Hey everyone! I used to be a huge fan of JRPGs back in the day, but I’ve found that many of the newer titles just don’t resonate with me. I recently wrapped up Final Fantasy X and Expedition 33, and I’m eager for more games, but I’m not sure where to turn next. I’m looking for suggestions that fit some specific criteria:
**Must have:**
– Engaging gameplay that goes beyond the basics of just spamming the strongest attacks.
**Would like to have:**
– A well-crafted story that doesn’t hinge too much on convenience. For instance, in Octopath Traveler 2, I enjoyed the gameplay but found some plot twists a bit frustrating—like Osvald’s daughter being tied to the villain’s goals too conveniently.
**What I want to avoid:**
– Cliché characters, school life or life-sim elements.
– Excessive nonsense moments that pull me out of the experience, like Xenogears where mechs turned into guns for seemingly no reason.
Here are some games I’ve tried so far:
– Final Fantasy VI through X: Enjoyed them, particularly VIII for its mature themes.
– Dragon Quest: Didn’t enjoy the gameplay.
– Persona series: Not a fan due to the life/school aspects, but I do like Shin Megami Tensei.
– Chrono Trigger and Phantasy Star IV: Gameplay didn’t click for me.
– Yakuza LaD: A great experience, especially with its humor.
– Chained Echoes: Really enjoyed this one for its story and gameplay.
I’m gaming on PC. Any recommendations would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
You might want to check out **Romancing SaGa 2**! It has a cool story about the Seven Heroes, and the gameplay is quite similar to Octopath Traveler, where you target enemy weaknesses. The open world and customizable characters could be right up your alley!
I’d recommend giving **Grandia II** a shot. Although it has some cliché characters, the battle system is great and the story has memorable moments. Just a heads up: make sure to set the compatibility mode to “Windows Vista SP2” to avoid crashes. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the **Shadow Hearts** series for more diverse storytelling.
Awesome, I’ll look into those!
Have you ever considered trying ***Cosmic Star Heroine***? It’s an indie JRPG that’s very unique and definitely less mainstream, plus it has some solid gameplay mechanics. You could also experiment with more Western-style RPGs like **The Witcher 3** or **Baldur’s Gate 3**; they might give you a fresh perspective!
It sounds like you might enjoy trying the **Atelier series** for a more crafting-style RPG or **Tales of Vesperia** for classic action RPG gameplay. If you’re okay with a bit of grinding, **Xenoblade Chronicles** has a fantastic world and exploration that could keep you hooked!
Great suggestions, I’ll add those to my list!
Honestly, if you didn’t enjoy some of the staples, maybe JRPGs aren’t your thing anymore! But if you’re willing to explore a bit, try out **Clair Obscur: Expedition 33**—it has a more innovative gameplay approach that could reignite your interest!
Thanks for the suggestion!