If you’re someone who grew up in the 1990s and witnessed the golden age filled with JRPGs such asFinal Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, Vagrant Story, Secret of Mana,and so many more, you’ll know that this genre is always good for a heartfelt, action-packed story with plenty of twists and turns. Not to mention an inevitable battle against god at the end of proceedings.
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However, JRPGs didn’t just call it quits after this amazing period; a constant stream of amazing JRPGs popped up all over the place, with a mix of established names and new IPs vying for fans' attention. What’s most exciting for PlayStation users is that many of these titles currently reside in the PS Plus Catalog.
So, if you’re on the hunt for the next game to serve as your JRPG fix, then you need to check out these top-tier options.
While there are some great action JRPGS likeNier Replicant,Bloodborne, and various others on the PS Plus Catalog, we will be focusing solely on traditional JRPG games for this list.
10Trials Of Mana
Trials of Mana (2024)
As we gear up for theimminent release of Visions of Mana,it’s only right that we show some love to the Mana series as a whole. You aren’t spoiled for choice on that front on the PS Plus catalog, but you do have access toTrials of Mana, the modern 3D adaption ofSeiken Densetsu 3.
This game is a solid entry in the series that has been made from the ground up to offer a much more modern and refined JRPG experience that feels dynamic, engaging, and has that vibrant Mana series charm we have come to expect.
You have a wonderful fairytale-esque story to enjoy, nuanced but simple-to-understand combat systems, and a surprisingly rewarding NG+ experience if that’s your thing. It can get a little repetitive at times, but all in all, it’s a JRPG that’s well worth experiencing.
9Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII: Reunion
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
While there are betterFinal Fantasyoutings that players can enjoy on the catalog that we will get to later, there is still a lot to love aboutCrisis Core, the popular spin-off fromFinal Fantasy VII. This allows you to play through Zack Fair’s intriguing story without needing to dust off your old PSP to do so.
However, it’s not just a port with PSP visuals and a dated battle system. It’s a game that has been dragged into the modern era with a new soundtrack, enhanced visuals, new vocal performances, and an overhauled battle system that feels more in line with modern FF outings.
You will need to accept that, even with the added polish, this is still an old game, but thanks to the endearing protagonist in the form of Zack, the more silly tone of the game as a whole, and the intriguing plot points, this prequel has to offer, this remastered relic is well worth checking out.
8Rune Factory 4 Special
Rune Factory 4 Special
If you’re someone who loves the daily agricultural grind of games likeStardew ValleyorCoral Islandbut feel they could use more JRPG dungeon-crawling action, then allow me to introduce you to theRune Factoryseries, a game that perfectly blends these two sub-genres.
You’ll still get to tend animals, grow crops, and win the heart of a fair maiden in town. But, you’ll also get to head off into the world, fight monsters, improve your skills, and when you grow weary due to endless fighting, you can simply retire to your farmstead, recharge and then go again.
It’s a perfect balance of cozy and chaos that fans ofRune Factoryhave come to expect, and while there is amore recent entry in the form of Rune Factory 5, many still see the previous iteration as the more complete and engaging of the two. So grab some seeds and get to work!
7Cris Tales
Cris Tales
As someonewho loves time-loop gamesand titles that mess with the fabric of time,Cris Talesis naturally a game that I find myself very fond of, and I reckon you might want to if you give it a chance.
This title sees you hop into the shoes of Crisabell, an orphan-turned-warrior who has the ability to bend time to her will, and with this supernatural power, you’ll aim to take down the Empress of Time.
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To do this, you’ll need to masterCris Tale’sunique combat system that allows you to jump into the past and the future to avoid enemy attacks, reduce your recharges and attack countdowns, and so much more.
It’s a truly unique and very clever take on the traditional turn-based model, and a game that has a compelling story to tell. So, look into the future, and you just might see yourself sitting down to play this JRPG gem.
6Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance
Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance
If you take the traditional vibe and feel of a traditional JRPG and combine that with the tactical grid-based combat and strategy that many will know and love from something likeInto the Breach, then the lovechild that would come from that combination would beDisgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance.
As far asDisgaeagames go, this one is one of the easier titles to jump into, thanks to the core gameplay that has remained so familiar over the years. However, this game still offers a wealth of deep systems, unique classes, and steep challenges that feel more nuanced than most modern JRPGs. This does mean this game has a steep learning curve, but one that’s well worth working through.
Alongside strong visuals, and cool customization options,Disgaea 5continues to gradually innovate within the series, slowly but surely, by tacking on new systems and modes to an already airtight JRPG model. So, if you want a new tactical JRPG, this one is probably the best bet.
5YS VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA
While many would think that the most recent iteration of the YS series,Monstrum Nox, would be the obvious pick here, I’ll go out on a limb and say thatYS VIIIwas and still is the best game in the series. This makes it the game that you should hop into if you want to dive into this series headfirst.
The game offers vastly improved visuals that reference all that came before it in the series, elevated gameplay that feels dynamic and smooth, a riveting story, and a Metroidvania-esque feel. New powers are bestowed upon you throughout the game, and completionists will be backtracking to explore more thoroughly.
It does have a bit of a slow start, but I would urge you to stick with it, as YS: VIII might just become one of your favorite all-time JRPGs if you do.
4Dragon Quest XI: Heroes of an Elusive Age
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
While there is a veritable cavalcade of Dragon Quest games to choose from on the PS Plus Catalog, we couldn’t help but chooseDragon Quest XIas our representative for this storied JRPG series. After a lukewarm foray into the world of MMOs in the entry prior,Dragon Quest XI: Heroes Of An Elusive Ageis a return to form that nails everything it sets out to do.
The combat is brilliant, offering a simple-to-understand yet tricky-to-master turn-based system that highlights the unique characteristics and challenges that each new enemy variant presents. Plus, the game has sublime visuals, rewarding exploration, mountains of content, great mini-games, and terrific boss battles to endure.
It’s a JRPG that offers everything that a fan of the genre could ever want, and serves as the best entry in theDragon Questseries to date. Which is reason enough to pick this one up and engross yourself in the world of Erdrea.
3Tales of Arise
Tales of Arise
TheTalesseries is a JRPG icon and one that boasts quite a few memorable outings to date. However, I would personally argue thatTales of Ariseis the best of the bunch.
This is in no small part down to the excellent cast of characters present and the compelling writing that brings the world to life and weaves an intricate story for you to unravel.
But the game doesn’t succeed on story alone, as it’s also one of the most beautiful JRPGs on the market, offers a fluid and frenetic battle system that’s a joy to play around with, and elevates all the less refined features from previous Tales titles.
The game goes out of its way to make every moment feel epic, from the fast-paced combat, to the rock-inspired score, and while the pace of the story may feel like a whirlwind at times, it’s one that we would recommend you get caught up in as soon as you can.
2Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 Remix
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX
If you want to hop intoKingdom Heartsfor the first time and get lost in this Disney meets Final Fantasy fever dream, you now can courtesy of the various remix bundles Square Enix has produced of late and through PS Plus, which houses all the Kingdom Hearts titles in the series.
While Kingdom Hearts 3 is the most visually and technically impressive of the bunch, I can’t help but shine the spotlight on the 1.5+2.5 Bundle, with reference toKingdom Hearts II especially, as this still represents the high point in the series, and despite being decades old, this game holds up brilliantly, serving as a timeless JRPG great.
The story is notoriously hard to follow, so prepare to be bewildered and confused if you do dream drop dive into this one. But thankfully, the combat, exploration, and unique systems present are so brilliant we doubt you’ll mind too much.
1Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Then, to wrap things up on this JRPG bonanza, we have arguably the most famous JRPG of all time, complete with Buster Swords, Omnislashes, and more.Final Fantasy VIIisa classic JRPGthat many would argue was perfect as it was.
Yet despite this, Square Enix has taken on the impossible task of remaking this series, not just offering a like-for-like remake but one that changes and elevates the existing material.
It seems like a bridge too far, but against the odds, they have managed to achieve this goal so far, and this first chapter of this remake is available on PS Plus, so you may see for yourself. This takes theFFVIIcore gameplay and brings it up to modern standards, tossing away the rigid turn-based model for a more dynamic hack-and-slash feel.
Plus, as you would expect, the visuals are nothing short of jaw-dropping, the world design is on point, and the new storybeats are welcome additions that fans have really taken to. So if you want a hearty dose of nostalgia, or just want to see what all the fuss is about, then take a trip to Midgar real soon!
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