15+ Best JRPGs to Play in 2024: Japan’s Greatest

Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) continue to push the boundaries of role-playing games with cinematic storytelling and witty characters who stay with you long after the credits roll. While these games aren’t all necessarily from Japan, there’s no denying that the best JRPGs owe a great deal to legacy titles from the country.

There’s a fair bit of diversity within the genre, too, with real-time combat options, turn-based strategy, and even an MMO among our recommendations. We’ve curated a list of our top 15 best JRPGs in 2024 that cater to all these tastes and will take you on an adventure larger than life.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. 15 Best JRPGs to Play in 2024
3. More of the Best JRPGs to Play in 2024
4. The Bottom Line
5. FAQs
6. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. 15 Best JRPGs to Play in 2024
3. More of the Best JRPGs to Play in 2024
Show Full Guide
4. The Bottom Line
5. FAQs
6. References

15 Best JRPGs to Play in 2024

15. Tales of Arise

While not many players in the West may have heard of this franchise, Tales of Arise brings sixteen titles’ worth of lore and refinements. Thanks to strong combat and stunning visuals, newcomers flocked to the game. Being on Microsoft’s PC Game Pass service helped it reach a wider audience as well.

The world of Dahna is packed with interesting things to do and lush environments that change over time. Your party members all fill various roles in true JRPG fashion and are a blast to control. If you’ve been looking for a new franchise to get emotionally invested in, consider starting with Tales of Arise, one of the best JRPGs on Steam.

14. Octopath Traveler 2

One of the best old-school JRPGs on PC, Octopath Traveler 2, offers an interesting format that strays from conventional storylines. It pairs eight characters and their stories together, making for a narrative that lets you tie threads as you see fit as you work toward the final conclusion.

All of them have unique backstories and starting sequences that can be played in any order. They also have unique abilities in combat and while traversing the world, letting you interact with NPCs to gain more information or items. It’s an interesting approach, and while this gamble doesn’t always pay off, Octopath Traveler 2 is worth trying out on PC Game Pass. It also features an incredible lighting system that helps show off its pixel art sprites and visuals.

13. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Vengeance builds on one of the best JRPGs on Nintendo Switch, with 80 hours of extra content and a new ending to work towards. Shin Megami Tensei games might not be as popular as Atlus’ Persona titles, but they’re just as compelling when it comes to refined combat and heartfelt storytelling. Pitting the game’s demons against each other makes for some of the most thrilling turn-based battle sequences in the JRPG genre.

While you can still play the original game, we recommend trying Vengeance first. It’s where the new quality-of-life upgrades and improvements really shine. And since the game is no longer exclusive to the Switch, you can take the game for a spin on other consoles and PCs too.

12. Sea of Stars

Sea of Stars is an indie RPG heavily inspired by 1990s hits like Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG. Its unique turn-based combat with timed button presses keeps you glued to the screen. This approach pairs incredibly well with its whimsical tale that will keep you feeling warm and cozy until the plot twists arrive.

It’s one of the best JRPGs on PS Plus, and its 30-hour campaign will take you through several gorgeous environments that sway to a nostalgia-inducing soundtrack. If you want a JRPG with modern sensibilities that respects the genre’s past, few games scratch that itch the way Sea of Stars does.

11. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak

If you’ve been wondering if the Trails series is worth reading, Daybreak is a great place to start. The 50-hour story focuses on Van Arkride, a mercenary who stands in contrast to some of the more altruistic protagonists of previous entries. He supports local law enforcement with dirty jobs like bounty hunting or brokering deals with strange organizations. Themes of power and borders slowly seep into the story, and the political drama only gets stronger as it unfolds.

Thanks to its turn-based battles sprinkled with real-time elements, you get to land some hits to weaken foes before triggering a turn-based fight. The main story is peppered with little details that reward longtime fans without making it unapproachable for newcomers. And with a smaller cast, each character gets enough time in the spotlight to explore their motivations. It’s a great experience overall and a good way to get started with the Trails games and one of the best JRPGs on Switch.

10. Final Fantasy 16

When it comes to the best action JRPGs, few can deny the influence that Final Fantasy 16 brings to the genre. Epic boss battles and compelling characters raise the game’s strong worldbuilding to incredible heights. Eikon fights are particularly mind-blowing and will have you at the edge of your seat as you stagger massive beasts with a range of elemental attacks. Real-time combat means that you’ll be switching between spells and air combos in a fraction of a second.

Valisthea is a land scarred by a terrible blight that pits kingdoms against each other in a desperate bid for survival. It’s a perfect setting to unleash political machinations and doesn’t overwhelm you thanks to its innovative Active Time Lore system. With 50+ hours of main story and side content, minor flaws like how the game tackles some themes are overshadowed by what it gets right.

9. Persona 3 Reload

Persona 3 Reload is a stunning remake that retells the tragic tale of one of the best classic JRPGs of all time. The game is split between juggling school life and scaling the Tartarus tower in the Dark Hour, a secret hour that starts at midnight. Persona-wielders can explore this hour to face shadows, human emotions that manifest in all shapes and sizes.

As you build relationships and take down fearsome shadows that appear each month, you’ll unravel a story with one of the most somber endings in gaming history. Its core theme of memento mori, meaning ‘remember you must die,’ encourages you to find meaning in life. While the combat sections can get tedious, the social interactions that break up the combat more than compensate for it. And with the Answer expansion out now, you’ll be able to spend even more time with a cast of unforgettable characters.

8. Final Fantasy 14 Online

In addition to being an MMO that you can enjoy with friends, Final Fantasy 14 is one of the best free JRPGs on the market today. Thanks to a generous free trial that lets you play till level 70 and experience one of the best stories in the genre, you’ll have a great time hopping between plot threads. And once you sink enough time into it, the paid expansions will begin to look mighty tempting.

Set in a high fantasy world fractured by political tension and interwoven plot threads, Final Fantasy 14 is a great place to start if you haven’t played other Final Fantasy titles. You also get to customize your hero’s appearance and deck them out with a variety of skills, an option uncommon in JRPGs. Pair up with your friends and well-written NPC characters as you hop between quests and activities in this acclaimed JRPG.

7. Chained Echoes

You’d be surprised to learn that Chained Echoes was largely developed by a single person. And despite that, it’s a powerful homage to the best retro RPGs in the business. If you enjoyed older titles like Chrono Trigger or legacy Final Fantasy games, you owe it to yourself to try Chained Echoes, one of the best JRPGs on Xbox Game Pass. But don’t let its pixel art fool you.

Its random battles introduce you to an intricate combat system that asks you to watch an overdrive meter to time your attacks. The game also features a band of misfits discovering all kinds of threats as they explore a world packed with political intrigue. With about 40 hours of content split between the main story and optional missions, there’s a lot to do in Valandis.

6. NieR: Automata

On the surface, NieR: Automata follows an organization tasked with reclaiming Earth from soulless machines. But unlike most games, the real story begins as the credits roll. Repeated playthroughs uncover the true nature of key characters, offering up plenty of twists and fake-outs. As the story unfolds, Automata tackles some pretty philosophical themes, from free will and morality to what makes one human.

Thanks to its slick real-time hack-and-slash combat, it’s an enjoyable ride from start to finish. Solid writing and stunning cutscenes help the narrative latch onto your mind. And since the PlatinumGames title has been out for a while, NieR: Automata sits among the best JRPGs on Steam Deck, as the game plays nicely with its hardware.

5. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Pairing a massive open world with a stirring storyline on the Nintendo Switch is no small ask. And yet, Monolith Soft accomplishes this handily with Aionios, a unique setting with colonies and Flame Clocks fuelled by the life force of fallen enemies. Soldiers have artificially limited lifespans of ten years and rarely survive that long.

It’s a novel premise that’s backed up by a strong combat system and a wide variety of quests to undertake. While some familiar anime tropes are sprinkled across its 60-hour storyline, it’s still worth playing if you’re a fan of dense JRPGs. The game’s cutscenes can get pretty lengthy but it’s a drawback shared by most games on this list. It’s one of the best JRPGs on Switch.

4. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Among the best tactical JRPGs on the system, this Nintendo Switch exclusive is packed with interesting decisions. From permadeath to a storyline split between three major paths, Fire Emblem: Three Houses features several enticing characters to meet and potentially work with. Death is particularly gut-wrenching when soldiers give their lives for your kingdom.

While it is a fair bit chunkier than your standard RPG, its battle systems and dialogue choices mean that you make a difference in how the story unfolds. Between battles, you’ll be instructing your warriors in the art of war, giving you a personal stake in the plot. And with four possible endings, the game offers a fair bit of replayability as well for strategy fans who appreciate the smallest of details.

3. Persona 5 Royal

Brimming with style, few games can contest Persona 5 Royal’s claim of sitting among the best JRPGs ever. Its acid-jazz soundtrack will have you humming to the beat as you hop between school life and a parallel dimension where your team fights Shadows, manifestations of human will. The latter doesn’t wear you out, thanks to expertly paced segments with dynamic combat encounters.

A calendar system puts you on a ticking clock to juggle homework and relationships alongside stealing the desires of corrupt adults. It’s a tantalizing mix of mechanics and themes that will have you humming Last Surprise long after you vanquish the final villain. Persona 5 Royal also includes an expansion that expands on the original game’s themes of reforming society with a heartfelt and somber conclusion.

2. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

While some fans of the Yakuza franchise had second thoughts about the franchise pivoting from brawler action to turn-based combat, Infinite Wealth’s battles manage to channel the same excitement as you square off against foes across Hawaii and Japan. Longtime fans of protagonist Kazama Kiryu are in for a treat thanks to nostalgia-inducing side activities and a conclusion to one of the longest character arcs in gaming.

Ex-convict Ichiban Kasuga’s endearing grit shines in the continent-hopping storyline as the baton is passed over to him from an aging Kiryu. Straying from the high-stakes crime drama into bizarre minigames like managing your own island, Pokémon-inspired brawls, or singing karaoke remains just as engrossing as the games before Infinite Wealth. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s latest RPG is well worth your time and might just convince you to try the older games.

1. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Despite being a remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth stands tall among the best turn-based JRPGs on the PS5. The second part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, Rebirth is a major overhaul of the game’s systems that is equal parts modern and devout to its past. You’ll quickly fall in love with Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and Aerith as you traverse an open world brimming with memorable sights and activities.

Phenomenal voice acting carries Rebirth’s main story and side quests while a blend of action and turn-based combat breathes new life into battles. The new interpretation of a decades-old story will delight both hardcore fans and newcomers thanks to its reverence for iconic moments and confidence in reworking some segments of the game. With over 80 hours of content, it’s an investment you won’t regret.

More of the Best JRPGs to Play in 2024

The Bottom Line

With the help of our recommendations, you’ll be able to begin your JRPG adventure on your terms. Be it rich worldbuilding, convincing plot twists, or characters who make an impression, these games have plenty to offer. You can also pick from turn-based combat and more action-oriented titles based on your preferences.

Feel free to experiment, though. JRPGs offer some of the best stories in gaming thanks to how they tie world-altering events to the fates of their characters. Start with one of these games, and you’re guaranteed a journey you won’t forget.

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