The Best JRPGs With No Job System

Key Takeaways

• Persona 5 Royal’s stat and skill customization for Joker replaces traditional job systems.
• Final Fantasy 6’s diverse party members eliminate the need for unique jobs.
• Chrono Trigger’s small cast with pre-defined roles creates an engaging gameplay experience.

Most fans familiar with JRPGs are quite familiar with the job system. It’s a simple and engaging way to keep the gameplay fresh as players switch the roles of their party members from time to time, trying to master each discipline for the perks they can enjoy.

However, every JRPG doesn’t need to feature this system, even though its inclusion is always welcomed by the masses. Some of the best JRPGs players can get their hands on don’t need a job system to enrapture the masses, with other gameplay systems serving players well throughout the adventure instead.

8 Persona 5 Royal

The Main Character Can Switch Personas, But It’s Far From A Traditional Job System

Persona 5 Royal is one of the greatest video games ever made, cementing the comeback of a genre that hadn’t soared for quite some time. Players love the adventures of the Phantom Thieves as they make several despicable individuals change their minds for the betterment of society.

There’s no job system in the game, but players can change the allotment of stats and skills for Joker based on the Persona he has equipped. It boasts a great level of complexity that’s governed by the player’s efforts to acquire as many powerful Personas as possible, turning the protagonist into a force to be reckoned with.

7 Final Fantasy 6

With So Many Playable Characters, There Isn’t A Need For Unique Jobs

Final Fantasy 6 is one of the greatest video games ever made, coming hot on the heels of a title that relished in letting players experiment with a complex job system. Instead of replicating the same gameplay as that of Final Fantasy 5, the sequel decided to change things up by featuring the highest number of party members to ever feature in a Final Fantasy game.

There may not be any jobs, but every party member in Final Fantasy 6 is unique and personifies one of the many classic jobs featured in the series. This allows for every party composition to feel unique as players have a great time enjoying the open-ended nature of this game when the World of Ruin makes its debut.

6 Chrono Trigger

A Small And Intimate Cast Of Playable Characters With Pre-Defined Roles In A Well-Paced JRPG

Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest JRPGs ever made that needs no introduction. Players love the amazing pacing and memorable party members as they embark on a time-traveling adventure for the ages.

There’s no need for a job system in Chrono Trigger, with the game being innovative enough to let players enjoy other gameplay features instead. Landing Double and Triple Techs as players travel through the ages and uncover a wealth of optional content makes for a mind-blowing adventure that fans will have a great time with.

5 Parasite Eve

Players Control A Single Character, Who’s A Detective With Supernatural Powers

Parasite Eve is a unique JRPG that bucks the many trends and tropes that were rife in this genre. Players control a single character in a short yet captivating journey as they investigate the acts of a superbeing named Eve who’s trying to force humanity to evolve.

As one would expect, there’s no job system to mess around with in this title, but players will soon realize that these complex gameplay mechanics would be unnecessary in this short game. Aya’s natural progression as she levels up is engaging enough to keep players entertained until the very end of this memorable title that more JRPG fans need to check out.

4 Shadow Hearts

A Lovecraftian JRPG Where The Judgement Ring More Than Makes Up For The Lack Of A Job System

Shadow Hearts has become more and more relevant as the years have passed, with the combination of JRPG elements and Lovecraftian themes ensuring that players can have a great time in this unique JRPG. It helps that the writing is great and helps every character stand out in this underrated title.

There aren’t any jobs to speak of, but each party member boasts unique abilities that make it worthwhile to switch up the party from time to time. At the heart of the battle system is the Judgement Ring, where players must nail timed button presses to do everything from executing regular attacks to using recovery items and magic.

3 The World Ends With You

Real-Time Combat That’s Frenetic And Doesn’t Require A Job System To Be Engaging

The World Ends With You is one of the few JRPGs to integrate a gameplay loop that made the most of the Nintendo DS’ layout. Battles took place on both screens, and players had to use both the buttons and the touchscreen to excel in these hectic battles.

This makes it clear why The World Ends With You didn’t need a job system to keep players engaged. While subsequent re-releases have sacrificed a lot of this unique combat to make the game work on a single screen, the style and quality of the game more than makeup for this drawback.

2 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

A Classic JRPG With Skill Panels Where Every Party Member Has A Pre-Defined Role

After failing to make a huge impact in the West, Dragon Quest 11 surprised everyone by making a huge splash outside of Japan and turning into one of the most successful titles in the franchise. A classic JRPG that leans on several tropes without feeling too cliched, fans of the genre should make it a point to check out this brilliant Dragon Quest title.

It may lack a job system, but the skill panels and engaging combat more than makeup for the lack of this tried-and-tested gameplay mechanic. Progression feels satisfying and meaningful as every character unlocks unique abilities that make the bulk of these party members useful in certain scenarios.

1 EarthBound

The Anti-JRPG That Intentionally Distances Itself From The Genre’s Tropes, Including The Job System

Given how Shigesato Itoi aimed to make a JRPG that bucked the genre’s trends to set itself apart from its competitors, it’s easy to see why EarthBound doesn’t feature a job system in any capacity. However, this isn’t a negative in the slightest, and the game more than makes up for it in other departments.

Instead of a band of heroes, players control a group of children who just want to enjoy their day-to-day life, only to be roped into a quest to prevent a nefarious otherworldly being from corrupting the world. It’s a unique setup, and it helps that EarthBound is oozing with so much charm that players will blast through the title before reaching a satisfying conclusion.