The Best Modern-Day JRPGs (According To Metacritic)
The Best Modern-Day JRPGs (According To Metacritic)
Some might argue that JRPGs peaked during the ’90s and early 2000s with the SNES, PS1, and PS2. While an argument can certainly be made in favor of that claim, the genre has hardly slowed down in recent years. In fact, every year includes at least a couple of fantastic JRPGs.
Deciphering the list of best modern JRPGS becomes harder with each passing year. However, some of the most recommendable games came out over the past few years and are highly rated on Metacritic.
The cut-off year is 2015 (for North American releases). Games like Monster Hunter and Dark Souls will not be considered since they are basically their own subgenres. MMORPGs will also be excluded. Remasters of pre-2015 games will only be included if they add something significant to the base game beyond polish. Finally, only one game per franchise.
Updated December 31, 2022 by Mark Sammut: JRPGs will never grow old, and that is a fact. The industry continues to churn out new Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Megami Tensei, and Tales of games, along with occasional new properties like Scarlet Nexus and Valkyrie Elysium. Fans of the genre always have something to look forward to, and they do not even need to look beyond the best JRPGs of the last few years to find something new to play.
Developed by Stegosoft Games, Rise of the Third Power did not attract too much attention upon release, which is a shame as this turn-based JRPG has a lot of things going for it. A few decades following a devastating war, the Kingdom of Arkadya has begun to rise up in search of global domination, causing fear to spread across the world that another conflict is on the horizon. The story follows a handful of characters as they try to stop Arkadya before a new war breaks out.
RELATED: Beginner Tips For Rise Of The Third Power
Influenced by World War 2, Rise of the Third Power weaves a mature tale filled with intriguing characters who have well-defined pasts. The story is the best part of this package, and the game does not overstay its welcome either. The turn-based combat is more than serviceable, and players will need to make full use of their characters’ tools if they wish to survive on higher difficulties.
Get it on Steam here!
31/32 Chaos Rings 3 – 79
Original NA Release Date
May 28, 2015
Console/s
Technically, Chaos Rings 3 debuted in 2014, but the game did not come to North America until the following year. Media.Vision’s Chaos Rings series had a good run during the early 2010s, producing four generally highly regarded entries before coming to a close with the 2014/2015 JRPG. Published by Square Enix, these games harbor back to the company’s classic titles, offering turn-based combat alongside relatively straightforward dungeon-crawling.
Chaos Rings 3 is arguably the weakest entry in the franchise, but it is still an impressive mobile turn-based JRPG. Honestly, this series could have done well if it received console ports for other platforms besides the Vita; in fact, a remaster compilation would be exciting.
Get It On The Apple Store Here!
30/32 SaGa: Scarlet Grace – Ambitions – 79
Original NA Release Date
December 2, 2019
Console/s
Starting out as Final Fantasy Legends, SaGa has a long and complicated history filled with experimental battle systems that range from inspired to needlessly convoluted. Like most of the franchise’s output, Scarlet SaGa presents plenty of interesting ideas, although not all of them hit their mark. Rather than standard exploration, players pick nodes from a map that lead them to a quest or a battle. This approach streamlines the story mode, which comes with positives and negatives. On the one hand, players are given a fair amount of freedom; conversely, the campaign does not feel like much of an adventure, an issue exasperated by the forgettable characters.
Scarlet SaGa‘s battle system fares considerably better, and it is arguably among the franchise’s best. The turn-based system emphasizes strategic planning since players only have a select amount of action points they can use per round, so they have to structure their characters’ behavior to optimize the party’s collective strengths. Characters develop depending on the battle skills they rely on the most, permitting players to craft a party that suits their preferences.
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29/32 Yo-Kai Watch 3 – 80
Original NA Release Date
February 8, 2019
Console/s
A staple of the 2010s, Yo-kai Watch has lost some steam in recent years, and the Switch’s fourth main entry seems destined to remain forever in Japan. Western players who want to jump into the franchise can try Yo-kai Watch 3, an entry that does not require familiarity with prior releases. For the uninitiated, the game revolves around Nathan Adams, a boy who can befriend spirits and then summon them during battles.
Like its predecessors, Yo-kai Watch 3‘s combat is simple and somewhat passive, and most fights do not offer too much of a challenge. While the battle system might be a touch underwhelming, the game shines in its world-building, humor, and storytelling. Yo-kai Watch envisions a universe that demands to be explored.
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28/32 Paper Mario: The Origami King – 80
Original NA Release Date
July 17, 2020
Console/s
Paper Mario has long since left behind its turn-based JRPG roots, so much so that The Origami King is on the cusp of dropping out of the genre altogether. However, the Switch game incorporates just enough role-playing elements to make the grade for this discussion. Intelligent Systems’ title is quite polarizing, and someone’s mileage will depend on their expectations.
If they go in anticipating a charming action-adventure game that leans into puzzles, exploration, and humor, they are likely to have a blast. Conversely, if a player picks up the 2020 release hoping for an experience reminiscent of The Thousand-Year Door, then they might be disappointed by The Origami King‘s battle system. Ultimately, Paper Mario: The Origami King is overflowing with creativity and imagination.
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27/32 Scarlet Nexus – 80
Original NA Release Date
June 25, 2021
Console/s
PS4
PS5
Xbox Series X/S
Xbox One
PC
New JRPG IPs do not come around all that often, particularly ones with a decent budget behind them. Scarlet Nexus is the type of game that should be cherished; a reasonably ambitious action JRPG that offers upward of 50 hours of gameplay since it features two protagonists with their own storylines.
RELATED: Forgotten JRPGs That Deserve A Reboot
Set in a world where humanity is threatened by the arrival of monsters known as Other, Yuito and Kasane join the OSF, a task force designed to repel these entities. From there, both characters become ensnared in a conspiracy that goes to quite a few unpredictable places. Scarlet Nexus‘ combat system is fast-paced, responsive, and highly entertaining, and it develops quite nicely as the campaign progresses.
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26/32 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore – 81
Original NA Release Date
January 17, 2020
Console/s
Originally released towards the end of Wii U’s lifespan, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE was not granted much of a chance to leave an impact due to the console’s (relatively) small install base. Fortunately, the JRPG eventually made its way to the Nintendo Switch, making it available to far more people. Now, what is Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore? While technically a crossover between Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, in truth, this is an Atlus game that uses characters from Nintendo’s tactical RPG franchise as part of its battle system and mythos.
Tokyo has a Mirage problem, evil spirits who use humans as food. This is where the Fortuna Entertainment agency steps in, as the organization’s idols are secretly heroes who use good Mirages to fight the bad ones. The Fire Emblem characters are the good Mirages. Utilizing a simple but enjoyable turn-based combat system, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is accessible, stylish, and charming.
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25/32 Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin – 82
Original NA Release Date
November 10, 2020
Console/s
Edelweiss’s Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin carries a lot on its plate as the game balances two genres that typically move at conflicting paces: farming sims and side-scrolling action. Incredibly, Edelweiss managed to create a balanced experience, with neither half seeming underbaked. The titular Sakuna refers to a lazy goddess who is sent to the Isle of Demons for rehabilitation, forcing her to learn what it is like to live and work like humans.
Sakuna spends her days either cultivating rice or exploring dungeons in search of resources. The former is surprisingly in-depth, and players will need to carefully monitor their fields if they want to stay in the green. When it comes to dungeon crawling, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin utilizes a fast-paced 2.5D hack and slash combat system that expands nicely as the protagonist acquires new moves.
Debuting in 2007, Etrian Odyssey enjoyed a decent run on Nintendo’s DS and 3DS systems. Essentially a remake of 2008’s Etrian Odyssey 2: Heroes of Lagaard, The Fafnir Knight adds significant content to the base game through the introduction of a Story Mode that features fixed characters. If that is not to somebody’s preference, Classic Mode allows players to experience the campaign as originally intended, with a cast of created characters.
Combining RPG with dungeon-crawling elements, Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight is an addictive throwback to the genre’s old-school first-person games, and Atlus does a fantastic job of modernizing this format. Hopefully, Etrian Odyssey makes its way to the Switch as it would be a shame if the franchise ends with the 3DS.
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23/32 Kingdom Hearts 3 – 83
22/32 Bravely Default 2 (Claytech Works) – 83
Original NA Release Date
February 26, 2021
Console/s
Other Highly Rated Recent Games in the Franchise
Bravely Second: End Layer – 81
2014’s Bravely Default saw Square Enix revert to the type of JRPGs that put the company on the map during the late ’80s and early ’90s, specifically the classic Final Fantasy releases. The first game is still arguably the franchise’s best entry, but Bravely Default 2 is a solid sequel for Switch and PC owners.
While Bravely Second is a direct sequel to Bravely Default, 2021’s entry is its own beast, introducing a new world, characters, and quest to follow. With a heavy emphasis on Jobs and customization, Bravely Default 2 serves as a prime example that there is still a place for old-school turn-based JRPGs.
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21/32 Octopath Traveler (Square-Enix) – 83
Original NA Release Date
July 13, 2018
Console/s
Switch
PC
Stadia
Xbox One
Following the two Bravely titles on 3DS, Tomoya Asano and his team created a new JRPG series for Nintendo Switch. Octopath Traveler follows eight protagonists who each feature their own story. These intertwining fates bring each character together. While Bravely is similar to Final Fantasy 5, Octopath is closer to Final Fantasy 6, albeit with the Job system retained.
RELATED: JRPGs With The Deepest Lore, Ranked
Octopath Traveler delivers beautiful, crisp visuals. It features gorgeous HD effects with incredibly detailed sprite work. This lengthy campaign boasts over 80 hours of boss fights, side-quests, hidden bosses, dungeons, and some of the best-written narratives to come to the genre in recent years. Furthermore, Octopath Traveler later came to both Steam and Google Stadia.
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20/32 Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker – 84
Original NA Release Date
May 5, 2015
Console/s
Although part of the Shin Megami Tensei brand, Devil Survivor is generally treated as its own franchise, similar to Persona. These games utilize a hybrid tactical/turn-based combat system that works well, and Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker represents this sub-series at its best. While an enhanced port of a DS game, Record Breaker adds a significant amount of content, including a new epilogue; consequently, this iteration stands well on its own.
Devil Survivor 2 features a gripping and dark story set in modern Tokyo, and while the gameplay can be a grind at times, the narrative moves at a consistent pace. The battle system is split into grid-based tactics and 3v3 turn-based fights, combining two sub-genres to create a fun middle ground.
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19/32 Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom – 84
Original NA Release Date
March 23, 2018
Console/s
Building on the success of Wrath of the White Witch, Ni no Kuni 2:Revenant Kingdom strikes a slightly more mature tone than its predecessor. Roland finds himself teleported to Ding Dong Dell just as a coup is carried out usurping the kingdom’s soon-to-be king, a young prince named Evan. After narrowly escaping the castle, Roland and Evan travel across the world seeking allies who can aid in returning the prince to his throne.
Ni no Kuni 2‘s main story is solid and its visuals are stunning, particularly for those fond of anime. The sequel also revamps the combat system, changing it for the better.
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18/32 Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy (Gust) – 84
Original NA Release Date
January 26, 2021
Console/s
Other Highly Rated Recent Games in the Franchise
Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream – 83
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout – 84
Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland – 79
Gust’s Atelier has not invaded pop culture quite to the degree of brands such as Final Fantasy, Persona, and Dragon Quest, but this series has been producing delightful games for more than two decades. Although not the first excellent entry in the franchise, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy is a step above what came before it, delivering an experience that is far more rewarding to newcomers.
Boasting a quick start, fine-tuned crafting mechanics, fun dungeons, and a strategic combat system that blends turn-based with real-time elements, Atelier Ryza 2 maximizes the franchise’s latent potential en route to creating one of the best JRPGs on modern consoles.
Get it on Steam here!
17/32 Fuga: Melodies Of Steel – 84
Original NA Release Date
July 29, 2021
Console/s
PC
PS5
PS4
Xbox Series X/S
Xbox One
Switch
CyberConnect2’s Little Tail Bronx is an underappreciated franchise, with all the main entries being fun and unique. Despite being set in a world filled with adorable characters, these games tend to deliver quite intense storylines that dive into themes of war. Fuga: Melodies of Steel serves as a stellar entry point into the license, as not only does its narrative pre-date every other game but it is also the most polished overall experience.
A side-scrolling JRPG with turn-based tactical combat, Fuga places a heavy emphasis on party balance as players will have to adapt to battles by picking out the best characters for any given situation. Solid gameplay, a decent storyline, and gorgeous visuals make Fuga: Melodies of Steel an easy recommendation for anyone searching for a lesser-known JRPG.
Get it on Steam here!
16/32 Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey (Alphadream) – 84
Original NA Release Date
January 11, 2019
Console/s
The original Bowser’s Inside Story launched for DS in 2009. Along with Mario & Luigi, this game also stars their archnemesis, Bowser. On his quest to reclaim his castle from Fawful, Bowser comes with his own powerful attacks.
Bowser’s Inside Story provided insight into how Bowser would be an ideal anti-hero in a JRPG. Moreover, the game’s incredibly enjoyable battle system comes alongside solid world design, puzzles, and cool giant battles. This remake also includes a side campaign, Bowser Jr’s Journey, which stars the young lad on his quest to make his dear old dad proud!
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15/32 Shin Megami Tensei 5 (Atlus) – 84
Original NA Release Date
November 12, 2021
Console/s
Other Highly Rated Recent Games in the Franchise
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux – 80
Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse – 84
Atlus doesn’t drop a new numbered Shin Megami Tensei game all that often, but when those days arrive, they are almost never disappointments. SMT 5 is a difficult, dark JRPG that plunges Tokyo into a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with dungeons that are home to powerful demons.
RELATED: Shin Megami Tensei 5 Vs Persona 5: Which Game Is Better?
SMT 5 modernizes ideas that have been present in the franchise for decades; it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, opting to focus on perfecting a formula that has paid off multiple times already. This is a hardcore JRPG with heavy themes, overwhelming bosses, and deep strategic options.
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14/32 NEO: The World Ends With You (Square Enix) – 85
Original NA Release Date
July 27, 2021
Console/s
A sequel to 2007’s The World Ends with You, NEO drops players into a new Reaper’s Game and tells them to outdo the other teams. Launching on the Switch and PS4 before making its way to PC, NEO: The World Ends with You features a more straightforward action-oriented combat system, albeit one that is still built upon equipping Pins that unlock moves and abilities.
The story, while somewhat on the long side, has an element of mystery that keeps it moving along quite nicely. The characters are irresistibly charming, especially the main heroes, while the music is nothing short of amazing.
Radiant Historia is one of the better RPGs on the Nintendo DS, so it isn’t all that surprising that its remake is also one of the genre’s best on the 3DS. Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology takes the fantastic but complicated base game and makes it more accessible, including the introduction of a difficulty level that allows people to primarily focus on the epic storyline.
An ambitious title that leans heavily into puzzles through its time-travel-themed narrative, Radiant Historia is an underappreciated gem and a must-play for any 3DS owner.
