Summary
The role-playing genre was booming in the 90s, with both Western and Eastern developers doing this genre justice. While most people may believe that classic JRPGs have aged gracefully compared to Western offerings, this isn’t a universal truth.
Developers from all over the world were firing on all cylinders in the 90s, letting fans enjoy some of the best role-playing games players could get their hands on. Even now, these titles feel great to play and will keep players invested from start to end.
Most people find JRPGs daunting to get into because of their lengthy playtimes and high fantasy worlds. This is whyParasite Eveis the perfect fitfor these players, as long as they don’t mind a bit of body horror.
This game is refreshingly uncomplicated and relatively short, allowing players to reach completion in around ten hours. The best part is how well this game has aged, with the innovative hybrid combat system combining elements of turn-based and real-time combat to make for a great time.
Theremaster ofSystem Shock 2has made it evidently clear that this game has aged like fine wine. After all, this remaster just needed to update the dated visuals and tweak some minor elements to let fans enjoy the best version of this masterpiece.
The role-playing is way deeper than fans expect, allowing players to enjoy a different experience in each run. The oppressive threat of SHODAN and the Many makes for an unnerving experience as fans struggle to survive aboard the Von Braun.
A classic JRPG that needs no introduction, there’s a reason whyChrono Triggeris still held as the gold standard of the genre. For its time, the game was ahead of its time, opting against battle screen transitions and serving as the first example of a New Game+ in a video game.
Players love the game’s time-travelling elements and incredible pacing, ensuring that players can power through this title in no time. It’s a huge part of what makesChrono Triggerso special, with the game being nowhere near as lengthy as fans would expect from the greatest JRPG of all time.
Final Fantasy 6is one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, with the game’s massive ensemble cast and ambitious narrative structure contributing to its timeless charm. Arguably, the best game in theFinal Fantasyseries, fans love the epic adventure this title takes players on.
The nonlinear approach in the World of Ruin and the amazing allure of its antagonist, the mad jester Kefka, ensure thatFinal Fantasy 6will leave a lasting impression on players. ThePixel Remastermakes the much-needed change of enhancing the game’s difficulty, addressing the biggest pain point in an otherwise flawless classic JRPG.
The anti-JRPG trend has become very popular in indie gaming, and titles likeOmoriandUndertalehave shown how this unique approach to a role-playing game works. These titles, among many more,owe their success toEarthBound, one of the most groundbreaking JRPGs ever made.
Ness and his friends embark on what seems like a rudimentary adventure in a modern setting that feels like a breath of fresh air from most other JRPGs back in the day. It didn’t sell all that well courtesy of a poor marketing campaign, but fans eventually understoodEarthBound’s brilliance firsthand and were invested in this amazing title.
Super Mario RPG’s remakeshowed fans just how well this title has aged. All this game needed was a visual uplift, with the rest of the title feeling timeless and showing just how fruitful this collaboration between Nintendo and SquareSoft was.
The addition of QTEs in the game’s charming turn-based combat lets players feel more active in gameplay, making it all the more satisfying to block enemy attacks and maximize the damage of their moves. This, coupled with the game’s overflowing charm and amazing music, helps this title stand out as one of the bestMariospinoffs players can get their hands on.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Nightis a title so legendarythat it’s responsible for spawning the Metroidvania genre along withSuper Metroid. The addition of light RPG elements and an interconnected game world ensured that upgrading powers and unlocking secrets never got old.
Symphony of the Nightsingle-handedly turnedCastlevaniainto a legendary video game series that fans of side-scrolling action games would love. Alucard will become an iconic video game character in the eyes of many once players get through this legendary title.
It took an HD-2D remake for overseas fans to finally get their hands onLive a Live. They realized what they’ve been missing out on, withthis ambitious JRPGadopting a unique narrative structure where players controlled heroes across different timelines.
These heroes eventually banded together in a final chapter to beat the Dark Lord Odio and save the world from his malicious presence. Alternatively, players can control Odio and cut down these heroes one by one, unlocking a bad ending and making this game all the more memorable in their eyes.
