Summary
- JRPGs offer distinctive gameplay & great story-based experiences, some with farming elements.
- Legend of Heroes, Tales of Symphonia, and the Final Fantasy titles showcase exciting combat & exploration.
- Persona 4 and Persona 5 Royal deliver enjoyable experiences in standout series with solid gameplay.
JRPGs have been around for decades and are one of the most complete genres out there in the world of gaming as they offer some of the best story-based games, as well as a very distinctive type of gameplay that is not available in other genres.
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While some titles allow players to explore the world and take on different missions as they please, others are a lot more linear, offering very little backtracking. While modding is not needed to make many JRPGs great, it can be a great advantage to have to enhance the experience. Here are some of the best JRPG PC games with an extensive modding community.
7
The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky
Great Turn-Based Combat Mechanics
- Released
-
June 24, 2004
- ESRB
-
T For Teen Due To Animated Blood, Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Various exciting quests
- Turn-based combat
Being the first installment in what would later become the Trails series, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is an outstanding JRPG that has a lot to offer players. Players can take control of various characters that embark on many quests to progress through the story, and the different objectives available.
The combat mechanics are pretty fun and quite similar to what players would expect in a grid and turn-based title. While this title’s modding community isn’t as extensive as in other similar games, there are still many things to try. The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky has great hero journeys, and an exciting experience to offer players.
6
Tales Of Symphonia
Unison Attacks Make This Title Outstanding
- Released
-
August 29, 2003
- ESRB
-
Teen // Violence, Sexual Themes, Language
- The game is divided into three major areas
- The story focuses on Lloyd Irving
Tales of Symphonia takes place in the fictional world of Sylvarant and focuses on the story of Lloyd Irving. This title is divided into three major areas: town and dungeon maps, a battle screen, and an overworld field map.
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During a battle, four distinct characters will fight. However, not every one can be controlled by players, but rather by AI. This title also has a great “Unison Attack” system that allows all party members to attack simultaneously and deliver powerful finishing blows to their enemies. Tales of Symphonia balances combat and story masterfully, and its PC modding community makes it even better.
5
Final Fantasy 8
Guardian Forces Make This Game Very Fun
- Released
-
February 11, 1999
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Players can use “Guardian Forces” to take on their enemies
- The story follows mercenaries led by Squall Leonheart
The Final Fantasy franchise has been around for decades, and it never fails to deliver outstanding titles for both newcomers and fans of the series to enjoy. Following the story of young mercenaries led by Squall Leonhart, this title will take players on an exciting journey through its lively fictional world.
The battle system is heavily reliant on summoning monsters, otherwise known as ”Guardian Forces”, which players can use to their advantage to take on the various challenges they’ll encounter along the way. It’s safe to say that Final Fantasy 8 was way ahead of its time, and it keeps on giving through its modding community.
4
Final Fantasy 7
One Of The Greatest Final Fantasy Games Ever Made
- Released
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January 31, 1997
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Cloud Strife takes on the fight against an evil megacorporation
- Combat mechanics are similar to those in other Final Fantasy titles
While it’s not regarded as the best installment in the series, Final Fantasy 7 is still a great title that manages to deliver players hours of fun with exciting elements. Following Cloud Strife, the game focuses on the ongoing fight against a megacorporation that wishes to take over the world through the use of a powerful energy source.
The combat and exploration systems are very similar to those of other Final Fantasy titles, and feature things like natural barriers made up of mountains, deserts, bodies of water, and more. While he doesn’t take the first spot, Cloud Strife is definitely a JRPG character with a ridiculous hairstyle, but it seems to work for him, as he’s beloved by many.
3
Final Fantasy 9
A Solid Installment In The Longstanding Franchise
- Released
-
July 7, 2000
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language
- Set in a war between the nations of Gaia
- Top-down perspective that allows for freedom of exploration
The plot of Final Fantasy 9 focuses on the war between the nations of the fictional land of Gaia after a thief by the name of Zidane Tribal kidnaps the princess of the land. The basic mechanics of this title are very similar to others in the Final Fantasy series, as they allow players to explore the world and different areas while interacting with various NPCs.
The game is played from a top-down perspective that allows players to freely navigate around the map as long as there are no obstacles in the way. Although Final Fantasy 9 is not one of the most experimental JRPGs out there, it’s still great fun to play.
2
Persona 4 Golden
Not The Best In The Series, But A Great Title Nonetheless
- Released
-
December 9, 2008
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ due to Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- A quiet Japanese countryside town is the stage for a series of murders
- One of the best Persona games out there
Set in a fictional representation of the Japanese countryside, Persona 4 is indirectly related to earlier Persona games. When a chain of serial murders takes place, players will take on the role of the protagonist and his companions as they go on a journey to uncover the many mysteries awaiting them.
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Although Persona 5 Royal is still considered to be better than this title, Persona 4 still manages to deliver a very enjoyable experience for fans of the JRPG genre and fans of this outstanding series.
1
Persona 5 Royal
Arguably, The Best Persona Title To Date
Persona 5 Royal
- Released
-
October 31, 2019
- ESRB
-
m
- Joker and his new friends receive otherworldly powers
- Great combat mechanics and tons of romance options
Persona 5 Royal is considered to be one of the best, if not the best, Persona titles in existence. Focusing on the story of a high school student who goes by the codename Joker, this coming-of-age tale will take him and his new classmates on a journey after they discover a mysterious source of power that they use to become the vigilante group Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
The game has outstanding game mechanics, tons of romance possibilities, various valuable accessories, and an overall compelling narrative that will keep players hooked. Not to mention the extensive modding community that has a lot to offer players.
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