Summary
TheRPGgenre is one of the most intricate and rich video game genres in terms of history and variety. When many fans hear the term RPG, they think ofJRPGs. These games are characterized most prominently by the region where they are created and developed, as well as by genre hallmarks such as turn-based combat and an emphasis on party dynamics.
RPGs come in many forms, butJRPGs likeFinal FantasyandDragon Questare enduring, both in their legacy and in their design. A lot of RPGs, even ones that are wildly different in terms of gameplay, take inspiration from these games that JRPG fans can resonate with. Here are ten ofthe best Western RPGs that JRPG fans will also enjoy.
Havenis a small sci-fi indie RPG about two lovers fleeing an authoritarian government. As protagonists Yu and Kay learn more about the secluded world to which they’ve escaped, they must contend with emissaries from the evil government as well as strange alien threats.
WhileHaven’s party size is certainly much smaller than most JRPGs, the focus on Yu and Kay’s relationship and development will be very familiar to anyone who’s ever embarked on a party-based quest. The real-time combat is another departure from JRPGs, but the coordination between Yu and Kay makes for some engaging strategic play.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis one of the most prominent Western RPGs on the market, andits open-world design and action-oriented gameplayare emblematic of the sort of design Western RPGs tend to favor.However, there’s still a lot to enjoy for JRPG fans. The game’s expansive story and richly detailed fantasy world let it stand tall alongside classics likeDragon Quest.
WhileThe Witcher 3’s combat and character progression aren’t the same as what’s typically seen in JRPGs, the sense of growth and development should feel very familiar.The Witcher 3is one of the most iconic Western RPGs for good reason, and JRPG fans will likely enjoy it just as much.
Legend of Grimrock 2is a throwback to some of the earliest RPGs on the market; challenging dungeon crawls with imposing foes, devious puzzles, and lethal traps. While most modern RPGs are more forgiving, the inspiration they drew from these old classics remains extremely present, especially in turn-based JRPGs.
These turn-based games have a lot in common withLegend of Grimrock 2. Combat is more real-time in this game, but party members still take turns, and they each have a separate class, allowing them to specialize in different attacks and combat techniques. Finding powerful new weapons and spells for each character is one of the greatest thrills inLegend of Grimrock 2, and that’s something any JRPG fan can appreciate.
Despite its age,Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicremains one of the most prominent and beloved video games set in the iconicStar Warsgalaxy. This legendary RPG takes place long before the movies, focusing on the life and history of the infamous Darth Revan.
While characters inStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicact simultaneously, BioWare still took a lot of inspiration from more turn-based games to design the combat. Players will unlock powerful new abilities throughout the campaign, just as they would in a traditional JRPG, and they’ll also develop relationships and connections with their party members throughout their journey.
While Obsidian is arguably best known for its work onFallout: New Vegas, it has a long and proud pedigree in the RPG genre. The developer’sPillars of Eternitygames are particularly prominent CRPGs, which set the stage for the developer’s recent first-person action RPGAvowed. Like a classic JRPG,Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfiresees players gathering a party of fellow warriors and embarking on a quest to protect the world from the actions of a misguided deity.
Deadfirediffers from its predecessor with its nautical focus; the game is set on an archipelago, andthe protagonist must captain a shipin order to explore the new region and prepare to repel the god Eothas. The game’s intricate world and complex political ecosystem make for a thorny web of challenges for JRPG fans to untangle.
JRPGs likeDragon Questhave a rich history of drawing on medieval fantasy; traditional images like armored knights, robed wizards, castles, and, of course, dragons are very common in many of these classic games. JRPG fans will find a similar setup in BioWare’sDragon Agefranchise, which takes a dark fantasy approach to these classic stylings.
Dragon Age: Originstakes place in a world on the brink of destruction, wheresinister demonic forces threaten to overwhelmcivilization. Mages are ostracized and mistreated for the potential danger they pose, and society is fractured.Dragon Agefans have a lot of darkness to navigate, but classic RPG trappings are abundant around every corner, and BioWare’s excellent character work shines through in the game’s wide roster of companions.
Divinity: Original Sin 2is one of the most prominent CRPGs available, renowned not only for its engaging fantasy world and story but also for its complex and adaptive gameplay. JRPG fans will find a lot to love in assembling their party of heroes, including characters like a vengeance-bound dwarf, a lost immortal, and a woman possessed by a demon.
The game’s turn-based action system is more intricate than the traditional JRPG approach, tasking players with fighting strategically in a fully interactive space. However, this in turn sets up a rich variety of ways for players to utilize the environment to their advantage. As characters develop and gain new abilities, the players controlling them can find new and creative ways to put them to use. This game is anexcellent way to introduce newcomers to CRPGs, making it a perfect choice for JRPG fans who want to branch out.
Very few JRPGs have shooting mechanics, let alone ones as refined and intricate as those found in theMass Effecttrilogy. However, BioWare has done an excellent job of incorporating a healthy and engaging layer of RPG mechanics into the game’s shooting mechanics, providing an exciting experience that marries gunplay with the character progression RPG fans crave.
While players don’t get direct control over their teammates like they might in a traditional JRPG, they can still call for specific abilities, which can turn the tide of combat if used properly.Mass Effectalso has some of the most compelling NPC teammates in the industry, and deepening one’s bonds with them is a deeply rewarding activity that should appeal to fans of JRPGs likePersona 5.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is a very French video game, taking place in a twisted, dark fantasy version of the region’s Belle Epoque era. While France heavily inspires the culture and architecture, the gameplay is pure JRPG. The developers have citedFinal Fantasyand thePersonaseries as inspirations, and this influence is evident in the game’s turn-based combat, as well as its interactive overworld map.
WhileClair Obscur: Expedition 33takes direct influence from JRPGs, it also stands apart due to its reactive combat. Players are encouraged to act fast to dodge and parry enemy blows, as well as hit quick-time events on their own abilities to maximize damage and healing. This keeps every fight fast and engaging, andlets players take on extremely powerful monstersif their reflexes are fast enough.
The impactBaldur’s Gate 3has had on the RPG genre is undeniable. This game adapts the wildly popular 5th edition ofD&Dinto a vast, expansive fantasy world,full of memorable charactersand intense combat encounters. Players can sink dozens of hours and multiple playthroughs into the game and still not see everything it has to offer.
One of the most memorable things aboutBaldur’s Gate 3is its charming roster of party members. Each character is detailed and fleshed out enough to serve as a protagonist in their own right, and players can form bonds and even romances with them over the course of their travels. Whether a player grew up on JRPGs likeFinal Fantasyor more action-oriented titles likeThe Elder Scrolls,Baldur’s Gate 3is an ideal RPG for everyone.
