The 2010s hosted some of the greatest JRPGs released. All the way up through 2020, this past decade featured some of the greatest games in history. Many developers have contributed to this ever-growing library of classics.
Deciphering the list of best games in the genre becomes harder with each passing year. And no list could truly capture all of the best games without honorable mentions, such as Xenoblade Chronicles. However, some of the most recommendable games came out over the past few years and are highly rated on Metacritic.
10 Bravely Second (Square-Enix, 2016) – 81
This 3DS title was the sequel to 2014’s Bravely Default. Featuring a cast of four characters, it took cues from its big sister series, Final Fantasy, with the Job system. The “Brave” and “Default” battle system involved players using up turns to attack more or guarding to block damage and build more Brave points.
Unlike the first game, Bravely Second did away with the looping-chapter segments featured in the second half of Bravely Default. The game continued on a consistent string and offered some heavy plot twists around the center of the game. Featuring a charming cast of characters, the title also added QoL improvements to the battle and leveling system.
9 Octopath Traveler (Square-Enix, 2018) – 83
Following the two Bravely titles on 3DS, Tomoya Asano and his team created a new JRPG series for Nintendo Switch. Octopath Traveler followed 8 protagonists who each featured their own story. These intertwining fates brought each character together. While Bravely was similar to Final Fantasy V, Octopath felt more similar to Final Fantasy VI albeit with the Job system retained.
Octopath Traveler delivered beautiful, crisp visuals. It featured gorgeous HD effects with incredibly detailed sprite work. This lengthy campaign boasted over 80 hours of boss fights, side-quests, hidden bosses, dungeons, and some of the best-written narratives ever to come to the genre. Furthermore, Octopath Traveler later came to both Steam and Google Stadia.
8 Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey (Alphadream, 2019) – 84
The original Bowser’s Inside Story launched for DS in 2009. Along with Mario & Luigi, this game also starred their archnemesis, Bowser. On his quest to reclaim his castle from Fawful, he came with his own powerful attacks.
Bowser’s Inside Story provided insight on how Bowser would be an ideal anti-hero in a JRPG. Moreover, the incredibly enjoyable battle system came with the solid world design, puzzles, and the giant battles to go with it. This remake also included a side-campaign, Bowser Jr’s Journey, which starred the young lad on his quest to make his dear old dad proud!
7 Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana (Falcom, 2017) – 85
Originally released on the elusive PS Vita, the latest title in the Ys series featured 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 VIII‘s fantastic music.
Shipwrecked on an island, adventurers Adol Christin and Dogi must find 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 its six playable characters, Ys VIII should not be missed by any fan of JRPGs.
6 Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remastered (Square-Enix, 2013) – 85
The remaster of the PS2 classics made their way to most consoles and Steam over the past few years. Featuring revamped visuals and an arranged soundtrack, the crystal-clear audio, and gorgeous visuals refined one of the prettiest games in history. Furthermore, the remaster features the International version content that was once exclusive to Japan. Much like its PS1 predecessors, Final Fantasy X takes dozens of hours to complete.
Final Fantasy X redefined JRPGs with its turn-based CTB system, the ability to play as summons in battle, and its heart-wrenching story. The title fits along with the best of modern-day JRPGs thanks largely to its previously exclusive content which PS2 players now have access to. Arguably one of the greatest games of all time, this remaster is still a worthy addition to anyone with access to today’s consoles or PC.
5 Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age (Square-Enix, 2018) – 86
Originally released in Japan for 3DS, this title came to America a year later for PS4 and PC. Dragon Quest XI featured a 100-hour narrative of a hero, prophesied to save the world, and labeled as an antagonist who’s pursued by the king’s forces. This incredibly deep storyline features a cast of wonderful characters who aid the Hero in their quest to save the world.
Dragon Quest XI S takes the game one step further with new endings, an orchestral soundtrack, and the original 3DS’ 16-bit mode returned for the Switch release. This near-perfect experience boasts incredible bosses, solid dungeon design, and some of the best world-building anyone could ask for. Dragon Quest XI S will come to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam later this year.
4 NieR: Automata (Platinum Games, 2017) – 88
This tragic real-time RPG stars three different androids: 2B, 9S, and A2. Their mission involved coming back to Earth, from space, to cleanse the post-apocalyptic world of Machines. Along the way, however, they begin to learn of their true purpose. Despite the plot being heavily separated from its predecessor, NieR, this standalone storyline offers a number of references.
The nihilism and existentialism remain present throughout the narrative. Many side-quests end in tragedy along with a number of endings. Featuring 26 endings, dozens of side-quests, and a fantastic battle system, NieR: Automata is easily one of the best games of this generation.
3 Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Intelligent Systems, 2019) – 89
Nintendo’s latest Strategy/RPG offering for Nintendo Switch features the main character, a professor at a mercenary academy, and three regal protagonists. Each of these lords has a house and the player must choose which one to teach for. The world later becomes embroiled in war as all three houses collide in battle.
Three Houses offers a deep narrative, character development, and a wonderful soundtrack. The in-depth battle and strategy mechanics are second to none as the game also offers multiple difficulty levels. This addicting experience also takes cues from Genealogy of the Holy War and the Persona series thanks to the academy storyline and the calendar system, respectively.
2 Persona 4 Golden (Atlus, 2012) – 93
Originally released on PlayStation 2, Persona 4 later came to the PS Vita as an updated re-release. Golden featured new endings, new social links, and a variety of quality improvements. This legendary JRPG recently came to Steam upscaled to HD.
Persona 4 Golden offers a memorable cast of characters trying to solve a string of murders in the rural Japanese town of Inaba. The main character, a transfer student, becomes embroiled in the story and forms the Investigation Team. As the characters travel into the television world, the Midnight Channel, they confront themselves, awaken their Personas, travel through dungeons, and fight powerful bosses. The social link system offers deep character development, the exceptional soundtrack plays dozens of memorable hits, and the fantastic narrative is recommended for any fan of JRPGs.
1 Persona 5 Royal (Atlus, 2020) – 95
Originally released as Persona 5 in 2017, this groundbreaking JRPG featured a cast of characters defying authority and fighting their fates. Forming the Phantom Thieves, these teenagers enter the cognitive world, awaken their Personas, and stop abusive adults from threatening their lives. Persona 5 continuously deepens its narrative with every arc while the social links offer the player ways to build their party and develop their allies’ story.
Persona 5 Royal was a re-release of the game for PS4 and featured a slew of quality improvements. Royal is not a common re-release but a fantastic expansion of the original title. Featuring 60 more hours of storyline and content, totaling up to 170 hours, Royal offered a new Thieves Den, a slew of mini-games, new social links, and an entirely new semester waiting at the end of the original game. Persona 5 Royal shatters all expectations as one of the best games of this generation and one of the greatest of all time. It goes without saying that this game is extremely recommended to all fans of JRPGs.
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