Highlights
- JRPGs with third-person shooter gameplay are a rare combination, but there are some titles that effectively implement both genres.
- Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 offers third-person shooter gameplay and a deeper story for fans of the series.
- Resonance of Fate is a tough JRPG with a unique combat system that deserves more attention and love from players.
JRPGs normally involve sprawling 100+ hour adventures where players amass a massive party and explore the world as they try to take out a major threat. While this doesn’t describe every JRPG around, the genre’s entries do follow certain tropes and adhere to this description in some way or another. However, what most people aren’t very familiar with is JRPGs with third-person shooter gameplay.
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Fans of JRPGs who also enjoy a dash of historical context will love what these games have to offer.
This combination is definitely a rarity, and though certain games don’t exactly mix these aspects together too well, there are many that implement them both effectively. The effectiveness of this combination may vary, but most fans of both genres will likely enjoy what’s on offer in these particular titles.
5 Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7
Metascore: 57
Final Fantasy 7: Dirge of Cerberus
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- Released
- August 15, 2006
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, JRPG
Final Fantasy 7 is one of the greatest video games ever made, and Square Enix jumped on the opportunity to capitalize on the title’s popularity. This spawned the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7, featuring spin-offs, movies, novels, and everything else along the same lines. Even now, the fact that the first game is being remade with a fresh coat of paint is a testament to just how popular and legendary Final Fantasy 7 really is.
Hardcore fans of the series should definitely check out Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 as well. The third-person shooter gameplay may not be the most stimulating thing in the world, but players who want more clarity when it comes to the story will have a great time with this spin-off game. The idea of spending more time with Vincent is also pretty exciting in its own right!
4 Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet
Metascore: 64
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
- Developer(s)
- Dimps
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
There aren’t many JRPGs that lean heavily into third-person shooter gameplay, and it’s only fitting that a game based on an isekai anime where players fight in a world with guns would be a perfect fit for a video game that combines both these genres. Many people feel that the shift to Gun Gale Online did a great job of reinvigorating the interest in Sword Art Online, a popular anime that many people love to hate.
Most anime tie-in games don’t really feature anything too mind-blowing, and Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet certainly faces this issue and then some. However, fans of the series will love interacting with this world, even if the game’s repetition can be a bit too much to handle at times.
3 The 3rd Birthday
Metascore: 71
The 3rd Birthday
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation Portable
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, HexaDrive
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Action, Third-Person Shooter, Tactical
- Released
- December 22, 2010
The Parasite Eve series is one of the most beloved JRPG franchises that fans can check out. The first game is especially brilliant, featuring a short and sweet adventure that is unlike any other JRPG that fans have experienced. The second game tried to emulate the Resident Evil series a bit too much for its own good, but it still has some redeeming qualities of its own.
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However, most fans weren’t huge fans of The 3rd Birthday, the final game in the Parasite Eve series that focused more on third-person shooter gameplay. While this title had some big shoes to fill, players who try not to compare the games too much will find The 3rd Birthday to be a decent fusion of both genres and a pretty fun action title to boot.
2 Resonance Of Fate
Metascore: 74
Resonance Of Fate
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PC
- Developer(s)
- Tri-Ace
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Fantasy, Narrative
- Released
- January 28, 2010
One of the toughest JRPGs that players can check out, Resonance of Fate, is a game that many people overlook, which is a shame. The title’s graphics may look drab, but the gray hues are important to communicate the drab nature of the world and the oppressive atmosphere that residents are forced to tolerate.
Resonance of Fate can be a nightmare to get into, with the combat system punishing players for not mapping out their moves correctly. The three main characters use guns to pepper enemies with bullets in stylistic gun duels that can go south really fast without a proper strategy. The fact that battles against regular enemies can end in a Game Over in no time is a testament to Resonance of Fate‘s unique combat system, and it deserves way more love than it gets.
1 Valkyria Chronicles
Metascore: 86
Valkyria Chronicles
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS3, PS4, Switch
- Developer(s)
- Sega, Media Vision
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Tactical, Third-Person Shooter
- Released
- October 31, 2008
A strategy RPG that has fizzled out in popularity over time, people who checked out the first Valkyria Chronicles were more than happy with what was on offer here. Set during a time of war, the game doesn’t shy away from showing the horrors of conflict at a global scale, with players having to strategize to get through every level by the skin of their teeth.
The great story, memorable characters, and fun gameplay go a long way in making Valkyria Chronicles a blast to play through. The tactical gameplay is a delight, and players can manually control the aim of snipers if they want to enjoy some third-person shooter action in their JRPG.
