The Land of the Rising Sun not only offers a host of attractions and fascinating culture, but has also spawned its own genre of video games: the JRPG . Compared to their role-playing counterparts from the west, they are pretty goofy at times. Two major series in particular were groundbreaking: Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The games enjoyed great popularity in the genre’s early days and largely defined its development.
Many modern games use the role-playing aspects as an add-on, while Dafabet casino often use almost the entire spectrum of the genre. Level upgrades, quests, equipment options, rock-paper-scissor battles and epic stories are
the elemental ingredients of an adventure.
Tales of rebellion
Tales of Arise is the youngest game in our buyer’s guide, but it doesn’t need to hide behind its genre peers. You play as Alphen, a slave on the planet Dana, whose population is oppressed by neighbouring star Rena. However, he has no memory of his past and doesn’t even know his name. The iron mask on his head raises as many questions as the fact that he feels no pain.
At the beginning you meet Shionn, who is on the run from her Reno compatriots. As different as their motives may be, the two eventually join forces to free the Dahnians from slavery.
The game has a real-time combat system that gets more and more exciting as you unlock new skills. It’s a little confusing at times, but over time you get a good perspective. On your journey, you’ll meet some interesting characters who will also join your squad.
Xenoblade Chronicles:
the definitive editionXenoblade Chronicles 3, the new installment of the popular JRPG series, will be released on July 29. Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the new installment of the popular JRPG series, will be released on July 29. So that you’re well prepared and can truly enjoy the story, we’d like to recommend the Definitive Edition of the first game. The Xenoblade Chronicles remaster has not only added improved graphics and some optimizations, but also brought with it a whole extra chapter .
As Shulk, you want to solve the mystery of the Monado Sword along with two childhood friends. It can only be wielded by a certain person, and it is the only successful weapon against the Mechon. These hostile machines are descended from a neighbouring titan, a huge immobile creature that has over time become a living space.
The combat system takes some getting used to in the beginning, as it requires a lot of tactical training. Xenoblade Chronicles first and foremost convinces with a strong storyline and many interesting side quests.
The new Definitive Edition chapter gives you about 20 hours of extra play time. It’s better to run the second part immediately afterwards, which is visually more like an anime.
Dragon Quest 11 S: Elector of Destiny – Final Edition
Along with Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest is one of the flagships of the genre, and as such it can’t be overlooked in our buying guide. The series is represented by the new installment Dragon Quest 11: Soldiers of Destiny Definitive Edition . It contains some innovations over the original version and is even available for Nintendo Switch.
In the role of an unnamed hero, you and your childhood friend Sandra head to the highest peak of your home village. It’s tradition as soon as children turn 16, but you have an accident along the way.
That’s when the back of your hand glows with a mysterious symbol summoning a giant bird.
You are saved, but the trouble is only just beginning. Because the symbol is a sign that you are the reincarnation of a previous hero. But not everyone is thrilled about this, especially the king now sees you as a threat.
As is typical of Japanese RPGs, on your journey you will find new companions that will join your group, each with their own abilities. The turn-based combat system convinces above all else, combined with a new soundtrack and an engagingly told story.
The Definitive Edition is worth it because, in addition to various comfort changes, you get some additions such as 2D retro styling and some additional storylines. Whether you’re new to Dragon Quest or a long-time player, this is a title you shouldn’t miss as a JRPG fan.
Final Fantasy 7 remake
Let’s go straight to the next classic. Certainly a list of the best Japanese RPGs of recent years would not be complete without a remake of Final Fantasy VII . The original still has the same charm as before, but we still recommend the new edition to newcomers.
After all, in our test two years ago, it received the highest score of ten out of ten. The intermediate version, available for PC and PS5, has been redesigned graphically and includes an episode about the character Yuffie.
The remake is suitable for fans already familiar with the game as well as first-time Final Fantasy devotees. The story of mercenary Cloud, his companions and the Shinra Corporation, which controls the entire city, is still fascinating 25 years after its original publication.
Above all, the successful atmosphere, dynamic combat system with tactical elements and impressive boss battles were convincing in the test back then. The game even has a German synchro, something the JRPG does not have.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
JRPGs are often colourful and vivid. Yakuza: Like a Dragon , despite its quirky nature, has a much more serious nature, but also knows how to tease itself. In the seventh installment of the well known series you have to deal with new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, who has innocently spent 18 years in prison to protect a high-ranking member of Japanese mafia.
For this, he was thanked nearly two decades later with an assassination attempt in which he survived. Now Kasuga wants to find out what caused the patriarch of his early clan to turn against him after that time.
Not only is the protagonist different from the previous installments, but also the combat system. This time around, you compete against your enemies in turn-based mode, and you’re no longer allowed to hit wildly as in the predecessors. This gives you some variety if you’ve already played the other installments.
In Dragon Quest, one of the sources of inspiration for the new system was even carried directly into the game, as your character spent a lot of time in the JRPG series itself. Yakuza: Like a Dragon combines a very serious and engaging story with plenty of humorous side quests and well-written characters. Both Japanese and English sync are excellent, only the German subtitles leave much to be desired. Otherwise, you can expect a mature yet goofy RPG that brings a breath of fresh air to the series.
13 Guardians: Rim of the Aegis
In the next game of our buyer’s guide, we’re going to have to cheat a bit. Strictly speaking, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is not a classic JRPG, as we’re dealing with a mix of different genres: RPG, strategy, adventure, side-scroller, visual novel… but that’s what makes the title so compelling. That’s why it deserves its place on this list, as development studio Vanillaware has ventured into a very special mix.
However, this variety makes it difficult to generalise about what the game is really about. Essentially, the eponymous Guardians must use their mechs to protect humanity from formidable monsters called Kaiju. It’s best just to dive into the story and get an idea of what happens next.
The game doesn’t take you by the hand too much, but instead gives you what you need for the rest of the process. You don’t have much time to relax, as the battles demand your full attention; however, the degree of difficulty remains at a reasonable level.
Ni No Kuni 2: The Fate of the Kingdom
The following JRPG is designed primarily for the Studio Ghibli fans among you. The charming style strongly resembles the anime classics from the famous animation studio, such as My Neighbor Totoro or Gone with the Ghosts, which every fan of japono has probably seen. Not surprisingly, since none other than Yoshiyuki Momose, who used to work as a character designer for Ghibli, has worked here.
Ni No Kuni 2:Destiny of a Kingdom tells the story of young King Evan, who is forcibly overthrown and forced to flee his parish called Katsbakel. Despite the title, we’re not dealing with sprawling kingdoms, but rather governed districts, each headed by a royal chieftain.
Rise of the monster hunter
Enough fabulous Ghibli worlds, it’s time to go hunting! While the Monster Hunter series offers many action elements, it is still considered a Japanese RPG. Above all, the new offshoot of Monster Hunter Rise pays homage to this title, as the setting is heavily based in Japan. In a village called Kamura, in addition to blossoming sakura trees and dango trees, everything a hunter’s heart knows and desires awaits. The game was originally released for Nintendo Switch last year, but since January PC players can also go hunting.
In familiar fashion, you go out either alone or in a group to slay dangerous monsters. You can choose from a variety of weapons, each of which plays out quite differently. You need the materials you get from fallen or captured monsters to improve your equipment.
Be sure to stop by the cooks before your excursion, as the colourful dango will give you some positive effects to take with you. In our test, the title was completely convincing and even scored nine out of ten.
Nir: Automata
Making a clear distinction between different genres is not easy when developers combine elements from different genres. This is also reflected in our next candidate. In addition to its role-playing core, NieR: Automata consists of all kinds of action and has a strong tendency towards hack & slay. Nevertheless, the title can’t be absent from our buyer’s guide, as we’re dealing with one of the best Japanese games of recent years.
Humanity’s final hour has come and the earth has been overrun by machine creatures. The survivors chose the moon as their refuge and hoped to end the invasion from there.
In NieR: Automata, you accompany Units 2B and 9S on their mission to Earth. However, it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than anticipated. For example, the supposedly malicious machines have developed their own culture and live in a society of sorts. There are a few surprises in the game, and it’s far from over after you first see the credits.
You’ll find exactly the amount of goofy enemies and events we expect in a Japanese game. It’s been a long time since we’ve smashed an array of vehicles so stylishly to a truly atmospheric soundtrack. You shouldn’t miss the goofy adventure around androids.
Persona 5 Royal
If you like Japanese RPGs, you can’t do without Persona 5 Royal. After all, the offshoot of the current Atlus series has a meta score of 95, which it also deserves. Persona relies on a deep story, but despite its seriousness, it doesn’t skimp on decent action and unconventional style.
The game starts off as anything but light-hearted: after the mute protagonist defends a woman from assault, he is given probation for assault. So for the next school year, he has to move and transfer to Shujin Academy. Together with his new friends, he founds the Phantom Thieves, who have set out to steal hearts. However, this does not mean you have to seduce one person after another.
In fact, teenagers want to put an end to the machinations of corrupt adults, which is what the Metaworld is for. It’s a world created from people’s subconscious, reflecting their true sense of the world. If thieves manage to steal treasure there, the person concerned experiences a change of heart and confesses their crimes out of pure guilt.
The game puts a lot of emphasis on different characters and their personal stories, forcing the characters to grow on you quickly. The turn-based combat system is complemented by the collection and creation of the eponymous Personas, who work a bit like Pokémon and help you in battles.
If you’re currently wondering whether you should play the original or the new version, you can safely get to Royal. In addition to the content addition about the gymnast Kasumi, the version also contains some gameplay improvements. However, plan enough time for the title, as you’ll be busy with a few secondary tasks for around 100 hours.
