Best JRPGs Forgotten by Time – Minority Mindset

Role-playing games from Japan, or JRPGs, are becoming popular again after a difficult period starting around the time of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. While games like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Persona have always been well-known, many other great JRPGs didn’t receive the same level of attention.

The late 1990s, often called the golden age of gaming between the Super Nintendo and PlayStation, saw a surge of original game ideas. While some of these new games became huge hits, they were all generally imaginative and enjoyable, bringing fresh experiences to players. Unfortunately, many didn’t survive as gaming technology advanced and were eventually forgotten.

This list celebrates some fantastic Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) that haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve. They might have been overlooked when they first came out, or were unfortunately cancelled before they could really take off. Either way, these games are worth revisiting today.

10. Final Fantasy Dimensions

A Great Mobile Spinoff

The Final Fantasy series is still a defining example of Japanese role-playing games. Occasionally, new players discover spin-off titles like Final Fantasy Type-0 or World of Final Fantasy, which helps Square Enix continue to create these unique and interesting games.

Beyond the popular titles, some lesser-known games were also very popular when they came out. For example, Final Fantasy Dimensions, released on mobile devices in 2012, included lots of references to the Final Fantasy series and gameplay inspired by Final Fantasy III and V. The game features a Job System that fans of the series will recognize, but with a unique spin.

The game features eight characters divided into two groups: four Warriors of Light and four Warriors of Darkness. They travel across two sides of a single world. What makes each group special is their unique class options – the Warriors of Light can become Paladins or Dragoons, while the Warriors of Darkness are the only ones who can play as Dark Knights or Ninjas. This creates a compelling contrast as the story switches between these two parties.

9. Infinite Undiscovery

Tri-Ace Forgotten RPG

As a big Xbox fan, I remember Microsoft really pushing to get popular in Japan during the 360 days. They invested in a bunch of developers specifically to bring over more Japanese RPGs – JRPGs, as we call them. We ended up getting some amazing titles like Lost Odyssey, Tales of Vesperia, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, and even Infinite Undiscovery. It was awesome to see them try and cater to that audience!

I’m a big fan of action RPGs, and I really enjoyed Infinite Undiscovery! It was made by the same team behind Star Ocean – tri-Ace – and published by Square Enix. What I loved about it was that it felt fresh, being a new series, but still had a lot of depth. Before a fight, you could actually plan out what your characters would do, giving you a real edge. It wasn’t just button-mashing – there was strategy involved!

You play as Capell, who is captured by the Order of the Chains army. After being rescued by Aya, he teams up with a group dedicated to defeating them. The game features some environmental interactions that can aid in combat, although fewer than initially planned. Despite being a strong game, it’s largely been overlooked, likely because it remains exclusive to the Xbox 360.

8. Brave Fencer Musashi

Action and Puzzle at Its Finest

Square was once known for consistently releasing imaginative and enjoyable new games. Each year, they delivered bold and inventive titles, and Brave Fencer Musashi, an action RPG for the PlayStation 1 released in 1998, was a prime example.

The game puts you in the role of Musashi, a warrior summoned by Princess Fillet to battle the pun-loving Thirstquencher Empire. Though reluctant, Musashi agrees to help just so he can go back home. He uses two powerful swords, Fusion and Lumina, which each offer unique ways to play the game.

Musashi’s Fusion ability lets him attack rapidly and learn from his enemies. Lumina is different – she’s slower but hits much harder, and becomes even more powerful as you find more scrolls. Both swords are useful for navigating tricky dungeons and solving puzzles that kept me stumped for days, especially since I originally played the game in Japanese. A sequel was released on the PS2, which I liked, but it wasn’t as popular and faded away relatively quickly.

7. Threads of Fate

Even Square Forgot About This Game

Okay, so getting back to action RPGs, there’s this Square game called Threads of Fate that was seriously cool and did some interesting things. You actually got to pick who you played as at the beginning – either Rue or Mint. And it wasn’t just a cosmetic choice! Picking a different character totally changed how the game played, especially when it came to puzzles and even parts of the story. It felt like playing two different games in one, which was awesome.

Rue excelled in close combat and had the unique ability to shapeshift into monsters. When transformed, he could even borrow powers from his enemies, though it drained his magical energy. Mint was a versatile fighter, comfortable both up close and at a distance. She used magic powered by a system of mixing colors to create different spells.

The way the game played also changed how puzzles were solved – Rue focused on changing forms, and Mint used magic. While both characters ultimately reach the same ending, their journeys and the events they experience are different and unique to each of them. This made Threads of Fate surprisingly replayable, which wasn’t typical for role-playing games released around that time.

6. White Knight Chronicles

Amazing Knight Transformations

Level-5 consistently delivers high-quality games. Both their original creations and games based on other franchises are well-made and enjoyable. Recent examples like Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time and Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road demonstrate this commitment to excellence.

However, not all games made by Level-5 were huge hits. Some, like White Knight Chronicles, faded into obscurity. The game started strong with a captivating idea: the main character, Leonard, could merge with armor to become the powerful White Knight. It had a lot of potential, so it’s a shame it didn’t connect with more players.

The combat felt a lot like those MMOs – everything happened in real-time, and each special move had a cooldown. I played alongside Leonard, but I also got to create my own character and take them online to do quests with other players and check out their towns. Honestly, I had a blast! It’s really too bad White Knight Chronicles kind of faded into obscurity, because it was a genuinely great game and deserved way more attention.

5. Eternal Sonata

Chopin Deserved Better

If I had to pick one JRPG from this list to get more recognition, it would definitely be Eternal Sonata. I’ve always been surprised it’s considered underrated, because it truly deserves the love of JRPG fans. While it first came out on Xbox 360, I played it on PS3 after it was released there.

The game begins with a dreamlike sequence, portraying Frédéric Chopin as he journeys through a whimsical world while battling tuberculosis. Music is central to Eternal Sonata, appearing both within the story and as a core gameplay mechanic. Throughout the game, you’ll discover musical scores that allow you to perform songs with characters, and if they enjoy your performance, you’ll be rewarded with items.

Battles happen in turns, but they’re more dynamic than traditional turn-based games. When you move a character, a timer starts, letting you attack and use skills freely for a limited time. A unique feature is that characters gain different abilities depending on whether they’re in the light or shadow. Plus, you can try to defend or counter enemy attacks with well-timed button presses. It all adds up to a truly exceptional JRPG.

4. Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals

One of the SNES’ Most Underrated Gems

Let’s not discuss the recent remake of Lufia II – though it’s decent, it doesn’t compare to the classic original. Many consider the original Lufia II to be a hidden gem among SNES JRPGs. While it might not be as famous as games like Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI, it’s still a fantastic game that deserves recognition and should be mentioned in the same breath as those titles.

This game was ahead of its time, packed with well-executed features. It had everything: challenging dungeons filled with smart puzzles, the unique ability to recruit monsters to your team, an inventive system for improving your gear, and combat that was both strategic and balanced.

Lufia II truly delivers on its promises, offering a fantastic experience for fans of classic JRPGs. Despite not achieving the same popularity as other games in the genre – possibly due to a late release or limited marketing – it remains a brilliant and enjoyable title.

3. Metal Max Xeno Reborn

We Fight Aboard Tanks

The Metal Max series is surprisingly extensive, with over 16 games released on various platforms, including main titles, remakes, and mobile versions. While it’s not a widely known franchise, it has a dedicated and passionate fanbase. I’ve personally played two games: Metal Saga on the PlayStation 2 and, more recently, Metal Max Xeno: Reborn on PlayStation 4.

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While these games aren’t as refined as some of the biggest JRPGs, they still have a unique appeal. They’re generally set after a global disaster, and a key part of the gameplay involves driving vehicles that you use to get around and fight enemies.

In Metal Max Xeno: Reborn, a remake of Metal Max Xeno, you direct your team and choose actions from a menu when you find enemies. When you’re in a tank, the gameplay is similar, but you can also aim yourself for longer-range shots, making battles more engaging. A sequel was planned for 2022, but it was cancelled, unfortunately pushing the series back into relative obscurity.

2. Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena

Legend of Runersia Is Also Good

I have such fond memories of wandering through video rental stores during the original PlayStation days, just picking games based on the box art – it was way before easy online info! I found Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena in a pretty run-down shop and decided to take a chance on it. Honestly, when I first started playing, it seemed a little rough around the edges and didn’t really grab me right away.

At first, I wasn’t sure about the game, but the more I played, the more I understood and enjoyed its clever design, challenging gameplay, and the interesting world and story of Forsena. Soon, I was completely hooked, spending all my time upgrading my units and monsters.

The Brigandine series was largely unknown for years, until Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia was released. Even then, it didn’t gain much traction and quickly slipped under the radar. If you’re searching for a truly unique tactical RPG experience, Brigandine is worth checking out.

1. Radiata Stories

A Massive Cast

Whenever people talk about lesser-known or hidden treasure JRPGs, Radiata Stories often comes up – and it’s easy to see why. Developed by tri-Ace for the PS2 – a studio really hitting its stride back then – the game had all the elements of a classic JRPG: memorable characters, fun battles, beautiful anime-style graphics, and a good story.

What made Radiata Stories special was its incredible number of characters – a whopping 176 that you could recruit to your party. Almost anyone you could talk to, or even bump into, had the potential to join you. It was a bit frustrating that you could only play as the main character, Jack Russell, during battles, and the computer-controlled characters weren’t very smart. However, the huge selection of characters more than compensated for this flaw.

While Radiata Stories might not be the best JRPG in any single category, it’s a solid game that delivers on its promises. Some players find the story becomes confusing and loses steam towards the end, but overall, it’s a memorable title that deserves a re-release on today’s consoles.

2026-01-05 19:42