There are three universal truths in the world: gravity works, death is the end for all, and compared to other genres,JRPGswill take their sweet time before throwing players into action.
However, for every rule, there’s always an exception. So just like Katy Perry can enjoy a few seconds in a zero-gravity zone and Tom Cruise keeps cheating death, a couple of JRPGs can be immediately fun.
10 Easiest JRPGs To Pick Up & Play
These JRPGs are ideal for anyone who wants to have fun without having to study their mechanics.
Usually, these games follow modern industry trends and try to have a flashy beginning, either narrative- or gameplay-wise, to keep players engaged with their sprawling, colorful world.
In this list, I’ll show you some JRPGs that are fun immediately, whether through an amazing or emotional cutscene or through unique gameplay that grabs you from the very first move.
Just to be clear, when I say “fun,” I don’t just mean yay-fun, but also thematically entertaining, something that gets us hyped for what’s coming next.
8Metaphor: ReFantazio
Offenses From The Get-Go
Metaphor: ReFantazio
I love Atlus and their JRPGs, especiallyPersona. But I can’t deny that all of them are pretty slow and hardly respect the player’s time, even though they offer a plethora of activities and a story that sticks with us as long as we stick with it.
With that said, imagine my surprise whenMetaphor: ReFantazionot onlykicked things off at full throttle but also gave me a game over within the first 2 minutes of controlling our silent protagonist. Yeah, I tried to face those giant sandworms despite the warnings! What if there was a trophy waiting for me there?
Metaphorhit us with a gorgeous anime cutscene, some action-packed sequences, and racial slurs because that’s what the game is all about, and it already throws us into the biggest danger possible. Also, the way background music is introduced diegetically was just brilliant.
Granted, we soon arrive at the capital of Grand Trad, and the old Atlus formula shows up in full force, especially if you want to talk to every NPC and explore every nook and cranny of the city. But still, for JRPG standards, it’s quite an exhilarating start and will grab your attention in a snap.
7Rogue Galaxy
Rough Start
Rogue Galaxy
The synopsis ofRogue Galaxyintroduces us to the planet Rosa, saying it’s being enslaved by the Longardian Federation. Well, guess who’s a not-so-free citizen of Rosa? Our protagonist, Jaster Rogue. That’s not a good way to start a JRPG, not then and not now,Tales of Arise.
All of a sudden,Rosa is under attack, and when Jaster goes to check out what’s happening, he gets a sword from a mysterious man. Armed, he starts fighting off all sorts of desert creatures while trying to get to the heart of the chaos. In the meantime, he’s mistaken by two space pirates as the best hunter in the galaxy (the sword!), and they join Jaster.
Fights, intrigue, confusion, everything I love in a college party. And in JRPGs.Rogue Galaxyisan action RPGand does a solid job at what it sets out to do. But as soon as we get to the boss, the game introduces a shooting mechanic that can also create platforms mid-battle, which we then use to climb the boss and hit its weak spot.
I mean, that’s a really clever way of introducing gimmicks in staple action JRPGs. Before I even figured out how to open the menu, I was already completely hooked onRogue Galaxy. In the next 10 hours, the game will keep throwing feature after feature at you – and I admit, it’s going to be a bit overwhelming – but it’ll constantly renew your interest in playing it.
6Final Fantasy X-2
How Dare I Acknowledge This Game
Final Fantasy X-2
Hold your stones, passionate gamers. There are those among us who actually likeFinal Fantasy X-2, and I’m one of them. And whoever decided it’s a crime to enjoy underrated games should take a good look in the mirror and mimic Yuna’s popstar dancing to bring a little joy into their life.
And it’s because of that cheeky dance thatFinal Fantasy X-2’sopening scene is amazing and fits the whole “fun immediately” topic. You may not like this JRPG’s narrative, the focus on female protagonists because god knows that’s unacceptable these days, or the wholeeverything is missabledesign (my major gripe with it).
9 JRPGs With Steep Learning Curves
Studying for a master’s degree feels easier than playing these JRPGs.
But it’s undeniable thatthe first moments ofFinal Fantasy X-2are fantastic.The story kicks off with an action cutscene straight out ofCharlie’s Angels, packed with an incredible soundtrack and tons of parkour.
To make it even better, it transitions seamlessly into battle, which brings back thenostalgic ATB system. It really sets the mood for the whole game, despite not managing to hold it for long.
5Lost Odyssey
War, Death, And Immortality
Lost Odyssey
I know I shouldn’t look at a game through a retroactive lens, but withLost Odyssey, it’s kind of hard not to. This JRPG was produced by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father ofFinal Fantasy, for the Xbox 360. It was a black sheep for its time, an era when turn-based RPGs were starting to face prejudice and getting ditched even by Japanese developers.
SeeingLost Odyssey, with its incredible visual presentation, updated graphics, and well-crafted cutscenes, gave me hope thatturn-based gamesstill had a second life. Also, the fact that the game starts in the middle of a war helped a lot in selling a great first impression.
We’re introduced to the combat system and the Aim Ring system right after, which enhances an attack if we hit a QTE. After taking down some basic soldiers, we face a boss. Yet, it’s all for nothing because a massive flaming spell wipes everyone out.
Luckily, our protagonist, Kaim Argonar, is immortal. He rises up amidst hundreds of charred bodies and walks back to the city like it’s just another Thursday. If that intro isn’t enough to enthrall you, then I don’t know what will.
4NieR: Automata
The End of The World Requires Urgency
NieR: Automata
Fextralife Wiki
You hit New Game inNieR: Automata, set your options, and you’re instantly thrown into a shoot ‘em up gameplay, even wondering: wait, wasn’t this an action RPG? However, that sequence is brief, lasting only about 3-4 minutes. Then, you learn the basic commands of a hack ‘n’ slash and, guess what, boss fight.
It doesn’t get more hectic than that, and it won’t, becauseafter the opening events, the game lets you breathe and take in the world. And trust me, you’ll want to savor everything this game has to offer. I considerNieR: Automataone of themasterpieces among JRPGs, the kind even people who don’t like the genre should try at least once.
So even though the game takes its time to deliver another scene as fast-paced and frantic as the first one, keep on playing. Get to know 2B, have fun with 9S, die from eating a poisonous fish, and do it all over again because, in the end, I know you’ll thank me. That is, once you’re done questioning our existence in this pitiful, thankless world.
3Super Mario RPG
Actually, The Princess Is In This Castle
Super Mario RPG
One of the quintessential memes in gaming is how Mario’s princess was always in another castle. It’s such an old trope that it predates the very definition of what a meme is, just so you get how relevant it is.
So imagine my surprise when I playedSuper Mario RPGfor the first time, andthe opening moments of the story already take us to Bowser’s castle to rescue the princess. And we did! Game over?Nope, the game is just getting started.
10 Best PS2 JRPGs, Ranked
The best-selling console in the world featured some of the best JRPGs the industry has ever seen.
This subversion of expectations, especially for those who had only played Mario platformers, was impressive and got me hooked on what could come next. If neither Peach is in peril nor Bowser is the enemy, then what awaits our mustachioed hero?
Pair this with a turn-based system that practically invented timed-hit attacks, or at least made the style popular, and we’ve got a JRPG that’s instantly amusing and intriguing. If you’re interested, I recommend playing the remake version released on Switch.
2Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
One Of The Most Impactful Prologues
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Anyone with the slightest presence on social media probably saw countless players and content creators talking about how impactful and assertive the prologue ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33is. And they’re not wrong.
As soon as we start the game, we’re already in the shoes of Gustave. Then, the game entertains us with its battle system. This is where the gimmicks of what Sandfall calls the reactive combat system start to shine, showing thatExpedition 33didn’t come to just do more of the same.
Yet, it wasn’t the battle system that made me want to include theFrench-made JRPGhere, but the narrative. To avoid spoilers – although this info is out in most promotional materials – the whole theme ofExpedition 33lingers in imminent death, in how humanity has an expiration date.
And that’s shown masterfully in the game’s prologue.It was the first time in my JRPG-obsessed life that I cried within the first hour of a game. It’s not exactly fun in the joyful sense, but it was so powerful that it instantly got me hooked and made sure I wouldn’t drop it until I had seen everything it had to offer.
1Granblue Fantasy: Relink
The Grind Has To Start Somewhere
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
I’m setting myself up for trouble here. I’ve already mentioned two entries that start with boss fights using the excuse of “it doesn’t get more frantic than that,” and surprise! Here’s another game that also shoves a boss fight on our sorry JRPG face in the first 10 minutes.
Granblue Fantasy: Relinkis a wildly popular mobile/web browser game, which prompted Cygames to try their luck on dedicated platforms like consoles and PC. And they pulled it off, bringing an action RPG with a certain modicum of gacha design and farming, but not to the point of needing to invest our life savings just to get a character.
If I had to sum up theGranblue Fantasy: Relink, I’d say it’saMonster Hunter-like experience, still wearing the JRPG badge. So expect anime aesthetics, a dedicated story, and characters with luscious hair who love shouting the names of their skills during action-packed battles. Some glorious, fun battles, may I add.
Nowadays, I don’t know if the online community ofGranblue Fantasy: Relinkis still active. You can play the entire game solo, but depending on your playstyle, that might slow down your grind since no AI is ever going to be as competent as an average player. Still, you can have a blast with this JRPG from the moment you hit New Game.
10 Best PS1 JRPGs, Ranked
Sony’s first foray into gaming also brought us a stellar lineup of JRPGs.
