Summary
Exploration is the meat of every quality video game that promotes freedom. While JRPGs are known for featuring fairly linear stories, there are many games in the series that realize just how important this gameplay element is to the overall package.
Players will love how robust exploration feels in these titles, rewarding them for checking every nook and cranny of the environments they’re walking around in. From uncovering secrets to finding beautiful locations to gaze at, there’s no shortage of amazing locations in these beautiful games.
Spoiler Warning: Major narrative spoilers are explored in the entries below.
The World Ends with Youis one of the most stylish action JRPGsfans can get their hands on. Neku’s adventures across modern Tokyo as he strives to make sense of the twisted game he’s been forced into make for a riveting tale that fans can’t get enough of.
It helps thatThe World Ends with Youboasts an incredible art style that will wow fans as they explore the game’s compelling world. Battles are great (even if they lose the dual-screen charm of the DS in later releases), and the need to wear pins to adhere to the trends of each region ensures that exploration isn’t a mindless affair.
Chrono Triggeris the embodiment of everything thatmade old-school JRPGs so special. A charming world, engrossing story, lovable characters, and a simple yet engaging combat system all combine to help this game stand out as one of the best JRPGs of all time.
It helps that the time travel element will let players explore locations that are familiar yet unique at the same time. Witnessing how the world evolves before and after Lavos' arrival cements his threat and compels players to become as strong as possible before they inevitably fight this imposing villain.
Golden Sunmay seem a bit too generic at times, but the game makes up for it with its unique dollhouse aesthetic and excellent exploration. Depending on the Djinns equipped on a character, they have access to several moves that can aid them both in and out of combat.
Cutting down vines, helping plants grow, reading other people’s minds, and freezing objects are just some of the many ways players can use a hero’s abilities while walking around the game world. This simple yet effective change does a great job of makingGolden Sun’s exploration more dynamic than ever.
FromPersona 3onwards, Atlus established a formula that combined life sim and JRPG elements to make for a unique cocktail that fans are addicted to. However, this came at the cost of dungeon design, with both3and its sequel opting for procedurally generated dungeons instead of handcrafted ones.
With the shift to a new generation, Atlus realized that they needed to make dungeon exploration more engaging than ever before. This led to the return of meticulous dungeon design that made each Palace a blast to explore inPersona 5, especially in theRoyaledition, which expanded upon these hostile locations.
Much like its predecessor,Octopath Traveler 2boasts an open world where players can go anywhere they want. The side content in this game was also enhanced, letting players find more optional quests and dungeons as they traverse the overworld.
This was augmented by a day-night cycle that could be triggered manually by players to let them enjoy more unique content based on the time of day. All of thishelpedOctopath Traveler 2’s exploration stand outas the very best it has ever been in a modern JRPG, and this statement is made even stronger once players purchase a boat and travel the high seas.
Dragon Quest 11is one of the greatest modern JRPGs, finally allowing the series to become a hit both in and out of Japan. The Luminary’s adventures are gorgeous and take players on a wild journey as the scope of their quest never stops increasing.
It helps that the expanded world is full of secrets and unique encounters for players to find. The fact that players don’t stop loving the act of exploration inDragon Quest 11even after reaching the game’s epilogue is a testament to the game’s strengths, with exploration being just one of the many elements that this title nails.
Final Fantasy 6is one of the best video games ever made, and itsnon-linear approachin the World of Ruin is a huge reason why. The World of Balance features many avenues of exploration, but it’s not until the second half of the game kicks in that the game reveals its trump card.
The story may take a backseat here, but fans don’t mind, given how magical exploration in the World of Ruin is. Players will love rounding up the gang once again as they mount one final assault on Kefka’s Tower and end this pseudo-God’s tyrannical reign over the world once and for all.
Xenoblade Chronicles Xboasts what just might be the best open world ever seen in a JRPG. Helping the hero and his allies traverse a treacherous world full of high-level monsters never ceases to be engaging, especially when players understand the reasoning for these high-level enemies to exist in certain corners of the map.
In the second half of the game, exploration opens up even more with the addition of Skell mechs. These Skells come equipped with two different modes and considerably enhance the speed with which players can explore this amazing open world.
