The Best JRPGs That Started As PC Exclusives

Key Takeaways

• Indie PC-exclusive JRPGs like
  Elin
  and
  Symphony of War
  offer unique gameplay experiences.
• Games like
  Vestaria Saga
  and
  Bug Fables
  bring fresh storytelling and engaging characters to the JRPG genre.
• Titles like
  Nexomon
  and
  Monster Crown
  cater to
  Pokemon
  fans with creative creature collection mechanics.

JRPGs are renowned for their versatility. The best of the genre isn’t just replete with great gameplay or party management, but also with an engaging story and well-written characters. Expectations among JRPG fans are usually incredibly high, honed by decades of some of the best all-round titles on every platform.

While many of the all-time greats in the JRPG scene have their roots tracing back to classic consoles, such as the SNES or Nintendo 64, there are new and burgeoning titles being released every month that all have a chance of becoming the next hit JRPG. In particular, many indie JRPGs or smaller-scale titles begin their lives on PC before expanding into the console market. These titles in particular began as exclusives for the PC, though some of them have taken on new lives as console titles as well.

8 Elin

A Fantastic Open World JRPG

Elin is the spiritual successor to an obscure but fascinating open-world Roguelike known as Elona. While in Early Access, this title already promises so much more polish and flair than its predecessor, and is the perfect game for those looking to lose themselves in a sprawling open world.

This game is currently in Early Access and exclusive to PC, but with the amount of popularity it’s already gained, a console release could be on the horizon not long after the game’s Early Access period is finished.

7 Vestaria Saga

A Love Letter To Tactical JRPGs

Inspired by JRPG classics like Fire Emblem, the Vestaria Saga games are indie PC-exclusive JRPGs that tell a sweeping tale of politics, war, and intrigue. Players who live and die by the Fire Emblem games or titles like Triangle Strategy will find a lot to love both in this title and its sequel.

There’s an incredible amount of depth in this game, with units having unique abilities and attacks that synergize well with one another, though altogether in distinct ways depending on the army’s overall formation.

6 Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga

An Excellent Strategic JRPG

This JRPG was also influenced by early Fire Emblem, but takes a different tack compared to the above entry, focusing on the relationships forged in battle and opting for a slightly more streamlined combat system.

Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga comes together to make one of the best tactical JRPGs on the market today, and while it’s a PC exclusive, there is confirmation that a Switch port is in the works, though with no current set release date.

5 Nexomon

A Pokemon Inspired Gem

This bright and vibrant creature collector plays like a game made by and for Pokemon fans. Alongside engaging, unique designs, Nexomon has a plethora of QoL features that players have been begging to have included in Pokemon games for decades.

Beyond continuing the long tradition of creature collector games, this game and its sequel—once exclusive to PC before becoming mainstays on every current console—are incredibly engaging RPGs that Pokemon fans of all ages will find some appeal in.

4 Cassette Beasts

A Stylish Monster Catcher

Taking RPG fans by storm, Cassette Beasts is a monster catcher JRPG which doesn’t let its plethora of inspirations get in the way of its identity. This slick, retro-styled title has something that is the joy of any creature-catching enthusiast—a fusion system.

Fusing monsters to create stronger ones, or players transforming into one themselvse, and developing bonds with a host of characters are all part of the core gameplay pillars that support this game. It’s an enticing, entrancing experience that’s sure to keep players hooked for hours. While at one stage this title could only be grabbed by PC users, now players across all platforms—even mobile—can get their hands on this game.

3 Monster Crown

A Genius Homage To Classic Pokemon

A mature re-imagining of classic Game Boy Pokemon games, Monster Crown is an excellent JRPG for anyone who enjoys the intricacies of creature capturing. The game allows players to fuse any of their monsters together into stronger forms, which is an incredibly cathartic process.

The original PC release has now broadened to include all mainstream consoles, and while this game is somewhat divisive for its more mature take on a Pokemon-style story, the things Monster Crown does right, it excels at to an impressive degree.

2 Crystal Project

An Homage To Classic JRPGs

Operating in the tradition of classic Final Fantasy titles while adding an entirely unique Metroidvania spin to the formula, Crystal Project is a JRPG with few equals. While originally on PC exclusively, Switch users are now able to enjoy this title as well—which should make some of the more fiddly platforming sections a bit more manageable.

This is a non-linear title focused on party building and exploration, using the same principles that made those early Final Fantasy games so good, but dialed up to a whole new level. It runs buttery smooth on the Switch despite its huge map and complete lack of loading screens, and PC users working with anything beyond some jumper cables plugged into a root vegetable should get a similar experience.

1 Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

A Smash Hit JRPG

Taking the same humor and iconic vibrancy that’s made Paper Mario such a smash hit series for decades, Bug Fables is an incredibly unique and compelling JRPG. It features an in-depth (and surprisingly hilarious) cooking and eating system for buffs, an interesting navigation system built around the skills of the three core members of the party, and a host of side content that all make this a JRPG worthy of the incredible amount of praise it’s received.

It’s initial release date in 2019 made it a PC exclusive, but in the years since, as this game has continued to rise into more fame and renown, all mainstream modern consoles now have it available to play. It’s a story with an incredible amount of lore but, beyond this, a great deal of humor and some highly addictive combat.