There was a time when the original PlayStation was flooded with several amazing games during the golden era of JRPGs. While the shift to real-time combat meant that this gameplay became rather dated for players, turn-based games were still very much synonymous with this brand.
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As a result, players who have a long and rich history with PlayStation consoles must've checked out their fair share of games with turn-based combat systems. From beloved classics to modern takes on this combat system, players will get a kick out of checking out the tactical combat present in these beloved games.
8 Parasite Eve
Simple Turn-Based Combat Where Players Must Manage Their Range
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes
- Genre(s)
- Horror, Action RPG
Unlike most JRPGs that came around the same time, Parasite Eve was a short and fast-paced JRPG that let players control a single character in combat. Aya Brea could use several weapons to bring the hurt to her foes as long as she was in range while executing an attack.
This encouraged a unique risk-reward approach where players could either use short-range weapons with devastating damage numbers or use weapons with longer ranges that made a compromise in either speed, damage, or both. Either way, there was a decent amount of strategy involved in combat as players explored numerous hostile zones to take out the mutated enemies that stood in Aya's way.
7 The Legend Of Dragoon
A Classic Turn-Based JRPG Where Party Members Can Transform Into Dragoons
The Legend of Dragoon
- Released
- June 14, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Animated Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Players who want to check out a classic by-the-numbers JRPG with a simple plot will love what The Legend of Dragoon brings to the table. The combat includes quick-time events called additions that players could use to enhance the damage of their attacks.
This, coupled with a Dragoon form that characters could unlock, ensured that The Legend of Dragoon could let players experiment with numerous JRPG mechanics throughout its lengthy run. The title could be a bit generic at times, but the engaging turn-based combat ensured that players could stick with this title for the long haul without too many problems.
6 Xenogears
The Turn-Based Combat Emphasizes Combos
Xenogears
- Released
- October 20, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
It's a shame that Xenogears stumbled before it could reach the finishing line, since the journey that it took players on until this point was mesmerizing. Featuring a complex plot and memorable characters, the crowning jewel of Xenogears was undoubtedly its combat system.
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Players could pull off several combos in battle with devastating effects. As characters leveled up, they unlocked more powerful combos that could be used to take out most enemies without breaking a sweat.
5 Shadow Hearts: From The New World
Boasts The Best Gameplay Seen In This Beloved JRPG Series
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
- Released
- July 28, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The third and final game in the Shadow Hearts trilogy is considered by many to be the weakest of the bunch, courtesy of a story and characters that felt like a step down from Covenant. However, where From the New World excelled was letting engage with the best combat seen in a Shadow Hearts game to date.
Players loved the Judgment Ring mechanic as always, with the addition of combo attacks making battles more cinematic than ever. This, coupled with Shania's Fusion powers, ensures that players have numerous tactics to rely on in combat.
4 Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne
The Tough-As-Nails Combat Rewards Concise Party Management
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
- Released
- January 29, 2004
- ESRB
- m // Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne is one of the hardest JRPGs players can get their hands on. The Demi-fiend may be powerful, but he'll still be toast against certain bosses unless players ensure that their party doesn't have any weaknesses that a powerful foe can exploit.
A player's adventures will be full of these challenging encounters where the combat system shines bright. It's important to get extra turns by targeting an enemy's weakness and using both buffs & debuffs to reduce the damage incurred in tough battles to come out victorious in some of Nocturne's toughest battles.
3 Persona 4 Golden
The Upgraded Version On The Vita Was Vital For This Title's Success
Persona 4 Golden
- Released
- December 9, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Persona 4 Golden was a huge step forward for Atlus, with the series attaining immense popularity among PS Vita owners after the release of this updated version. With new Social Links, endings, and a whole host of additional content, it's easy to see why fans loved what Persona 4 Golden brought to the table.
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The main cast was more likable than ever as players lived the life of a regular high school student who acquires the power to summon his Persona, triggering the change in his friends. As players uncover this mystery, they'll engage in some fun combat encounters where players must use a litany of skills to come out victorious after a grueling battle.
2 Final Fantasy 10
The Conditional Turn-Based Combat System Is A Blast To This Day
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The release of Final Fantasy 10 on the PS2 was a groundbreaking moment that announced the debut of this legendary series on a new console generation. It helped that Tidus' adventure was a riveting one that kept fans interested in this grand plot.
One of the best aspects of Final Fantasy 10 is a combat system that feels fast-paced and engrossing, letting players switch out party members with no penalties. Manipulating the turn order and maximizing one's damage was the key to surviving some of Final Fantasy 10's toughest encounters.
1 Persona 5 Royal
Refines The Stylish Gameplay To Make Battles More Captivating Than Ever
Persona 5 Royal
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 94 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Persona 5 was already a great game in its own right, and the Royal edition made it even more approachable for players. It included several gameplay augments to give every Persona a unique trait, added new characters, and included another story arc following Yaldabaoth's defeat.
This makes Persona 5 Royal the best version of this beloved modern JRPG that fans will get a kick out of. Optimizing Personas to make the most of their unique traits is a game-changer, letting players obliterate enemies in style if they put in the effort to make Joker's collection of Personas as powerful as can be.
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