Key Takeaways
- Not all JRPGs manage to woo the entire fanbase of players due to expectations and delivery.
- Some bold or controversial design choices might cater to only a specific group of players while alienating the other half.
- Despite that, some of the more polarizing JRPGs like Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy 15 are still worth checking out.
The JRPG genre is beloved by many for varying reasons, with everything from nostalgia to unique gameplay loops playing a role here. Fans were left worried when Japanese role-playing games failed to capture the mainstream as this industry evolved, but it didn’t take long for developers to pull up their socks and bombard players with a wave of imaginative JRPGs that encompass numerous settings and featured cathartic gameplay that never ceased to be engaging despite the runtime of these games reaching a hundred hours at times.
Given the sheer number of games in this genre, it’s easy to see why some titles may fail to stick the landing at times. This can lead to certain titles facing the brunt of fan uproar or being torn apart by critics. Sure, these JRPGs may deserve their fair share of criticism for featuring questionable plot elements or design choices, but players willing to give these issues a pass will find themselves enjoying some of the most underappreciated JRPGs that deserve way more love than they got.
5 Final Fantasy 15
Has A Lot Of Heart Despite Some Major Problems Plaguing The Experience
Final Fantasy 15 languished in development hell for a decade before Hajime Tabata steered the ship and completed Noctis’ adventure, but there was a catch. A lot of critical plot elements were placed in an abysmal movie, some of the character bonding was relegated to an anime spinoff that was surprisingly high quality, and critical plot elements were either glossed over or added in with DLCs. This made it clear why a lot of people weren’t huge fans of Final Fantasy 15 back when it launched.
However, the game continued to receive updates that fixed some issues and addressed fan complaints. All of this culminated in the release of the Royal and Windows Editions, huge improvements for the game that expanded on story elements and improved the endgame to help the conclusion arrive at a leisurely pace instead of a breakneck game. Final Fantasy 15 deserves to be criticized for feeling incomplete despite taking so much time in development, but it also deserves praise for letting players enjoy a surprisingly emotional story where the bond between Noctis and his comrades feels more fleshed-out than most other Final Fantasy games, which is hefty praise indeed.
4 Chrono Cross
It Would’ve Been Impossible To Live Up To The Legacy Of The Greatest JRPG Ever Made
Chrono Cross had some big shoes to fill, with its predecessor being considered by many as the greatest JRPG ever made. Expectations were high for its sequel, and Chrono Cross needed to hit the ground running to satisfy fans who expected more time-travel shenanigans. Instead, Chrono Cross did something completely different by revamping the battle system, adding way more party members than anyone expected, and discarding a simple story structure for a convoluted plot that could leave fans reeling.
Fans expecting a version of Chrono Trigger with prettier graphics were left disappointed, but others who tempered their expectations saw the game for what it was — a different yet engaging title with its take on how time travel can impact a story. Serge’s attempts to figure out the chain of events that led to his death in an alternate timeline is a simple hook for the story, with its complexities arriving at a measured pace to ensure that fans aren’t overwhelmed.
3 Resonance Of Fate
The Overt Gray Tones Can Be Hard To Get Used To But Lean Into The Game’s Amazing Worldbuilding
It won’t take long for Resonance of Fate‘s oppressive atmosphere to wear heavily on players. The characters and story events of the game may be bursting with charm, but it’s hard to appreciate these moments when the world is constantly lathered in dull colors and the navigation itself can become uninteresting despite its innovative nature. These are problems that any fan would agree this game suffers from, but there’s more to Resonance of Fate than what meets the eye.
The highlight of this game is undoubtedly the combat system, which wastes no time in punishing players for not using their turns efficiently. Running around arenas and peppering enemies with bullets in the most over-the-top manner never ceases to be engaging. Once players get over this difficulty curve, every battle becomes something fans look forward to. Managing Bezels and converting scratch damage to direct damage is a juggling act that players must master to make the most of Resonance of Fate‘s gameplay systems.
2 I Am Setsuna
May Be Unable To Leave The Shadow Of Its Influences But Leaves A Lasting Impression During Its Short Runtime
A lot of people were hyped to the moon and back for I Am Setsuna, hoping that this game would channel Chrono Trigger‘s energy and let players enjoy a charming adventure. While the battle system and a snowy setting aided this game’s enjoyability, players expecting a grand adventure were somewhat saddened to see that I Am Setsuna was relatively short for a JRPG, with some of its story beats hitting a bit too close to Final Fantasy 10‘s lauded narrative.
Thankfully, these issues can be ignored by players who don’t mind investing their time in a shorter game that cuts out most of the filler most people expect from the genre. Combat could become repetitive after a point, but players could still power through and enjoy a short and sweet adventure that harkens back to the golden era of JRPGs with a fresh coat of paint.
1 Octopath Traveler
Worth Checking Out For Its Impressive Production Values Despite Its Predictable Story Beats And Formulaic Design
With the sequel to Octopath Traveler serving as a dramatic improvement in every department, fans wondered if the first game was worth checking out for players who skipped this title. The insistence on following a formula led to the bulk of Octopath Traveler feeling generic, despite the beautiful HD-2D visuals and fun turn-based combat carrying the experience. However, fans of the genre will find a lot to love about this game despite some of its issues.
The music and presentation of this game are top-notch and something that fans will fall in love with as they clock in a hundred hours or more throughout this epic adventure. Each character’s narrative has its highlights, and it’s a shame that all eight heroes don’t interact as much as fans would like. Still, these issues can be forgiven for the many strengths of Octopath Traveler, a game that has grown on fans after their initial complaints about its formulaic approach and generic tropes.
