Deciphering the list of best JRPGS becomes harder with each passing year. However, some of the genre’s most recommendable games came out over the past few years and are highly rated on Metacritic.
Updated December 31, 2022 by Mark Sammut: JRPGs will never grow old, and that is a fact. The industry continues to churn out new Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Megami Tensei, and Tales of games, along with occasional new properties like Scarlet Nexus and Valkyrie Elysium. Fans of the genre always have something to look forward to, and they do not even need to look beyond the best JRPGs of the last few years to find something new to play.
31 Rise Of The Third Power – 79
Developed by Stegosoft Games, Rise of the Third Power did not attract too much attention upon release, which is a shame as this turn-based JRPG has a lot of things going for it. A few decades following a devastating war, the Kingdom of Arkadya has begun to rise up in search of global domination, causing fear to spread across the world that another conflict is on the horizon. The story follows a handful of characters as they try to stop Arkadya before a new war breaks out.
RELATED: Beginner Tips For Rise Of The Third Power
Influenced by World War 2, Rise of the Third Power weaves a mature tale filled with intriguing characters who have well-defined pasts. The story is the best part of this package, and the game does not overstay its welcome either. The turn-based combat is more than serviceable, and players will need to make full use of their characters’ tools if they wish to survive on higher difficulties.
Get it on Steam here!
30 Shiren The Wanderer: The Tower Of Fortune And The Dice Of Fate
Released in 2010 in Japan, Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate had to wait until 2016 for a Western release. A Mystery Dungeon subseries, Shiren the Wanderer retains the larger franchise’s gameplay loop, which revolves around grid-based dungeons where enemies move in conjunction with the player.
As this JRPG is also a roguelite, players spend most of their time traversing randomly-generated dungeons in search of loot that can help them survive the many dangers that await. Shiren the Wanderer is not easy, and adventurers will need to make full use of their arsenal if they want to last long.
29 SaGa: Scarlet Grace - Ambitions – 79
Starting out as Final Fantasy Legends, SaGa has a long and complicated history filled with experimental battle systems that range from inspired to needlessly convoluted. Like most of the franchise’s output, Scarlet SaGa presents plenty of interesting ideas, although not all of them hit their mark. Rather than standard exploration, players pick nodes from a map that lead them to a quest or a battle. This approach streamlines the story mode, which comes with positives and negatives. On the one hand, players are given a fair amount of freedom; conversely, the campaign does not feel like much of an adventure, an issue exasperated by the forgettable characters.
Scarlet SaGa’s battle system fares considerably better, and it is arguably among the franchise’s best. The turn-based system emphasizes strategic planning since players only have a select amount of action points they can use per round, so they have to structure their characters’ behavior to optimize the party’s collective strengths. Characters develop depending on the battle skills they rely on the most, permitting players to craft a party that suits their preferences.
Get it on Steam here!
28 One Piece Odyssey
Licensed games have earned a negative reputation, and that holds true 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.
RELATED: One Piece Odyssey: How to Unlock Fast Travel
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.
27 Yo-Kai Watch 3 – 80
A staple of the 2010s, Yo-kai Watch has lost some steam in recent years, and the Switch’s fourth main entry seems destined to remain forever in Japan. Western players who want to jump into the franchise can try Yo-kai Watch 3, an entry that does not require familiarity with prior releases. For the uninitiated, the game revolves around Nathan Adams, a boy who can befriend spirits and then summon them during battles.
Like its predecessors, Yo-kai Watch 3’s combat is simple and somewhat passive, and most fights do not offer too much of a challenge. While the battle system might be a touch underwhelming, the game shines in its world-building, humor, and storytelling. Yo-kai Watch envisions a universe that demands to be explored.
26 Paper Mario: The Origami King – 80
Paper Mario has long since left behind its turn-based JRPG roots, so much so that The Origami King is on the cusp of dropping out of the genre altogether. However, the Switch game incorporates just enough role-playing elements to make the grade for this discussion. Intelligent Systems’ title is quite polarizing, and someone’s mileage will depend on their expectations.
If they go in anticipating a charming action-adventure game that leans into puzzles, exploration, and humor, they are likely to have a blast. Conversely, if a player picks up the 2020 release hoping for an experience reminiscent of The Thousand-Year Door, then they might be disappointed by The Origami King’s battle system. Ultimately, Paper Mario: The Origami King is overflowing with creativity and imagination.
25 Scarlet Nexus – 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.
RELATED: Forgotten JRPGs That Deserve A Reboot
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.
24 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore – 81
Originally released towards the end of Wii U’s lifespan, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE was not granted much of a chance to leave an impact due to the console’s (relatively) small install base. Fortunately, the JRPG eventually made its way to the Nintendo Switch, making it available to far more people. Now, what is Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore? While technically a crossover between Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, in truth, this is an Atlus game that uses characters from Nintendo’s tactical RPG franchise as part of its battle system and mythos.
Tokyo has a Mirage problem, evil spirits who use humans as food. This is where the Fortuna Entertainment agency steps in, as the organization’s idols are secretly heroes who use good Mirages to fight the bad ones. The Fire Emblem characters are the good Mirages. Utilizing a simple but enjoyable turn-based combat system, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is accessible, stylish, and charming.
23 Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin – 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.
22 Etrian Odyssey Nexus – 81
Etrian Odyssey is a throwback to classic dungeon crawlers, albeit with a cute anime aesthetic. 2018’s Nexus is no exception, and in many ways, it is the franchise’s most old-school entry. Players craft a five-member party from 19 classes and then head into massive labyrinths to explore, collect loot, and fight a lot of monsters.
Keeping an overarching plot to a minimum, Etrian Odyssey Nexus prioritizes its combat loop above everything else. The game seeks to make players truly feel like adventurers who are slashing their way through unknown territory, and it accomplishes this goal. Nexus offers deep progression and battle systems, both of which present players with plenty of decisions that genuinely matter.
21 Bravely Default 2 (Claytech Works) – 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 Octopath Traveler (Square-Enix) – 83
Following the two Bravely titles on 3DS, Tomoya Asano and his team created a new JRPG series for Nintendo Switch. Octopath Traveler follows eight protagonists who each feature their own story. These intertwining fates bring each character together. While Bravely is similar to Final Fantasy 5, Octopath is closer to Final Fantasy 6, albeit with the Job system retained.
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Octopath Traveler delivers beautiful, crisp visuals. It features gorgeous HD effects with incredibly detailed sprite work. This lengthy campaign boasts over 80 hours of boss fights, side-quests, hidden bosses, dungeons, and some of the best-written narratives to come to the genre in recent years. Furthermore, Octopath Traveler later came to both Steam and Google Stadia.
19 Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom – 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.
18 Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy (Gust) – 84
Gust’s Atelier has not invaded pop culture quite to the degree of brands such as Final Fantasy, Persona, and Dragon Quest, but this series has been producing delightful games for more than two decades. Although not the first excellent entry in the franchise, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy is a step above what came before it, delivering an experience that is far more rewarding to newcomers.
Boasting a quick start, fine-tuned crafting mechanics, fun dungeons, and a strategic combat system that blends turn-based with real-time elements, Atelier Ryza 2 maximizes the franchise’s latent potential en route to creating one of the best JRPGs on modern consoles.
Get it on Steam here!
17 Fuga: Melodies Of Steel – 84
CyberConnect2’s Little Tail Bronx is an underappreciated franchise, with all the main entries being fun and unique. Despite being set in a world filled with adorable characters, these games tend to deliver quite intense storylines that dive into themes of war. Fuga: Melodies of Steel serves as a stellar entry point into the license, as not only does its narrative pre-date every other game but it is also the most polished overall experience.
A side-scrolling JRPG with turn-based tactical combat, Fuga places a heavy emphasis on party balance as players will have to adapt to battles by picking out the best characters for any given situation. Solid gameplay, a decent storyline, and gorgeous visuals make Fuga: Melodies of Steel an easy recommendation for anyone searching for a lesser-known JRPG.
Get it on Steam here!
16 Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey (Alphadream) – 84
The original Bowser’s Inside Story launched for DS in 2009. Along with Mario & Luigi, this game also stars their archnemesis, Bowser. On his quest to reclaim his castle from Fawful, Bowser comes with his own powerful attacks.
Bowser’s Inside Story provided insight into how Bowser would be an ideal anti-hero in a JRPG. Moreover, the game’s incredibly enjoyable battle system comes alongside solid world design, puzzles, and cool giant battles. This remake also includes a side campaign, Bowser Jr’s Journey, which stars the young lad on his quest to make his dear old dad proud!
15 Shin Megami Tensei 5 (Atlus) – 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.
RELATED: Shin Megami Tensei 5 Vs Persona 5: Which Game Is Better?
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 NEO: The World Ends With You (Square Enix) – 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.
13 Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology (Atlus & Headlock) – 85
Radiant Historia is one of the better RPGs on the Nintendo DS, so it isn’t all that surprising that its remake is also one of the genre’s best on the 3DS. Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology takes the fantastic but complicated base game and makes it more accessible, including the introduction of a difficulty level that allows people to primarily focus on the epic storyline.
An ambitious title that leans heavily into puzzles through its time-travel-themed narrative, Radiant Historia is an underappreciated gem and a must-play for any 3DS owner.
12 Undernauts: Labyrinth Of Yomi – 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.
