Best JRPG Franchises With Standalone Stories

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home January 10, 2025 4 Views 11 Min Read
Best JRPG Franchises With Standalone Stories



Summary

  • Final Fantasy offers unique standalone experiences, with varying settings and combat systems for diverse audiences.
  • Pokemon reinvents itself with each new game, introducing new creatures, regions, and mechanics while retaining its universal charm.
  • Persona blends supernatural and daily life elements, featuring standalone stories with subtle nods to previous releases for both new and longtime fans.

The JRPG genre is one of the pillars of the video game industry, recognized for its engaging narratives, memorable characters, and varied combat systems. Rooted in Japanese creativity, these games offer epic adventures ranging from intimate stories to grand quests to save the world, providing unforgettable experiences for players across different generations.

standalone jrpgs

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Among the many titles produced in the genre, several standalone JRPG franchises stand out for offering self-contained experiences. These games, while part of a larger series, do not require prior knowledge of previous titles. Thus, the Best JRPG franchises deliver diverse settings, characters, and themes, staying true to the essence of the series by balancing innovations with familiar concepts, delighting a wide range of players.

8

Breath Of Fire

JRPG With Standalone Stories About Character Reincarnations



Breath of Fire II
Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo

Franchise

Breath of Fire

Released

December 10, 1995

Even while maintaining recurring elements such as the theme of dragons and the protagonist Ryu, each title in Breath of Fire offers a narrative that stands on its own. Players can immerse themselves in any chapter of the franchise without missing crucial information from other games, ensuring accessibility to new fans.

Additionally, the series strives to balance a medieval fantasy atmosphere with its reincarnation-based narratives. The presence of memorable characters, combined with an engaging environment, makes the adventures consistently memorable. In this way, Breath of Fire remains a prime example of iconic JRPG Games with autonomous plots, yet interconnected by the essence of a shared legend.

7

Dragon Quest

Franchise Started With Interconnected JRPGs But Became Standalone

Dragon Quest is one of the most respected series in the JRPG world, known for its turn-based combat mechanics and epic storylines. Since its release on the NES, it has captivated fans with engaging stories and brave heroes, with the first six titles divided into two trilogies, each with connected plots, maintaining the genre’s tradition.

Starting with the seventh title, Dragon Quest began presenting completely independent narratives, preserving its characteristic charm and emphasis on charismatic characters. Each new chapter introduces fresh worlds filled with iconic monsters and creative challenges, allowing players to start the series without hesitation. This autonomy strengthens Dragon Quest’s identity as a welcoming, enduring, and always current franchise.

6

Fire Emblem

Franchise Often Connected By Its Mythology

Although some Fire Emblem games have direct connections to one another, such as Genealogy of the Holy War and Thracia 766, the majority of the games in this JRPG franchise can be played as standalone titles. Regardless of which game players choose to begin with, each title offers a unique experience within the series, with its own narrative.

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At the same time, it is possible to say that the games are connected in a certain way and share the same universe. Thus, characters from one Fire Emblem game may recognize or mention the name of someone from another game, as if they were famous people or part of a myth, making the story seem to take place in the same location but in different eras.

5

Persona

A Spin-Off That Became An Icon Among JRPGs

Persona, which began as a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei, quickly established its place among the most iconic JRPG games. Through a more youthful and accessible approach, the series combines supernatural and psychological elements with the protagonists’ daily routines, creating a narrative where the friendships formed along the way play a crucial role in character development.

Although the core mechanics remain consistent with each new release, the Persona series features standalone stories, allowing new players to begin their adventures without prior knowledge of previous narratives. However, subtle references to the franchise are often included to please longtime fans without compromising the overall game experience.

4

Tales Of

One Of The Longest-Lasting Standalone JRPG Franchises

Offering real-time combat mixed with strategic elements, each title in Tales Of delivers a unique experience filled with captivating characters and engaging storylines. Although there are isolated cases of direct sequels, the franchise typically presents standalone games, allowing newcomers to join at any point without losing track of the story or mechanics.

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From Granblue Fantasy: Relink to Nier: Automata, these JRPGs deliver fast-paced combat and thrilling action for fans of frenetic gameplay.

Additionally, the series is recognized for its distinctive artistic style, reminiscent of anime, and its emphasis on building relationships between characters, reinforcing themes such as friendship and overcoming challenges. Whether exploring magical realms or facing cosmic dangers, Tales Of remains one of the most popular franchises among JRPGs, consistently providing excellent stories and gameplay with each release.

3

Shin Megami Tensei

One Of The Great References In Dark JRPGs

The Shin Megami Tensei series is one of the most innovative in the JRPG genre, standing out as one of the first to incorporate monster taming mechanics into its games. Additionally, the titles typically feature darker and more mature narratives, placing players in standalone stories where each game in the franchise offers a unique experience.

In Shin Megami Tensei, developers explore post-apocalyptic settings or alternative realities where angels and demons wage an endless war. Through moral choices, players must determine the future of humanity. Whether in classics like Shin Megami Tensei 3 or recent releases such as Shin Megami Tensei 5, the Best JRPG franchises for hardcore fans are found within this series.

2

Pokemon

Each New Game Tells A New Story

As one of the most popular franchises not only in video games but also across other media, the Pokemon series is known for its easy accessibility and universal charm. Each new generation introduced to players is packed with new creatures, places to discover, and even combat mechanics. Thus, from classics like Red & Blue to modern titles like Scarlet & Violet, the series continually reinvents itself.

Although the basic formula remains consistent, typically involving players traveling the map in search of gym badges, each title features a unique setting. Players can explore regions inspired by Japanese culture, such as Johto, to more globalized areas like Galar. By blending classic mechanics with innovations, the franchise continues to enchant fans of all ages.

1

Final Fantasy

One Of The Best Standalone JRPG Franchises Ever

In addition to being one of the most iconic franchises in video game history, Final Fantasy stands out for offering players a unique experience with each title, most of which are standalone. Only a few games, like Final Fantasy 10 and Final Fantasy 13, feature direct sequels, allowing players to dive into any title without needing to know the others. This characteristic makes the series accessible and captivating to diverse audiences.

The franchise’s games vary widely in settings, exploring scenarios from high medieval fantasy, as in Final Fantasy 9, to steampunk-influenced adventures, such as Final Fantasy 6. Many titles in the series are among the Best JRPG franchises ever produced, featuring unforgettable stories, iconic characters, and combat systems that range from classic turn-based to more action-oriented mechanics.

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