10 Greatest JRPGs of the Last 20 Years, Ranked

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Japanese Role-Playing Games, or JRPGs, have been popular since the days of the original Nintendo Entertainment System. They’re known for their compelling stories and characters that players quickly grow to love, even if those characters sometimes follow familiar patterns. While discussions about the best JRPGs often center on classics from the Super Nintendo and PlayStation 1 eras, the genre has continued to evolve and thrive for the past twenty years.

As a longtime RPG fan, I’ve seen a lot of series come and go, but it’s awesome how some new ones have really broken through, and the older ones keep finding ways to stay fresh. Honestly, looking at the best JRPGs from the last twenty years, it’s clear the genre is still going strong! We all love the classics – and for good reason – but there’s a ton of incredible new stuff out there if you’re willing to give it a shot.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses Made Risky Changes That Paid Off

Sometimes, even successful formulas need a refresh. Nintendo proved this with *Fire Emblem: Three Houses*. Unlike previous games focused purely on strategy, *Three Houses* introduced a strong focus on building relationships with characters. Players could now really get to know the cast, adding a new dimension to the gameplay.

The way the story unfolds in *Three Houses* made its later moments especially impactful for players who grew close to the characters. While the game borrows some ideas from *Persona*, the battles themselves are still very strategic and engaging. Although longtime fans of the series might find some changes frustrating, *Three Houses* is a truly excellent game for most players.

Octopath Traveler II Tells Eight Fantastic Stories

The original *Octopath Traveler* had a promising concept, but it didn’t fully come together as many players and Square-Enix had envisioned. Some felt the game relied too heavily on its stunning HD-2D graphics. However, Square-Enix learned from these shortcomings and delivered a significantly improved experience with *Octopath Traveler II*, offering a larger and more engaging world.

The new installment boasts a fresh cast of characters and takes place in a completely different setting, resulting in a stronger story and more compelling characters. Despite its retro, sprite-based graphics, the game delivers some truly unforgettable moments. It successfully captures the feel of classic 16-bit games while still offering a unique experience, and is sure to appeal to fans of ’90s-era JRPGs.

Kingdom Hearts 2 Is One Of The Best PlayStation 2 Games

When talking about role-playing games from the last two decades, *Kingdom Hearts* always comes up. This game from Square-Enix became hugely popular with millennials by cleverly combining characters from *Final Fantasy* with beloved Disney franchises. *Kingdom Hearts II*, a significant step up from the first game, is still considered one of the best games on the PlayStation 2, even after almost 20 years.

Even if you’re only familiar with Square’s other games, like *Final Fantasy*, it’s worth recognizing *Kingdom Hearts*’ impact. Its unique battle system heavily influenced the action in *Final Fantasy Remake*. Beyond its cameos from Disney and Final Fantasy characters, this *Kingdom Hearts* game boasts one of the series’ best stories. Though it’s an older title, a recent remaster keeps its visuals looking fantastic even now.

Dragon Quest XI Is The Pinnacle Of Classic JRPG Storytelling

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age feels like the ultimate classic JRPG experience, updated with beautiful 3D graphics and modern gameplay. It doesn’t try to be revolutionary; instead, it perfectly delivers on everything fans love about the genre, making it one of the best games on the PlayStation 4.

I have to say, even though *Dragon Quest XI* starts with a pretty classic ‘hero saves the world’ plot, it really surprised me! It throws in some twists I didn’t see coming, which kept me hooked. And with Toriyama’s amazing art, it’s just beautiful to look at. Just a heads-up though – if you want to fully experience everything the story has to offer, be prepared to spend a *lot* of time with it – we’re talking over a hundred hours easily!

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Offers A Fantastic Finale To The Xenoblade Saga

Nintendo has consistently released excellent games since the start of the *Xenoblade* series. Monolith Software’s science-fantasy RPGs have been among the best Japanese role-playing games for over a decade, and *Xenoblade Chronicles 3* is a perfect example – it concludes the main *Xenoblade* story and may be…

While the world of *Xenoblade 3* can feel dark and serious, the game’s memorable characters quickly draw you in and keep you invested. Be prepared to spend a lot of time mastering its complex battle system – with over a dozen classes and tons of combinations, you’ll still be discovering new strategies after 20 or 30 hours of play. But unraveling the mysteries of Aionios makes it all worthwhile.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure Represents The Peak Of The Trails Franchise

Over the past two decades, *The Legend of Heroes* has become a top-tier JRPG series. It’s celebrated for its detailed world and large cast of characters, and many fans consider *Trails to Azure* to be its high point. This game, the second part of the Crossbell story arc, follows the Special Support Section as they work to prevent a conflict sparked by those trying to take advantage of Crossbell’s desire for independence.

Similar to the previous game, *Trails to Azure* really stands out because of its characters – the Special Support Section. Even though the team is a little bigger now, it still feels like a close-knit family that you become a part of. The game’s excellent writing makes even simple tasks feel meaningful and connected to the world and characters. The hardest part about finishing *Trails to Azure* is saying goodbye to everyone you’ve gotten to know.

Metaphor Re:Fantazio Proves Atlus Is Far More Than Persona

After almost ten years of development, Atlus released *Metaphor: ReFantazio*, a brand new fantasy JRPG, and it quickly became very popular. The game takes place in the kingdom of Euchronia and centers around Will, a young man participating in a competition to become the next king. To win, he needs to gain the support of the kingdom’s people while dealing with political opponents and prejudice against his community.

Metaphor lived up to the hype as Atlus’s first new game series in years. It offers the rich storytelling and detailed world fans loved in the Persona games, but in a completely different setting. With smart updates to traditional turn-based combat and a fantastic soundtrack, it’s easy to see why players are already calling Metaphor a new classic.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon Took A Beloved Franchise From Brawler To JRPG

Although *Infinite Wealth* boasts a more expansive open world and improved combat, *Like a Dragon* delivers a tighter, more concentrated story and cast of characters. It’s remarkable how smoothly SEGA and RGG Studio transformed *Yakuza* from an action-packed brawler into a traditional Japanese role-playing game. The potential was always present, but this game successfully exceeded expectations rather than falling short.

Much of the game’s success is due to Ichiban, a remarkably likable main character. His underdog story is genuinely inspiring, and the way the game incorporates Japan’s changing political scene makes it feel surprisingly relatable, even for players unfamiliar with the country. Because the story is designed to be accessible, even those new to the *Yakuza* series – or JRPGs in general – should consider giving *Like a Dragon* a try.

Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth Adds The Scale Final Fantasy 7 Fans Were Looking For

For years, many wondered if a remake of *Final Fantasy 7* could truly live up to the original. Recreating such a massive game with modern graphics while keeping its unique spirit felt like an enormous challenge. Not only did *Final Fantasy 7 Remake* succeed, but *Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth* somehow surpassed it, proving to be even more impressive.

Although it’s disappointing that one game was divided into three, *Rebirth* feels incredibly full, not unfinished. It’s packed with both the main story and tons of optional content. Players can easily lose themselves in side activities like Queensblade or exploring the map, potentially losing track of the central plot. *Rebirth* boasts one of the best open worlds ever created, and is definitely a standout in the RPG genre.

Persona 5 Royal Remains The Gold Standard For JRPG Fans

Many people already considered *Persona 5* one of the best Japanese role-playing games ever made, so it’s not surprising that *Persona 5 Royal*—an expanded version of the game—has become even more popular. *Persona 5 Royal* includes a lot of new additions, like an extra semester, larger areas to explore in the city, and a new character. These changes make the game even more enjoyable than the original, and also improve on some of the things players had issues with in the first version.

Persona 5 is instantly recognizable as an Atlus game, with its unique characters, music, and incredibly creative user interface – arguably the best in the JRPG genre. It’s a fresh experience that welcomes new players while still offering the complex gameplay longtime fans expect. Thanks to Persona 5 Royal, Atlus has solidified the series’ place as the leading JRPG on the market.

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2025-10-11 06:50