Summary
- Parasite Eve offers a short, uncomplicated JRPG experience that has aged well in its hybrid combat system.
- System Shock 2's remaster highlights its deep RPG elements and unnerving gameplay with SHODAN.
- Chrono Trigger remains a timeless classic with its innovative features and efficient gameplay.
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.
Parasite Eve
A Short, Engaging JRPG Set In New York City With A Focus On Mitochondrial Evolution
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
Most people find JRPGs daunting to get into because of their lengthy playtimes and high fantasy worlds. This is why Parasite Eve is the perfect fit for 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.
System Shock 2
The Remaster Will Make It Clear Why This Title Is So Iconic And Beloved
System Shock 2
- Released
- August 11, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Irrational Games, Looking Glass Technologies, NightDive Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts, NightDive Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS
- Platform(s)
- PC
The remaster of System Shock 2 has 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.
Chrono Trigger
The Best JRPG Of All Time That Has Aged Gracefully
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- SNES, PlayStation (Original), PC, Nintendo DS, Android, iOS
A classic JRPG that needs no introduction, there's a reason why Chrono Trigger is 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.
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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 makes Chrono Trigger so special, with the game being nowhere near as lengthy as fans would expect from the greatest JRPG of all time.
Final Fantasy 6
The Nonlinear Approach In The World Of Ruin Cemented This Title As An All-Time Classic
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
Final Fantasy 6 is 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 the Final Fantasy series, 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 that Final Fantasy 6 will leave a lasting impression on players. The Pixel Remaster makes the much-needed change of enhancing the game's difficulty, addressing the biggest pain point in an otherwise flawless classic JRPG.
EarthBound
Sparked The Anti-JRPG Trend That Is Still Going Strong To This Day
Earthbound
- Released
- June 5, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- HAL Laboratory, Ape Inc.
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- SNES, Nintendo Game Boy Advance
The anti-JRPG trend has become very popular in indie gaming, and titles like Omori and Undertale have shown how this unique approach to a role-playing game works. These titles, among many more, owe their success to EarthBound, 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 understood EarthBound's brilliance firsthand and were invested in this amazing title.
Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars
Aged So Well That The Remake Just Had To Spruce Up The Visuals To Modernize The Title
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
- Released
- May 13, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
Super Mario RPG's remake showed 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.
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These classic JRPG series had strong stories, gameplay, and worlds that would shine with modern remakes or sequels.
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 best Mario spinoffs players can get their hands on.
Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
A Game So Groundbreaking It Co-Created A Whole New Genre
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Released
- October 2, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
- Konami
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania, Action RPG
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a title so legendary that it's responsible for spawning the Metroidvania genre along with Super 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 Night single-handedly turned Castlevania into 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.
Live A Live
The Original Game Has Aged Gracefully, And The HD-2D Remake Let Fans All Over The World Appreciate This
Live A Live
- Released
- September 2, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
It took an HD-2D remake for overseas fans to finally get their hands on Live a Live. They realized what they've been missing out on, with this ambitious JRPG adopting 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.
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