- Joined
- Jul 31, 2014
Abyss's second half is great and the first is very much a slog. Luke changes for the better very fast in it as well.
Need JRPG Recommendations
- Thread starter LordDarkrai
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2013
Darn, most of the stuff I wanted to recommend, you've already listed. 
If they count, I would recommend the Souls games if you haven't tried them out already. Dark Souls in particular is quite awesome.
I'd also recommend Chrono Trigger for either the SNES or DS. The PS1 version I hear has some annoying loading times. I also heard of an IOS version as well.
And if you're into strategy JRPG's, I would also recommend Valkria Chronicles for the PS3. It's kind of a mix between a turn based strategy and real time strategy in which you move your units freely instead of via a grid ala Fire Emblem. The story and characters are also quite good I feel.
If they count, I would recommend the Souls games if you haven't tried them out already. Dark Souls in particular is quite awesome.
I'd also recommend Chrono Trigger for either the SNES or DS. The PS1 version I hear has some annoying loading times. I also heard of an IOS version as well.
And if you're into strategy JRPG's, I would also recommend Valkria Chronicles for the PS3. It's kind of a mix between a turn based strategy and real time strategy in which you move your units freely instead of via a grid ala Fire Emblem. The story and characters are also quite good I feel.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2014
Darn, most of the stuff I wanted to recommend, you've already listed.
If they count, I would recommend the Souls games if you haven't tried them out already. Dark Souls in particular is quite awesome.
I'd also recommend Chrono Trigger for either the SNES or DS. The PS1 version I hear has some annoying loading times. I also heard of an IOS version as well.
And if you're into strategy JRPG's, I would also recommend Valkria Chronicles for the PS3. It's kind of a mix between a turn based strategy and real time strategy in which you move your units freely instead of via a grid ala Fire Emblem. The story and characters are also quite good I feel.
I been wanting to play Dark Souls for a while. My brother and my best friend warned me about the difficulty, but I still want to try it despite that. As with Chrono, I played it by virtual console through I'm interested in the DS port.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2013
If you still have a PS2, I suggest Shadow Hearts and Wild Arms 3.
EDIT FOR DETAIL: Shadow Hearts is an RPG with a Lovecraftian setting but mixed with ligth-hearted moments. Its battle system involves a spinning circle, which you must correctly do time hits on to do attack or do extra effects. Don't dwell in a battle too long or else your character will lose their sanity and go berserk.
EDIT FOR DETAIL: Shadow Hearts is an RPG with a Lovecraftian setting but mixed with ligth-hearted moments. Its battle system involves a spinning circle, which you must correctly do time hits on to do attack or do extra effects. Don't dwell in a battle too long or else your character will lose their sanity and go berserk.
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- Joined
- Mar 3, 2013
A few of my favorites.
Lunar 2, Eternal Blue. (Mega cd, Saturn, PS1)
Decidedly old school, but in the best way, solid battle system and a great sense of adventure and genuinely good character development. The translation for the PS1 version was top notch and often amusing. By the end it'll have given you genuine feels. One of my fondest ever gaming memories.
Chrono Trigger (SNES, PS1, PSN, IOS, DS, Virtual console)
What can I say?, it's fucking Chrono Trigger! imo, the pinnacle of the jrpg genre and others will describe it better. The PS1 and PSN versions suffer from loading times and are considered the worst bet, but did have added animated cutscenes. Personally I didn't think much of them, but others seem to like them. The ds version is considered by many to be the best, although the added content was completely throwaway, they also retranslated it, which is a deal breaker for me as I played it first on the SNES, but if you haven't played it before, it shouldn't be an issue. The virtual console version is my current favorite way to play, SNES faithful emulation in 480p on my 50 inch plasma!
Grandia (Saturn, PS1, PSN)
This game was very much in Final Fantasy VII's shadow when it was released, but it's easily one of the best in the genre. You want an adventurous feel? This game has that in spades. I also think the Grandia battle system is still to be bettered by any other jrpg and had some great subtleties and nuances. The english translation wasn't the best (but not awful) and the english voice cast isn't great(again, not awful), but don't let that dissuade you. I also recommend the excellent sequel that was released on the Dreamcast and PS2 (no story relations)
Secret of Mana (SNES, Virtual console)
SNES classic with a real time battle system and a good sense of advancement as the characters level up. Gorgeous colorful graphics and one of the best ever 16-bit soundtracks, it's a game I replay regularly. The dialogue's a bit ropey in places, but it doesn't effect the enjoyment in the slightest. It also has multiplayer where if another person grabs a pad, they take control of one of the cpu controlled allies, and the virtual console version even allows you to play three player games that would have required a SNES multi tap back in the day.
Shining Force 2 (Mega Drive/Genesis, Steam, countless Sega game compilations on various systems )
Bigger and better than it's fantastic prequel, this strategy jrpg was a huge feather in Sega's cap back in the early 90's. It plays along the same lines as Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, FF Tactics, but with it's own feel. Tons of characters to recruit to your army including fighters, mages, archers, centaurs, bird people, even a robot, with many of them hidden. Solid story and characters and sublime gameplay, it's battle system is where it excels. A game that's remembered fondly for good reason.
Dark Chronicle, aka, Dark Cloud 2 (PS2)
Pushing the boundaries of the term "jrpg" here, but i think it fits. Unfairly billed as Sony's Zelda because it's absolutely fuck all like Zelda.
I think this one ticks all four of your desired categories. Some may say it's a bit kiddish, but that's bullshit as it's just a game made before the current trend of making everything dark and moody, and the story definitely has emotional highs and lows. It's essentially a dungeon crawler at heart, but there's just so much other stuff to do as well, and the best thing is, none of it's filler. With inventing things, Weapon creation and upgrading, town building, fishing, golf, and every dungeon level having some sort of optional completion challenge to strive for if you want to go back, the amount of stuff in the game is crazy.
The game has quite a sedate pace, and it can be grindy to some, but I personally like that about it, I like to return to this game when I'm feeling burned out by more modern offerings, and I actually find the gameplay flow to be genuinely therapeutic.
Well voiced characters, who all have believable motives (no amnesia!) and a pleasant soundtrack. The cell shaded style of the graphics also mean that the games visuals have aged really well and it's pleasing on the eyes too.
Some of these games may not be the easiest to get hold of and play, but I reckon they're worth the effort and there's always emulation if you have that option.
Lunar 2, Eternal Blue. (Mega cd, Saturn, PS1)
Decidedly old school, but in the best way, solid battle system and a great sense of adventure and genuinely good character development. The translation for the PS1 version was top notch and often amusing. By the end it'll have given you genuine feels. One of my fondest ever gaming memories.
Chrono Trigger (SNES, PS1, PSN, IOS, DS, Virtual console)
What can I say?, it's fucking Chrono Trigger! imo, the pinnacle of the jrpg genre and others will describe it better. The PS1 and PSN versions suffer from loading times and are considered the worst bet, but did have added animated cutscenes. Personally I didn't think much of them, but others seem to like them. The ds version is considered by many to be the best, although the added content was completely throwaway, they also retranslated it, which is a deal breaker for me as I played it first on the SNES, but if you haven't played it before, it shouldn't be an issue. The virtual console version is my current favorite way to play, SNES faithful emulation in 480p on my 50 inch plasma!
Grandia (Saturn, PS1, PSN)
This game was very much in Final Fantasy VII's shadow when it was released, but it's easily one of the best in the genre. You want an adventurous feel? This game has that in spades. I also think the Grandia battle system is still to be bettered by any other jrpg and had some great subtleties and nuances. The english translation wasn't the best (but not awful) and the english voice cast isn't great(again, not awful), but don't let that dissuade you. I also recommend the excellent sequel that was released on the Dreamcast and PS2 (no story relations)
Secret of Mana (SNES, Virtual console)
SNES classic with a real time battle system and a good sense of advancement as the characters level up. Gorgeous colorful graphics and one of the best ever 16-bit soundtracks, it's a game I replay regularly. The dialogue's a bit ropey in places, but it doesn't effect the enjoyment in the slightest. It also has multiplayer where if another person grabs a pad, they take control of one of the cpu controlled allies, and the virtual console version even allows you to play three player games that would have required a SNES multi tap back in the day.
Shining Force 2 (Mega Drive/Genesis, Steam, countless Sega game compilations on various systems )
Bigger and better than it's fantastic prequel, this strategy jrpg was a huge feather in Sega's cap back in the early 90's. It plays along the same lines as Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, FF Tactics, but with it's own feel. Tons of characters to recruit to your army including fighters, mages, archers, centaurs, bird people, even a robot, with many of them hidden. Solid story and characters and sublime gameplay, it's battle system is where it excels. A game that's remembered fondly for good reason.
Dark Chronicle, aka, Dark Cloud 2 (PS2)
Pushing the boundaries of the term "jrpg" here, but i think it fits. Unfairly billed as Sony's Zelda because it's absolutely fuck all like Zelda.
I think this one ticks all four of your desired categories. Some may say it's a bit kiddish, but that's bullshit as it's just a game made before the current trend of making everything dark and moody, and the story definitely has emotional highs and lows. It's essentially a dungeon crawler at heart, but there's just so much other stuff to do as well, and the best thing is, none of it's filler. With inventing things, Weapon creation and upgrading, town building, fishing, golf, and every dungeon level having some sort of optional completion challenge to strive for if you want to go back, the amount of stuff in the game is crazy.
The game has quite a sedate pace, and it can be grindy to some, but I personally like that about it, I like to return to this game when I'm feeling burned out by more modern offerings, and I actually find the gameplay flow to be genuinely therapeutic.
Well voiced characters, who all have believable motives (no amnesia!) and a pleasant soundtrack. The cell shaded style of the graphics also mean that the games visuals have aged really well and it's pleasing on the eyes too.
Some of these games may not be the easiest to get hold of and play, but I reckon they're worth the effort and there's always emulation if you have that option.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
I'm going unconventional with these for the most part.
PS2:
Valkyrie Profile 2: Best. JRPG. ever.
Ar Tonelico 2: Sprite-based, one of my favorite battle systems in a JRPG.
Wild Arms series: 3 is pretty conventional, but 4 and 5 use a hex battle system (you attack the floor position, not the individual enemy, and multiple allies/enemies can be in one spot, so it adds a strategy element)
Soul Nomad and the World Eaters - A cross between Ogre Battle and Disgaea.
360:
Lost Odyssey - What Final Fantasy 13 should have been.
PS3:
Tales of Graces F - Some people didn't like the battle system because it was different from most Tales games, but I liked it better. Oh and gods help you if you ever attempt the "Enter the Dragons" fight...
Atelier Rorona/Totori/Meruru - Alchemy/crafting JRPG. Very girly/Japanese art style and humor, people either love it or hate it.
Disgaea series: Strategy RPG. Main story missions are remarkably well balanced if you just do each level once, or you can grind and 1 hit nuke everything for like 100,000,000 damage. Not an exaggeration.
PS2:
Valkyrie Profile 2: Best. JRPG. ever.
Ar Tonelico 2: Sprite-based, one of my favorite battle systems in a JRPG.
Wild Arms series: 3 is pretty conventional, but 4 and 5 use a hex battle system (you attack the floor position, not the individual enemy, and multiple allies/enemies can be in one spot, so it adds a strategy element)
Soul Nomad and the World Eaters - A cross between Ogre Battle and Disgaea.
360:
Lost Odyssey - What Final Fantasy 13 should have been.
PS3:
Tales of Graces F - Some people didn't like the battle system because it was different from most Tales games, but I liked it better. Oh and gods help you if you ever attempt the "Enter the Dragons" fight...
Atelier Rorona/Totori/Meruru - Alchemy/crafting JRPG. Very girly/Japanese art style and humor, people either love it or hate it.
Disgaea series: Strategy RPG. Main story missions are remarkably well balanced if you just do each level once, or you can grind and 1 hit nuke everything for like 100,000,000 damage. Not an exaggeration.
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2013
I say skip "Secret of Mana" altogether and go get a translated ROM (or repro) of the sequel, "Seiken Densetsu 3", which was far better.
- Joined
- May 25, 2013
I would suggest Resonance of Fate. Pretty easy to find in a bargain bin. The geniuses that released it decided to release it the same day as FFXIII which, considering its a JRPG, was probably the dumbest thing imaginable. The combat system also take some getting used to as well, but if you can manage through, you should be good.
Also, while I hesitate to call it a JRPG in the strictest sense, I strongly encourage you to check out Project X Zone. It is essentially a giant mashup project between Capcom, Namco, and Sega, having their characters mashed together in a giant game. The combat mechanics aren't that deep, and the game can get repetative at times, but there is just something inherently great about, for example, beating up Nemesis from Resident Evil with a five-way tag team consisting of characters from Valkyria Chronicles, Tales of Vesperia, and Tekken.... or Mega Man X, Xenosaga, and Fighting Vipers... or Devil May Cry, Darkstalkers, .hack, and goddamn Japanese John McClane aka Dynamite Cop. Seriously, if you like JRPGs at all, check this one out.
Also, while I hesitate to call it a JRPG in the strictest sense, I strongly encourage you to check out Project X Zone. It is essentially a giant mashup project between Capcom, Namco, and Sega, having their characters mashed together in a giant game. The combat mechanics aren't that deep, and the game can get repetative at times, but there is just something inherently great about, for example, beating up Nemesis from Resident Evil with a five-way tag team consisting of characters from Valkyria Chronicles, Tales of Vesperia, and Tekken.... or Mega Man X, Xenosaga, and Fighting Vipers... or Devil May Cry, Darkstalkers, .hack, and goddamn Japanese John McClane aka Dynamite Cop. Seriously, if you like JRPGs at all, check this one out.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2014
I been interested about Resonance of Fate for awhile. Heard some good things about it. With Project X Zone, I find it decent. It can drags at time, but seeing all the other series together was rather cool. Dark Cloud was pretty good. Both me and my brother pour so many hours into the sequel.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2013
If you don't mind an action/adventure game with light RPG elements, and you happen to possess an original XBox, I would pick up From Software's Otogi games. They're pretty fun and - as with several games - make use of Japanese folklore to weave a compelling story.
Otogi: Myth of Demons was the first one, and Immortal Warriors was the second. The original had a bit of a DMC3 angle in that you only used one character, but they could have all sorts of weaponry to select from, whereas the second gives you five playable characters that venture down specialised paths. It uses a "levelling" system in that what you do in battle causes an increase in that attribute (e.g: walking into fire raises RES, killing with melee raises STR, etc.). You're essentially a very powerful being that can't maintain their form indefinitely, and you slowly drain health throughout. You regenerate through slaying enemies and destroying the environment. Some pretty good replayability too; you can even gain weapons that can kill enemies that are completely impossible to defeat otherwise, and certain conditions result in different endings.
Ultimately, they're pretty awesome games in their own right, and it's a shame they haven't seen any continuation through to the 360/PS3 generation. I would pick up a third Otogi game in a heartbeat.
Otogi: Myth of Demons was the first one, and Immortal Warriors was the second. The original had a bit of a DMC3 angle in that you only used one character, but they could have all sorts of weaponry to select from, whereas the second gives you five playable characters that venture down specialised paths. It uses a "levelling" system in that what you do in battle causes an increase in that attribute (e.g: walking into fire raises RES, killing with melee raises STR, etc.). You're essentially a very powerful being that can't maintain their form indefinitely, and you slowly drain health throughout. You regenerate through slaying enemies and destroying the environment. Some pretty good replayability too; you can even gain weapons that can kill enemies that are completely impossible to defeat otherwise, and certain conditions result in different endings.
Ultimately, they're pretty awesome games in their own right, and it's a shame they haven't seen any continuation through to the 360/PS3 generation. I would pick up a third Otogi game in a heartbeat.
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2022
The Alliance Alive.
Written by the creator of Suikoden, has a system like in Suiko 3 where you will experience the parts of the same story from different characters' points of view, a fun turn-based battle system and an excellent, excellent soundtrack from Mashashi Hamauzu (FFX, Saga Frontier 2, World of Final Fantasy, Legend of Legacy).
Worth your time.
Also, is there a dedicated JRPG thread...or is this it?
Written by the creator of Suikoden, has a system like in Suiko 3 where you will experience the parts of the same story from different characters' points of view, a fun turn-based battle system and an excellent, excellent soundtrack from Mashashi Hamauzu (FFX, Saga Frontier 2, World of Final Fantasy, Legend of Legacy).
Worth your time.
Also, is there a dedicated JRPG thread...or is this it?
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2021
Sounds like a good game, but didn't Uematsu do FFX?
While I'm here I'll suggest Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans. It's a turn-based JRPG by Monolithsoft, it's good even if you don't like DBZ but it's obviously more enjoyable if you're a fan.
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2022