Seeing as the JRPG genre has been around for decades, and has enjoyed overwhelming success throughout, with the golden era in the 1990s being the real standout for the genre.
It’s fair to say that the genre is bursting at the seams with quality games to play, and the cream often rises to the top.
10 Best JRPGs With Unique Mechanics
Some JRPGs stand out solely for their unique mechanics.
However, whether it’s due to the indie status of a particular JRPG, or just that it simply slipped through the cracks, there are a wealth of amazing JRPGS you have likely never heard of, but could easily be your new favorite game in waiting.
So, in a bid to unearth some hidden gems, here are some underrated JRPG hits you need to check out.
10Radiata Stories
A Less Yappy Jack Russel
If you know Square Enix’s long history and extensive JRPG catalog, you’ll know that the company takes a lot of swings, and sometimes, certain IPs just don’t resonate with the masses like others.
This is perhaps why Radiata Stories never really stood a chance in a period sandwiched between games likeFF XIII and Kingdom Hearts 2. But trust me when I say, this PS2 outing is a quality one that should have taken off.
This game subverts many RPG normswith cheesy, irreverent humor, a protagonist who looks far from a nailed-on hero archetype, and a simple combat system that is as accessible as they come.
It’sessentially a brilliant casual RPGwith great writing and interesting plot points that doesn’t take itself too seriously. So, if you’re not looking for anything too challenging but still want to have oodles of fun, Radiata Stories is a brilliant option.
9Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir
Look At Those Damage Counters!
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir
There is a lot to be said for JRPG titles that cast aside the shackles of turn-based combat and allow you to rack up insane hack-and-slash combos, andOdin Sphereis one such game that excels in offering this violent, cathartic bliss to fun.
We include the remastered version,Leifthrasirhere as its a game that looks and performs much better than the original, but retains all the charm and dynamic gameplay that the original boasted many moons ago.
It’s a side-scrolling epic that sees you strive to enhance your build and progress to make the damage counters on-screen look as ludicrous as possible, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
It looks staggeringly good even by modern-day standards, has great RPG systems, and has a variety of powers that keep things feeling fresh. It’s a forgotten classic, and we urge you to rediscover the magic ofOdin Sphere.
8The Last Remnant
An Xbox 360 Gem
The Last Remnant
There are a lot of cool games that arenow trapped on the Xbox 360to dwell for eternity, but arguably, none are quite as showstopping asThe Last Remnant.
Yet again, it’s a Square Enix original IP that didn’t quite catch the wind and become a mainstay hit, but as you’d expect, it still has all the charm and quality of a Square Enix title in an era where they rarely ever dropped the ball.
It’s a game with a rather lukewarm plot in truth, as it feels like an Unreal Engine proof of concept forFinal Fantasy XIII, but what it lacks in narrative depth, it makes up forwith deep combat systems.
The battle is fought and won in the preparation before, with formations and units being key to success. It definitely retains some teething issues of Square entering a new generation of gaming, but overall, it’s well worth checking out.
7Wandering Sword
A Love Letter To Octopath
Wandering Sword
If you’re a fan ofOctopath Traveler,and if you’re a self-professed JRPG fanatic, why wouldn’t you be? Then you’ll get a real kick out ofWandering Sword.
In this title, you have an art style that is Octopath-inspired through and through, and a dense but enjoyable narrative to lose yourself in. Not to mention a familiar grid system that will govern your battles in this Chinese-developed epic.
The game manages to be more than just an Octopath clone, however, thanks to a wealth of upgrade systems, interconnected skill trees, and unique characters to choose from to make a party setup that suits you to a tee.
You could argue that the game does rely on its jaw-dropping visuals to make up for some slow, one-note story beats. But all in all, it’s a game that is more like Octopath Traveller for those who have milked the authentic games in the series dry.
6In Stars And Time
Let’s Do The Time Warp Again
In Stars In Timeis a game that I continually gush about at any given opportunity, and having released last year after the GOTY award nominees were announced, I still consider it a big contender for game of the year almost a year on.
It’s a JRPG thatmakes use of time-travel mechanics, but unlike other titles likeCris Talesthat use this as a combat device, ISAT uses this as a narrative device to create a time-loop game that can rival games like Outer Wilds and Deathloop for quality.
The gameplayborders on RPG Makerin terms of depth at times, but the game more than makes up for this with incredibly witty writing, a cast of lovable characters, and one of the most meticulously crafted time-loop formats ever made.
It’s a hidden gem that I will continually unearth for anyone willing to give it a shot, and I hope you, too, take this recommendation and give into Siffrin’s surreal adventure.
5Okage: Shadow King
Release The Demon Inside
If Radiata Stories and its quirky, humorous tone tickled your fancy, thenOkage: Shadow Kingis another PS2-era hit that you’ll almost definitely adore.
This underrated title sees you play as a young boy who just so happens to meet an evil demon, and as young naive adolescents tend to do, he makes an ill-informed decision to make a deal with the devil, so to speak.
This means his sister is saved, which is undoubtedly great, but it also means that he is now a slave to a chaotic shadow demon who will force them to travel the land and slay other demons of the realm.
It all sounds rather bleak and serious, but it’s actually a rather comical game, with the Shadow Demon hogging a lot of the punch lines.
Plus, it has accessible but enjoyable combat and a surprisingly vast world to explore, making this a relic well worth digging up.
4Vandal Hearts
A Tactical PSX Gem
Vandal Hearts
We haven’t given anyPSX-era JRPGstheir moment in the spotlight yet, so allow me to do just that by giving Vandal Hearts the shoutout it deserves.
This is a game that perhaps bucks the trend emerging at the time of release, opting for less of an accessible turn-based model made famous by Final Fantasy VII, and more of a tighter tactical feel akin to Fire Emblem and the like.
It’s a classic story of JRPG rebellion as Ash Lambert and his crew aim to take down the corrupt systems that govern their world, and they intend to do it through meticulously planned grid-based combat assaults.
It’s rather primitive by today’s standards, but this was a game that pushed the boundaries of what was possible for a tactical JRPG at the time, with a need for strong positioning, to complete certain additional objectives during encounters.
It’s a great game for anyone who regularly returns to Final Fantasy Tactics and wants more of the same, and anyone who knows their tactical JRPGs knows that’s high praise indeed.
3Shadow Hearts Covenant
A WW1 Story Like No Other
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
It’s fair to say that, in an era with striking JRPGs like Final Fantasy X to contend with, the original Shadow Hearts title, while impressive, never really stood a chance of breaking into the mainstream.
However, unlike a lot of one-and-done series on this list, Shadow Hearts returned with a vengeance, and Covenant is a much-improved sequel in just about any way you can imagine.
This title follows on from the events of the first title and sees you travel across a war-torn Europe during the WW1 era, but don’t let the setting fool you; this one is equal parts weird, funny, and dark.
In short, this game has layers. Confusing, confusing layers.
On top of this, you have a rhythm-game-adjacent timing-based combat system, demon transformation abilities, Devil May Cry fixed cameras, and much more.
It’s an eclectic one, to say the least, but it’s one that you would be a fool to pass up on, so dive into this augmented historical tale.
2Jeanne d’Arc
History Re-written
Jeanne d’Arc
Most of us will at least be somewhat aware of the historical figure Joan of Arc. However, those familiar with the PSP-exclusive title Jeanne D’arc may have a slightly askew historical timeline filled with supernatural creatures and grid-based tactics.
This title takes the tale of Joan of Arc and gives it the anime treatment to offer a story that is surprisingly captivating, and visually stylish beyond anything the PSP should be capable of in truth.
However, the story plays second fiddle to the enthralling tactical combat that has depth in spades and a wealth of customization options.
If you go in expecting grand grid-based encounters like in Fire Emblem, you may be a little underwhelmed, but if you take it for what it is, a pocket-sized tactical JRPG, you’ll find a lot to love about this one.
So go find that PSP of yours, dust it off, and try out this magical tweak on the Thousand-Years War.
1Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals
A Forgotten SNES Masterclass
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Then, to cap things off, it’s only right that we give you at least one 16-bit era SNES classic that still sails under the radar of most JRPG fanatics: Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistals.
This lovingly made prequel improves on the first title in the series, offering a compelling narrative that fills out the lore of this established world even further, while still offering an accessible title for newbies to hop into without missing a beat.
The game’s combat is simple, as most games of the era, such as Breath of Fire and Secret of Mana tend to be, but this simplicity isn’t to the game’s detriment, as it allows you to grasp the systems fast and then sit back and enjoy the ride.
Dungeon crawling is fun, the puzzles are well implemented, the various towns and areas you visit are distinct, and there is a stunning score to enjoy as you go.
It’s hard to stand out from the crowd among so many SNES greats, but this one manages it with aplomb, and even if many have forgotten this one over time, don’t let yourself be one of them.
