2025 is a big year for JRPGs, as it marks the 30th anniversary ofChrono Trigger, one of the most beloved and influential games ever created and the love child ofFinal Fantasy‘s Hironobu Sakaguchi and theDragon Questduo of Yuji Horii and the late Akira Toriyama.
And is there a better way to celebrate that than by giving fans a few other must-play picks? Here are 10 JRPGs all fans should play at least once, starting with the star of the show.
Note: To make the list as varied as possible, we decided to include onlyone title per franchise,so —although I would love to— don’t expect to see multiple Final Fantasy titles or spin-offs here.
Table of contents
Chrono Trigger
The entry point for many to the world of RPGs, myself included, there’s very little aboutChrono Triggerthat we haven’t summarized above, as the game managed to pair the graphical beauty of the classicFFandDQgames with a highly intuitive real-time turn-based combat system that holds its own gracefully to this day.
Following the story of Crono, a young swordsman who embarks on a journey across time after a fated meeting,Chrono Triggeris also one of the earliest true-to-form RPGs to feature several unlockable endings and story branches —really, you can unlock more than ten here.
Final Fantasy VII
For many,Final Fantasy VIIis the most revolutionary JRPG sinceDragon Questgave birth to the genre as we know it today.Final Fantasy VIIpresented what a 3D RPG was capable of while more than fulfilling the massive task of following up the phenomenal story ofVI.
LikeChrono Trigger, I can only describeVIIas a timeless masterpiece, as everything from its plot to its jaw-dropping soundtrack became a staple of both the genre and what theFinal Fantasyfranchise can bring to the table while at its best. The title might also be one of the few in gaming history whose remake managed to do just as great of a job, even if the feeling of meeting Sephiroth for the first time in the original cannot be topped.
Persona 5 Royal
The definitive version of the first game in the series to reach mainstream appeal,Persona 5 Royalbrought to fans a large array of improvements and the addition of new features to its already standout turn-based combat system. In the same vein asPersona 4 Golden, the version also features both new Confidants and a new “hidden” story arc, which keeps the momentum going and paves the way to tens of more hours of highly immersive content.
Although many might dislike the series’ coming-of-age feel,Persona 5‘s importance to the scene can also not be overstated, as its impact —be it via its visual identity or more dynamic approach to combat— can be felt in some shape or form in many turn-based RPGs released since its debut.
Dragon Quest XI (& XI S): Echoes of an Elusive Age
A game that puts players in the shoes of the latest Luminary, chosen by Yggdrasil to defend the world against calamity,Dragon Quest XIcarries the history of the most influential JRPG franchise on its back and sits side by side withIIIandVIIIas one of its best installments.
True to that, the game brings forth a culmination of everythingDQhas done until now, be it via its overall presentation (which flawlessly brings the late Akira Toryama’s unmistakable art style to life), great storyline, or solid gameplay. In the end, even ifXIImarks a shift in favor of a more action-oriented combat system,XIwill always be here to show what the ultimate version of the franchise’s classic turn-based combat, party, and progression systems look like.
NieR: Automata
Although the originalNieRReplicantand its remake would also fit the category, I cannot name as many titles capable of pulling off as many twists as NieR: Automata, which takes Yoko Taro’s unique approach to storytelling and pairs it with a combat system so pristine that it’s still considered a model almost a decade later. The fact that to fully unravel its story, you must complete multiple playthroughs featuring clear distinctions also further emphasizes how unique of a game this is.
Taking place centuries after the events ofReplicant,NieR: Automatafollows the tale of the androids 2B and 9S as they take part in the war against the Machine. I know we are keeping things vague here, but believe me, when it comes toAutomata, the less you know, the better the experience will be.
Tales of Arise
The title responsible for revitalizing the series after the mixed receptions ofTales of ZestiriaandBerseria,Tales of Arisebrought to the table a more combo-focused approach to combat, all while keeping the franchise’s DNA alive and adding a bigger focus on the relationships between the main party — especially that of Alphen and Shionne (its protagonists).
Even if there’s still a debate about whether or not the game should be considered the franchise’s best or simply sit side by side with Abyss, seeing for yourself what the future holds for the series is a must. As a sucker for romance, I also cannot undermine how happy I was to have aTales ofgame finally feature the theme prominently within its main storyline.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
The best title in the franchise not limited by the restraints of Nintendo’s mobile hardware (can we get anAwakeningremaster already?),Fire Emblem: Three Housesputs players in the role of a professor at Garreg Mach Monastery’s Officers Academy, an institution focused on teaching the heirs of the kingdom’s nobles the arts of combat.
Players are then given the freedom to interact and bond with a massive cast of both students and fellow faculty members between the series’ staple turn-based strategic battles. That freedom of interaction then only empowers the franchise’s known branching paths and choice-based approach to storytelling, which never shies away from heavy moments or glosses over consequences. In other words, once you pick a side here, be ready to grit your teeth and bear the heavy choices that will inevitably follow.
Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver
Although picking one title (or, in this case, a duo) among thePokémonseries was a tough ask, as the franchise has created what many believe to be its own subgenre, I believeHeartGoldandSoulSilverto be its biggest highlights.
As remakes of the classic Johto-focused Gen-2GoldandSilver, the games expand upon the originals in many ways via a much-needed visual makeover and the additions of now characteristic mechanics. Ideal for those looking to dive into the world ofPòkémon,HeartGoldandSoulSilvermanage to maintain that nostalgic feeling of the original GBA games while being just as welcoming and feature-rich as some of the franchise’s newest releases. Also, did I mention you can also explore Kanto in the post-game?
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
Okay, now we are gonna get to what I call the less obvious picks, starting withXenoblade ChroniclesDefinitive Edition. An improved version of one of the most unique JRPGs to hit the market, the remaster makes its perfect blend of fantasy and sci-fi feel even more organic through a massive presentation and performance overhaul. The addition of a few welcome features to the original’s characteristic MMO-like real-time combat approach was also huge, as it mended what many considered to be its biggest flaws.
Just be patient with the latter, as even if the remaster improves many of its rough edges, the series’s combat would only find its groove with the release of its third entry, which is only missing in this list given how much having played the previous titles adds to the experience.
Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
The definitive version of the game that started my favorite gaming franchise,Kingdom Hearts Final Mix,adds a plethora of new content and key improvements to Sora’s first journey, including the debut of one of the hardest hidden bosses in gaming and the first batch of the series’s now staple secret endings.
Although I fully understand the thought that the series reached its peak inKH2via its massively improved combat system and culminating narrative, the wayKingdom Heartsintroduces players to its world and the feel of discovering it all for the first time is something very few have been able to replicate since. May your heart be your guiding key.
