Every JRPG I've Completed - Worst to Best
The exact qualifications for a game to be considered a JRPG are openly up to debate, but I'll be using a fairly loose definition for this list: as long as it was made by a Japanese studio and has a focus on levels, skills, stats, and/or experience, then it's fair game (thanks JRPG Chronicles Discord server).
Any remakes and ports I complete will get their only placement if the differences are significant enough and if they have their own game page. If I decide to specifically list any remasters or re-releases, my placement and ranking will only account for the base game and not any DLC or expansions they may include. I will be including story DLC/expansions as their own entries.
Rating descriptors (Light, Decent, Strong) are arbitrary and mainly help me to more easily decide where to rank some games.
The difference between my 9s and 10s isn't as large, so I don't use descriptors aside from 9.5 indicating that it fell just short of being a 10.
Anything that's a 2 or below doesn't get a descriptor, either, mainly because I think it's pointless to be anal about a game I really dislike. Plus, the gap between a 1 and a 2 is larger than my other ratings, so the descriptors wouldn't match up with their respective thresholds.
> On the subject of Final Fantasy XIV: Despite my initial intentions, I will not be ranking the patches, but I will be ranking expansions when I finish them. Upon completing their associated patches, I will update their rankings/score if necessary to account for said patches.
Any remakes and ports I complete will get their only placement if the differences are significant enough and if they have their own game page. If I decide to specifically list any remasters or re-releases, my placement and ranking will only account for the base game and not any DLC or expansions they may include. I will be including story DLC/expansions as their own entries.
Rating descriptors (Light, Decent, Strong) are arbitrary and mainly help me to more easily decide where to rank some games.
The difference between my 9s and 10s isn't as large, so I don't use descriptors aside from 9.5 indicating that it fell just short of being a 10.
Anything that's a 2 or below doesn't get a descriptor, either, mainly because I think it's pointless to be anal about a game I really dislike. Plus, the gap between a 1 and a 2 is larger than my other ratings, so the descriptors wouldn't match up with their respective thresholds.
> On the subject of Final Fantasy XIV: Despite my initial intentions, I will not be ranking the patches, but I will be ranking expansions when I finish them. Upon completing their associated patches, I will update their rankings/score if necessary to account for said patches.
107 Games
0 - Curiosity killed the cat, as they say. The start of an infamous franchise, and a game that I heavily regret trudging through.
106
1 - A barebones beat-em-up with an uninteresting story to boot; featuring what may very well be some of Tetsuya Nomura's worst character designs. It's unintentionally hilarious, though.
105
1 - It's Hydlide, but it sure ain't super.
2 - Extremely short and linear. I know it's literally just an interlude, but it feels kind of pointless and could have just as easily been integrated into "The After Years."
2 - If the framerate wasn't so atrocious, this would be a perfectly "ok" game. Fanservice can only get you so far.
2 - I used to like Neptunia a lot more, but this game in particular is unnecessarily grindy to the point that I just used cheats to activate "god mode." Dialogue can be humorous, but man is the gameplay loop just oh so boring.
2 - 10 dollars for a tedious dungeon and some truly despicable character assassination. But at least Alisha gets some closure.
2 - While it's not offensively bad, it's a very barebones experience, to the point that I'd hardly even consider it a Tales game at all. It makes sense why they retroactively branded this as a spin-off.
2 - I imagine this is what Final Fantasy XVI feels like for people who hate it.
Light 3 - While it's nice to have a game that fleshes out Vincent's backstory, it's not particularly interesting and the gameplay leaves a lot to be desired.
Light 3 - NEP AS A BIKE NEP AS A BIKE NEP AS A BIKE
Light 3 - If I was cynical, I'd call him MusaSHIT. But, I digress. It has plenty of Saturday morning cartoon charm that's sadly plagued by sadistic level design and finnicky controls.
Decent 3 - Makes me wonder if the overall dullness was Gust betting its sales on the yuri bait alone and not trying to make a quality game. At least the superbosses are fun... all 2 of them.
Decent 3 - Evil King Stan deserved to be in a better game. He's quite the funny guy.
Strong 3 - A proto-Link's Awakening featuring a cute and humorous story. Unfortunately, its gameplay fails to impress, with some annoying late game backtracking that drags the experience.
Light 4 - Even for a "baby's first RPG," this is way too easy and mind-numbing. If you can stomach the gameplay, you'll be rewarded with a wonderful soundtrack and a ton of charm with its cute story and characters.
Light 4 - A slightly worse version of Neptunia U with an Onechanbara influence, I assume? Blanc just isn't as "fun" as Nep.
Light 4 - I got some decent mileage out of this during my Senran Kagura phase, but I was a lot younger back then, too.
Decent 4 - Having already played the remake, it's hard to go back to any of the many ports of the original, especially with how grindy it is. Decent proof of concept for the time, though.
+ Finished the Master System version
+ Finished the Master System version
Decent 4 - The quirky aesthetics and multiple branching paths lead to some good replay value, especially with a friend. It's a shame that beat-em-ups just aren't my thing.
Decent 4 - A full 3D remake of Burst that's certainly a lot more competent, but still feels barebones after being spoiled by better games in the series.
Decent 4 - I can't say that I cared much for its story, and while its unique combat system can be fun at times, it's incredibly obtuse and unintuitive, leading to some annoying fights and progression.
Decent 4 - Persona-Lite in more ways than one, with a cutesy aesthetic; it's a chill time, but is severely lacking in depth, both in terms of combat and story.
84
Strong 4 - It's got some annoying level design, but that's kind of par for the era. It's nothing special, but its short length makes it easy to digest.
Light 5 - Full of cutesy charm and quirkiness. But ultimately, its all too simplistic story and combat leaves me wanting something more.
Decent 5 - Way overpriced for what feels like a completely unnecessary expansion, but it's an inoffensive diversion for those who loved Arise's cast.
81
Decent 5 - Its numerous frustrating boss fights and often middling areas to explore degraded my experience, despite its solid story and characters.
Strong 5 - Lots of neat ideas that are unfortunately not used to their full potential, leading to one of the most boring combat systems I've experienced. That said, the story and characters were decent enough to keep me invested 'til the end.
Strong 5 - A clunky Zelda clone that just so happens to be surprisingly cozy to play, albeit rather easy and lacking any good dungeons.
78
Light 6 - (Mobile Remake) - Short and sweet, but most of the time is spent grinding which can become a slog near the end.
Decent 6 - Despite a wonky narrative with some breakneck pacing, this still feels like a complete Tales experience, but portable, with a solid combat system to boot; random encounters be damned.
Decent 6 - The game that first got me into this series (which frankly, wasn't really worth it). Still, the transition to 3D environments did wonders for the series' gameplay.
Decent 6 - Pretty mid/troupey story with an OK cast. The satisfying combat is really what kept me coming back, though it loses its splendor if you decide to do a second playthrough with the other protagonist.
Decent 6 - Zack's story is one with some great emotional payoffs, but the game suffers from a very slow first half and some annoying combat gimmicks.
Strong 6 - Arguably better than the first, but I don't necessarily agree. The final Shrine area is so tedious and confusing, and that's mainly what keeps me from rating it higher.
Strong 6 - While not a popular opinion, I think this is a downgrade from the original, especially in terms of story. I don't much care for the branching paths, either, but the combat system is still just as fun, and I grew to appreciate the monster companions.
Light 7 - The definitive remake which introduced me to the series and left a good first impression. We don't speak of that final boss, though.
Light 7 - "Origin" and "Felghana" did it better, but as the first game to use the "Napishtim Engine," it's still a fun adventure, albeit a tad too grindy at times.
Light 7 - While the rushed story and hollow open world drag the game down, the brotherly party dynamic is a vibe and I can appreciate the creative risks they took here, despite not having the best execution.
Light 7 - I thought that with one Fire Emblem game under my belt prior to this, I wouldn't struggle with some of the maps here as much as I did. Skill issue aside, this made for a solid introduction to the franchise in the west.
Light 7 - It's good, but like... we waited 14 years for THIS? Come on, Nomura...
Decent 7 - Still the best one in the series. Silly beach shenanigans and fun "booba" combat abound.
65
Decent 7 - Honestly, way too short, but it's a pretty cool genre-mesh made even more interesting by the fact that it was developed by Square.
Decent 7 - How fitting that the debut to such an iconic franchise was also my introduction to it as a kid. Revisiting it and finally finishing it as an adult, I can say that it still holds up fairly well, even with its archaic magic system and bugs.
Decent 7 - ARR is definitely a tedious slog at times, but among the tedium is the faint glimmer of something truly special. By the end, I was fully on board.
+ This ranking only applies to A Realm Reborn (post-game patches included)
+ This ranking only applies to A Realm Reborn (post-game patches included)
Strong 7 - This feels more like fan service for Melia lovers rather than an essential epilogue, but it's fun enough and doesn't overstay its welcome.
Strong 7 - My first proper introduction to the series and tactical JRPGs as a whole. While it didn't convert me into a mega fan of the genre, its strong focus on character relationships made me really want to continue exploring this franchise.
Strong 7 - While it vastly improved upon the first game's combat and content, its deeper dive into heavy lore makes the pacing suffer a bit, especially when having to revisit the worlds.
Strong 7 - It can get repetitive, sure, but as the first "mature" game in the series, it presented a much darker tone and narrative that wowed a younger me. Incredible ending too.
Strong 7 - Relink's strength lies in its excellent combat and extensive post-game content; but as someone who usually isn't too keen on post-game grinds, I would have liked a lengthier and deeper story.
Strong 7 - Kat is such a cool protagonist, and the gravity shifting gameplay is satisfying once it clicks. This is a game that really benefited from a remaster.
Strong 7 - I understand the hate for this game. Yes, it's too linear. Yes, the story is kind of mid. And the characters? Meh. But I still enjoyed it, especially with its battle system being one of my favorites in the genre.
Light 8 - Honestly gets too much hate. It's a bit janky for sure, but you get the traditional bump combat system with level design that isn't as annoying as Ys I + II. Personally, it's a hidden gem.
Light 8 - Similar enough to the first game in terms of gameplay and quality, but still an improvement, nonetheless, especially in its visuals and presentation. Sad that we may never get a third entry.
Light 8 - Often regarded as the first "true classic" in the series, it's an overall great game with an interesting 5 character party gimmick. I could have done without the terribly sluggish endgame grind, though.
+ Finished the PSP version
+ Finished the PSP version
Light 8 - Dare I say, overrated? But despite my nitpicks with its story and some other miscallaneous issues (puzzles, really?), its combat system ultimately shines through as one of my absolute favorites in the turn-based genre.
Light 8 - While definitely on the easier side, the third and final GBA offers some nice QOL improvements and a stellar cast to boot, making it my favorite on the system.
Decent 8 - One of the prettiest PSX RPGs, but the 'minigames' seriously piss me off. Also, Ershin is best robot.
Decent 8 - A 16-bit remake of Dragon Quest III that's quite easy on the eyes. Despite the grinding, it's a really cozy adventure that manages to stay engaging without a complex plot.
Decent 8 - This game's story is way better than it has any right to be for a Gameboy title. Also, as a Zelda fan, this just hits the right notes.
Decent 8 - I can understand the poor general consensus on this game, but there's a lot of fun to be had once you get used to its convoluted systems, and the hilarious skits and cast carry the somewhat weaker story.
Strong 8 - An insanely complex and intriguing story that will keep you guessing 'til the very end. The main thing holding it back are the obligatory RTS battles that I'm not too keen on.
Strong 8 - XIV's first expansion is no doubt a nice improvement over ARR's often sluggish pacing, and while I still liked ARR enough, this is indeed where XIV truly starts to shine.
+ Ranking accounts for post-game patches as well
+ Ranking accounts for post-game patches as well
Strong 8 - My introduction to this series proved that there's a lot of heart to be found in its storytelling hidden behind the memes and overall goofiness.
Strong 8 - While KH2 is the better game in terms of gameplay and story, I still prefer the first entry for its breezier length and simple charm.
Strong 8 - An initial slow burn ultimately paves the way for a great story with a satisfying payoff. Exploration is also a highlight.
Strong 8 - Not much substance here, with only two bosses and one of them being Sister Friede, which is personally in the running for the most annoying Souls boss. More DS3 is still bound to be a good thing, though.
Strong 8 - In a nutshell: "Proto-Ys VIII." Yet, this is a cozier experience for me, with probably my favorite cast in the series.
9 - As someone who rarely replays games, having to basically go through this one 3 times didn't get stale, surprisingly enough.
9 - My first Atelier game and one that really resonated with my fondness for slice-of-life anime. It's a cute and relaxing JRPG that serves as a nice change of pace from the typical large scale threat trope of other games in the genre.
9 - I have so many problems with this game, and yet... I think I love it? Maybe it's Stockholm syndrome.
9 - It's easy to see why this is often hailed as one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, but I'll admit it is somewhat lacking in emotional depth for me to call it a masterpiece.
9 - Improves on the formula laid out by Ys VI in every way... but my god, is it tough..
9 - As a kid, this was probably the best narrative I had experienced in a videogame. I remember certain sections being a bit tedious, so I can't say for sure how well this would hold up until I replay it, but it was very creative and cool for sure.
9 - Padding is a given here, but the fleshed out world and characters are enough to make any FFVII fan happy. Not to mention the incredibly fun and challenging combat.
9 - Great evolution for the Tales series with an incredibly fun combat system and charming cast. The main thing holding it back is its sluggish "Part 2."
9 - The conclusion to the Sky trilogy is a strong one in terms of narrative, but its more linear chapters and fragmented approach to backstory slightly weigh down the experience.
9 - XVI is less RPG and more action blockbuster, and while this radical deviation may not please some series veterans, it mostly delivered on my own expectations.
9 - Basically a prologue extended to a full game's length; but as the first non-Persona SMT game I finished, it left quite an impression.
9.5 - Anti-Korean propaganda I can actually get behind.
9.5 - The fact that this is a remake of an NES game goes to show how impressive the scope of the original's storytelling was. Of course, this is the best way to experience it.
9.5 - Aside from one particularly annoying boss, this is good stuff, and I can vouch for at least a couple of these bosses trumping anything in the base game.
9.5 - A wonderful love letter to fans who stuck around for the whole journey. In conclusion, the future was indeed redeemed.
9.5 - An amazing narrative and a finale that made for an exceptionally emotional payoff; only slightly hindered by its repetitive B route.
9.5 - A monstrum of a game that builds upon some of VIII's great qualities and condenses it into a tighter and more enjoyable experience.
9.5 - A game that goes above and beyond what a story expansion can be. I can forgive its mandatory side quests for its overall improvements to XC2 and for getting me so emotionally invested.
9.5 - Playing through this made me miss the atmosphere and interconnected level design of DS1, but it probably has it beat in terms of sheer gameplay.
20
10 - This was probably my second game ever? I was only two and couldn't read yet, so I never did beat it as a kid. Later on, when I got around to beating it, I finally got sweet closure.
19
10 - While its clunkiness took some getting used to, this landmark achievement for RPGs is worthy of all its praise and recognition.
+ Finished the Remaster but also played the OG
+ Finished the Remaster but also played the OG
10 - This could very well be the peak of Mario RPGs if I didn't have the nostalgia for SMRPG. Also known as the game where Princess Peach strips naked.
10 - So much nostalgia for this one. It's funny how the most fleshed out and interesting take on the Mushroom Kingdom was not developed by Nintendo.
10 - With its engrossing exploration, this is the best of the trilogy, but not necessarily my favorite. This is also the longest I've spent finishing a JRPG so far, and a large chunk of it was just sidequests. Says a lot, me thinks.
10 - It may not have the most original story, but it's JRPG comfort food at its finest and its job system is really fun to exploit.
10 - A game that needs no introduction. VII may feel quite dated with its blocky visuals and slow battles, but it's still an engrossing experience today, and you can tell just how influential it was for the genre as a whole.
10 - A beautiful remaster of a game I didn't expect to blow me away like it did, but I'm glad it did, for it introduced me to this fantastic series as a whole. Also, Melia is bae.
10 - Contrary to what my younger self would say on the matter, I'm starting to think Metroidvanias really are my jam.
10 - I'll forgive its difficulty because Maria is literally my favorite boss fight in the entire Souls franchise.
10 - A game with heart that made me genuinely feel like I was living in its world. Aside from some overall bland dungeon design, every other aspect of the game is fantastic.
10 - A younger me hated how slow this game was. An older me wants to beat the shit out of younger me.
10 - The worldbuilding is excellent and the cliffhanger ending/plot twist had me bamboozled. This is the beginning of an insane and wonderful JRPG series rabbit hole.