Best JRPGs With Open-Ended Endgames

JRPGs are renowned for more than a few features, like their often complex, but engaging, stories and tight gameplay loops. Whether they're grand medieval epics or tighter focused narratives in more contemporary settings, an addictive gameplay loop is one of the core pillars of this genre.

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By  Will Buckley

But some games are worth playing purely because there's so much (good) stuff to sink one's teeth into. Beyond grinding a game to 100%, being encouraged to explore every facet of a setting for rewards or experience is an incredibly engaging mechanic. Here are a few titles that give player's plenty of places to go in the end game, to make sure they're hooked for a while.

5 Monster Hunter Stories 2

The Combination Of Builds And Monsties Broadens Greatly

Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a brilliant JRPG far more palatable for those opposed to the frequent killing of beasts that happens in mainline Monster Hunter games. The killing still happens, but now especially useful monsters can be raised from eggs into stalwart companions that will help out the protagonist. That seems worse, actually. Is that worse? In any case, by the final sections of the game, there is an incredibly expansive region filled with all manner of rare monster-buddies (monsties, naturally) to add to the player's team.

This monster title might flaunt its Pokemon inspiration, but it's an altogether unique and compelling title that gives players the space and freedom they need by the endgame to explore the majority of the setting and compose the team of their dreams.

4 7th Dragon 3 Code: VFD

A Myriad Of Class Combinations By Endgame

7th Dragon 3 Code: VFD is an underrated gem on the 3DS, an intriguing premise with a great aesthetic that shifts, but remains true to its style, across three different time periods. The game's 8 classes boast a myriad of customization options, both visually and in terms of what skills are taken through expansive skill trees. Items, side quests and optional missions to earn legendary equipment are all on the table in droves by the time players reach the endgame.

For players looking for a sense of scale in their JRPGs, traveling through time to stop the hold of evil dragons bent on destroying the universe will probably fit the bill. Beyond the endgame, a New Game + option with some minor narrative tweaks allows for an even more open-ended experience.

3 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky

An Amazing Title With Plenty To Do Before The Finale

A seminal classic among not just Pokemon spin-offs, but the Pokemon series as a whole, Explorers of Sky set a golden standard for the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series that many say no title since has been able to meet. As many clamor for a remake of this much beloved title, it's important to remember that the original holds a host of incredible experiences that only grow more open-ended as the player reaches the endgame.

While there is some urgency in the main quest by time the final dungeon is upon them, the player is still able to take any number of jobs from the bulletin boards across almost all the dungeons available before the game's end. The variety of jobs available expands greatly from the beginnings of the game, as well as potential items as rewards, and players looking to recruit specific high-powered teammates, or gain powerful items (perhaps even trading for them with croagunk) will find plenty to do in Explorers of Sky's expansive end game.

2 Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

A Slew Of Incorporated DLC And Areas Makes For A Great Endgame

The final boss battle in Vengeance is ridiculously difficult - and that's by regular standards, not video game journalist standards. Beyond simply grinding for what is one of the hardest fights in one of the hardest titles within the Megami Tensei series, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the unsettling, beautiful world of Vengeance. Difficult but highly rewarding boss fights that give players some incredibly strong party members have been incorporated into the base game from SMT:V DLC, granting players demons such as Dagda to utilize.

There are no post-game side quests, so every one will be available for the player to search out and complete by the endgame - not to mention that the extraordinary demons available for fusion are now limited exclusively by what level players are, not by what demons are available to recruit - though it should be noted that some demons are only available as ending rewards.

1 Disgaea PC

A Limit Breaking JRPG With Incredible Endgame Variety

The hilariously over the top SRPG series Disgaea revolves around pushing the limits of the player's party beyond standard RPG paradigms. Basically, players can get their characters up to 9999 in every stat, if they wish. Getting to the endgame in this sprawling, chaotic title is a fun, but difficult challenge, and once players have reached there, they realize how open-ended the options are before the finale and endings.

Finding and acquiring legendary items, working on boosting characters' power even further, and delving into the Item World to further boost equipment stats are all up for grabs by Endgame.