Summary
- Vandal Hearts on PS1 offers mature storytelling with impressive gameplay.
- Parasite Eve merges RPG mechanics, Resident Evil-style exploration, and horror themes in a modern New York setting.
- Lost Odyssey features traditional turn-based gameplay with a mature story about the cost of immortality and loss.
While many games can take players on a narrative journey that sticks with them, the JRPG genre is like a good book where one can get attached to their characters and even feel a sense of loss, both when they lose a companion or when the story finally comes to an end.
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Not all JRPGs have to be lighthearted fantasy-based adventures like Dragon Quest or the Lunar series; many games can tell stories that are aimed toward a more mature audience. Whether it's incorporating horror themes or focusing on the tragedy of losing loved ones, few games come close to the JRPG genre for drawing players into their worlds. This list features some of the darkest and most mature stories from classic JRPGs.
1 Vandal Hearts
A Dark And Bloody Story
Vandal Hearts
- Released
- March 27, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
Many fans of tactical JRPGs were introduced to the genre through the excellent Final Fantasy Tactics. However, Konami's Vandal Hearts on the original PlayStation developed a cult following thanks to its accessible gameplay and surprisingly dark, mature storytelling. Beneath its colorful character sprites set in a rotatable 3D environment lies a grim narrative of war and revenge, akin to the storytelling found in Konami's Suikoden series.
The combat in Vandal Hearts is turn-based and strategic, and it has upgradable character classes, but it lacks the complexities of Final Fantasy Tactics. While some may view it differently, the gameplay in Vandal Hearts is impressive. The combat features dramatic and satisfying visuals, including a striking geyser of blood when defeating enemies. Additionally, Vandal Hearts offers an engaging story that not only serves as an excellent introduction to the genre but also keeps players hooked throughout the experience.
2 Parasite Eve
A Horror-Themed JRPG With A Deep Story
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
Parasite Eve unusually merges turn-based combat, RPG mechanics, and Resident Evil- style exploration and atmosphere. It's set in modern day New York Cuty with recognizable locations and realistic characters. It already stood out among the crowd of fantasy-based JRPGs from Square, and fans could become fully engrossed in its world and connect with the lead character, Aya. Aya is a relatable and likable rookie police officer for the NYPD.
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Aya attends an opera with a date she seems happy to get rid of. However, the star of the show, Eve, sets the audience on fire like a scene from Stephen King's Carrie. Unaffected by Eve's Pyrokinesis, Aya chases the opera singer across famous landmarks in the city as the dark story unfolds.
3 Lost Odyssey
A Mature Tale About The Cost Of Immortality
Lost Odyssey
- Released
- February 12, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Mistwalker, Feelplus
- Publisher(s)
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The newest game on this list may not seem old, as it is one of the first big-budget HD JRPGs. However, it deserves recognition as a classic from the 360/PS3 era due to its mature handling of stories, characters, and adult tone. Lost Odyssey is frequently considered an unofficial Final Fantasy game, as it was developed by Mistwalker, the studio founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy. It's a very traditional turn-based JRPG that centers around Kaim Argonar, an immortal who has suffered the loss of his loved ones over time. The game explores immortality as more of a curse than a blessing when it comes to love and loss.
Many of Kaim's Lost Memories are unlocked via collectible texts written by famed Japanese author Kiyoshi Shigematsu. It's an interesting way to develop Kaim's character, and some of the stories are as beautifully told as they are heartwrenchingly tragic. It's backward compatible and looks and runs beautifully on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, but it would benefit from a modern remaster and deserves to be played by more JRPG fans.
4 Shadow Hearts Series
Dark Alternate History First World War Setting
Shadow Hearts
- Released
- December 12, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The Shadow Hearts series is a trilogy that begins with the horror-themed JRPG Koudelka on the PS1. However, the first two games, Shadow Hearts and Shadow Hearts: Covenant, are the most highly recommended. These games incorporate Lovecraftian elements that contribute to their dark themes, while also featuring moments of dark humor that fit the overall tone. In the first Shadow Hearts, players assume the role of a Harmonixer named Yuri. He possesses demonic transforming abilities that he gains from the monsters he has defeated. Yuri's mission is to protect an exorcist from an evil, immortal 12th-century magician named Roger Bacon.
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Shadow Hearts: Covenant takes place six months after the events of the first game. Players follow Lieutenant Karin Koenig and Yuri as they confront the Sapientes Gladio, a secret society intent on bringing about a demonic apocalypse. There are alternate versions of real-life figures from history, like the aforementioned Roger Bacon, Rasputin, the Tsars, and more.
5 Persona 2 Innocent Sin & Eternal Punishment
Two Of The Darkest Entries In The Series
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
- Released
- June 24, 1999
- ESRB
- Teen // Drug Reference, Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus, Atlus USA, Ghostlight
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), PlayStation Portable
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG
Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment are two parts of the same story. Surprisingly, only the second game was released in the West for the PS1, while fans had to wait for a translated port of Innocent Sin for the PSP to experience the full narrative. Both games would benefit from a Persona 3: Reload- style remake, but their stories, characters, and modern-day settings still hold up. The story revolves around a high school student named Tatsuya, who is facing the challenges of teenage life at an elite school in Sumaru City while dealing with a demonic supernatural threat — in this case, the threat is known as The Joker.
The Joker is tricking students into playing a deadly cell phone game called "The Joker Game." The story has some real depth and gets darker as it progresses. The second game, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, puts players in the shoes of the reporter, Maya, and it continues the story of the first game as she investigates the gruesome deaths associated with The Joker Game. The gameplay reflects its era, with a high volume of random battles and generally more challenging enemies than later entries in the series.
6 Breath Of Fire 4
A Mature Story With Surprisingly Dark Twists
Breath of Fire 4
- Released
- November 29, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation (Original)
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Like its predecessors, Breath of Fire 4 is a colorful fantasy JRPG with anthropomorphic characters, a blue-haired hero named Ryu, dragons, evil immortals, and princesses — all the good things associated with Capcom's outstanding JRPG series. However, Breath of Fire 4 is a much darker tale than previous entries in the series, with many unexpected twists and a gut-wrenchingly tragic story that will stay with players for a long time.
It would be a disservice to reveal too much about the shocking events in the story, but it is undoubtedly far darker than both Breath of Fire 3 and its sequel, Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter. It's one of the most visually impressive games on the PS1, featuring a beautiful art style that holds up today and a terrific soundtrack. Fans of classic JRPGs can grab Breath of Fire 4 on PC as part of the GoG's Game Preservation Project.
7 Valkyrie Profile
A Mature Tale Based On Norse Mythology
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
- Released
- July 18, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Tri-Ace
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Platform(s)
- iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Portable
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Adventure
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is an enhanced PSP port of the PS1 original that launched in 2000 for North America. It is the Lenneth version that was relaunched on the PS4 and PS5, giving newer fans a chance to experience one of the most unique and mature stories in the genre.
Valkyrie Profile is based on Norse mythology and places players in the role of a Valkyrie named Lenneth. Lenneth has been commanded by Odin to raise fallen warriors from the dead, known as the Einherjar, to fight in Ragnarok. Each warrior has a story that ultimately ends with their demise, and some of their stories are quite tragic. Lenneth's story is just as touching, and there are multiple endings to experience, including a true ending.
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