Important points
Indie PC-only JRPGs like Elin and Symphony of War offer unique gameplay experiences. Games like Vestaria Saga and Bug Fables bring fresh storytelling and engaging characters to the JRPG genre. Titles like Nexomon and Monster Crown cater to Pokemon fans with creative creature collection mechanics.
JRPGs are famous for their versatility. The best of this genre not only include great gameplay and party management, but also engaging stories and well-written characters. Expectations among JRPG fans are typically incredibly high, and have been honed by some of the best all-around titles on any platform over the decades.
Related 7 Best Youth JRPGs, Ranked
Players who enjoy coming-of-age stories in fiction should not ignore the following JRPGs:
Many of the all-time classics in the JRPG scene trace their roots to classic gaming consoles like SNES and Nintendo 64, but there’s a burgeoning number of new titles being released every month, all of which could be part of the next hit JRPG. It may become. . In particular, many indie JRPGs and smaller titles start out on PC before making their way to the console market. These titles started out specifically as PC exclusives, but some have also found a home as console titles.
8 Erin
Amazing open world JRPG
roguelike
JRPG
dungeon crawler
open world
system
Developer Lafrontier
Publisher La Frontier
Erin is the spiritual successor to the obscure but fascinating open-world roguelike known as Elona. At the early access stage, the title is already much more polished than its predecessor and is the perfect game for those who want to immerse themselves in a vast open world.
The game is currently in Early Access and exclusive to PC, but given its already growing popularity, a console version may be scheduled for release soon after the game’s Early Access period ends.
7 Vestalia Saga
A love letter to tactical JRPGs
game
scion war
Sylvanister’s Holy Sword
platform
computer
computer
released
December 27, 2019
July 28, 2022
developer
vestalia project
vestalia project
Genre
JRPG, Strategy
JRPG, Strategy
Inspired by JRPG classics like Fire Emblem, the Vestaria Saga game is an indie PC-only JRPG that tells an epic tale of politics, war, and intrigue. Players who live and die for titles like Fire Emblem games and Triangle Strategy will find a lot to like in both this title and its sequel.
There is incredible depth to this game, with units having unique abilities and attacks that synergize well with each other, but in completely different ways depending on the overall composition of your army. .
6 Symphony of War: Nephilim Saga
Great strategic JRPG
platform
computer
released
June 10, 2022
developer
dancing dragon game
Genre
JRPG, Strategy
This JRPG is also influenced by early Fire Emblem games, but takes a different tack than the aforementioned titles, opting for a slightly more streamlined combat system with a focus on relationships built in combat.
Symphony of War: Nephilim Saga comes together to create one of the best tactical JRPGs on the market today, and is exclusive to PC, with a Switch port in the works, although no release date has been set at this time It has been confirmed that it is inside.
5 Nexomon
Pokemon-inspired jewelry
Released on August 28, 2020
Developer: VEWO Interactive Inc.
Publisher PQube
OpenCritic Evaluation Fair
This bright and lively creature collector plays like a game made by Pokemon fans. In addition to its attractive and unique design, Nexomon has a number of QoL features that players have been clamoring to include in Pokémon games for decades.
Ranking 8 related JRPGs with the best post-launch content
Following the success of these JRPGs, they received some of the best post-launch content seen in the entire genre.
In addition to continuing a long tradition of creature collector games, the game and its sequels, once exclusive to PC before becoming mainstream on all modern consoles, are sure to make Pokémon fans of all ages have some sort of appeal. It’s an incredibly engaging RPG.
4 cassette beast
stylish monster catcher
Released on April 26, 2023
Developer Bytten Studio
OpenCritic’s rating is “Strong”
Cassette Beasts, which has excited RPG fans, is a monster catcher JRPG whose rich inspiration doesn’t get in the way of its identity. This sleek, retro-style title incorporates something that will delight any creature capture enthusiast: the Fusion System.
Fusing monsters to create more powerful monsters, transforming yourself, and developing bonds with the many characters are all part of the gameplay pillars that underpin this game. It’s a fascinating and captivating experience that will keep players occupied for hours. At one stage, this title was only available to PC users, but now the game is available to players on all platforms, including mobile.
3 Monster Crown
A genius homage to classic Pokemon
monster crown
RPG
indie games
adventure
action
Released on June 16, 2020
developer studio aurum
Weak OpenCritic rating
A mature reimagining of the classic Game Boy Pokemon game, Monster Clown is an excellent JRPG for those who enjoy the complexity of capturing creatures. The game allows players to fuse their monsters together to create more powerful forms, a process that can be incredibly cathartic.
The original PC release has now been expanded to include all mainstream consoles, and while the game has been somewhat divisive for its more mature take on the Pokémon-style story, it’s a good thing that Monster Crown did something right. and is impressively good.
2 Crystal Project
Homage to classic JRPGs
platform
Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS, Linux
released
March 31, 2022
developer
andrew willman
Genre
JRPG, Strategy
Crystal Project is a one-of-a-kind JRPG that continues in the tradition of classic Final Fantasy titles while adding a completely unique Metroidvania spin to that formula. Initially exclusive to PC, Switch users can now enjoy this title as well. This should make some of the more tedious platform sections a little more manageable.
It’s a non-linear title focused on party building and exploration, using the same principles that made early Final Fantasy games so great, but taken to a whole new level. Despite the vast map and complete lack of loading screens, it runs very smoothly on Switch. PC users using something other than jumper cables connected to their root vegetables should be able to have a similar experience.
1 Bug Fable: Eternal Seedling
Big hit JRPG
Bug Fable: Eternal Sapling
Released on November 21, 2019
Developer Moonsprout Games, Moonsprout Games SA
Publisher DANGEN Entertainment, Limited Run Games
OpenCritic’s rating is “Strong”
Incorporating the same humor and iconic vibrancy that made Paper Mario such a hit series for decades, Bug Fables is an incredibly unique and engaging JRPG. It has a detailed (and surprisingly hilarious) cooking and eating system for buffs, an interesting navigation system built around the skills of the three core members of the party, and all this in a way worthy of a JRPG. It features a lot of side content to make it more interesting. We’ve received incredible praise.
Its original release date in 2019 was exclusive to PC, but in the years since, the game has continued to grow in name and fame, and is now playable on all mainstream modern consoles. This is a story with an incredible amount of lore, but beyond that, there’s a great deal of humor and some very addictive combat.
8 Best JRPGs to Play as a Rogue
Take advantage of both cloak and dagger in these JRPGs where fans can play as a rogue.
