Best JRPGs With Expansive Skill Trees

JRPGs usually feature a simple leveling system where most of the stat upgrades are handled automatically. All players need to focus on is completing quests and battling monsters to gain the experience that will help them gain these levels in the first place. However, as the JRPG genre has evolved, so has the need for character development to feel more personalized and engaging than ever. A great way to do the same is to integrate skill trees that let players control the flow of their character's progression.

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By  Eduardo Ariedo

Some of the skill trees present in JRPGs are manageable enough for players to not be confused as they make progress, but this doesn't apply to every title. There are times when certain Japanese role-playing games are full to the brim with complex and expansive skill trees that can take some time to wrap one's head around.

5 Tales Of Xillia

Using Growth Points To Expand The Nodes Of The Lilium Orb Is A Simple And Engaging Way To Get Stronger

The Tales games continue to feature some of the most underrated JRPGs around, and it's a shame that a series with a predominantly real-time, action-based combat system has failed to hit the ground running in the West. However, the sizable fanbase this game has means that a lot of JRPG fans have checked out the numerous games in this lengthy series, with Tales of Xillia being a great example of the same. This game's character progression is handled via a skill tree that is as straightforward as they come.

The Lilium Orb requires its fair share of Growth Points that players can acquire as they level up. It consists of six branches for each stat with various nodes that slowly unlock as players make progress in this skill tree. It's a relatively simple system, even if some people may be overwhelmed when they see the many nodes of the Lilium Orb for the first time.

4 Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

The Mantra Grid Is Surprisingly Flexible And Expansive

• Platform: PlayStation 2
• Release Date: July 15, 2004
• Developer: Atlus

Digital Devil Saga has one of the most riveting concepts for a JRPG, taking place entirely in a combat simulator after a techno-apocalypse has wiped out a major chunk of organic life. Various tribes vie for superiority here, and things change when demonic powers come into the fray. The power dynamic of the Junkyard is forever changed, leading to a stellar narrative with many curveballs and challenging battles added to the mix.

Every character in Digital Devil Saga has a Mantra Grid that can be filled in whatever manner the player pleases. This may seem easier said than done given how expansive this skill tree is, but players can make things easier for themselves by targeting the element that a character is weak to. This will eventually nullify said element, allowing players to move on to other moves and abilities once they've sunk a few hours into the game and have gottena better grip of how the combat works.

3 Rogue Galaxy

Acquiring Items To Make Progress In The Huge Revelation Flow Is Pretty Addictive

Level-5 is a talented developer who has made several stellar games, and it's a shame that more people don't give Rogue Legacy the love that it deserves. Despite a fun combat system and good presentation, the game failed to be a needle mover. Players who check this game out now will find a ton of things to love about Rogue Legacy, with the Revelation Flow being an innovative idea that offers a unique spin on the skill system.

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By  Tristan Jurkovich

Instead of investing points in the Revelation Flow, players must place certain items on the skill tree to unlock particular skills. It's an innovative way to reward players for farming unique items, letting them use a wealth of powerful techniques that permit them to flatten most enemies with ease. With each character having a different layout for their Revelation Flow, it's easy to see why this expansive and unique skill tree may just be one of the best elements of this underrated title.

2 Dragon Quest 11

Each Party Member's Skill Tree Is Simple Yet Rewarding When Players Invest In Them

Dragon Quest 11 was a major international breakthrough for the series, featuring an ambitious plotline and engaging combat that was easy to get into and fun to master. Controlling the Luminary and his friends as they embark on an adventure for the ages channeled the classic spirit of Dragon Quest, providing enough modern innovations to keep players engaged till the very end. Of course, even a classic JRPG series like Dragon Quest wasn't shy about adopting modern trends, and this can be seen in the game's skill tree.

What makes the skill maps of Dragon Quest 11 so daunting to navigate is its inherent ambiguity, making it hard to figure out what build players were pursuing as they invested in each character's skills and abilities. This made every upgrade an exciting one, with fans slowly uncovering more abilities and using them to beat their foes down in style.

1 Final Fantasy 10

The Sphere Grid Is Massive Yet A Joy To Navigate

Final Fantasy 10 is considered by many to be the last classic entry in the series, which is rather hard to digest given the many changes made in the series' debut for the PS2. Overworlds were abondoned, and the traditional Final Fantasy leveling system was discarded in favor of a Sphere Grid that looked somewhat ridiculous at first glance. Zooming out on this screen would overwhelm players because of how expansive the skill tree felt, but a few hours is all it takes for players to realize that every section of the Sphere Grid personifies a different class.

The creative manner in which Kimahri is turned into a Blue Mage by placing him smack dab in the center of the grid is a great display of what makes the Sphere Grid so special. It's one of the most beloved additions to Final Fantasy 10 and something fans can't get enough of. The remastered version of this title features an Expert Sphere Grid, offering enough differences to make future replays more viable for players who want to re-experience the magic of the series.

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