Summary
- JRPG newbies should start with tactical or turn-based games for a smoother introduction.
- Elden Ring represents challenging Soulslikes, not ideal for beginners without skills.
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake isn't the best starting point due to its incomplete story and action focus.
JRPGs can be some of the hardest games to get into for those new to the genre or to games in general. JRPGs come in a wide variety, from turn-based to action to tactical. Tactical or turn-based games are probably the best way for newbies to dip their toes into the genre since players can take their time in battle.
8 Best JRPGs Set In The West, Ranked
Japan has had some wild takes in their RPGs based on Western countries like the U.S.
Final Fantasy 3’s remake version on Steam, or the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, is a good example. They both have class systems and little stories to overcomplicate things. These other JRPGs, while they are some of the best today, have overcomplicated controls, lore, or are just plain hard.
8 Elden Ring
The Stand In For All Soulslikes
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Elden Ring will represent all Souslikes, as this list would be filled with them otherwise. It’s at the top of the pile in terms of the genre with great lore drops, tons of weapons to collect, and an open-world environment to explore.
However, it’s also brutally difficult with no options to turn things down, which is true for most entries in the genre as well. Even if beginners were to jump in with friends in co-op, it wouldn’t be worth recommending because they would still need skills to survive.
7 Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Raising Your Army
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Released
- July 26, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Intelligent Systems
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Fire Emblem: Three Houses was intense even for longtime fans of the Fire Emblem series. Choices had existed before, but not on the scale of three different campaigns, each with a dozen playable characters. In between battles, players could catch up with their party, which helped them connect better with the characters.
With so many characters, it got to be a bit much with the dialogue. The tactical battles could be toned down with the difficulty, but it really is the abundance of choice and character interaction that can make beginners freeze up, which is why it isn’t recommended.
6 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Not THE One To Start With
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- Released
- April 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen due to Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix Business Division 1
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Non-RPG fans have probably heard of Final Fantasy 7, and that it is thought to be the best one by many fans. This, in turn, could make Final Fantasy 7 Remake look like a good place to start, as remakes are great modern introductions to classic games.
That’s not the case here, though, because it is only part one in a trilogy that isn’t even fully out yet. That’s a big commitment to make, plus, as great as the action and story are in the remake, it’s only a small, closed-off chunk of the story that doesn’t best represent the game overall.
5 Kingdom Hearts
It Only Gets Weirder From Here
Kingdom Hearts
- Released
- September 17, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PS2
Kingdom Hearts is a crossover between Final Fantasy characters like Cloud from Final Fantasy 7 and Disney animated classics like Aladdin. For fans of both, this was a great action RPG on the PS2 featuring an original set of characters, too, like Sora, Kairi, and Riku. There are difficulty options, but the first game can still be challenging with the platforming segments and camera angles.
These things got better with sequels, but they’re not worth recommending either because the lore, starting in the second game, gets wildly hard to follow, and they’re all one continuous story. Players need to play a few easier action RPGs and maybe some Final Fantasy games first before taking the plunge into Heartless territory.
4 The Legend Of Legacy: HD Remastered
The Saga Continues
The Legend of Legacy: HD Remastered
- Released
- March 22, 2024
- ESRB
- E 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- FURYU
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
The Legend of Legacy was a 3DS spiritual successor to the SaGa series from Square Enix. It can be fully enjoyed on more platforms now, thanks to The Legend Of Legacy HD Remastered. On one hand, it’s a great starter RPG that puts gameplay first and story second with a wonderfully bright and colorful world to explore.
However, leveling up is non-traditional like the SaGa games, wherein stats and abilities are increased or learned randomly in the turn-based battles. It can be a lot to keep track of.
3 Octopath Traveler
No Sharing Allowed
Octopath Traveler
- Released
- July 13, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Octopath Traveler was released as a throwback to SNES RPGs with a new visual style, Square Enix called HD-2D. Players could start as one character and then meet the other seven as they explored the world and fought in simple but fun turn-based battles. Every character’s story was individual, meaning there wasn’t much interaction between the party, which was a bummer for some.
Also, characters not in the party didn’t level up, which led to more grinding than most modern RPGs when it was released. So, Octopath Traveler does have issues that a beginner would be perplexed by, but overall, it is a good JRPG, albeit with some nitpicky caveats.
2 Persona 5
This Game Is How Long?!
Persona 5
- Released
- September 15, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Persona 5 is an incredible time investment that can last well over 80-100 hours. It’s not too challenging if players bring down the difficulty, but that’s a lot of time to spend with one JRPG that is also linear. This linearity works in Persona 5’s favor, though, as players can get a great look at Japanese school life and bond with their party members more than any other JRPG.
The Persona series is unique in this way, but it’s still not a great place to start for anyone coming in to experience a great big adventure.
1 Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Massive Beasts, Massive Heartaches
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
- Released
- March 20, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Animated Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Monolith Soft
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles X was a Wii U title that was overlooked due to the system’s unpopularity, but now it has been re-released as Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. It was challenging back on the Wii U, and it remains brutal on the Switch thanks to the open-world structure. While traveling to quest markers, giant monsters far outside of a player’s potential will constantly trigger fights.
This can make exploring a hassle, even though death doesn’t force players to lose anything. The difficulty spikes are rough without guides, but this challenge is why some like it the most out of the Xenoblade series, plus the multiplayer is an interesting side activity.
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