JRPGshave a series of characteristics that make them unique: flashy colors, even flashier characters, epic battles, andendless grinding for levels and items. This last part is the least favorite of many fans, but there are some titles that offer alternatives to this obsolete (and annoying) system — and they’re are packed with lots of action too.
This list has five JRPGs ideal for those who don’t want to grind for levels, from a classic yet underrated series to an all-time favorite that has been resurrected from the grave thanks to a timely remake.
For players looking for less grind and more story and epic battles, then theSuikodenseries is the ideal choice. The first two iterations of the franchise (Suikoden IandSuikoden II) areconsiderably shorter than most JRPGsavailable today in the market, and that is a good thing if players are looking for a good story and a relaxed experience to enjoy. Plus, their Remaster versions are now available to play on Steam, and that’s even cooler.
Perhaps the only exception to the rule in theSuikodenseries isSuikoden 4,since this game broke the rule of low encounter rate, and roaming around its world can be a nightmare for players trying to avoid fights. Still,Suikoden 3 and 5are great choices as well, and much more modern if graphics are an important factor.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steelis a great place for new players to enter into contact withThe Legend of Heroesseries, since it has a lot less grinding than most of the games in the series and is also visually attractive. Its interface has a really comfortable design, as well. ThoughTrails in the Sky indeedhas far less grinding thanTrails of Cold Steel,what makes this game great is that it has an enthralling story and could be justwhat players are looking for in a JRPG.
The game and most of its predecessors are available on PC through Steam and other platforms like Nintendo Switch, so if players find this entry of the series comfortable enough, they can jump right into other parts of the story since their plots are easy enough to follow up, even if played in reverse.
If players are looking for a JRPG that privileges tactics, composition, builds, and out-of-the-box thinking before mindless grinding for hours, thenThe Last Remnantmight hit all those marks and more. This game is considerably more difficult than most JRPGs, with merciless boss battles that will punish players if they don’t position themselves correctly, or if their team comp is not solid enough.
The way characters gain stats is unlike any traditional JRPG, with a particular system that levels up the stats of the characters every time they take an action during battle. In that way, they will slowly but steadily improve their skills, and using them consistently is the best way to bring up the best qualities of each character.
Strictly speaking, there’s no Grinding inTactics Ogre: Reborn, and as a matter of fact, the game has an absolute level cap mechanic that its impossible to overcome depending on the stages of the game. Players can, though hire units that are above the level cap, though these won’t keep leveling unless they progress further during the adventure. Combat has a lot of action, and an enthralling story as well, with a soundtrack that rivals that of classics likeFinal Fantasy VII, VIII, and theChronoseries.
Be it as it may, the game has some hard-to-understand leveling mechanics, that not only depend on the game stage, the level cap, but other factors like training, and the progress players make in story missions. This tactical JRPG is similar to theFinal Fantasy Tacticsseries since it also boasts a class system. Quite fun to play, though.
Chrono Cross is arguably,one of the best JRPGs made to date, with deep storytelling, a twisted chronology that confuses the players but somewhat still makes sense, and some memorable characters that are hard to forget. Even more so, the game lacks the usual “grind for levels” mechanic, and it only privileges battle strategy, composition, and equipment.
Characters do not level up in the traditional sense, but they gain better stats every time they beat a powerful enemy (aka Boss), and this progress is also carried through to other characters the player hasn’t recruited yet, so it’s an equalizer of sorts. This also can make encounters in between boss fights sort of meaningless, if not for its Crafting System that is unlocked further during the adventure. There, all the materials players gathered start to make some sense, even those weird Rainbow Shells that the game never explains what they’re for until the mechanic drops on them like an anvil. Really fun to play, andThe Radical Dreamers Collectionmakes it even more interesting to re-visit for veteran players.
