One of the most important aspects of a story-focused game like a Japanese RPG is giving players a fully realized and developed world to explore and feel like they are a part of. Like a story-driven novel, world-building and lore is a huge part of making everything look and feel believable. Not only is the game responsible for guiding the player through its world it needs to give the player lots of opportunities to gain knowledge through experiences via participation in the storytelling or actively seek it out for themselves.
Many great games provide players with snippets of information scattered throughout towns, universities, dungeons, items, and the various NPCs found throughout their adventures, leaving it to the player to piece together the stakes of the quest and world-changing events that affect the characters in the story. This list explores some of the best JRPGS with the deepest lore.
Updated on June 11, 2023, by Michael Llewellyn: Many elements of JRPGs fans love involve character development, involved storylines, and the worlds. The world-building and lore draw players in and make them want to explore it, find everything then miss it when the story ends. Having a believable world makes players care about the characters that inhabit it and the events that surround it. Lore and history give the feeling that a world feels lived in, and even the NPCs can make the player care by raising the stakes even more. This list is updated to include more JRPGs with incredible world-building and lore.
21 Xenoblade Chronicles Trilogy
- Released: 2010, 2017,2019, and 2022
- Developer: Monolith Soft
- Platform: 3DS, Switch, and Wii.
The first Xenoblade Chronicles launched on the Wii in 2010, but JRPG fans looking for the best experience should start with Xenoblade Chronicles The Definitive Edition on the Switch. All three games feature different characters and can be played separately. However, the expanded stories from the DLC, Future Connected, Torna - The Golden Country, and Future Redeemed tie everything together, making the Xenoblade universe more worthwhile playing as a trilogy.
There is a ton of history and lore waiting to be discovered in each game. There are hundreds of hours of gameplay to experience and beautiful character development. JRPG fans should not pass up the opportunity to play one of the best in a generation.
20 Tactics Ogre Reborn
- Released: 1995, 2010 and 2022
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: PC, PSP, PS4, PS5, and Switch
Tactics Ogre Reborn is a remake of Tactics Ogre: Let It Cling Together that launched on the PSP in 2010. It is a tactical turn-based RPG with a deep narrative, a vast script, and terrific character development. The world and its lore are some of the most in-depth in the genre, conveying a sense of culture among the locations the player visits.
Taking inspiration from Medieval and Roman history for the setting, the developers also included modern-day conflicts - at the time - like the Yugoslav Wars and other atrocities prominent in the news. Sadly, many of these inspirations are just as poignant now as they were in 1995. Branching player decisions in Tactics Ogre change the storyline and are rarely black and white. The game sets the scene with its spectacular lore and world-building. As a result, the choices hit harder, but the experience is fantastic.
19 Elden Ring
- Released: 2022
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Elden Ring is the latest entry in FromSoft's Soulsborne franchise. As with its predecessors, it has a unique, dark, and weird world packed with lore for the player to discover. Elden Ring has a vast open world that is layered and explorable, with seemingly endless dungeons and secrets to uncover.
The developers at FromSoft are experts in allowing players to discover as little or as much of the world as they want. The world of Elden Ring and its characters was written by George R.R. Martin - the author behind A Song of Ice and Fire novels.
18 Triangle Strategy
- Released: 2022
- Developer: Square Enix and Artdink
- Platform: Switch
Taking inspiration from Tactical RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, and Vandal Hearts, Triangle Strategy is a deep game with a ton of lore for players to discover. There is an extensive script to follow with lots of reading to the point where it resembles a visual novel.
Thankfully, Traingle Stategy is a sprawling epic that hooks players with a timeline that spans generations and multiple protagonists. Furthermore, Triangle Strategy features four possible endings for the player to discover. Like Tactics Ogre, the stakes are high, and making difficult decisions can impact the storyline and how the characters react.
17 Tales Of Arise
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Bandai Namco Studio
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
The Tales series is reputedly a whimsical and light JRPG series. While that is true to some extent, the worlds these games take place are always fully fleshed out. The character-driven stories have always driven the narratives. Several titles in the Tales games deal with oppression, elitism, and political divides.
Tales of Arise is no different in this regard. It features a stunning world to explore, with in-depth history and conflict waiting to be discovered. Each town and city has a story to tell and lore that builds toward its overall story arc. Furthermore, Tales of Arise is one of the most polished and entertaining entries in the Tales franchise .
16 Final Fantasy 7 – The Compilation
- Released: 1997
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: Android, iOS, PC, Switch, and Xbox One
First released in 1997 for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy 7 became a worldwide phenomenon and arguably the most popular and mainstream Japanese RPG ever. The popularity leads to Square-Enix expanding the Final Fantasy 7 universe with a remake, prequels, side stories, a film, and a canonical reference in Final Fantasy 10. Even on its own, the original game was packed with excellent world-building and various sources to flesh out the world of FF7.
Even the ensemble cast of characters does a great job of adding weight and history to the world around them. Characters like RED XIII and Aerith are great examples of this due to their strong connections to the past, helping shape the mythology. As a result, players gain a better understanding of the events unfolding around them. The world of Final Fantasy 7 was expanded further with the remake allowing the universe to take a new direction as fans await the launch of Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth.
15 The Dark Souls Trilogy
- Released: 2011
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One
When Dark Souls was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011, it - along with its predecessor, Demon’s Souls - introduced gamers to a more cerebral and elusive style of environmental storytelling. Players must uncover the world and history for themselves as it is packed with many details that can be pieced together.
The strange NPCs the player will encounter all have their quirks and history that can be discovered if one looks hard enough. Even many of the most powerful weapons and items have their own tragic story to tell.
14 Tales Of Zesteria & Tales Of Berseria
- Released: 2015 And 2017
- Developer: Bandai Namco
- Platform: PC and PS4
Tales of Zesteria was the first entry in the series to launch on the PS4. Despite not being universally loved by fans, there is a world with lots of lore to discover if one delves deep enough. Taking inspiration from the King Arthur legends with characters Arthur, the Lady in Lake, and more making an appearance.
The follow-up, Tales of Berseria, is canonically a prequel with events that tie into Zesteria. It is a vast improvement over its predecessor, with better gameplay elements and more fleshed-out characters. Moreover, the excellent story adds more depth and lore to the history and universe.
13 Lost Odyssey
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Mistwalker and Feelplus
- Platform: Xbox 360
Released on the Xbox 360 in 2008, Lost Odyssey is a turn-based RPG developed by the creator of the Final Fantasy series Hironobu Sakaguchi at his studio Mistwalker. It featured a combat system worked on by many of the same team that created the Shadow Hearts series and featured a soundtrack from the legendary Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu.
However, what makes Lost Odyssey stand out from the crowd of JRPGs is its rich and deep story. The approach to world-building, providing depth and backstory to the immortal Kaim -the lead protagonist - is unique and compelling in equal measure. To unlock the secrets of his past players must find memories in the form of short stories written by Japanese author Kiyoshi Shigematsu.
12 The Nier And Drakengard Series
- Released: Drakengard 2003 and Nier 2010
- Developer: Cavia, Toylogic, and PlatinumGames
- Platform: PC, PS2, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
When Nier: Automata was released in 2017, it put the Nier franchise on the map, and after releasing one of the most memorable JRPGs ever made, fans wanted more. Automata was preceded by several titles that are based in the same universe.
The Drakengard trilogy released on the PlayStation 2 and the PlayStation 3 predate the events of the Nier series. The original Nier was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Even though its story and soundtrack were well-received by fans, the mechanics came under fire from critics. Thankfully, a remastered version of Nier launched in 2021 with improved visuals and mechanics. The series features multiple endings, giving the player deeper insight into the world.