Summary
- Western RPGs like The Witcher 3 and Baldur's Gate 3 offer complex stories and character development for JRPG fans to enjoy.
- Games like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Pillars of Eternity 2 provide similar party dynamics and deep story elements found in JRPGs.
- Engaging with unique RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 allows players to experience innovative real-time combat, reminiscent of JRPGs.
The RPG genre is one of the most intricate and rich video game genres in terms of history and variety. When many fans hear the term RPG, they think of JRPGs. These games are characterized most prominently by the region where they are created and developed, as well as by genre hallmarks such as turn-based combat and an emphasis on party dynamics.
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RPGs come in many forms, but JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are enduring, both in their legacy and in their design. A lot of RPGs, even ones that are wildly different in terms of gameplay, take inspiration from these games that JRPG fans can resonate with. Here are ten of the best Western RPGs that JRPG fans will also enjoy.
10 Haven
Playing Together
Haven
- Released
- December 3, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Haven is a small sci-fi indie RPG about two lovers fleeing an authoritarian government. As protagonists Yu and Kay learn more about the secluded world to which they've escaped, they must contend with emissaries from the evil government as well as strange alien threats.
While Haven's party size is certainly much smaller than most JRPGs, the focus on Yu and Kay's relationship and development will be very familiar to anyone who's ever embarked on a party-based quest. The real-time combat is another departure from JRPGs, but the coordination between Yu and Kay makes for some engaging strategic play.
9 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Toss A Coin
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the most prominent Western RPGs on the market, and its open-world design and action-oriented gameplay are emblematic of the sort of design Western RPGs tend to favor. However, there's still a lot to enjoy for JRPG fans. The game's expansive story and richly detailed fantasy world let it stand tall alongside classics like Dragon Quest.
While The Witcher 3's combat and character progression aren't the same as what's typically seen in JRPGs, the sense of growth and development should feel very familiar. The Witcher 3 is one of the most iconic Western RPGs for good reason, and JRPG fans will likely enjoy it just as much.
8 Legend Of Grimrock 2
Going Old School
Legend of Grimrock 2
- Released
- October 15, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Legend of Grimrock 2 is a throwback to some of the earliest RPGs on the market; challenging dungeon crawls with imposing foes, devious puzzles, and lethal traps. While most modern RPGs are more forgiving, the inspiration they drew from these old classics remains extremely present, especially in turn-based JRPGs.
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These turn-based games have a lot in common with Legend of Grimrock 2. Combat is more real-time in this game, but party members still take turns, and they each have a separate class, allowing them to specialize in different attacks and combat techniques. Finding powerful new weapons and spells for each character is one of the greatest thrills in Legend of Grimrock 2, and that's something any JRPG fan can appreciate.
7 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Released
- July 15, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Despite its age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remains one of the most prominent and beloved video games set in the iconic Star Wars galaxy. This legendary RPG takes place long before the movies, focusing on the life and history of the infamous Darth Revan.
While characters in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic act simultaneously, BioWare still took a lot of inspiration from more turn-based games to design the combat. Players will unlock powerful new abilities throughout the campaign, just as they would in a traditional JRPG, and they'll also develop relationships and connections with their party members throughout their journey.
6 Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire
Across The Seas
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
- Released
- May 8, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
While Obsidian is arguably best known for its work on Fallout: New Vegas, it has a long and proud pedigree in the RPG genre. The developer's Pillars of Eternity games are particularly prominent CRPGs, which set the stage for the developer's recent first-person action RPG Avowed. Like a classic JRPG , Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire sees players gathering a party of fellow warriors and embarking on a quest to protect the world from the actions of a misguided deity.
Deadfire differs from its predecessor with its nautical focus; the game is set on an archipelago, and the protagonist must captain a ship in order to explore the new region and prepare to repel the god Eothas. The game's intricate world and complex political ecosystem make for a thorny web of challenges for JRPG fans to untangle.
5 Dragon Age: Origins
A Darker Dragon
Dragon Age: Origins
- Released
- November 3, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content
- Genre(s)
- RPG
JRPGs like Dragon Quest have a rich history of drawing on medieval fantasy; traditional images like armored knights, robed wizards, castles, and, of course, dragons are very common in many of these classic games. JRPG fans will find a similar setup in BioWare's Dragon Age franchise, which takes a dark fantasy approach to these classic stylings.
Dragon Age: Origins takes place in a world on the brink of destruction, where sinister demonic forces threaten to overwhelm civilization. Mages are ostracized and mistreated for the potential danger they pose, and society is fractured. Dragon Age fans have a lot of darkness to navigate, but classic RPG trappings are abundant around every corner, and BioWare's excellent character work shines through in the game's wide roster of companions.
4 Divinity: Original Sin 2
A World Of Possibility
Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Released
- September 14, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is one of the most prominent CRPGs available, renowned not only for its engaging fantasy world and story but also for its complex and adaptive gameplay. JRPG fans will find a lot to love in assembling their party of heroes, including characters like a vengeance-bound dwarf, a lost immortal, and a woman possessed by a demon.
The game's turn-based action system is more intricate than the traditional JRPG approach, tasking players with fighting strategically in a fully interactive space. However, this in turn sets up a rich variety of ways for players to utilize the environment to their advantage. As characters develop and gain new abilities, the players controlling them can find new and creative ways to put them to use. This game is an excellent way to introduce newcomers to CRPGs, making it a perfect choice for JRPG fans who want to branch out.
3 Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Saving The Galaxy
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
- Released
- May 14, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Very few JRPGs have shooting mechanics, let alone ones as refined and intricate as those found in the Mass Effect trilogy. However, BioWare has done an excellent job of incorporating a healthy and engaging layer of RPG mechanics into the game's shooting mechanics, providing an exciting experience that marries gunplay with the character progression RPG fans crave.
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While players don't get direct control over their teammates like they might in a traditional JRPG, they can still call for specific abilities, which can turn the tide of combat if used properly. Mass Effect also has some of the most compelling NPC teammates in the industry, and deepening one's bonds with them is a deeply rewarding activity that should appeal to fans of JRPGs like Persona 5.
2 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A Strange New World
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a very French video game, taking place in a twisted, dark fantasy version of the region's Belle Epoque era. While France heavily inspires the culture and architecture, the gameplay is pure JRPG. The developers have cited Final Fantasy and the Persona series as inspirations, and this influence is evident in the game's turn-based combat, as well as its interactive overworld map.
While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes direct influence from JRPGs, it also stands apart due to its reactive combat. Players are encouraged to act fast to dodge and parry enemy blows, as well as hit quick-time events on their own abilities in order to maximize damage and healing. This keeps every fight fast and engaging, and lets players take on extremely powerful monsters if their reflexes are fast enough.
1 Baldur's Gate 3
Unforgettable Realms
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The impac t Baldur's Gate 3 has had on the RPG genre is undeniable. This game adapts the wildly popular 5th edition of D&D into a vast, expansive fantasy world, full of memorable characters and intense combat encounters. Players can sink dozens of hours and multiple playthroughs into the game and still not see everything it has to offer.
One of the most memorable things about Baldur's Gate 3 is its charming roster of party members. Each character is detailed and fleshed out enough to serve as a protagonist in their own right, and players can form bonds and even romances with them over the course of their travels. Whether a player grew up on JRPGs like Final Fantasy or more action-oriented titles like The Elder Scrolls, Baldur's Gate 3 is an ideal RPG for everyone.
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