One of the most common traits that makes people slap a “J” in RPGs is anime aesthetics. Just throw in a character with big eyes, colorful hair, 16 years under their belt, but the power to save the world, and we know it was either developed in Japan or inspired by classics from the country.
However, that is not always the case. There are someJRPGsthat sport a different aesthetic from what we see in anime, or even a narrative that doesn’t rely on the power of friendship or god-breaking teenagers to tell its story.
Maybe you enjoy Japan’s dramatic storytelling, but not so much its colorful and cheerful style. Or maybe you want an RPG with a strong emphasis on character development, but one that also lets you make choices and involves branching narratives.
In this piece, I’ll list 10 JRPGs that don’t feel at all like anime, whether because of their visual presentation, their narrative leaning more towards a Western approach, or a mix of both.
I’ll avoid games from the same franchise. Otherwise, it would just be a Final Fantasy solo list.
10Lost Odyssey
Geographically, A Hawaiian RPG
Lost Odyssey
I always roll my eyes when I hear someone saying, “Final Fantasylost its essence.” What essence? Turn-based battles? Technically, the games haven’t been strictly turn-based sincethe ATB system, where if we play in active mode, the battles become more real-time than turn-based.
Because if we think about themes, environment, and presentation, Final Fantasy has always had a Western knack. I attribute much of that to the involvement of Hironobu Sakaguchi, the franchise’s creator. Case in point, most RPGs from his company, Mistwalker, are a far cry from anime aesthetics -Blue Dragonbeing the exception.
Lost Odyssey, for example, has a largely Western presentation, probably due to Microsoft’s investment in producing it as an Xbox exclusive. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that Kaim Argonar’s game presents a JRPG structure without feeling like an anime-based one.
We have turn-based battles with inputs, creative progression, a fixed story emphasizing the characters’ past, and everything else we find in a JRPG - minusthe anime aesthetic. Even though it’s still locked to Xbox consoles,Lost Odysseyis well worth playing to this day, especially because of theOne Thousand Years of Dreamsshort story compilation.
9Parasite Eve
Setting: New York
Parasite Eve
Parasite Evetakes place in New York, and we play as Aya Brea, an officer from the NYPD. Yeah, I could sum it up and end the entry right here, because there’s hardly anything less anime than an RPG set in the real world and on American soil. But that would be lazy and half-baked on my part.
One of the things that surprises me most inParasite Eveis how extremely linear it is - but back then, nobody cared about that the way they do today. However, do you know which RPG subgenre favors linear storytelling? You got it: JRPGs.
Here we follow Aya’s investigations as she hunts Eve, a weird terror entity that mutates creatures and humans alike, yet for some reason not affecting our protagonist. It’s an eerie story with a haunting atmosphere.
Plus, even though we only play as Aya, we have a sort of ATB-based combat as well, showing that Square has always been one to try experimenting with its battle systems in new structures or with a different style.
8Front Mission 3
Ordinary Mechas Design
Front Mission 3
When I think of anime and mechs, my mind automatically jumps toEvangelionorGundam. That’s where my argument stands, because while Evas and Gundams have a more heroic, imposing, and colorful design inspired by anime, the Wanzers fromFront Missionare much more blocky, functional, and, well, plain.
That’s why I considerFront Mission 3(or any other entry, but this one’s my favorite) a solid pick for those wanting a sci-fi tactical JRPG without anime elements. To start, the game takes place in the future and features fictional organizations still grounded in the real world.
Will you side with the DHZ or the USN? That’s the choice Kazuki Takemura, our protagonist, must make, which will branch the narrative into two different storylines. No matter the choice, you’ll regret it and, at some point, have to associate with enemies and take down former allies.
Front Mission 3is a wonderful tactical JRPG for those who like sci-fi plots involving geopolitical organizations and plenty of intrigue. Plus, it fits our “don’t feel like anime” prompt like a glove - something you might be after if you’re still reading this.
7Tactics Ogre: Reborn
More Strategy, More Politics
Tactics Ogre: Reborn
To be honest, any Matsuno JRPG could fit the bill, really. The game designer has a penchant for creating titles centered on political plots, in more grounded medieval settings, yet still with some fantasy elements. We can see this inOgre Battle,Tactics Ogre, and evenFinal Fantasy Tactics.
I choseTactics Ogre: Rebornbecause it’s the most modern entry, but any installment follows the same pattern. We get intrigue upon intrigue, a more mature script unafraid to kill its darlings, and a lore that, while featuring magic and fantasy, doesn’t lean too heavily on them to tell a complete story.
It’s easy to see this in the story of Denam Pavel, as we watch the path he will take depending on different choices. There are moral and ethical decisions. you may’t just try to save everyone or go for the path of least resistance. InTactics Ogre: Reborn, the power of friendship translates to the might of your sword against the fragility of your enemies’ necks.
6The Last Remnant
The Unofficial SaGa
The Last Remnant Remastered
The Last Remnantis yet another Microsoft-backed JRPG from the Xbox 360 era, so it’s no surprise that it follows a more Western presentation despite its origin. Also, for many,The Last Remnantis considered an unofficial entry in theSaGaseries.
In the adventures of Rush Sykes, the young hero (ok, a teen, but humor me) finds himself embroiled in a war when all he wants is to save his sister. He becomes involved with remnants, ancient and extremely powerful artifacts, and from there, the story unfolds.
One of the biggest reasonsThe Last Remnantdidn’t find success on the Xbox 360 - and to be fair, almost none of the console’s JRPGs did - was because of itsunusual battle and progression system.
First, we don’t control individual characters but rather a squad composed of several of them. Then, similar toSaGagames, we have no levels. Each character sometimes evolves attributes after battles.
The nail in the coffin, though, at least for me, is the obtuse Battle Rank system. Basically, enemies scale along with the player, and while that sounds challenging and intriguing in theory, in practice, it’s more frustrating because you can be softlocked out of nowhere and there’s nowhere to run.
5Battle Chasers: Nightwar
American Comic Book JRPG
Battle Chasers: Nightwar
AlthoughBattle Chasers: Nightwarwas developed by the American studio Airship Syndicate, the game’s own description on both Kickstarter and Steam says it wasinspired by “classic console greats,”and its turn-based combat has a JRPG format. So yeah, it warrants a mention.
For starters,Battle Chasers: Nightwaris an American comic book series, so right off the bat, we know the setting steers clear of anime aesthetics. However, its turn-based gameplay, robust crafting system, and exploration of procedurally generated dungeons - which do start to repeat themselves after so many variations - are where its JRPG inspiration really shines through.
For a more modern comparison, Airship Syndicate also developedRuined King: A League of Legends Story, which offers an experience extremely similar toBattle Chasers: Nightwar.
I wasn’t expecting much when I grabbedBattle Chasersduring a PSN Store sale, but I was completely taken by it. It’s a great gateway into JRPG systems and gameplay for those who aren’t into anime-inspired sensibilities.
4Chained Echoes
A Modern Classic
Chained Echoes
Chained Echoeswas almost entirely produced by a solo developer, the illustrious Matthias Linda, who says he drew inspiration from classics likeXenogears,Final Fantasy VI,Chrono Trigger, and many other golden-age titles.
However, Matthias is German and, to my knowledge, has not claimed to be proficient in manga or anime illustration or writing. Thus, despite its inspirations,Chained Echoesstill leans toward a Western structure in both narrative and art, but with the whole heart of a JRPG.
If you’re one of those grumps who say JRPGs today aren’t what they used to be, I highly recommendChained Echoes. The story is great, despite its overabundance of plot twists, and the turn-based battle has a gimmick called Overdrive that really livens up your actions. That’s not to mention the gameplay of its 12 playable party members, each with their own specialty.
Interestingly, most ofChained Echoes’ inspirations came from JRPGs that are less anime than others. So don’t expect the power of friendship or speeches to save the world when everything and everyone is in trouble.
3Super Mario RPG
The Mascot With No Japanese Aesthetics
Super Mario RPG
While putting this list together, I thought it was curious how one of Japan’s most famous mascots doesn’t follow an anime aesthetic. But well, at least it helped me find another entry for JRPGs that don’t feel like anime.
Super Mario RPGnot only breaks away from Japanese aesthetic standards but also from the narrative formula established by the franchise itself. Instead of Mario having to save Peach from Bowser, this time, all these characters team up in turn-based battles with timed inputs to face the evil organization Smithy Gang.
When we’re not throwing shells or hammering enemies, we’re hopping from block to block, solving puzzles, hunting secrets, and collecting items, just like in anygood JRPG exploration.Super Mario RPGis considered one of the best SNES games and marked the starting point for other RPG series starring our favorite mustachioed hero.
If you’re interested, I suggest theSuper Mario RPGremake released for the Switch. Besides improved, colorful graphics - still non-anime - there are other quality-of-life changes that cater to modern sensibilities.
2Earthbound
An American Satire
Earthbound
Earthboundis known for its witty and amusing script that satirizes American culture. Just from that setting, we can already tell it avoids the usual amalgamation of anime. Also, it’s a pretty bonkers game, so even if it did feature anime-like elements, you should still play it.
One ofEarthbound’s best qualities is that it manages to be absurdist while keeping a straight face. Every character, theme, and story beat represents some American notion, but without the characters realizing they’re being absurd. This is what makes the game a gem.
Then, it features JRPG characteristics with its simple turn-based battles, fixed story, and teens saving the world. For purists, Earthbound was developed by a Japanese company, though we know that’s no longer a hard definition of what makes a JRPG.
Following Ness with his psychic powers as he saves the world from aliens wielding either a baseball bat, a yo-yo, or a slingshot is a delightful whiplash. At the same time, I felt like I was playing something familiar, but as the narrative progressed, I realized it was an extremely different experience from anything I’d ever seen.Earthboundis a joy, really.
1Final Fantasy XII
Matsuno Strikes Again
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
Final Fantasy XIItakes place in Ivalice, the fantasy world created by Yasumi Matsuno. Remember? I just mentioned him inTactics Ogre: Rebornabove. Matsuno was supposed to directFinal Fantasy XII, but due to health concerns, he stepped back and stayed as one of the writers.
Even so, the man’s influence can be seen throughout the JRPG. Ivalice is packed with anthropomorphic races, magic, and fantasy - all elements ofFinal Fantasy- but it’s one of the least anime entries in the franchise.Final Fantasy XVIis even more Western, but I went with the sky pirates instead.
FFXIIshows so few anime traits that it’s one of those games where the majority prefer to play with the English dub over the original Japanese one. And honestly, once you hear Gideon Emery as Balthier, you won’t be able to resist the temptation to keep listening to him.
Another feature that makesFinal Fantasy XIIvery appealing to those who aren’t fans of anime - or even JRPGs, to be honest - is its Active Dimension Battle (ADB) system.
It’s a variation of ATB where, instead of entering a separate battle screen to perform actions, everything happens seamlessly in the field. On top of that, with the Gambit system, we can automate characters’ actions, reinforcing that real-time feeling.
