15 Turn-Based JRPGs With The Best Stories

Highlights

• JRPG stories have evolved into complex and emotionally charged narratives with varied themes and well-developed characters over time.
• Turn-based combat systems in JRPGs can be more digestible for newcomers when backed by compelling and engaging stories.
• Titles like
  Final Fantasy 7, Persona 4 Golden,
  and
  EarthBound
  exemplify the capacity of JRPGs to tell some of the finest tales in gaming.

Stories in video games are more important than ever, having come a long way since the days of rescuing Peach from Bowser. And when it comes to stories in video games, the genre of JRPGs is usually the one people turn to for some of the absolute best in the industry. This ravenously popular subsection of the RPG has been around forever, but it really got its biggest boost thanks to the likes of Final Fantasy 7 during the 1990s.

These stories are often steeped in melodrama, with some of them featuring a squad of spunky rebels attempting to overthrow an evil empire or dispel some type of ancient darkness. Others can pull it back a bit, focusing on a smaller, more intimate fable. Whatever the journey these games take a player on, these titles have the capacity to tell some of the finest stories in the entire industry.

Updated on May 21st, 2024, by Maddie Fisher: Turn-based JRPGs won’t always appeal to everyone, but they can be a great deal easier for newcomers to digest if the featured combat system is backed up by a compelling and engaging story. Thankfully, there is a plethora of JRPGs out there that combine immersive and heartfelt tales with snappy and intricate turn-based combat. With so many available to dive into, though, it can be hard to decide what to pick first. For those curious, this list has been updated to feature even more turn-based JRPGs with amazing and compelling stories to experience. It’s an ever-growing genre that seemingly has an infinite catalog of exciting titles to play, thus more entries have been included to reflect that.

15 Persona 4 Golden

The Standout Entry In This Demon-Catching Series Features An Excellent Story

The Persona series has proven to be much more than the “Pokemon for adults” label that it’s been stamped with, and it’s fair to say that the franchise really started to find its voice in the PS2 era. With Persona 4, Atlus opted to continue the series tradition of dark, morally complex tales of young people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

It is a fascinating story where the themes of fate and identity swirl together with self-doubt, creating a cast of characters like Chie and Kanji that easily rank with some of the greatest in the history of the franchise. It was remastered multiple times, and is available as Persona 4 Golden on all major platforms, making it easy to experience this classic today.

14 EarthBound

This Classic Super Nintendo JRPG Is One Of The Best Stories On The Platform

Although the first game didn’t make it out of Japan until 2015 in the form of EarthBound Beginnings, the sequel was developed over 5 years and launched for the SNES in 1995. This quirky and charming JRPG examines the strange experience of being a kid, as a young boy named Ness investigates the crash of a meteor in his town that leads him and his friends on an epic adventure. Its style, humor, and charm have influenced countless independent developers, as EarthBound-style RPGs are one of the most common games found on the indie scene.

It’s filled with funny NPCs and fourth-wall breaking moments, featuring a story that takes Ness and the party on a journey that is equal parts humorous and poignant. The final march to Giygas in the Cave of the Past is a haunting trip into what feels like oblivion for Ness and his crew, and the final moments surrounding Paula’s plea to the universe for assistance is one of the most emotional moments in gaming. EarthBound is readily available on Nintendo Switch, and there’s never been a better time to play it.

13 Final Fantasy 9

A Fitting Send Off To The PS1-Era Final Fantasy Games

After leaving their sprites behind and embracing the PlayStation 1, Square started producing some of the best content in the history of their company. But with Sony’s first console on the way out and next-gen hardware looming, the company sought to say goodbye to the fifth-generation in style, and developed a perfect send-off to Final Fantasy’s PS1 days. FF’s swan song on PS1 turned out to be a fabulous way to not only end a console generation, but also to look back at what made the franchise so special.

Final Fantasy 9 was positioned as a throwback to what felt like the forgotten roots of the series, as recent iterations had been focusing on worlds with dark science fiction settings. With FF9, Square brought back the wonder and mystical elements from the first six entries, including the return of the crystal mythology. Characters like Garnet and Vivi are at the heart of a charming, emotional story about the trials of life and facing death with courage. It is available on all modern hardware, which means that anyone can experience this absolute masterpiece today.

12 Valkyria Chronicles

A Stirring Examination Of War And Loyalty

Although Valkyria Chronicles never quite managed to become the household name in the JRPG space that Sega wanted, it still garnered a ravenous cult-like following that is still waiting for any shred of news regarding a fifth entry. But in spite of all of that, this turn-based strategy JRPG weaved a truly fascinating tale about war, love, and loyalty.

This alternate universe vision of World War 2, set on the steampunk-styled continent of Europa, follows the ongoing conflict between the Imperial Alliance and the Atlantic Federation. The backdrop is a brilliant set-up, allowing characters like Welkin and Alicia to evolve and grow over time into fully-formed heroes.

11 Yakuza: Like A Dragon

A Fun And Zany Journey Through The Criminal Underworld

What turned into series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi’s final game with Sega, the seventh mainline Yakuza game abandoned the action beat ’em up routes in favor of a turn-based JRPG approach. Fans of this long-time franchise weren’t convinced, but while it may have been a drastic departure in terms of gameplay, Yakuza’s commitment to fantastic writing and characters remained intact.

As the long-running series protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu stepped aside for newcomer Ichiban. Joined by a party of incredible cast mates, they find themselves bonded by the themes of revenge and family. It’s a funny, complex, and surprisingly heartfelt exploration of the criminal underworld through the guise of a turn-based JRPG. In fact, it was so well received that it led to the franchise permanently adopting the change, as the latest entry, Infinite Wealth, has carried on from where this fabulous new direction left off.

10 Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

A Traditional Portrayal Of Good And Evil That Still Works

Dragon Quest 11 came out during an interesting time for the genre. A few franchises had been treading into more mature, adult stories in the years prior to DQ11, which made a story so steeped in honest intentions something of a breath of fresh air in 2017.

In what may be the most traditional JRPG story on this list, a party of charismatic heroes is bound together by a quiet, composed leader on their way to stop an ancient wizard named Mordegon. Like Dragon Quest tends to do, it makes the old things feel new again by uplifting the traditions of the genre in order to show that they still work.

9 Xenogears

A Science Fantasy JRPG That Explores Philosophical Themes

Due to a troubled development process, the second half of Xenogears’ epic sci-fi story had to be truncated into a second disc that amounts to little more than a visual novel of sorts. Despite all of that, Xenogears still manages to tell a sprawling story that sees a small band of rebels going up against a far-reaching empire known as Solaris.

Chronicling the adventures of Fei, an orphaned child who was adopted by a village, Xenogears is an intoxicating mix of Star Wars and Final Fantasy. Science and fantasy collide in this huge tale, one that deals with a lot of mature religious themes and philosophy. It was far ahead of its time but felt right at home in this era of narrative innovation.

8 Triangle Strategy

Political Intrigue And Intimate Character Relationships Clash

Triangle Strategy was powered by Square’s HD-2D technology, which was also responsible for games like Octopath Traveler and the upcoming remake of Dragon Quest 3. In this gorgeous, turn-based tactics game, the kingdom of Norzelia is filled to the brim with political strife and intrigue.

Lead protagonist Serenoa Wolffort is tasked with maneuvering its many twists, as his quest to protect the heir to the throne and childhood friend Roland takes center stage. The interpersonal relationships between Serenoa and Roland, as well as the villains that work both behind the scenes and out in the open, all work in harmony. It features a brilliant script and some truly breathtaking battles.

7 Mother 3

A Solemn And Heartwarming Story About Brothers Finding Their Way

Through a long and arduous development process, one that saw this long-awaited JRPG transition from 2D to 3D and then back to 2D, the one part of Mother 3’s cycle that remained mostly unscathed was its story. Shigesato Itoi’s third and final Mother game is the story of Lucas and Claus, two brothers living in the aptly named Nowhere Islands.

Mother 3 features an elaborate struggle between the siblings and the Pig Mask Army. Loosely inspired by a series of books by writer Agota Kristof, the story of Mother 3 seems to be physically bursting at the seams with heart, emotion, and humor.

6 Final Fantasy 8

An Intense Tale About Soldiers Caught In The Clutches Of A Sorceress

After the runaway success of Final Fantasy 7 in 1997, this venerable JRPG franchise felt like it had a rocket strapped to its back. Just two years later, Square would follow their smash hit with a game that felt similar to the previous one but would go in a much different direction. In terms of its story, Final Fantasy 8 followed the lead of 7 by concocting a dark, adult-oriented tale that meshed elements of fantasy and science fiction.

Final Fantasy 8 is the story of young soldiers trained to assassinate an evil sorceress. It was pretty heavy stuff, even for the decidedly mature era of games that this generation was about. Not only that, but the dual story between main party leader Squall and the mysterious adventures of a man named Laguna also helped in making Final Fantasy 8 one of the franchise’s most intense, yet equally charming titles.

5 Persona 5 Royal

A JRPG That Tackles Serious Themes In Brilliant Ways

In every way that it’s possible for a game to be great, Persona 5 Royal often exceeds and shatters those expectations. And one of the key elements that make this mammoth adventure so fantastic is the story, one that puts players into the flashy costumes of the Phantom Thieves. Thanks to the ever-present Social Link system, these friendships can become something more concrete and allow all of them to shape into fully realized characters by the end.

In addition, the story of Persona 5 Royal isn’t content with just being a story about plucky young heroes fighting demons. Instead, P5R delves into some serious, adult themes, including child endangerment and vigilantism. Its influence on the entire series can’t be overstated, as Persona 3 Reload has taken many of its best quality-of-life features and concepts. It’s truly one of the most brilliant and well-written JRPGs of not only its generation but of all time.

4 Xenoblade Chronicles

An Epic Story Of Self-Discovery Set In A Unique World

Xenoblade Chronicles spent an entire year as a Japanese exclusive, releasing on the Wii in 2010. But thanks to the efforts of a fan campaign called Operation Rainfall, Xenoblade Chronicles joined Japan-exclusive games like The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower, finally making its way to the West. And it was well worth the wait, as this MMO-influenced JRPG combined real-time action with turn-based actions and a meaty story full of twists, nasty villains, and a sense of wonder that was unseen in console role-playing games at the time.

Xenoblade Chronicles takes place on the backs of two titans, the Mechonis and the Bionis. It follows the adventures of a young swordsman named Shulk, one who is bestowed with the power of a magical sword known as the Monado. This sword plays a crucial role in Shulk’s journey, allowing him to play a part in the game’s rapidly unfolding narrative. Other Xenoblade games would feature equally epic tales, but the emotional backbone of Shulk’s journey is an absolutely stellar ride from beginning to end.

3 Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne

A Haunting Exploration Of Humanity’s Last Days

Although it is a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, Persona tends to get most of the mind share when it comes to the long-running demon-catching series. But it’s Shin Megami Tensei 3 that has the bragging rights for the best story in the entire franchise, featuring a tale wrapped up in sinister intentions and apocalyptic endings. As the Demi-fiend, players are thrust into SMT3’s nightmarish world of monsters and demons and tasked with uncovering the truth.

SMT3 is set in the aftermath of a post-apocalyptic event known as Conception, one that was responsible for turning its lead character into the Demi-fiend to begin with. His unsettling interactions with the various demons and NPCs only serve to bolster the game’s harrowing atmosphere. SMT3 manages to do all this without feeling oppressive, as some parts of the story feel like a dark comedy come to life, and the more poignant moments shine through as a result.

2 Parasite Eve

Aya Brea Attempts To Survive Eve’s Mission To Destroy Humanity

Parasite Eve almost feels like a game that shouldn’t be allowed to exist, but somehow, this stylish blend of Resident Evil and Final Fantasy was released on the PlayStation in 1998. This sequel to the novel of the same name stars Aya Brea, an NYPD officer who has her entire life turned upside down on the night that she attends the opera. This performance is upstaged by one of the PS1’s best villains, the nasty Mitochondria Eve.

Blending the turn-based battles of JRPGs with the inventory management of survival horror games of the time, Parasite Eve is a twisted examination of motherhood and the corruption of genes. And thanks to Square’s mastery of CG cutscenes, as well as the fabulous soundtrack by Yoko Shimomura, this unique survival horror RPG is one of the PS1’s best titles.

1 Final Fantasy 7

A Riveting Cyberpunk Tale About Identity And Fate

As the game that jumpstarted the 90s obsession with games starring amnesiac protagonists with amazing hair, Final Fantasy 7 is a game that’s still being sourced as one of the trademark ways to do this type of game even today. Its mix of melodrama, slapstick, horror, science fiction, and cyberpunk doesn’t clash in the slightest. It’s a wholly realized and connected world, one that pits the eco-terrorist group known as Avalanche against the Shinra Electric Power Company.

FF7 escalates its story incredibly well. What begins as a conflict between Avalanche and Shinra spirals into a globe-trotting adventure about identity, the fragility of life, and fate. The way it seamlessly integrates these elements together is still a massive accomplishment, as it uses a singular inciting incident in order to spawn a much larger, more complex narrative. It’s a neat trick that Square still makes use of today, a testament to the longevity of this timeless masterpiece.