Summary
Japanese role-playing games have continued to be a dominant force in gaming despite a lull period in which this genre found itself at one point. The allure of playing games with ridiculous stats that go higher and higher until a team of unassuming adventurers gets the power to beat god never gets old. It’s easy to see why a lot of established games (JRPGs or otherwise) form spinoffs that let players mess around with the hallmarks of the genre.
The best JRPG spinoffs encompass unique forms of combat and make the most of the established worlds they’re set in. It may seem like an easy task, but it’s way more challenging than most people would assume to develop a game that doesn’t feel like it’s in the shadow of its parent IP while trying to do justice tothe legacy of JRPGs.
5Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red/Blue Rescue Team
A Roguelike JRPG With A Surprisingly Riveting Story
Pokemonis one of the most popular IPs of all time that sells like gangbusters. It’s only a given that GameFreak and Nintendo would jump on the opportunity to develop spinoffs that capitalize on this series' popularity, and one of the most popular Pokemon games that’s not a part of the main seriesisPokemon Mystery Dungeon. There are numerous games in the series that are worth checking out, withPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red & Blue Rescue Teamserving as the first spinoff title to kickstart this side series.
There’s no denying that the firstPokemon Mystery Dungeongame was far from perfect, with the randomized structure being admirable but doing little to alleviate issues with a combat system that becomes stale after a point. Thankfully, the strong plot and dungeon-crawling goodness ensure thatPokemonfans will love this unique JRPG and what it brings to the table.
The world ofMonster Hunteris loaded with amazing creatures and wondrous locales that are a joy to experience. The rich history of the series made it ripe for a JRPG spinoff that surprised many fans when it was announced.Monster Hunter Storiesis an excellent gamewith more of a charming take on the series, with the many monsters that can aid players being magical. However, to say that this game was perfect would be short-sighted, and many JRPG fans saw several issues that needed to be ironed out.
So, fans were more than glad to seeMonster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruinturn out to be such a smashing improvement across every department. The polish in this game coupled with an engaging story makes it a must-play in the eyes of many fans who love the lore ofMonster Hunterand are more than okay with a narrative-driven title that gives the monsters of this game a lot of character.
In terms of pure greatness, there aren’t many games that rivalRevelations: Personain terms of their importance as a spinoff. TheShin Megami Tenseiseries' hardcore trappings were revered by many JRPG fans, but the approachable nature ofPersonahelped Atlus become more mainstream than ever. The first game in this spinoff series may be too dated for fans to check out, but players who can look past these issues will find themselves enjoying an excellent story-driven JRPG.
Seeinga group of high schoolerstake on the threat of demons after awakening their Personas is a setup that fans of the series are familiar with, and it’s fascinating to see Atlus' early spin on this concept. While the slow-paced combat can be a pain to get through, the ambitious two-pronged narrative and visuals that have aged pretty well for its time makeRevelations: Personaengaging if players can look past some aspects of its dated design.
WhileFinal Fantasy 16’s existence has made the idea of a mature game in the series easier to digest, there was a time when players couldn’t fathom that an entry from this beloved series would be M-rated.This helpedType-0stand outas one of the most interesting experiments in the series that expanded on the lore of the Fabula Nova Crystallis series and let players enjoy a fun real-time combat system that rewarded timely dodges and patience in combat.
The structure of this game was interesting, with players controlling fourteen students from Class Zero with unique abilities and movesets of their own. The variety in combat coupled with the mission-based structure makes it clear why many fans were impressed withFinal Fantasy Type-0. The summoning mechanic was the only part of the game that could’ve done with some polishing, but that’s a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things for a story with an emotional ending.
1Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7
A Real-Time Action Title That Serves As A Prequel To Final Fantasy 7
One of the greatestreal-time action JRPGs of all time,Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7is a huge reason why so many people were more than okay with the lore of the seventh mainline entry being expanded on with such titles. Zack Fair is an intriguing character who gets his time in the spotlight as players witness his path to becoming a SOLDIER and the many bonds he forms along the way, eventually inheriting the Buster Sword and facing off against Sephiroth.
After being captured by Hojo and Shinra, the game ends on an emotional climax for the ages as Zack makes a last stand and is shot down by waves of Shinra Troopers in a bid to save Cloud. Watching him breathe his last after making such a heroic stand is impressive and goes to show why so many people rateCrisis Core: Final Fantasy 7so highly.
