Support NeoGAF

[BossLackey]

I've dipped my toe in the genre many times, only to quickly retract it because of "boring gameplay". I needed that fast twitch, hard as nails shit and JRPGs aren't that.

I completed Chrono Trigger (I mean, you gotta), Star Ocean 4, Tales of Symphonia, more recently Tales of Arise, Final Fantasy XIII (I know). Maybe a few others that aren't top of mind. But started and stopped many others and instead played games like Ninja Gaiden, Dark Souls, Mega Man, Monster Hunter, Metroidvanias, Street Fighter, Counter-Strike, etc. Stuff with a bit more immediate and consequential gameplay.

And yet, I've long felt that something was missing. The art, characters, definitely the enemy designs, mechanics, and grandiosity of JPRGs always called to me, but the idea of those games often clashed with reality in my head when I started playing one.

However, I recently completed Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition after 80 hours and thoroughly enjoyed it and now it's kind of all I want to play is JRPGs. I started Dragon Quest XI and haven't been able to stop playing when I have a free minute.

I'm not really sure what happened, but I finally get why the genre is beloved by so many and I can't wait to dive into titles I've always wanted to play (after DQXI of course).

 

[killatopak]

 

[gaming_again]

Say goodbye to the rest of your life.

 

[Mr.Phoenix]

JRPGs are a habit.

 

[SmokedMeat]

I’m not too big on JRPGs, but when they hit, they hit.

 

[BossLackey]

Say goodbye to the rest of your life.

I'm already feeling it. Though I will say, these games have dramatically improved my day-to-day stress. I've been completely engrossed in DQ exploring every inch, talking to every NPC, taking advantage of every system (something I learned the HARD way that I need to be doing thanks to XBC), and doing every side quest and it's a much better escape than games I'm usually caught playing that are much more "intense".

It's legit making me a happier, chiller person when work, life, and my own brain have been causing me so much stress lately.

 

[envyzeal]

 

[Saber]

 

[DenchDeckard]

I've dipped my toe in the genre many times, only to quickly retract it because of "boring gameplay". I needed that fast twitch, hard as nails shit and JRPGs aren't that.

I completed Chrono Trigger (I mean, you gotta), Star Ocean 4, Tales of Symphonia, more recently Tales of Arise, Final Fantasy XIII (I know). Maybe a few others that aren't top of mind. But started and stopped many others and instead played games like Ninja Gaiden, Dark Souls, Mega Man, Monster Hunter, Metroidvanias, Street Fighter, Counter-Strike, etc. Stuff with a bit more immediate and consequential gameplay.

And yet, I've long felt that something was missing. The art, characters, definitely the enemy designs, mechanics, and grandiosity of JPRGs always called to me, but the idea of those games often clashed with reality in my head when I started playing one.

However, I recently completed Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition after 80 hours and thoroughly enjoyed it and now it's kind of all I want to play is JRPGs. I started Dragon Quest XI and haven't been able to stop playing when I have a free minute.

I'm not really sure what happened, but I finally get why the genre is beloved by so many and I can't wait to dive into titles I've always wanted to play (after DQXI of course).

Pick up xenoblade 2 and torna dlc then straight onto xenoblade 3....they are incredible and the combat is sublime imo.

I'm currently on xeno 3 and it's amazing.

 

[SEGA_2012]

Best Japanese RPGs : Phantasy Star 2 and 4; Persona 4 Golden; Resonance of Fate ; Skies of Arcadia; Super Mario RPG and Pokemon Blue. Everyone should play them.

 

[drganon]

Happened to me a couple years ago with persona 5. Now jrpgs are the genre I play the most. Recently I spent over 80 hours beating trails from zero.

 

[BossLackey]

Pick up xenoblade 2 and torna dlc then straight onto xenoblade 3....they are incredible and the combat is sublime imo.

I'm currently on xeno 3 and it's amazing.

I'm 100% going to play 2 and 3 (I actually already have 2). It's why I played 1 to begin with. When it came out on Wii initially, the scale amazed me (and it still does), so I was keen on it but it was out of my wheel house at the time. My best friend is a massive XB fan and I really want to catch up if I can. Hopefully, between DQ and the INSANITY that is the middle of this year's release schedule, I can get finished with 3 (after I play 2) by....end of year? I dunno lol

I looooooooove the way they look and the combat looks even better than XBC1. Really want to play them!

 

[BossLackey]

Best Japanese RPGs : Phantasy Star 2 and 4; Persona 4 Golden; Resonance of Fate ; Skies of Arcadia; Super Mario RPG and Pokemon Blue. Everyone should play them.

Okay, definitely noted! Wouldn't have even though of Resonance of Fate! Completely forgot about that game. Only familiar with the box art, but I'm def going to look into it.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

JRPGs are a beacon of light in a sea of darkness.

 

[German Hops]

 

[Captain Toad]

I feel the same way.

Except, my click moment was a bit earlier - Dragon Warrior (Quest) on the NES.

 

[Kataploom]

Well, it's a "game by game" basis thing as everything, I'm yet to find "attractive" whatever people do to games like GTA or RDR... I tried Death Stranding and while it was clicking, I just needed to fall into one PT liquid thing to think it was too much of a hassle just to get out of it and put it out.

Funnily enough, when OP mentioned what games he/she liked instead, I was thinking "damn, Xenoblade would be a perfect choice for this person", that was before finishing reading lol

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

Hopefully they bring Xenoblade Chronicles X to Switch as it’s the best in the series.

Anyway welcome to the club, don’t try to play everything at once or you’ll get burnt out. Hope to see you aboard the FF XVI hype train.

 

[SeraphJan]

JRPGs have slow start but extreme climax and ending

Most of them by mid to end game you felt they are a completely different game than you initially expected

 

[killatopak]

JRPGs have slow start but extreme climax and ending

I personally relate to this.

 

[BossLackey]

JRPG have slow start but extreme climax and ending

Yeah, I have definitely noticed this and the slow build, getting stronger, bigger and bigger party, characters fleshing out over time, more abilities, deeper mechanics etc as the game progresses (at least for XBC and now DQXI) have been really great.

It's true what they say. You start as a kid waking up in bed and you end up a god killer lmao. I'm here for it.

 

[mistuhcahlos]

I couldn’t get into Xeno 1, not sure if it was because of the war. Everything seemed so serious. I love Xeno 2 so far (about 20 hours in). Just got KOS MOS. I’m finally starting to grasp the battle system and have a group of blades that I like. Not sure about 3 yet. I’ve been bored with jrpgs for a while so I’m happy that I’m finally enjoying one again.

 

[Pejo]

Best Japanese RPGs : Resonance of Fate

 

[DGrayson]

I couldn’t get into Xeno 1, not sure if it was because of the war. Everything seemed so serious. I love Xeno 2 so far (about 20 hours in). Just got KOS MOS. I’m finally starting to grasp the battle system and have a group of blades that I like. Not sure about 3 yet. I’ve been bored with jrpgs for a while so I’m happy that I’m finally enjoying one again.

There is only one "Xeno 1"

 

[SeraphJan]

There is only one "Xeno 1"

Top 3 PS1 RPG

 

[BennyBlanco]

Dont sleep on Xenoblade Chronicles X

 

[German Hops]

Dont sleep on Xenoblade Chronicles X

Unfortunately, a lot of Wii U units out there are starting to go to sleep.

 

[BossLackey]

Dont sleep on Xenoblade Chronicles X

I've wanted to. I like my mecha. They need to port it, or I will resort to less...legal methods of acquisition.

 

[cireza]

JRPGs that are well made have a very subtle and satisfying feeling of having your team getting stronger. As if with each level taken, you can sense this slight difference, like doing 1% more damage. This can actually be a pretty strong driving force. I think in particular of the Shining Force games. Incredibly satisfying.

I would recommend Phantasy Star IV, Lunar 2 (SEGA-CD), Shining Force III and Panzer Dragoon Saga.

 

[killatopak]

JRPG is such a large genre though.

Maybe you’ll like tactics. Try Valkyrie Chronicles, FF Tactics or Tactics Ogre.
Monster collection? SMT, Persona, Pokemon, Digimon
Boss rush? Monster Hunter, Soul Sacrifice, Toukiden
Action? Souls, NieR/Automata, Ni-Oh
MMO-like? FF12, Xenoblade, White Knight Chronicles


Shit, there’s so much really.

 

[amigastar]

I'm not very into JRPGs but i love the Dragon Quest series. I have to try out other JRPGs (Persona 5 etc.)

 

[SeraphJan]

JRPG is such a large genre though.

Maybe you’ll like tactics. Try Valkyrie Chronicles, FF Tactics or Tactics Ogre.
Monster collection? SMT, Persona, Pokemon, Digimon
Boss rush? Monster Hunter, Soul Sacrifice, Toukiden
Action? Souls, NieR/Automata, Ni-Oh
MMO-like? FF12, Xenoblade, White Knight Chronicles


Shit, there’s so much really.

I vouch for most of the game on this list, I also like to mention Suikoden franchise, one of the best

 

[Pejo]

I've wanted to. I like my mecha. They need to port it, or I will resort to less...legal methods of acquisition.

Even if they do port it, I recommend emulators. It's a superior experience. Unless maybe Switch Pro?

Also, I don't know where your line is for graphics, but Rogue Galaxy and Shadow Hearts: Covenant are both excellent games from yesteryear and in my personal top 10 JRPGs.

 

[ergem]

Play final fantasy 9!

 

[hemo memo]

When I was a kid the language barrier was hard that I couldn’t complete any JRPG as I will be screwed not knowing how the leveling system work or where to go next. So I also consider myself joining very late.

Persona 5R is a must for anyone who likes the genre.

FFX/FFX-2 HD Remaster is also a good recommendation despite FFX final boss huge difficulty spike but Riku would screw him easily.

 

[German Hops]

FF12

 

[Graciaus]

Are you playing the original version of DQ11 or the definitive edition? The QOL improvements in the DE are worth starting over for.

I've spent the last 25+ years playing them. There is a giant list to play and unfortunately it would take quite awhile to catch up.

 

[BossLackey]

Even if they do port it, I recommend emulators. It's a superior experience. Unless maybe Switch Pro?

Also, I don't know where your line is for graphics, but Rogue Galaxy and Shadow Hearts: Covenant are both excellent games from yesteryear and in my personal top 10 JRPGs.

I'm no graphics whore at all. I play quite a few oooooold games. Gameplay Mechanics > Art Style > Enemy/Character Design >>>>>>>>> Graphics.

I'll definitely add these to the list!

 

[Shifty1897]

Yoooo I start playing Xenoblade Chronicles 2 sometime next week once I finish Fire Emblem Engage. Maybe it's time for a LTTP?

 

[Bragr]

It's all good until you notice they haven't figured out how to progress turn-based gameplay for the last 30 years.

Still worth it, there is too many great jrpg's out there to ignore it.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Peak Fiction

 

[R6Rider]

JRPG is such a large genre though.

Maybe you’ll like tactics. Try Valkyrie Chronicles, FF Tactics or Tactics Ogre.
Monster collection? SMT, Persona, Pokemon, Digimon
Boss rush? Monster Hunter, Soul Sacrifice, Toukiden
Action? Souls, NieR/Automata, Ni-Oh
MMO-like? FF12, Xenoblade, White Knight Chronicles


Shit, there’s so much really.

Most of what you listed aren't even JRPGs.

 

[GMCamaro]

Lucky. Somewhere down the line the definitely ‘unclicked’ for me. New, old, doesn’t matter. Oh well.

 

[Killer8]

It's all good until you notice they haven't figured out how to progress turn-based gameplay for the last 30 years.

Still worth it, there is too many great jrpg's out there to ignore it.

How do you really progress what was perfected in Final Fantasy XII?

 

[Danjin44]

Now play Xenoblade 2&3, after beating original Xenoblade the story going be even more satisfying.

 

[Boss Mog]

I've dipped my toe in the genre many times, only to quickly retract it because of "boring gameplay". I needed that fast twitch, hard as nails shit and JRPGs aren't that.

I completed Chrono Trigger (I mean, you gotta), Star Ocean 4, Tales of Symphonia, more recently Tales of Arise, Final Fantasy XIII (I know). Maybe a few others that aren't top of mind. But started and stopped many others and instead played games like Ninja Gaiden, Dark Souls, Mega Man, Monster Hunter, Metroidvanias, Street Fighter, Counter-Strike, etc. Stuff with a bit more immediate and consequential gameplay.

And yet, I've long felt that something was missing. The art, characters, definitely the enemy designs, mechanics, and grandiosity of JPRGs always called to me, but the idea of those games often clashed with reality in my head when I started playing one.

However, I recently completed Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition after 80 hours and thoroughly enjoyed it and now it's kind of all I want to play is JRPGs. I started Dragon Quest XI and haven't been able to stop playing when I have a free minute.

I'm not really sure what happened, but I finally get why the genre is beloved by so many and I can't wait to dive into titles I've always wanted to play (after DQXI of course).

Persona 5 Royal

 

[BossLackey]

Persona 5 Royal

I actually played like 5 hours of P5R because I knew I wanted to at least try it before putting it in my backlog. Really liked it a lot and I plan on playing it eventually (maybe even soon).

 

[BossLackey]

Now play Xenoblade 2&3, after beating original Xenoblade the story going be even more satisfying.

Yeah, my goal was to get to 2 and 3, but I didn't want to skip 1. Playing the long game. 2 and 3 look great.

 

[hemo memo]

I actually played like 5 hours of P5R because I knew I wanted to at least try it before putting it in my backlog. Really liked it a lot and I plan on playing it eventually (maybe even soon).

It is a 90+ hours game so be prepared for that.

 

[Danjin44]

Peak Fiction

Spoiler: Xenoblade 2 &3 Spoiler

Our Rex all grown up!