Best Modern JRPGs

Some might argue that JRPGs peaked during the ’90s and early 2000s with the SNES, PS1, and PS2. While an argument can certainly be made in favor of that claim, the genre has hardly slowed down in recent years. In fact, every year includes at least a couple of fantastic JRPGs.

Deciphering the list of best JRPGs becomes harder with each passing year. However, some of the genre’s most recommendable games have come out over the past few years, and there are plenty of great titles just waiting to be played. Any fans of action or turn-based JRPGs are certainly not lacking in options.

Criteria

• The cut-off year is 2016 (for North American releases).
• Games like Monster Hunter, Dark Souls, and Nioh will not be considered since they are basically their own subgenres, and the same goes for MMORPGs.
• SRPGs will be considered.
• Remasters of pre-2016 games will only be included if they added something significant to the base game beyond polish.
• Only one game per franchise or subseries​​​​​.
• Each game’s Metascore will be included, although these scores are not the rankings’ sole deciding factor.

Updated January 16, 2024 by Mark Sammut: 2024 is underway, and players won’t need to wait long to get their hands on a few JRPGs. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is set to be another turn-based urban epic, one that seems primed to introduce a fresh setting for Sega’s franchise. Persona 3 Reload is a fully fleshed-out remake of Atlus’ beloved PS2 and PSP JRPG, and its modernized presentation should ease the barrier of entry for fans who have only played Persona 5. While not as well-known as those two projects, Granblue Fantasy: Relink could prove to be one of the better action JRPGs of 2024, and players can try out the demo right now. Finally, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth should end February 2024 on a high note.

30 One Piece Odyssey

Metascore: 79

Licensed games have earned a negative reputation, and that holds for anime properties. One Piece has a few decent titles under its belt, but the beloved shonen series has yet to craft something that comes close to equaling the best Dragon Ball or Naruto games; that said, Odyssey is a step in the right direction. A turn-based JRPG, the 2023 release follows the Straw Hats as they are shipwrecked on a strange island and then lose their abilities. Consequently, they have to revisit their hardest historical battles to regain their strength.

One Piece Odyssey is gorgeous. Even though the island takes a backseat for long stretches of the campaign, Waford is a fascinating setting that ties nicely into the manga’s lore, even if it is not meant to be treated as canon. The combat system is pretty good as well, and it shakes things up by dividing the battlefield into distinct areas. Despite being generally a positive experience, Odyssey is ultimately only for One Piece fans.

29 Astlibra Revision

Metascore: 81

Technically, Astlibra predates 2016 by quite a while, but the version available to most players is 2022’s Revision iteration. This release brings together an episodic project to create an impressive action RPG overflowing with depth, nuance, and style. Created largely by a solitary developer, Astlibra Revision follows an amnesiac boy and his unique companion as they head out on a journey that involves a missing girl, demons, and time travel. The latter serves as the framing device for most missions, as the protagonist finds himself heading back in time on adventures that eventually reveal more of his memory. Although a bit messy in places, the story is constantly captivating, and it even produces a few surprises along the way.

This love letter to classic RPGs still manages to find a unique font. Most of Astlibra Revision‘s ideas can be traced to influential older releases, but they are rarely direct copies. The real-time combat uses a simple combo system that is complemented by a parry mechanic that rewards the player’s willingness to take risks. Furthermore, the game offers a rich selection of possessions that act as magic spells. Even the progression system is handled well, granting players a fair number of build options while also granting them the opportunity to switch things up if a setup is not working.

28 Scarlet Nexus

Metascore: 80

New JRPG IPs do not come around all that often, particularly ones with a decent budget behind them. Scarlet Nexus is the type of game that should be cherished; a reasonably ambitious action JRPG that offers upward of 50 hours of gameplay since it features two protagonists with their own storylines.

Set in a world where humanity is threatened by the arrival of monsters known as Other, Yuito and Kasane join the OSF, a task force designed to repel these entities. From there, both characters become ensnared in a conspiracy that goes to quite a few unpredictable places. Scarlet Nexus‘ combat system is fast-paced, responsive, and highly entertaining, and it develops quite nicely as the campaign progresses.

27 Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Metascore: 84

Building on the success of Wrath of the White Witch, Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom strikes a slightly more mature tone than its predecessor. Roland finds himself teleported to Ding Dong Dell just as a coup is carried out usurping the kingdom’s soon-to-be king, a young prince named Evan. After narrowly escaping the castle, Roland and Evan travel across the world seeking allies who can aid in returning the prince to his throne.

Ni no Kuni 2‘s main story is solid and its visuals are stunning, particularly for those fond of anime. The sequel also revamps the combat system, changing it for the better.

26 Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin

Metascore: 82

Edelweiss’s Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin carries a lot on its plate as the game balances two genres that typically move at conflicting paces: farming sims and side-scrolling action. Incredibly, Edelweiss managed to create a balanced experience, with neither half seeming underbaked. The titular Sakuna refers to a lazy goddess who is sent to the Isle of Demons for rehabilitation, forcing her to learn what it is like to live and work like humans.

Sakuna spends her days either cultivating rice or exploring dungeons in search of resources. The former is surprisingly in-depth, and players will need to carefully monitor their fields if they want to stay in the green. When it comes to dungeon crawling, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin utilizes a fast-paced 2.5D hack and slash combat system that expands nicely as the protagonist acquires new moves.

25 Honkai: Star Rail

Metascore: 80

While Genshin Impact should be able to scratch someone’s free-to-play action RPG itch, Honkai: Star Rail is for those who prefer turn-based combat. Unlike HoYoVerse’s other big property, the 2023 release is set within a sci-fi-themed universe that is divided into planets, with the campaign currently having two available locations. Naturally, more will be added in the future.

Honkai: Star Rail nails its combat, providing a dynamic turn-based system that is fast-paced but also strategic. As this is a gatcha game, players will be constantly trying to unlock new characters, and the gameplay emphasizes the importance of building a balanced team. Outside of battles, Honkai: Star Rail offers decently sized maps that are similar in structure to Genshin Impact‘s world, although they are naturally smaller in scope.

24 Disgaea 7: Vows Of The Virtueless

Metascore: 84

Nippon’s Disgaea is a staple of the tactical RPG scene, even if it is fairly niche compared to something like Fire Emblem. Recent sequels have tried to lower the barrier of entry for newcomers, a direction that resulted in the decent but overly simplified Disgaea 6. Its 2023 successor opted to turn back time by providing a more classical take on the franchise’s concepts, resulting in a polished package that represents Disgaea at close to its best. The story follows Fuji and Pirilika, two adventurers who decide to dethrone the shogun by finding an array of powerful weapons. As is the case with most entries in the series, Disgaea 7‘s narrative is lighthearted and not particularly amazing, although it is fairly entertaining.

While generally serviceable, Disgaea‘s stories exist in service of their endgames, and the seventh entry is no exception. Before long, the game will open up and reveal a plethora of mechanics that players need to take into account as they try to craft their pitch-perfect team. The process can be arduous, but it is also addictive. For the actual battles, the combat system works well, and it even comes with a fun new mechanic that allows characters to transform.

23 Fuga: Melodies Of Steel 2

Metascore: 86

CyberConnect2 is reasonably well-known, although the developer is not synonymous with turn-based JRPGs. Fuga: Melodies of Steel saw the company take a break from anime adaptations to craft a narrative-driven war story about children going up against an overwhelming Empire. The 2021 game is very good, and its sequel largely follows in its predecessor’s footsteps.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 is built on a fairly deep and strategic combat system, one that has a couple of unique ideas like a mechanic that allows a character to be sacrificed in order to defeat a boss. Although the gameplay is solid, this game is primarily about its story, characters, and world.

22 Labyrinth Of Galleria: The Moon Society

Metascore: 85

The follow-up to 2018’s Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk, Labyrinth Of Galleria: The Moon Society is a dungeon-crawler akin to something like Ultima. Players dive into the depths of a labyrinth as they steadily work their way through level after level of mazes filled with colorful and imaginative enemies. People familiar with these types of releases will feel right at home with Nippon Ichi’s project; meanwhile, newcomers might find themselves initially overwhelmed or lost, but that is also part of the game’s charm.

The Moon Society emphasizes party set-up, granting players access to a wide range of character customization options. A cool feature of this series is the implementation of covens, which essentially integrate small parties within the larger group. Characters assigned to the same slot function as a unit, a mechanic that presents plenty of wiggle room for experimentation.

21 Bravely Default 2

Metascore: 83

2014’s Bravely Default saw Square Enix revert to the type of JRPGs that put the company on the map during the late ’80s and early ’90s, specifically the classic Final Fantasy releases. The first game is still arguably the franchise’s best entry, but Bravely Default 2 is a solid sequel for Switch and PC owners.

While Bravely Second is a direct sequel to Bravely Default, 2021’s entry is its own beast, introducing a new world, characters, and quest to follow. With a heavy emphasis on Jobs and customization, Bravely Default 2 serves as a prime example that there is still a place for old-school turn-based JRPGs.

20 Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Metascore: 86

Star Ocean has quite the legacy, but the franchise’s modern entries have struggled to fully recapture the magic of the older releases. The Divine Force was a big step in the right direction following the lackluster Integrity and Faithlessness, but the game nevertheless reflects an IP trying to steady its footing.

In recent years, the best Star Ocean games have been remakes of classic projects, and The Second Story R represents the series at its peak. The core campaign sticks very close to the 1998 original, which is not a bad thing since the latter is considered a classic for a reason; however, the remake provides way more than just a fresh coat of paint. The combat, progression, and exploration systems have been retooled and expanded, delivering what is arguably the definitive version of an all-time great JRPG.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R‘s visuals are quite gorgeous. They are cut from the same cloth as Octopath Traveler, an art style that comes across as contemporary while still echoing the spirit of the original version. Die-hard fans looking to revisit the glory days will find a lot to love in this spruced-up masterpiece, while newcomers looking to dip their toes into this universe have a release that fully showcases just why Star Ocean is a big deal.

19 Live A Live

Metascore: 85

In 1994, Square published Live A Live for the Super Famicom, and like many late entries in the console’s lifespan, the RPG never made it out of Japan. Jump forward nearly two decades, and the title finally earns its Western debut courtesy of a Switch remake, which eventually was ported to PC and PlayStation devices. Live A Live was and still is relatively unique, primarily due to its structure. The campaign is divided into mini-stories featuring different settings and protagonists, although they are not completely disconnected from each other.

Live A Live is ambitious, and while not everything about the game clicks, the positives far outweigh the negatives. The remake largely adheres to the original version’s combat system and gameplay, instead opting to focus its tweaks on improving the visuals and adding some quality-of-life adjustments.

18 Super Mario RPG Remake

Metascore: 83

Released in 1996, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is among the Nintendo mascot’s most beloved side adventures, and the game holds up fairly well considering its age. However, Nintendo opted to modernize this SNES classic by producing a remake that offers gorgeous new visuals and slightly fine-tuned gameplay, although the core experience holds true to the original version. This turn-based JRPG sends Mario, Peach, and a few other characters on a kingdom-protecting trip that revolves around sentient weapons, and the story utilizes humor to hilarious effect. Any newcomers familiar with the early Paper Mario entries or Mario & Luigi will likely feel right at home with Super Mario RPG‘s style of storytelling and combat since the 1996 release set the groundwork for pretty much all of Mario’s role-playing escapades.

Although the remake is high-quality and does justice to its forefather’s reputation, it should be noted that there is very little new content here. The visuals have been overhauled and the battle system has received a bit of attention, including a fun new team-based attack, but this is otherwise the same journey Mario and company went through in 1996. Consequently, long-time fans who have played through this adventure multiple times already should really consider whether they want to go for another playthrough.

17 NEO: The World Ends With You

Metascore: 85

A sequel to 2007’s The World Ends with You, NEO drops players into a new Reaper’s Game and tells them to outdo the other teams. Launching on the Switch and PS4 before making its way to PC, NEO: The World Ends with You features a more straightforward action-oriented combat system, albeit one that is still built upon equipping Pins that unlock moves and abilities.

The story, while somewhat on the long side, has an element of mystery that keeps it moving along quite nicely. The characters are irresistibly charming, especially the main heroes, while the music is nothing short of amazing.

16 Undernauts: Labyrinth Of Yomi

Metascore: 85

Dungeon crawlers are associated more with Western RPGs than JRPGs, but, as this article shows, the latter has produced its share of goodies over the years. Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is a confident addition to the genre, and anyone who has played their share of these types of games should feel right at home when they dive into this dark adventure.

Breezing past the story and characters, Undernauts is all about its combat and customization. The latter is challenging and satisfying, including a couple of quality-of-life additions that make the process as smooth and quick as possible. While the characters do not have much personality, players are given a robust selection of classes so they can tweak their party to suit their needs.

15 Shin Megami Tensei 5

Metascore: 84

Atlus doesn’t drop a new numbered Shin Megami Tensei game all that often, but when those days arrive, they are almost never disappointments. SMT 5 is a difficult, dark JRPG that plunges Tokyo into a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with dungeons that are home to powerful demons.

SMT 5 modernizes ideas that have been present in the franchise for decades; it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, opting to focus on perfecting a formula that has paid off multiple times already. This is a hardcore JRPG with heavy themes, overwhelming bosses, and deep strategic options.

14 Meg’s Monster

Metascore: 85

Meg’s Monster has all the making of a traditional indie JRPG, but the game has a different feel than most of the genre’s independent offerings. For one, this story-driven title can be completed in a few short hours, making it an ideal recommendation for those who want a rare brisk JRPG that cuts away most of the fat. Secondly, while turn-based combat plays a part, it is streamlined and limited as there are no random encounters or opportunities to grind. Meg’s Monster also throws out a curveball by putting players in control of an overpowered being (the eponymous monster) who is trying to protect a powerless child who has the power to cause the end of the world by crying. As such, battles have an almost puzzle-like quality since the focus is on managing Meg’s emotions rather than just steamrolling everything put in front of the player.

Developed by Odencat, Meg’s Monster follows a girl (Meg) who winds up in the Underworld. There, she meets two monsters, one of which is tasked with returning the human to her mother. Initially, the monster has little time for Meg, but they naturally grow closer. Unique setting aside, Meg’s Monster has a fairly ordinary set-up, but Odencat does a great job of fleshing out its characters while also deviating from the standard beats of this sort of storyline.

13 Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of Dana

Metascore: 85

Originally released on the elusive PS Vita, the latest title in the Ys series features fast-paced action combat. While comparable to Square-Enix’s Mana series, specifically the recent Trials of Mana remake, Ys offers smoother battling, combos, and the chance to build an island village. Known for their soundtracks, Falcom does not disappoint with Ys 8‘s fantastic music.

Shipwrecked on an island, adventurers Adol Christin and Dogi must locate the missing crew, establish a village on the island, and find their way back home. The story involves a secret of the island detailing a mysterious girl, Dana, and a prophecy that could end the world. Along with its emotional narrative, character development, customization, and six playable characters, Ys 8 should not be missed by any fan of JRPGs.

12 Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key

Metascore: 86

Gust’s Atelier franchise has been around since the late 90s, but the franchise has stepped up its game over the last half a decade or so. While hardly the first good entries, the Ryza trilogy not only represents the license at its best but also highlights its desire to build upon its strong foundations. Atelier Ryza 3 is arguably the JRPG series’ strongest release to date, and it somehow manages to be a satisfying final chapter in an ongoing saga AND an accessible entry point for newcomers to Gust’s property. That is a balancing act that most franchises struggle with; however, Atelier makes it work due to the games’ typically relaxed tone. Although not devoid of epic moments, they incorporate slice of life elements that make it easy to jump into a new chapter without prior knowledge.

Atelier Ryza 3 has enjoyable turn-based combat, a deep crafting system, and an entertaining story driven by likable and charming characters. Graphically, Gust’s project cannot quite compare to the latest Final Fantasy, but the visuals are still pleasant to the eyes. The game has quite a lengthy campaign as well that can easily keep someone busy for roughly 50 hours, which is not a bad return for any JRPG.

11 Octopath Traveler 2 – 86

Square Enix and Acquire’s Octopath Traveler 2 largely sticks to the blueprint established by its 2018 predecessor, which is not exactly a negative. Inspired by JRPGs of old, the 2.5D game follows eight characters who, essentially, go on separate adventures. Sure, they accompany each other on their quests, but the stories themselves are standalone. Outside their own narratives, the characters primarily act as bodies for the game’s turn-based combat system, which is relatively routine for the genre. That said, the party members do interact with each other, unlike the first game.

Octopath Traveler 2 is one of those games that can be polarizing, and its structure naturally lends itself to an uneven experience. While none of them are terrible, the eight campaigns are not all equal; consequently, players can find themselves spending hours on a questline that does nothing for them. These quirks aside, there is a lot to appreciate in this package. Octopath Traveler 2‘s art style is stunning; even if it does not look as epic or big as a modern Final Fantasy, the game’s graphics are still phenomenal. The combat is fun as well, provided someone knows they are getting into a throwback to ’90s JRPGs.