Summary
- Some Japanese JRPGs are inspired by Western themes and locations, like Wizard of Oz and Wild West.
- Games like Live A Live and EarthBound blend Americana and Japanese game design.
- Parasite Eve and Shadow Hearts mix Western settings and culture with Japanese storytelling and gameplay.
Most RPGs from Japan, or JRPGs, have a Japanese flair to them. They depict what they know, which is also true of many Western studios like BioWare. However, some Japanese developers have gone outside their comfort zone to create worlds and characters based on Western themes, places, and characters.
It could be subtle or overt, and Japanese developers have been doing this for decades in short spurts. North America and Europe, particularly the U.K., are two big examples that can serve as inspiration. This merging of worlds dates as far back as the NES. These are some knockout JRPG examples with Western backgrounds, ranked by how well they portray Western society and how good the games are in general.
8 The Wizard Of Oz: Beyond The Yellow Brick Road
Before Wicked, There Was...
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road
- Released
- December 25, 2008
- ESRB
- E for Everyone - Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
- Media Vision
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is an adaptation of the world of Oz, which began American author L. Frank Baum's famous series of novels starting in the early 1900s. This DS turn-based JRPG was developed by Media.Vision, who some may know from the Wild Arms and Valkyria Chronicles games. It was a different take on Dorothy’s journey through the land of Oz, with her party going after elemental witches who governed each territory. This isn’t the only Japanese take on Oz either, as Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Is another example.
7 Live A Live
The Eras Tour
Live A Live
- Released
- April 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Live A Live was an SNES game that then evolved into an HD-2D remake decades later for consoles like the Switch. It’s an episodic turn-based RPG that goes through various eras of popular history. For the West, there is a prehistoric story starring a caveman named Pogo, and a literal Western starring a vagabond named the Sundown Kid. Other eras of note include the Middle Ages and feudal Japan. It’s not completely based on Western areas or themes, but Live A Live is still worth mentioning due to its episodic nature, which wasn’t popular in this era of gaming.
6 Wild Arms 3
A Literal Western From Japan
Wild Arms 3
- Released
- October 15, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Mild Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Wild Arms 3 was the first game in the series to be released on the PS2, and is like a culmination of the franchise. Every game in the series is based around the ideas of the Wild West Frontier through a fantastical approach, but Wild Arms 3 went full Old West with its character designs, desert-like regions, horse-mounted combat, and more.
8 Best Tactical JRPGs On The Nintendo DS, Ranked
The DS may have lacked in graphics for its RPGs, but it still has a huge selection of tactical experiences that could stand toe to toe with.
Players can choose to play as Virginia, Clive, Jet, or Gallows. Once the starting character's prologue chapters are finished, all four characters will join as the main party members. While not based anywhere in the U.S., Wild West fans will surely eat up this cowboy RPG.
5 EarthBound
The Weird Bits Of Middle America
Earthbound
- Released
- June 5, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor
- Genre(s)
- RPG
EarthBound is another game heavily inspired by Americana, but is not explicitly set in the U.S. Instead, the party explores the weird world of Eagleland, where one wild character appears after another. The game tackles themes of the 1960s era, like the Hippie movement, cults, biker gangs, the rise of technology in modern cities, and more. What if the Charlie Brown character got dropped into a JRPG adventure? That about sums up the vibes of EarthBound.
4 Pokemon Sun/Moon
It’s A Beach Day
Pokemon Sun and Moon
- Released
- November 18, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon are the seventh-generation Pokemon games, which hit the 3DS and were granted sequels too. The region of Alola region is based on the islands of Hawaii and takes note of cultural touchstones like surfing and tropical designs to make the game truly pop. Classic Pokemon like Raichu and Exeggutor were even given Alola forms to give them a new lease on life.
This isn't the only time Pokemon has incorporated Western-inspired settings. The fifth generation of games, Pokemon Black and Pokemon White, were set in Unova, another region based on the U.S., specifically New York City. The eighth generation games, Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, were set in Galar, which was based on the U.K.
3 Shadow Hearts: From The New World
A Finale In America
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
- Released
- July 28, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Shadow Hearts: From the New World is the first game in this list based directly on an American point in history, the 1920s. It starts in New York City and involves a young detective, Johnny Garland, looking into some mobsters.
8 Best Tactical JRPGs On The PS5, Ranked
From remasters to originals, the PS5 is flush with tactical RPGs from Japan.
The game eventually shifts to the more arid regions around Las Vegas. It takes Native American culture into its core themes, from dungeon designs to characters. The Shadow Hearts franchise is known for mixing around Western history, including Europe, and altering it for turn-based adventures. Shadow Hearts: From the New World was sadly the last entry.
2 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Off To Hawaii
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released
- January 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the eighth main entry in the Yakuza series and the second to star the new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. It’s the first to be set mostly in Hawaii, although there is a prelude section still set in Japan along with some later segments.
Overall, this is a real Hawaiian adventure. Ichiban gets to explore sandy beaches, tour the streets for nightlife like hula dances, and, of course, fight in Job-based turn-based battles. There was a direct sequel, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, which also featured this region of Hawaii but as a pirate game starring the ever-lovable rogue, Goro Majima. Will the next Yakuza game stick to Hawaii, go back to Japan, or visit another nation?
1 Parasite Eve
Terror In The Streets Of New York
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes
- Genre(s)
- Horror, Action RPG
Parasite Eve takes place in New York City in its then-present day: the late 90s. Players control a detective, Aya Brea, who begins investigating supernatural occurrences around the city. Despite monster outbreaks, the characters are stereotypical cops players could find in a drama like NYPD Blue. It nailed the 90s vibe of cop dramas and brought forth some gruesome Japanese body horror to make it a memorable hybrid of East meets West. The second game moved things to the Nevada desert, while the third and final game returned to New York City. Of the three, Parasite Eve remains a must-play.
8 RPGs With The Best Combo Attacks, Ranked
Teamwork makes the dream work in these RPGs that feature some of the best and most interesting combo attacks in gaming.