Summary
While many games can take players on a narrative journey that sticks with them, the JRPG genre is like a good book where one can get attached to their characters and even feel a sense of loss, both when they lose a companion or when the story finally comes to an end.
Not all JRPGs have to be lighthearted fantasy-based adventures likeDragon QuestortheLunarseries; many games can tell stories that are aimed toward a more mature audience. Whether it’s incorporating horror themes or focusing on the tragedy of losing loved ones, few games come close to the JRPG genre for drawing players into their worlds. This list features some of the darkest and most mature stories from classic JRPGs.
Many fans of tactical JRPGs were introduced to the genre through the excellentFinal Fantasy Tactics.However, Konami’sVandal Heartson the original PlayStationdeveloped a cult following thanks to its accessible gameplay and surprisingly dark, mature storytelling. Beneath its colorful character sprites set in a rotatable 3D environment lies a grim narrative of war and revenge, akin to the storytelling found inKonami’sSuikodenseries.
The combat inVandal Heartsis turn-based and strategic, and it has upgradable character classes, but it lacks the complexities ofFinal Fantasy Tactics.While some may view it differently, the gameplay inVandal Heartsis impressive. The combat features dramatic and satisfying visuals, including a striking geyser of blood when defeating enemies. Additionally,Vandal Heartsoffers an engaging story that not only serves as an excellent introduction to the genre but also keeps players hooked throughout the experience.
Parasite Eveunusually merges turn-based combat, RPG mechanics, andResident Evil-style exploration and atmosphere. It’s set in modern day New York Cuty with recognizable locations and realistic characters. It already stood out among the crowd of fantasy-based JRPGs from Square, and fans could become fully engrossed in its world and connect with the lead character, Aya. Aya is a relatable and likable rookie police officer for the NYPD.
Aya attends an opera with a date she seems happy to get rid of. However, the star of the show, Eve, sets the audience on fire like a scene from Stephen King’sCarrie. Unaffected by Eve’s Pyrokinesis, Aya chases the opera singer across famous landmarks in the city as the dark story unfolds.
The newest game on this list may not seem old, as it is one of the first big-budget HD JRPGs. However, it deserves recognition as a classic from the 360/PS3 era due to its mature handling of stories, characters, and adult tone.Lost Odysseyis frequently considered an unofficialFinal Fantasygame, as it was developed by Mistwalker, the studio founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi,the creator ofFinal Fantasy. It’s a very traditional turn-based JRPG that centers around Kaim Argonar, an immortal who has suffered the loss of his loved ones over time. The game explores immortality as more of a curse than a blessing when it comes to love and loss.
Many of Kaim’s Lost Memories are unlocked via collectible texts written by famed Japanese author Kiyoshi Shigematsu. It’s an interesting way to develop Kaim’s character, and some of the stories are as beautifully told as they are heartwrenchingly tragic. It’s backward compatible and looks and runs beautifully on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, but it would benefit from a modern remaster and deserves to be played by more JRPG fans.
TheShadow Heartsseries is a trilogy that begins with the horror-themed JRPGKoudelkaon the PS1. However, the first two games,Shadow HeartsandShadow Hearts: Covenant, are the most highly recommended. These games incorporate Lovecraftian elements that contribute to their dark themes, while also featuring moments of dark humor that fit the overall tone. In the firstShadow Hearts, players assume the role of a Harmonixer named Yuri. He possesses demonic transforming abilities that he gains from the monsters he has defeated. Yuri’s mission is to protect an exorcist from an evil, immortal 12th-century magician named Roger Bacon.
Shadow Hearts: Covenanttakes place six months after the events of the first game. Players follow Lieutenant Karin Koenig and Yuri as they confront the Sapientes Gladio, a secret society intent on bringing about a demonic apocalypse. There are alternate versions of real-life figures from history, like the aforementioned Roger Bacon, Rasputin, the Tsars, and more.
Persona 2: Innocent SinandPersona 2: Eternal Punishmentare two parts of the same story. Surprisingly, only the second game was released in the West for the PS1, while fans had to wait for a translated port ofInnocent Sinfor the PSP to experience the full narrative. Both games would benefit from aPersona 3: Reload-style remake, but their stories, characters, and modern-day settings still hold up. The story revolves around a high school student named Tatsuya, who is facing the challenges of teenage life at an elite school in Sumaru City while dealing with a demonic supernatural threat — in this case, the threat is known as The Joker.
The Joker is tricking students into playing a deadly cell phone game called “The Joker Game.” The story has some real depth and gets darker as it progresses. The second game,Persona 2: Eternal Punishment,puts players in the shoes of the reporter, Maya, and it continues the story of the first game as she investigates the gruesome deaths associated with The Joker Game. The gameplay reflects its era, with a high volume of random battles and generally more challenging enemies than later entries in the series.
Like its predecessors,Breath of Fire 4is a colorful fantasy JRPG with anthropomorphic characters, a blue-haired hero named Ryu, dragons, evil immortals, and princesses — all the good things associated withCapcom’s outstanding JRPGseries. However,Breath of Fire 4is a much darker tale than previous entries in the series, with many unexpected twists and a gut-wrenchingly tragic story that will stay with players for a long time.
It would be a disservice to reveal too much about the shocking events in the story, but it is undoubtedly far darker thanboth Breath of Fire 3and its sequel,Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter.It’s one of the most visually impressive games on the PS1, featuring a beautiful art style that holds up today and a terrific soundtrack. Fans of classic JRPGs can grabBreath of Fire 4on PC as part of theGoG’s Game Preservation Project.
Valkyrie Profile: Lennethis an enhanced PSP port of the PS1 original that launched in 2000 for North America. It is the Lenneth version that was relaunched on the PS4 and PS5, giving newer fans a chance to experience one of the most unique and mature stories in the genre.
Valkyrie Profileis based on Norse mythology and places players in the role of a Valkyrie named Lenneth. Lenneth has been commanded by Odin to raise fallen warriors from the dead, known as the Einherjar, to fight in Ragnarok. Each warrior has a story that ultimately ends with their demise, and some of their stories are quite tragic. Lenneth’s story is just as touching, and there are multiple endings to experience, including a true ending.
