edition, the epic JRPG from Monolith made a big comeback on Switch. Along with better graphics, Xenoblade Chronicles got a new epilogue chapter and better battle and inventory UI. Follow the story of how Shulk came to be as he faces off against the machine Mechon.
Xenoblade Chronicles was an impressively modern JRPG for its time, with a huge world to explore, a lot of side quests outside of the main story, and a mix of real-time combat with a group of allies. Its revamped release shows that it has stood the test of time. This is the Best JRPGs that you can consider.
Pros
- Gripping Story
- Dynamic Combat
- Deep progression systems
Cons
- Side quests can be repetitive
- Campy dialogue might be off-putting for some
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
Features
- Likeable characters and enjoyable side quests
- Interesting battle system with plenty of depth and variety.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is so charming that you can’t help but fall in love with it. Studio Ghibli’s art style and Joe Hisashi’s music bring the classic adventure to life. It tells the story of Oliver, a young boy who goes on a quest to save his mother after something bad happens in his hometown of Motorville.
The remastered version of Level-5’s classic JRPG is a real treat. It has familiars, magic, and a lot of people to meet. Overall ,This is the Best JRPGs that you can consider. If you want some more information then visit its official websites.
Pros
- Incredible visuals
- an equally majestic soundtrack.
Cons
- Plot is disappointingly cliché
- especially given Studio Ghibli’s input
Tales of Arise
Features
- Beautiful visuals that make the game’s world feel lively,
- unique
- memorable
The Tales series has been giving us interesting stories and memorable characters for a long time, and the most recent book is no different. Follows the story of the people of Dahna and Renan, who live on two different worlds. Alphen and Shionne are the main characters of the story. Still, This is the Best JRPGs that you can consider.
In this modern JRPG, you and a group of friends can take in the sights and explore the lush environments of Dahna. The fact that Tales of Arise is now on new-generation consoles, which brings it into the modern era, and has beautiful graphics that make the most of its world and characters, makes it feel like a true visual evolution in fact, it was enough to sell us on the PS5 all the more.
Pros
- Compelling story
- Stunning visual design
Cons
- Combat can be really overwhelming at times
- Some dialogue not fully voiced
Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition
Features
- Japanese VO elevate the game even further,
- excellent quality of life improvements
Dragon Quest 11 is one of the best JRPGs made by Yuji Horii, and the Definitive Edition is the best way to play it. You can even switch between 2D and 3D graphics to give the game a retro feel and enjoy Akira Toriyama’s colourful world and character designs. This is the Best JRPGs that you can consider.
As a traditional JRPG that’s easy to get into even if you haven’t played any of the other games in the series, Dragon Quest 11 takes you to a beautiful, rich world full of many different enemies that let you make the most of the smooth turn-based combat. Dragon Quest 11 is full of charm. It has a cast of memorable characters and a good level of difficulty.
Pros
- Everything great about Dragon Quest XI is still great
- symphonic soundtrack
Cons
- 2D mode is little more than a novelty
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Features
- all new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga
- Great combat system
Ichiban Kasuga, the main character of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, is one of the best main characters I’ve seen in recent years. Ichi is a big fan of RPGs like Dragon Quest, so we see the world through his eyes. This makes this Yakuza adventure its own JRPG. Ichiban’s quests are a departure from the beat-em-up action that has been a mainstay of Yakuza games in the past.
They are full of humour and pay homage to classic JRPGs. With a cast of likeable and oddball characters, Like a Dragon’s take on turn-based combat is hard not to love. It takes the idea of a party and runs with it so well, and it makes it so easy to get close to the people you fight with. Currently, This is the Best JRPGs that you can consider.
Pros
- Great combat system
- Amazing story
- Lovable characters
Cons
- Slow starting story
- You may get tonal whiplash
Earthbound
Features
- Guide and restore points greatly improve experience
- Heartwarming story
Earthbound is a JRPG that has become very popular over the years. It is also known as “Mother 2” because it has a lot of surprises. Now that Earthbound Beginnings and Earthbound are out for Switch, we can play through the amazing and memorable adventure all over again. This is one of the best JRPGs that you can consider.
You follow the story of a young boy named Ness as you try to save the world from the Giygas, an alien threat. You and a group of friends face a lot of strange and creative enemies in different places. Earthbound’s 2D look still looks good today, and its story has a lot of heart and humor that you should see for yourself.
Pros
- Built for one-handed controls
- Great Music
- Intuitive battle system
Cons
- Frustrating inventory management
- Tedious menu interactions
What is the best JRPG?
- Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
- Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
- Tales of Arise
- Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition
- Yakuza: Like A Dragon
What is the number 1 hardest game in the world?
Contra might be the hardest video game ever made. It set the standard for difficulty when it came out and is still as hard as ever. People who are easily stressed should stay away from it at all costs. But if you want a real challenge, you should set aside some time and show what you’re made of.
FAQs
What is the easiest JRPG?
One of the easiest suggestions for people who have never played a JRPG before is the main Pokémon series, which is arguably the most popular and easy to get into.
What is the best selling JRPG of all time?
As of 2022, the Pokémon series has sold more than 380 million copies. This makes it the best-selling JRPG series of all time.
Why are JRPGs so addictive?
So, they are great. JRPGs are better than any other type of video game at playing with your emotions and making you feel like you’re fighting your way through big adventures. Most of the time, they are about stories and exploring. They sometimes tell big, broad stories about angry gods and bad empires.
