Hey everyone! I’m on the hunt for some JRPGs that have a strong mystery element, similar to what we see in the Xeno games like *Xenogears*, *Xenosaga*, and *Xenoblade Chronicles*. What I love about these games are the clever layers of subtle foreshadowing and intriguing narratives that keep you guessing. I’m not necessarily looking for games where the mystery is the central focus, but rather something that maintains a strong presence throughout the story.
For instance, in *Xenogears*, there’s a fantastic buildup of mystery that isn’t immediately obvious until you play through again, which makes the experience even more rewarding. I’m curious if other JRPGs deliver that same feeling, keeping players engaged with hints and twists until the grand reveal. While I would prefer suggestions for Switch or Steam, I’m open to games on other platforms too. Any recommendations?
5 Answers
You might want to look at *Shadow Hearts* too; it has a fair amount of mystery throughout its narrative, with enough twists to keep you engaged while the story unfolds.
*Final Fantasy X* has some built-in mysteries around Tidus and Yuna that are developed really well, keeping the player guessing until the very end.
You should definitely check out *13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim*. It has that intriguing sci-fi setting like the Xeno series and is packed with layers of mysteries that unfold as you play. But be warned, it does have a lot of cutscenes—maybe around one third of the game—so if you’re good with that, you’re in for a treat!
Got it, I’ll keep that in mind! I’m usually cool with cutscenes as long as they’re engaging. I guess the sci-fi angle helps with unraveling the mysteries too.
The *NieR* series is also filled with great mysteries, especially *NieR: Automata*. Just be prepared for multiple playthroughs, though—I totally get what you mean about it not feeling natural sometimes. If you’re feeling hesitant, maybe consider *NieR: Replicant* instead, as it’s got a more coherent mystery experience compared to Automata’s route structure.
I understand your concern about *Automata*. I’ve heard that some people struggle with the way the routes are repetitive, so I get why you might want to skip this one.
Yeah, I’m wary of repetitiveness too. I might give *Replicant* a shot though, sounds like it’s better for a single play.
Try out *Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society*. It does a brilliant job of keeping players in the dark with its story, revealing the mystery slowly but surely, which might resonate with what you’re looking for.
Actually, it’s not just cutscenes; it’s split into battles, exploration, and narrative segments. So it’s not 80% cutscenes like people say—if the story is compelling, you’ll be fine with that.