Summary
- JRPGs prioritize robust exploration, rewarding players for uncovering secrets and beautiful locations.
- Titles like Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest 11 showcase exceptional world-building and engaging exploration mechanics.
- Games like Golden Sun and Persona 5 Royal enhance exploration with unique mechanics, making it a key element in JRPGs.
Exploration is the meat of every quality video game that promotes freedom. While JRPGs are known for featuring fairly linear stories, there are many games in the series that realize just how important this gameplay element is to the overall package.
8 Best JRPGs Based on Mythology, Ranked
These JRPGs channel the power of myth to craft amazing stories. Greek gods, Norse Valkyries, Eastern dragons, and more await.
Players will love how robust exploration feels in these titles, rewarding them for checking every nook and cranny of the environments they're walking around in. From uncovering secrets to finding beautiful locations to gaze at, there's no shortage of amazing locations in these beautiful games.
Spoiler Warning: Major narrative spoilers are explored in the entries below.
8 The World Ends With You
Exploring A Stylish Rendition Of Tokyo Is A Blast
The World Ends With You
- Released
- July 27, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS, Switch, Android, iOS
The World Ends with You is one of the most stylish action JRPGs fans can get their hands on. Neku's adventures across modern Tokyo as he strives to make sense of the twisted game he's been forced into make for a riveting tale that fans can't get enough of.
It helps that The World Ends with You boasts an incredible art style that will wow fans as they explore the game's compelling world. Battles are great (even if they lose the dual-screen charm of the DS in later releases), and the need to wear pins to adhere to the trends of each region ensures that exploration isn't a mindless affair.
7 Chrono Trigger
The Time Travel Element Enhances The Exploration Considerably
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- SNES, PlayStation (Original), PC, Nintendo DS, Android, iOS
Chrono Trigger is the embodiment of everything that made old-school JRPGs so special. A charming world, engrossing story, lovable characters, and a simple yet engaging combat system all combine to help this game stand out as one of the best JRPGs of all time.
It helps that the time travel element will let players explore locations that are familiar yet unique at the same time. Witnessing how the world evolves before and after Lavos' arrival cements his threat and compels players to become as strong as possible before they inevitably fight this imposing villain.
6 Golden Sun
Players Must Mix-And-Match Djinn To Acquire Powers That Help Them Interact With The World
Golden Sun
- Released
- November 12, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Camelot Software Planning
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Golden Sun may seem a bit too generic at times, but the game makes up for it with its unique dollhouse aesthetic and excellent exploration. Depending on the Djinns equipped on a character, they have access to several moves that can aid them both in and out of combat.
8 Best Enemies Who Became Allies in JRPGs, Ranked
These characters go from antagonists to allies, giving JRPGs depth, surprise, and some of the most iconic turns in gaming.
Cutting down vines, helping plants grow, reading other people's minds, and freezing objects are just some of the many ways players can use a hero's abilities while walking around the game world. This simple yet effective change does a great job of making Golden Sun's exploration more dynamic than ever.
5 Persona 5 Royal
The Handcrafted Dungeons Are A Massive Improvement Compared To Persona 3 & 4
Persona 5 Royal
- Released
- October 31, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- P Studio, Atlus
- Publisher(s)
- P Studio, Atlus
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
From Persona 3 onwards, Atlus established a formula that combined life sim and JRPG elements to make for a unique cocktail that fans are addicted to. However, this came at the cost of dungeon design, with both 3 and its sequel opting for procedurally generated dungeons instead of handcrafted ones.
With the shift to a new generation, Atlus realized that they needed to make dungeon exploration more engaging than ever before. This led to the return of meticulous dungeon design that made each Palace a blast to explore in Persona 5, especially in the Royal edition, which expanded upon these hostile locations.
4 Octopath Traveler 2
The Game's Open World Is A Joy To Explore And Boasts Numerous Optional Areas
Octopath Traveler 2
- Released
- February 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Acquire
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Much like its predecessor, Octopath Traveler 2 boasts an open world where players can go anywhere they want. The side content in this game was also enhanced, letting players find more optional quests and dungeons as they traverse the overworld.
This was augmented by a day-night cycle that could be triggered manually by players to let them enjoy more unique content based on the time of day. All of this helped Octopath Traveler 2's exploration stand out as the very best it has ever been in a modern JRPG, and this statement is made even stronger once players purchase a boat and travel the high seas.
3 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
A Grand World That Feels Amazing To Explore
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
- Released
- September 4, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Dragon Quest 11 is one of the greatest modern JRPGs, finally allowing the series to become a hit both in and out of Japan. The Luminary's adventures are gorgeous and take players on a wild journey as the scope of their quest never stops increasing.
8 Best JRPGs If You Like First-Person Exploration, Ranked
Most JRPGs are presented in a more distant third-person perspective, but these great JRPGs feature striking first-person exploration.
It helps that the expanded world is full of secrets and unique encounters for players to find. The fact that players don't stop loving the act of exploration in Dragon Quest 11 even after reaching the game's epilogue is a testament to the game's strengths, with exploration being just one of the many elements that this title nails.
2 Final Fantasy 6
The World Of Ruin Was Groundbreaking Back In The Day And Still Holds Up
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
Final Fantasy 6 is one of the best video games ever made, and its non-linear approach in the World of Ruin is a huge reason why. The World of Balance features many avenues of exploration, but it's not until the second half of the game kicks in that the game reveals its trump card.
The story may take a backseat here, but fans don't mind, given how magical exploration in the World of Ruin is. Players will love rounding up the gang once again as they mount one final assault on Kefka's Tower and end this pseudo-God's tyrannical reign over the world once and for all.
1 Xenoblade Chronicles X
The Pinnacle Of Open-World Exploration In A JRPG
Xenoblade Chronicles X
- Released
- December 4, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Monolith Soft, Nintendo SPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Xenoblade Chronicles X boasts what just might be the best open world ever seen in a JRPG. Helping the hero and his allies traverse a treacherous world full of high-level monsters never ceases to be engaging, especially when players understand the reasoning for these high-level enemies to exist in certain corners of the map.
In the second half of the game, exploration opens up even more with the addition of Skell mechs. These Skells come equipped with two different modes and considerably enhance the speed with which players can explore this amazing open world.
10 Best Western RPGS For JRPG Fans
For long-time JRPG fans who are looking to take their first steps into the world of Western RPGs, these games offer an excellent genre introduction.