Summary
The JRPG genre has a rich history, evolving alongside the rest of the industry since the very early days of gaming. Many of the most iconic and beloved titles in video game history are JRPGs, and as graphics and gameplay mechanics have improved, this iconic genre has benefited.
In many ways, alook at the history of JRPGsis an exploration of video game history as a whole. RPG fans who are interested in tracing the history of this venerable genre have no shortage of important and significant games to choose from.
1995’sTactics Ogrewasn’t the first tactical JRPG in the world, but it was one of the best of its time. The game will feel familiar to many modern fans of games likeFire Emblem, as it features the traditional grid-based map system and dedicated character classes with unique abilities and strengths in combat.
The lead designer ofTactics Ogre, Yasumi Matsuno, went on later to createFinal Fantasy Tactics, continuing to leave a major mark on the tactical RPG landscape. Modern fans of the genre can explore this landmark title through arecent remake,Tactics Ogre Reborn, which modernizes a lot of the game’s innovative features.
Modernizing The Genre
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Join the fight between man and machine in the definitive edition of this critically-acclaimed RPG
Discover the origins of Shulk as he and his companions clash against a seemingly-unstoppable mechanical menace. Wield a future-seeing blade, chain together attacks, and carefully position your party members in strategic, real-time combat as you journey across a massive world.During an attack from the mechanical invaders known as the Mechon, Shulk discovers that he can tap into the full power of a mysterious blade known as the Monado. With the mighty Monado in hand, Shulk sets out to defeat the Mechon once and for all.In addition to the Mechon, you’ll run into wildlife that ranges from docile to deadly. Keep an eye on what attracts monsters’ attention to avoid unwanted conflict…or try your hand at bringing down an ultra-powerful Unique Monster.Upgrade your party as you progress through the adventure by selecting equipment, enhancing weapon skills, and using benefit-granting gems. Put your dependable companions to work by filling the party gauge to trigger a Chain Attack and attack enemies in quick succession!
Xenoblade Chronicles, originally released in 2010, is a relatively recent JRPG, but it’s no less significant for that. This Wii game stood out for its strange and unique setting: a world built on the top of two unmoving titans locked in a moment of eternal warfare. In addition to its striking aesthetic, the game also introduced a remarkable real-time action-based battle system, utilizing the protagonist’s ability to see the future in order to keep battles tense and strategic.
This game has been remembered as a classic for its storyline, voice acting, and immersive tactical gameplay. Even assequels have been releasedexpanding on its distinctive sci-fantasy lore, the original game stands strong. A rerelease on Nintendo Switch allows fans who missed the 2010 release to experience this masterclass in modern JRPG design.
The nameFinal Fantasyis almost synonymous with the JRPG genre. This venerable, long-running series has been a major part of the genre since the beginning, and it has several memorable titles to its name. The original game, which launched all the way back in 1987, established this franchise as one of the biggest names in the JRPG space.
This classic adventure stars the four Warriors of Light on a now-iconic quest to purify the four elemental crystals and save their world from destruction. In addition to major gameplay standards, this story setup would also lead to tried-and-true character and world design tropes that still surface in RPGs to this day.
It’s well established thatEarthBoundis a truly strange game. The title is set in a parody of America, which is being menaced by an eldritch alien force named Gygas. A child named Ness must travel the world with his friends in order to save the world from ultimate destruction.
The game combines traditional RPG tropes with outlandish enemy design and a deeply surreal setting. This has made it a memorable game for fans the world over, andit was also instrumentalin helping the JRPG genre break away from its traditional fantasy trappings.
TheFinal Fantasyseries has had many important entries over the years, butFinal Fantasy 4is one of the most significant. This game enhanced the story content, a major focus of JRPGs, especially in modern years.Final Fantasy 4pioneered dramatic, character-driven storylines. Even today, the game’s story draws comparisons to major fantasy novels.
Luckily for fans who want to experience the game’s revolutionary story, pixel remasters of the earlyFinal Fantasygames are available on modern devices. The modern JRPG landscape, with its memorable characters and emotional twists, would look a lot different if not forFinal Fantasy 4.
The venerableDragon Questfranchise is one of the few names that can rivalFinal Fantasyfor dominance in the JRPG space. Decades after it debuted, tropes and designs from the franchise endure, especially thanks to the artwork of the legendary Akira Toriyama. The original game was designed to introduce RPG trends to a wider audience, using a simpler interface than many contemporaries and an approachable art style and story.
The results speak for themselves.Dragon Questis a colossalmedia franchise today, with numerous spinoffs and side games under its belt, even as the main series continues to evolve and prosper. Millions of fans got their start in the JRPG genre through this legendary game, and it well deserves its spot in the history books.
ThePersonaseries is one of the most notable modern JRPG franchises. WhilePersona 5and its enhancedRoyalversion were certainly major successes, the franchise owes a lot of its success toPersona 3. This game brought thePersonaseries into the limelight and established a unique blend of RPG combat and social sim elements that helped it stand out from the crowd.
The game’s plot involves a group of high school students investigating a strange and dangerous supernatural phenomenon known as the Dark Hour. It has resounded with a lot of JRPG fans, and led to the title seeing numerous spinoffs, both in and out of the medium of video games.Persona 4andPersona 5are excellent games in their own right, but they owe it all tothe trail thatPersona 3blazed.
There will never be a true consensus on which entry in theFinal Fantasyseries is best, but if asked, a lot of fans would likely sayFinal Fantasy 7. This legendary title was the first to introduce 3D graphics to the franchise, with explosive results. The game’s advanced visuals mixed with its emotional and thrilling story made it an instant hit among RPG fans.
Final Fantasy 7’s legacy persists even beyond that of the rest of the series. The game launched a whole franchise of spinoffs and sequels, including the ongoingFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy, which alters key events in the game to create a new narrative out of the events of the iconic original.
There aren’t a lot of media franchises that can truly be called inescapable, butPokemonfits the bill. This iconic series of video games, trading cards, and anime shaped the childhood of millions of people around the world. Its library of distinct and lovable pocket monsters is constantly growing even now. The original 1996 games set the stage for a video game series like no other, and it’s remarkable to go back and play the humble beginnings of this wildly successful series.
The core gameplay loop of catching, training, and battling with mystical creatures, watching them evolve into stronger forms, and going in search of truly legendary beasts in the eternal quest to catch them all, has resonated with countless fans across the world. The same is true for the multiplayer component, allowing fans with a Game Link Cable to trade Pokemon and even battle each other. While the franchise’s core systems and trends have evolved throughout the years,Red & Blueremain iconic entries in the JRPG genre.
Even though it’s almost thirty years old,Chrono Triggerremains a true icon of the JRPG genre. Its development is the stuff of legend. Designed by the creators ofDragon QuestandFinal Fantasyalong with the legendary Akira Toriyama, the game represents theabsolute pinnacle of JRPG designat the time it was released. Its detailed pixel art and immersive soundtrack help the game stand out even today.
This game’s epic storyline follows a group of adventurers traveling through time to stop an apocalyptic menace, introducing countless exotic and memorable locales from the past and the present. Party members like Robo and Frog the Knight, each fully realized with their own storylines and motivations, enrich the tale.Chrono Triggeris an unforgettable ride from start to finish, and an absolute paragon of the JRPG franchise that no fan should skip.
