1) Xenoblade Chronicles
2) Mana Khemia
3) Bravely Default
4) Takes of Graces F
5 ) Valkyrie Chronicles
Although I own many of the classics I have never gotten round to playing them or when I start, something fails to keep me hooked. I do really want to really try and play through the likes of Chrono Trigger, Lunar, Skies of Arcadia and FFVI.
Great topic. Worth it just to see someone put Mana Khemia in there! It's really hard to pick just five here.
1 - The World Ends with You (iOS - sorry)
Best overall package of story, combat mechanics, and visual and aural flair.
2 - Persona 3 Portable (PSP)
Slightly better story than TWEWY and just as stylish, but pipped to first place because of its more traditional (though excellent) combat system.
3 - Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PSP or iOS)
Good story, but it's the job system that makes it.
4 - Final Fantasy VII (PS1)
Toss up between this and DQVIII, but FFVII was my first FF and I love the weird goofiness of it, bad translation and all. NB - I've still not played FFVI or FFIX yet, both of which I suspect I'd like more.
5 - Phantasy Star (Master System)
OK, it's probably (definitely) not the fifth best JRPG I've ever played, but it was my first. Which makes it special... And Myau rules!
This could all change by the end of the year, once I get through Dragon Quest XI S, Trails in the Sky SC and Xenoblade Chronicles (3DS)... I really need to get to Suikoden 2 one of these days, too...
@FX102A I think the biggest issue with the Classics is they tend to have a lot of random battles which makes it feel like you're grinding to get to the good bit. Chrono Trigger doesn't have that issue, and was so far ahead of its time.
Interesting. Should probably post this in the “unpopular gaming opinions” thread, but I feel Chrono Trigger is overrated. Granted, I didn’t play it on release, but with modern eyes I’d say it’s merely good, not great. Not only did it not make my top five, but I’d put it below Trails in the Sky FC, for instance. And it’s not because of the graphics or anything shallow - I actually really dig the 16-bit pixel art era - but I think storytelling, combat mechanics and character development have come a very long way since.
But these are personal lists - so every opinion matters to the one who shares it. And Chrono Trigger is undeniably a trailblazer. I just think it has been superseded.
I think a lot of games are like that, they're fantastic when they come out, and then other games borrow what made them great. What you've played previously has a lot to do with how much you'll enjoy a game.
You definitely need to get on with FFVI & IX, then, @Krull .... War of the Lions on PSP was infamous for the slowdown with magic use, though So, iOS or Android one is a lot better! Now all we need is for that to Switch, perhaps along with the older main games
I haven't played a ton of JRPGs, and there are fewer that I've actually enjoyed, so I'm going to cheat a bit for this list.
Xenoblade Chronicles
The game that got me into large-scale RPGs, so there's certainly a nostalgic bias here. Regardless, it has excellent worldbuilding, a great plot for a video game, and one of the best soundtracks of any game I've played. Its combat system contains enough depth to be satisfying, but isn't labyrinthine to the point where it feels tedious. I feel this game struck the perfect balance between pseudo-openworld exploration and story-driven linearity. Overall, one of my all-time favorites; really enjoying the definitive edition right now.
Final Fantasy VI
I can't really say anything else about this game that hasn't been said. In my opinion, it has the best combat system of the turn-based FFs, with all characters seeming unique in their movesets. Has a superb soundtrack, which is even more impressive considering the hardware it was developed on. Like Xenoblade, its story isn't incredibly ingenious, but is very well executed and kept me engaged throughout.
Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
One of my favorite games to play when I was a kid. I replayed it last year, and it still holds up really well. There's some really funny dialogue, the turn-based combat is really unique and inventive, and the game's pacing just feels perfect. If you have any kind of DS, 20 hours on your hands, and just want to have a fun time, I'd highly recommend playing it.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Yeah, I know it's more of an action game than a traditional RPG. But it still has stat-based gameplay, a quest system, and a proper story, so I'll include it. This game is one of my favorite multiplayer experiences; I had a lot of fun grinding for relics with my friends. It's got a pretty diverse roster of monsters and more character to it overall to push it over MHGU as my favorite Monster Hunter title (also helps that Insect Glaive was OP in this game).
Fantasy Life
As someone who never played MMOs for a long time due to being put off by the subscriptions, this felt like a great substitute for me. Yeah, its story sucks, but it's one of the few games that made me feel like I was constantly making significant progress at something. Just a fun, relaxing game.
I'm not the biggest RPG guy out there and never have been. I've enjoyed some of them, but I don't know what my top five would be. The one JRPG I've always loved and is easily my favorite in that style is Phantasy Star IV. It looks great. I love the way it plays. The presentation and music are strong. I also love the fast movement and brisk pace. It almost feels like Sega infused some of their arcade philosophy into an RPG.
For JRPG-like games that I don't quite consider JRPGs
Fire Emblem, FE Awakening, FE3H
Pokemon HG/SS, Platinum, SW/SH
The Kingdom Hearts Series
The Mass Effect Trilogy
And there are a lot of other games that I feel are similar to or related to JRPGs but just too different to consider here.
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Topic: Top 5 JRPGs of all time?
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