The Best JRPGs With Just Two Playable Characters

Key Takeaways

• Recent JRPGs like
  Scarlet Nexus
  offer unique dual-protagonist gameplay experiences.
• World of Final Fantasy
  utilizes monster stacking for gameplay variety and fun JRPG elements.
• Ys X: Nordics
  showcases the best use of a 2-character combat system in an action-based JRPG.

There have been some fantastic JRPGs recently, from Metaphor: ReFantazio to Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and interest in the genre is seeing a resurgence. Both high-profile developers like Atlus and Square, as well as indie developers, have been exploring turn-based combat in new ways alongside the many action JRPGs gamers seen of late.

JRPGs are renowned for their parties, and often the four character party archetype is seen as a genre standard. There are many games that buck this trend though, either sticking to a single protagonist, or mixing up the party numbers.

It’s a little rarer to see a JRPG that has just two playable characters. Even many JRPGs with dual protagonists include supporting party members. The games here all choose to use just two playable characters, either simultaneously or one at a time. These are the best JRPGs with just two playable characters.

8 Scarlet Nexus

Telekinetic Duo

Scarlet Nexus is a unique dual-protagonist JRPG, where players choose either Yuito Sumeragi or Kasane Randall and experience the story from that character’s perspective. Players eventually meet supporting characters who assist in battle, but retain control of their chosen protagonist in combat.

The game revolves around the psychokinetic powers of the protagonists, which allow them to hurl objects with their minds and more. This leads to an interesting combination of melee and ranged attacks in the action-style JRPG combat.

7 World Of Final Fantasy

Monster Stacking Friends

Many fans overlooked World of Final Fantasy due to its art style or its unusual battle system. Yet, it’s a quirky and fun JRPG that leans on Final Fantasy fan service from across the series to deliver some amusing takes on well-known characters and locations.

The game follows the adventures of Lann and Reynn, who the player controls at the same time in an ATB-based battle system that’s not too dissimilar to the PS1-era Final Fantasy games. The unique hook is that players collect monsters, known as mirages, to stack on their characters to grant them stats and abilities in battle.

This leads to some fun collecting and experimenting with combinations of mirages. The “Chibi” art style might not be for everyone, but the game is certainly worth checking out for long-time Final Fantasy fans.

6 Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Brothers In Arms

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was originally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2003. Building on the work of the Super Mario RPG games, it sees players controlling both Mario and Luigi simultaneously in the overworld and in turn-based battles.

The game retains the creativity of the Mario RPG series, giving the brothers a variety of abilities that can be used in the overworld and in battle. It even includes action elements like timed dodges amid the turn-based battles. It’s a fun JRPG featuring some iconic dual protagonists.

5 Final Fantasy 13-2

Time Jumping Teens

It might not be the best known entry in the Final Fantasy series, but Final Fantasy 13-2 is an interesting take on the battle system of Final Fantasy 13. Players who enjoyed the hybrid ATB system of that game will find a lot to enjoy here.

The game follows FF13 protagonist Lightning’s younger sister, Serah, and her companion, Noel, as they search for her missing older sister. The player controls both characters in battle, along with a selection of monsters that make up the 3-member party seen in FF13. Players can collect more monsters as they progress in the game to fill out roles in the party.

Monsters are set according to the player’s paradigms outside of battle, and controlled by AI in fights, while the player can switch between controlling Noel and Serah. The battle system is almost identical to FF13, with the interesting twist of monster collecting.

4 Yakuza 0

Leading Separate Lives

Yakuza 0 might use the brawler style combat seen in all the earlier Yakuza games, but it certainly includes enough skill trees and character progression to be considered a JRPG. In fact, character progression and accumulating wealth are key focuses of the game, as players control both returning protagonist Kiryu and recurring character Goro Majima across the game’s chapters.

Set in the 80s and acting as a prequel to the mainline Yakuza games, Yakuza 0 focuses on a struggle between powerful factions for control of land in Kamurocho known as the Empty Lot. This means both characters aim to amass wealth and strength to overcome the vast forces at work.

For the player, this means the usual Yakuza blend of beating down street punks and running side businesses via various mini-games. It’s one of the stronger entries in the Pre-Like A Dragon Yakuza series, even if it’s not an average JRPG.

3 Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

Dreaming Duo

The Nintendo 3DS game Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance acts to bridge the gap between Kingdom Hearts ReCoded/2 and Kingdom Hearts 3, in terms of both story and gameplay. Most of the events happen concurrently with the first two games via plot-related time travel, filling in some gaps while introducing new elements.

The gameplay has players controlling both Riku and Sora, switching between them via the Drop Gauge system. This acts as a kind of timer. When the gauge depletes, players switch to the other character, but it also allows players to switch manually, as well as incorporating a system where players can empower the next switch with Drop Points, adding some complexity.

Besides that, the game also includes the Command Deck system seen in previous games, as well as out of battle elements that made use of the 3DS specific features at the time. A remade version of the game, Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD, was released along with the Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue.

2 Mario & Luigi: Brothership

The Return Of The Bros

While many of the Intervening Mario & Luigi RPGs have incorporated other characters, Brothership returns to the first game’s focus on the two brothers. The hybrid turn-based and action elements return, with the brothers now able to assist each other in battle.

The game is the most recent entry in the series, and includes a few new mechanics as well as returning themes from across the Mario series. The game revolves around opening up new areas of Shipshape Island to explore, with an increased focus on Luigi being able to create solutions to access new areas.

1 Ys 10: Nordics

Dual Protagonist Energy

The tenth entry in the Ys series, Ys X: Nordics is the first game in the series to feature only two playable characters, with previous entries either featuring a solo character or a larger party. The action-based combat system is built around using both characters in tandem to pull off combos and simultaneous attacks.

Players control both Adol Christin, a returning protagonist from the Ys series, and the pirate warrior Karja Balta. In battle, players can switch between Solo Mode, where one character is controlled by AI and the player can switch on the fly to create combo chains, and Combination Mode, where players can counter enemies with powerful simultaneous attacks.

The story takes place following the events of Ys 2, but the game’s plot stands alone well enough for new players to get into. It’s an excellent action JRPG and maybe the best use of a two-character combat system in a JRPG.