JRPGs With The Best Dialogue

It's no secret that most JRPGs are as dialogue-heavy as they come, which is why localization is such an important topic when it comes to these games. Without a great script, players will be forced to listen to hours of boring conversations that don't have the impact they should've.

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Conversely, JRPGs that invest a lot in localizing their script will help their story beats appeal to international audiences. Given how localization issues are prevalent in this genre, it's easy to see why fans remember the few JRPGs with great dialogue and scripts that elevate the experience.

8 Persona 5 Royal

A Solid Localization Is Further Improved On In This Updated Release

Persona 5 Royal is one of the greatest modern JRPGs of all time that arguably sparked the modern revival of the genre. Players loved controlling a group of students who moonlighted as the Phantom Thieves, using their mysterious powers to change the hearts of villainous men all across Japan.

The script of the original game was great but had room for improvement that was explored in the Royal edition. Fans were treated to one of the best English scripts seen in a JRPG, ensuring that players form a strong bond with their companions as they tackle numerous threats and challenges together.

7 Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age

The Voice Performances Are Oozing With Style

Final Fantasy 12 was a huge departure from the traditional gameplay followed by the other single-player titles in the genre. This game used a lot of what it learned from Final Fantasy 11 to develop a unique gameplay loop, but what fans remember the most from this title is an amazing story that is brought to life with incredible voice acting.

The script feels authentic to the game's medieval fantasy setting, with the voice actors adding a ton of personality to each dialogue that helps their characters stand out. Regardless of what fans personally feel about Final Fantasy 12, there's no denying that the script is in a class of its own and arguably the best localization of all time for a Final Fantasy game.

6 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

A Solid JRPG With Excellent Dialogue

There are many reasons why Dragon Quest 11 finally broke into the Western market after struggling to make an impression outside of Japan. Sure, the excellent gameplay and beautiful world aided these efforts, but what sold the experience in the eyes of many was the charm of this game's script.

It captured what Dragon Quest was all about — a group of ragtag adventures slowly growing to trust each other as they save the world from a malignant presence. Players having second thoughts about getting into a series with so much history will become fans in no time after being enraptured by the excellent script of Dragon Quest 11.

5 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky

The Incredible Localization Lends A Ton Of Personality To The Entire Game

The Legend of Heroes is a series known for its amazing worldbuilding, with every single NPC getting a ton of love and care as they react to the many events happening in the world. It goes a long way in making events believable, but there's no denying that localization costs will reach major heights if they have to translate these dialogue-heavy JRPGs.

However, despite a lengthy wait for a translation, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of the Sky blew fan expectations out of the water with how detailed the localization was. The sheer amount of effort put into the dialogue for everyone from the main characters to the NPCs makes it clear why fans still consider this title to be the best game the series has to offer.

4 Vagrant Story

A Lot Of Work Was Put Into Making The Localization As Authentic To The Setting As Possible

Vagrant Story is a unique JRPG where players control a single character and target various body parts of an enemy to deal tactical damage. Fans of Parasite Eve will be right at home with this battle system, and it helps that Vagrant Story boasts one of the best scripts in a PS1 JRPG.

The localization did a great job of doing justice to the medieval fantasy setting, adding a ton of character to this underrated title. The narrative of Vagrant Story is one of its strongest aspects, and it wouldn't have hit as hard had it not been for an amazing English translation.

3 Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Yakuza's Hilarious And Over-The-Top Dialogue Fits Perfectly In The JRPG Mold

The Yakuza series is known for its localization team that takes some leeway with the script to make dialogue sound more natural. This makes every game in the series stand out, with the dialogue making both dramatic and comedic moments stand out.

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This extends to Yakuza: Like a Dragon too, with this JRPG boasting an amazing script that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. While the game is known for its lengthy conversations, fans don't mind giving this a pass as long as it builds up to the game's many highs.

2 Final Fantasy 10

The First Final Fantasy Game With Voice Acting Knocks It Out Of The Park

The first Final Fantasy game to feature voice acting did so with great aplomb. The voice acting of this series coupled with an amazing script ensures that Final Fantasy 10's emotional highs resonate with players, who will find it easier to form a bond with these characters.

The love story that blossoms between Tidus and Yuna is a joy to experience and feels all the more believable because of the localization. Switching the dialogue so that Tidus says "I love you" instead of "Thank you" before heading to the Farplane is one of the many smart decisions made in the English translation to help Final Fantasy 10 stand out as one of the best games in the series.

1 Persona 4 Golden

The Small Town Of Inaba Comes To Life With The Amazing Script

Persona 4 takes place in the small town of Inaba, where players must solve a serial killing after acquiring the ability to battle shadows in the TV World. This intimate setting coupled with the quality of the English translation ensures that players will be invested in the story in no time.

Saving victims and exploring dungeons that target their deepest insecurities aids the character development of every new party member. These strong introductions make it clear why the main cast of Persona 4 is considered by many to be the best in the series.

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