Gaming has moved well beyond its humble origins of titles where the sole purpose is to gain 'points' for some kind of vague purpose. Now, people play video games to immerse themselves in an entirely new world, to test their reflexes to the limit, or, simply put, to relax. Genres like the farming sim, from classic titles on the N64 to the monolithic wake of Stardew Valley and the post-pandemic rise of the cozy farmer genre, have shown there's an ever-growing place on the shelves for titles that take a slower pace.
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JRPGs, in particular, aren't known for their slow pace, usually pushing people through epic storylines with challenging boss battles and the fate of the world or worlds at stake. However, some JRPGs take a 'slow-life' approach to their gameplay, giving players ample time to enjoy the simpler things in life, take in some of the sights within the setting, or spend time with other characters in a more relaxed context. Players who want their JRPGs to take things a little easier should check out these titles.
We are going to include a mix of modern and classic games. Also, in the name of variety, not every title will be a JRPG farming or life sim.
8 Dragon Quest Builders 2
A Sandbox Builder That Lets Players Set The Pace
Dragon Quest Builders 2
- Released
- July 12, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Omega Force
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure
Inspired by survival game hits like Minecraft or Terraria but maintaining a distinct Dragon Quest flair, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is an excellent sandbox game that lets players build in a blocky landscape to their hearts' content. Idling away time with base building is a relaxing and streamlined experience compared to the first game, but still comes with more to do and more avenues to explore in between quests from the main storyline.
Although not devoid of fights or combat, they are never the focus of DQB2. Instead, you are left to build, craft, explore, and just live. The campaign can also last you a very long time. As you get into the flow of things, you will eventually adopt a comforting daily routine, one that sees you farm, cook, craft, and maintain (or grow) the village.
7 Harvestella
Be Immersed In A Wistful, Magical Setting
Harvestella
- Released
- November 4, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Live Wire
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Simulation
A brilliant mix of fantasy and sci-fi elements, Harvestella is Square Enix's answer to the farming simulator boom, using a singularly unique artstyle to bring a wistful world of magic and technology together with slick simplicity.
Players aren't forced into constantly pursuing the main quest, and can take as much time as they'd like exploring the slower side of life - farming crops to sell, talking with companions (and love interests!), or tackling low-stakes side quests.
6 Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past
A Slow But Charming Dragon Quest Adventure
Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past
- Released
- August 26, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
Most of the mainline Dragon Quest games are relaxing and comforting, even though many of them feature world-ending plots that demand the player's immediate attention. However, Dragon Quest 7 is the only core entry that can be described as slow-life, and with an emphasis on the "slow" part. Notoriously, the campaign takes a really long time to get going, and it maintains a carefree and adventurous tone throughout most of its run.
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While you constantly take on forces of evil, DQ7's episodic structure and lack of traditional forward momentum reduce any narrative tension, allowing players to just enjoy their time in this world without worrying about meeting any ticking clocks or countdowns. You get to revisit villages and see how they have transformed through your work, and progression is represented through these environmental changes rather than battles. DQ7 is perfect for anybody craving a traditional turn-based JRPG with a cozy tone but no life-sim mechanics.
DQ7 Reimagined will hopefully strike a similar rhythm as its ancestor, although Square Enix has confirmed that the remake will speed up the pacing a bit.
5 Dark Cloud 2
Clear Dungeons, Restore Villages, And Fish
Dark Cloud 2
- Released
- February 17, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
Dark Cloud 2 was and still is an awesome RPG. Despite featuring a typical world-ending story, Level-5's PS2 classic is unapologetically laid-back and relaxing, all the while ensuring that players always have productive things to do. Dark Cloud 2 is split primarily into two areas: Dungeon crawling and town building. The former feeds into the latter, as the protagonists must find Geostones in dungeons to help expand and revive villages.
Town rebuilding is the heart and soul of this game, and players are given the freedom to experiment and be creative as they plan their builds. While players spend a decent amount of time in battles, they can choose to engage in stress-free side activities like fishing, spheda, and photography. Even the main story is quite hands-off, establishing a few major goals while leaving players to their own devices.
4 Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
A Good Entry Point Into A Farming Sim JRPG Staple
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Marvelous
- Publisher(s)
- XSEED Games, Marvelous
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
Rune Factory is firmly established as a cornerstone of the JRPG farming sim subgenre, and most of the main games are easy to recommend. If you want to start with a numbered entry, I'd recommend going with either Rune Factory 3 Special or Rune Factory 4 Special, as they are both fantastic and timeless. However, you can also opt for the franchise's most recent project, which happens to be a spin-off. Although not 100% representative of the main series, Guardians of Azuma might just be the best Rune Factory game to date.
Blending social sim, town management, farming, and real-time combat, Guardians of Azuma crafts a versatile combination that allows players to decide how they want to split their time. You have multiple towns to build and expand, dozens of NPCs to hang out with (and maybe romance), and a land to explore filled with monsters to take on and sacred treasures to discover.
3 Moon: Remix RPG Adventure
Maybe The First Slow-Life JRPG?
Moon: Remix RPG Adventure
- Released
- October 16, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Love-de-Lic
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation (Original), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- RPG
A PS1 Japan-only classic that finally made its worldwide debut in 2020, Moon: Remix RPG Adventure is a deconstruction of JRPGs. The protagonist is a boy who is following in the hero's footsteps, cleaning up the latter's messes. Rather than engaging in combat, players have to collect souls of the animals/monsters killed by the hero, allowing them to accumulate love in the process.
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Moon is all about connecting with and helping out folks, completing wishes that are usually small in scale but touching. The world and its inhabitants follow a calendar/scheduler, too, and everyone has to sleep, eat, work, and just live. Moon is delightful and one of the earliest examples of a slow-life JRPG. Admittedly, the game shows its age nowadays and requires quite a bit of patience from players; however, it is still relentlessly charming.
2 Atelier Sophie: Alchemist of the Mysterious Book
A Humorous And Enthralling Story
Atelier Sophie: Alchemist of the Mysterious Book
- Released
- June 7, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Gust
- Publisher(s)
- Koei Tecmo
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Atelier is arguably the quintessential slow-life JRPG series, and most of the entries are relatively cozy, personal, and tranquil. We went with Atelier Sophie as it is a fairly good place to start, and it shows how slow-life elements can greatly enhance an overall story. Players can immerse themselves in the setting not just through combat but through magical spells and rituals that enhance items and alter the setting.
This picturesque game is perfect for anyone who wants a JRPG that keeps to lower stakes and a tighter cast of characters — there's a core here of adventure and action, but the slow-paced life of a magic atelier is also on full display.
1 Fantasy Life & Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Lead Multiple Slow Lives
Fantasy Life
- Released
- October 24, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Level-5
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 3DS
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Life Simulation
Whether playing the 3DS original or its bigger sequel, Fantasy Life is guaranteed to fill you with warmth and coziness. Putting aside the fairly traditional plot hook, Level-5's games are entirely about peacefully existing within your community, with players assuming various jobs (or classes) to complete tasks.
Rather than sticking to one route, you are meant to be a jack of all trades, and your growth comes from completing simple tasks rather than epic battles. Combat is part of the equation, but it can be largely ignored if you would rather focus on life-sim skills. Both games encourage players to carve their own path, deciding where to go, what to do, and who to be. You live at your own pace.
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