Summary
Many modern JRPGs tend to embrace darker themes, featuring apocalyptic scenarios or characters inspired by shows likeGame of Thrones. While these can be engaging, it’s refreshing to experience games that offer a sense of joy and escapism. Unfortunately, many games today seem to lose that feel-good sense of fun, which is characterized by optimistic characters,beautiful worlds, and grand adventures that leave a lasting impression. Players often miss the characters, towns, NPCs, and worlds of these games once they finish playing.
The best games maintain their focus on what makes them enjoyable. There’s nothing wrong with taking a break from saving the world from an impending disaster to enjoy activities like racing chocobos or collecting cards. These are the games that fans cherish and remember fondly. This topic will highlight some of the best feel-good JRPGs available.
Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Danaonce again puts players in the shoes of Adol Christin, a red-headed adventurer who connects all the mainline games in the series. However, despite using the same protagonist, there are only a few allusions to Adol’s past, and every entry brings a new adventure for the young hero, so players can jump into the series at any point, withYs 8being a great place to start.
Ys 8sees Adol finding himself shipwrecked on a mysterious, cursed island full of dinosaur-like monsters and other creatures. It’s a castaway adventure featuring a beautiful island to explore, a plucky and optimistic hero, and asurvival gameelement, where Adol must collect resources to support the survivor’s budding village.
Ni No Kuniis a beautifully crafted JRPG that draws inspiration from Studio Ghibli’s animated movies. Studio Ghibli designed its characters, cutscenes, and music, with a long-time composer contributing some of his best work.Ni No Kuniis a coming-of-age adventure that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. The world is vibrant and enchanting, captivating players' imaginations as they explore a fantasy realm filled with intriguing characters and creatures.
Among them is Oliver’s Welsh fairy companion and elements reminiscent of Pokemon mechanics, where the protagonist trains creatures known as Familiars to battle on his behalf.Ni No Kunicaptures an undeniable sense of coziness and joy, making it a delight to explore its alternate universe, the “Other World.” It’s a feel-good adventure that will put a smile on even the most jaded fans of JRPGs.
Few games provide the same sense of discovery and immersion in their worlds as theFinal Fantasyseries.Final Fantasy 7andFinal Fantasy 8present stunning environments, blending science fiction and fantasy that are delightful to explore, incorporating elements of fun and humor, even amid the serious themes of their narratives. However, it wasFinal Fantasy 9’s embrace of pure fantasy that marked a return to the classic formula, evoking a feel-good factor that remains unmatched since its release.
The characters are beautifully designed and unforgettable, likethe mage Vivi, the dutiful knight Steiner, and the youthful optimism and bravery of its lead, the sky pirate, Zidane, will make players fall in love with its cast. Additionally, the world is a joy to explore, from the cobblestone streets of Alexandria to Lindblum, the Airship Capital of the World. The pre-rendered backgrounds truly come to life and showcase a level of imagination that’s easy to love.
WhenTales of Symphoniawasfirst released on the GameCube in 2003, it captured the hearts of JRPG fans and introduced many gamers across the world to theTalesseries. BeforeTales of Symphonia, Tales of Phantasiawas only released in Japan until 2006 on the Game Boy Advance, andTales of Destinynever launched outside of the US. For many fans, it serves as the benchmark that other titles in theTalesseries are measured against, featuring its lovable cast, beautifully cel-shaded characters, and vibrant towns that are a pure joy to explore.
Tales of Symphoniafeatures action-based combat, but aside from that, it adheres closely to thetraditional JRPGelements fans know and love. The story and character development stand out, incorporating unexpectedly dark themes that contrast with the overall setting and effectively propel the motivations of the cast. It’s a world players will love diving into and one they’ll miss when it’s over.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Skyis the first in the long-runningTrailsseries. The series features several arcs with different characters, but the stories and worlds are interconnected. It’s often recommended that fans start with the first game in theTrails in the Skytrilogy. The series delves into some deep and dark themes, featuring incredible plot twists. However, the lovable duo of Estelle and Lloyd, along with the supporting cast that accompanies them on their adventure, makeTrails in the Skyone of the most enjoyable entries in the series.
The charming and optimistic characters, along with the great music and attention to detail, create a world that fans will not forget or want to leave. This game is quite traditional, but its strong world-building and character development make it one of the easiest entries on this list to recommend. Fans who become enchanted by its world can continue exploring the rest of theTrailsseries.
TheFinal Fantasyseries often seeks to reinvent itself by introducing different combat styles with each installment. In contrast, theDragon Questseries stays true to its traditional turn-based gameplay, which makes it all the better for it. Like its predecessors,Dragon Quest 11does not aim to craft a complex narrative. However, it still tells an engaging fantasy story filled with its own twists and turns.Dragon Quest 11remainsfaithful to its roots, providing a comforting familiarity for fans of the series.
It features an excellent cast of characters, a beautifully crafted world, and a fantastic score. There’s a sense of fun and adventure that few games can match, with a feeling that long-time and newer fans will appreciate. There’s still a sense of scope and depth, taking players on a grand adventure filled with beautiful towns, dungeons, and a colorful overworld with mystery and wonder.
Lunar: The Remastered Collectionfeatures two of the best JRPGs of the 1990s, withLunar: Silver Star StoryandLunar 2: Eternal Blue.The games are remasters of the PS1 remakes published by Working Designs. Both games exemplify charm and provide a feel-good experience with their cast of optimistic adventurers, beautiful music, a world that’s stunning in its own right, and Ghaleon, a fantastic villain who wouldn’t feel out of place in the best Saturday morning cartoons of the 1980s and 1990s, especially his performances in some of the many beautifully animated cutscenes.
Both games feature similar lead characters who are determined to set out on an adventure that leads them to save the world from evil, but it’s the supporting cast that steals the show with great dialogue and character development. There’s a sense of innocence and joy when diving intoSilver Star StoryandEternal Blue, and they’re hard to put down once started.
