Many elements come into play when deciding the quality of a JRPG. Many tropes govern the structure of these games, and one thing fans expect from most quality JRPGs is a cast of memorable characters who form the main party. These lovable bands of misfits embark on glorious adventures that usually end with a conflict against a godlike being or some other powerful enemy. For these experiences to be memorable, players must resonate with the personal and collective struggles of the characters they control in battle.
Some of the best JRPGs players can get their hands on boast quality writing, especially when it comes to the party members players interact with. Solid interpersonal conflicts, believable motivations, and gameplay utility go a long way in ensuring that players will continue to remember the bonds these characters shared long after their epic journey draws to a close.
5 Persona 4
The Small-Town Setting Of Inaba Enhances The Bond Between The Main Characters
Persona 4 Golden
- Released
- December 9, 2008
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS Vita, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Persona 4 is where the series started perfecting the formula introduced in its predecessor. The combination of social simulation gameplay with traditional JRPG mechanics was as riveting as ever, with both the original title and Golden adding its fair share of refinements to the mix that make this the best Persona game in the eyes of many. Of course, it would be impossible to talk about the best aspects of Persona 4 without mentioning its lovable main cast.
What makes the writing of this game so memorable is that players spend a substantial amount of time exploring the inner psyches of the people who join their party, facing their biggest insecurities and helping these characters come to grips with their inner darkness. It's an excellent way to strengthen the bond between characters, and the quaint setting of Inaba ensures that the bonds formed during this game feel tighter than ever.
4 Final Fantasy 15
The Bond Between The Main Cast Lends A Sense Of Wonder To The Game's Adventure
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
There's no denying that Final Fantasy 15 had its fair share of troubles when it launched, with the development hell this game found itself stuck in rearing its ugly head from time to time. Despite the game feeling incomplete and disjointed in some instances, one aspect of this title that everyone appreciated was the camaraderie between the main cast.
The banter never stops yet is engaging all the time, which speaks volumes when it comes to the game's writing. Players who watch Brotherhood: Final Fantasy 15 will attain a greater understanding of the bonds that developed between the party members, making it all the more heartbreaking when the group suffers one tragedy after another. By the time this game's journey comes to an end, fans will genuinely be invested in the bond these four friends share, making it hard not to shed a tear at the end of an epic and harrowing adventure.
3 Chrono Trigger
A Tightly-Paced Narrative That Gives Equal Importance To Every Party Member
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Platform(s)
- SNES, PlayStation (Original), PC, Nintendo DS, Android, iOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
There are many reasons why Chrono Trigger has established itself as one of the greatest JRPGs ever made in the eyes of many. The overworld battles, excellent writing, and unique time travel mechanics ensure that players will be invested in the roller-coaster ride that awaits them when they embark on a journey for the ages. It's a testament to the strong characterization present in this game that a silent protagonist like Crono ends up showing way more personality than most modern video games.
Of course, it's the supporting cast that elevates the quality of this title in the eyes of many. Every character gets their time in the spotlight and is memorable in some form or the other. Frog's journey to regain his former body, Magus' attempts to turn over a new leaf, Lucca's love for inventing things, Schala's endearing savagery, Marle's infectious charm, and Robo's futuristic goodness make this cast one of the best ones in the series that fans will love to interact with time and time again.
2 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky
A Quaint Adventure Where The Main Party Members Are All Endearing In Their Own Way
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Modern society owes much to a mystical technology known as “orbal energy.” Fifty years ago, during what’s come to be known as the “Orbal Revolution,” the invention of this technology and the “orbments” developed from it led to a period of rapid human advancement, birthing innovations of all shapes and sizes -- not the least of which was the airliner, or “orbalship” industry. Although the positive impact of this revolution is obvious, every coin has a flipside; for every beneficial device developed with these new materials, so too were advanced weapons and other implements of war. Thus, the land became mired with turmoil, and remains in such a state even now.
Enter, the bracers: an organization established to serve as police and intermediaries alike, holding above all else the peace and safety of the lands under their jurisdiction. Whenever a citizen is in need of assistance, he or she may place a request at the local Bracer Guild -- and be it monster extermination, crime prevention or even peace talks among warring nations, the bracers will do whatever they can to resolve the matter cleanly and efficiently.
Some matters require a gentler touch than others, however. When an orbalship transporting a legendary "S-rank" bracer named Cassius Bright suddenly goes missing, said bracer's daughter, Estelle, and adoptive son, Joshua, must join forces in search of him across the entire Kingdom of Liberl.
And what they find along the way could change both of their lives forever...
Hailed as one of the largest, longest and most meticulously detailed turn-based JRPG series of all time, this first chapter in the ongoing Trails saga sets the stage for what's quickly become Ys developer Nihon Falcom's most popular and best-selling franchise in their entire 30+ year history. Introducing people, places, ideas, events and lore that rival in complexity those of even the most highly-regarded fantasy epics in literature, the care and attention given to each and every NPC, location and historical in-game event is what sets The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky apart from its contemporaries.
Come join Estelle, Joshua, Scherazard, Olivier and the rest of the cast as they uncover the secret underbelly of Liberl in their first 50+ hour masterpiece, and see what Japanese gamers have been raving about for over ten years.
Key Features:
The original version of the first chapter in this historical series, featuring strategic turn-based combat with unmatched customization.
Over 50 hours of gameplay on average, with countless side-quests, collectibles and secrets to encourage replay.
A vast world where every NPC has a name and personality, every town has its own unique politics and economic concerns, and no detail is ever trivial.
Support for a wide variety of fullscreen and widescreen resolutions, including true 1080p HD.
Fully adjustable controls supporting virtually any USB gamepad, as well as a standard keyboard and mouse setup.
Over two dozen unique Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud support and Steam Trading Cards featuring gorgeous anime-style art from the franchise's original artists.
Numerous updates previously seen only in the handheld version, including: Selectable difficulty level and new game+ features on subsequent playthroughs, Full voice-acting during combat, "Retry Offset" feature to lower the difficulty of battle with each attempt if desired.
- Released
- June 24, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Nihon Falcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PS Vita
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The Legend of Heroes games can be a tough sell for fans who are tired of generic JRPGs. This is a common complaint across most games, and Trails in the Sky is no exception. However, once players get over the cookie-cutter nature of the world, the amazing NPC interactions, fun combat, and a wealth of memorable characters ensure that the adventure is as engaging as they come. The main duo of Estelle and Joshua steal the show, showcasing a bond that endures across the first two games.
It may be weird to witness a blossoming romance between two people who were raised together by a single parent, but this is a small nitpick in what is otherwise brilliant character development that elevates every member of the main cast. The fact that one of the party members, Kevin Graham, serves as a protagonist of the third game and does justice to the role shows how memorable each main character is, even if they may leave at the end of each chapter.
1 Omori
The Bond Sunny/Omori Shares With His Friends Is A Huge Driving Force For The Plot
OMORI
- Released
- December 25, 2020
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Developer
- Omocat
Omori is a game that can scare the wits out of players, especially those who find the psychological horror genre to be quite nightmarish. The game holds onto its cards until players spend a decent chunk of time in Sunny's dreams, drip-feeding his trauma until players get the full picture of what happened in one of the biggest plot twists in gaming history. What makes this story moment hit even harder is the implications it has for the relationship between Sunny and his friends.
In his dreams, Mari, Kel, and Hero are downright perfect and exhibit a level of joy that is infectious. However, in real life, his friends have been through the wringer and have slowly drifted apart. If not for Kel, the gang would've never rekindled their friendship, nurturing Mari's memory. While it's possible to go down the Hikikomori route, most players will check out the regular route first, loving the friendship between the four main characters regardless of whether it's in Dreamscape or the real world.
5 JRPGs With The Best Art Direction
There are loads of JRPGs that look and feel the same, but the most memorable games in the genre are the ones with top-notch art direction.