Japanese role-playing games: a party of characters you grow fond of, grand adventures, distinctive combat systems and often an unmistakable style.
♥
How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 50 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
A charming indie RPG where every fight can be resolved without violence, blending turn-based menus with bullet-hell dodging. Its quirky humor, memorable monsters and a story that remembers your choices made it a cult classic.
A supremely stylish JRPG where you balance daily school life and friendships in Tokyo with heists into the surreal Palaces of corrupt adults as the Phantom Thieves. Snappy turn-based combat, an iconic acid-jazz soundtrack and a long, gripping tale of rebellion set it apart.
A reimagining of the classic that blends real-time action with pausable command menus. The story of Cloud and Avalanche in the city of Midgar is lavishly presented, with memorable characters and a superb score.
A charming indie RPG where every fight can be resolved without violence, blending turn-based menus with bullet-hell dodging. Its quirky humor, memorable monsters and a story that remembers your choices made it a cult classic.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable9.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 313,154 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Choices with consequences
Lots of humour
A charming indie RPG where every fight can be resolved without violence, blending turn-based menus with bullet-hell dodging. Its quirky humor, memorable monsters and a story that remembers your choices made it a cult classic.
A supremely stylish JRPG where you balance daily school life and friendships in Tokyo with heists into the surreal Palaces of corrupt adults as the Phantom Thieves. Snappy turn-based combat, an iconic acid-jazz soundtrack and a long, gripping tale of rebellion set it apart.
A supremely stylish JRPG where you balance daily school life and friendships in Tokyo with heists into the surreal Palaces of corrupt adults as the Phantom Thieves. Snappy turn-based combat, an iconic acid-jazz soundtrack and a long, gripping tale of rebellion set it apart.
A reimagining of the classic that blends real-time action with pausable command menus. The story of Cloud and Avalanche in the city of Midgar is lavishly presented, with memorable characters and a superb score.
A reimagining of the classic that blends real-time action with pausable command menus. The story of Cloud and Avalanche in the city of Midgar is lavishly presented, with memorable characters and a superb score.
A moving pilgrimage across Spira as Tidus and the summoner Yuna confront the endless cycle of destruction wrought by Sin. The tactical turn-order combat with on-the-fly party swaps and the Sphere Grid progression make every battle engaging.
A moving pilgrimage across Spira as Tidus and the summoner Yuna confront the endless cycle of destruction wrought by Sin. The tactical turn-order combat with on-the-fly party swaps and the Sphere Grid progression make every battle engaging.
Sora, Donald and Goofy hop between Disney worlds in fast, flashy real-time combat built around reaction commands and Drive Forms. It's all wrapped in a convoluted but heartfelt story about hearts, Nobodies and Organization XIII.
Sora, Donald and Goofy hop between Disney worlds in fast, flashy real-time combat built around reaction commands and Drive Forms. It's all wrapped in a convoluted but heartfelt story about hearts, Nobodies and Organization XIII.
A road trip with four friends through a world that blends fantasy and modern technology, featuring fast warp-strike combat, campfire evenings and an increasingly tragic story about friendship and duty.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified34.99 €83 % positive
Very positive, 45,322 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Open world
Lavish presentation
A road trip with four friends through a world that blends fantasy and modern technology, featuring fast warp-strike combat, campfire evenings and an increasingly tragic story about friendship and duty.
Squall and his SeeD mercenary comrades are drawn into a conflict with a time-bending sorceress, in a blend of romance and military drama set in a world mixing magic and technology. Its quirky Junction system, where drawn spells power up your stats, and the addictive Triple Triad card game set it apart.
Squall and his SeeD mercenary comrades are drawn into a conflict with a time-bending sorceress, in a blend of romance and military drama set in a world mixing magic and technology. Its quirky Junction system, where drawn spells power up your stats, and the addictive Triple Triad card game set it apart.
Sora, Donald and Goofy travel through lavishly recreated Disney and Pixar worlds in flashy, over-the-top real-time combat. As the finale of the Xehanort saga, it delivers big emotions and a famously convoluted story.
2019PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified39.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 2,729 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Lavish presentation
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Sora, Donald and Goofy travel through lavishly recreated Disney and Pixar worlds in flashy, over-the-top real-time combat. As the finale of the Xehanort saga, it delivers big emotions and a famously convoluted story.
A remake of the original Pokémon adventure that sends you across Kanto to catch and train creatures, beat the Gym Leaders and take on the Elite Four. Accessible turn-based battles and the collecting loop give it timeless appeal.
A remake of the original Pokémon adventure that sends you across Kanto to catch and train creatures, beat the Gym Leaders and take on the Elite Four. Accessible turn-based battles and the collecting loop give it timeless appeal.
A visually stunning, highly linear JRPG about a band of branded outcasts, with fast ATB battles built around tactically swapping party roles through Paradigm Shifts. Lavish presentation and a strong soundtrack carry a dense science-fantasy story.
A visually stunning, highly linear JRPG about a band of branded outcasts, with fast ATB battles built around tactically swapping party roles through Paradigm Shifts. Lavish presentation and a strong soundtrack carry a dense science-fantasy story.
A politically charged Final Fantasy set in the sprawling world of Ivalice, where the Gambit system turns programming your party's AI into the tactical core of real-time-flowing battles. Huge zones, optional hunts, and the License Board offer deep long-term progression.
2006PlayStation, PC, Steam Deck verified49.99 €88 % positive
Very positive, 8,817 reviews on Steam
Lots to discover
Tactical depth
Fantasy setting
A politically charged Final Fantasy set in the sprawling world of Ivalice, where the Gambit system turns programming your party's AI into the tactical core of real-time-flowing battles. Huge zones, optional hunts, and the License Board offer deep long-term progression.
Catch, train and battle Pokémon across the UK-inspired Galar region, with stadium Gym showdowns, giant Dynamax battles and a roaming Wild Area. An accessible, colorful turn-based adventure with co-op Max Raid battles online.
Catch, train and battle Pokémon across the UK-inspired Galar region, with stadium Gym showdowns, giant Dynamax battles and a roaming Wild Area. An accessible, colorful turn-based adventure with co-op Max Raid battles online.
A murder mystery set in a sleepy Japanese town where you balance school life and friendships by day and dive into an eerie TV world for turn-based dungeon crawling by night. Its lovable cast, warm humor and catchy soundtrack make it a genre classic.
A murder mystery set in a sleepy Japanese town where you balance school life and friendships by day and dive into an eerie TV world for turn-based dungeon crawling by night. Its lovable cast, warm humor and catchy soundtrack make it a genre classic.
This remake of the original Pokémon adventure sends you across the Kanto region to catch, train and battle monsters on your way to beating the Gym Leaders. Simple yet tactically engaging turn-based fights and the urge to collect them all give it timeless appeal.
This remake of the original Pokémon adventure sends you across the Kanto region to catch, train and battle monsters on your way to beating the Gym Leaders. Simple yet tactically engaging turn-based fights and the urge to collect them all give it timeless appeal.
2025PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified23.99 €98 % positive
Toby Fox's follow-up to Undertale mixes menu-based party battles with bullet-hell dodging, and enemies can be spared instead of fought. A charming, funny cast, a standout soundtrack and an unsettling meta-mystery sit beneath its colorful surface.
2025PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified23.99 €98 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 129,413 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Pixel art
Toby Fox's follow-up to Undertale mixes menu-based party battles with bullet-hell dodging, and enemies can be spared instead of fought. A charming, funny cast, a standout soundtrack and an unsettling meta-mystery sit beneath its colorful surface.
A classic Pokémon adventure in the UK-inspired Galar region: catch and train creatures, climb the Gym Challenge and use giant Dynamax forms in turn-based battles. Accessible and colorful, with online trading and battling.
A classic Pokémon adventure in the UK-inspired Galar region: catch and train creatures, climb the Gym Challenge and use giant Dynamax forms in turn-based battles. Accessible and colorful, with online trading and battling.
A Pokémon adventure set in ancient Sinnoh where you sneak up on wild Pokémon, catch them directly in sprawling open zones, and build the region's very first Pokédex. Research and collecting take center stage over the classic turn-based battles.
A Pokémon adventure set in ancient Sinnoh where you sneak up on wild Pokémon, catch them directly in sprawling open zones, and build the region's very first Pokédex. Research and collecting take center stage over the classic turn-based battles.
Mario and Luigi sail an island-ship across a fractured ocean world, fighting turn-based battles where precise timed inputs and flashy Bros. Attacks make the difference. It's all wrapped in slapstick humor and a vibrant cel-shaded style.
Mario and Luigi sail an island-ship across a fractured ocean world, fighting turn-based battles where precise timed inputs and flashy Bros. Attacks make the difference. It's all wrapped in slapstick humor and a vibrant cel-shaded style.
A 1993 action RPG with real-time combat, the signature Ring Command menu and a fairy-tale fantasy adventure that can be played with up to three players in co-op. Lovely pixel-art worlds and a famous soundtrack define the experience.
A 1993 action RPG with real-time combat, the signature Ring Command menu and a fairy-tale fantasy adventure that can be played with up to three players in co-op. Lovely pixel-art worlds and a famous soundtrack define the experience.
A sprawling JRPG set on the backs of giant Titans, where you collect Blades and use them in a real-time combat system built on auto-attacks and combos. Exploring the cloud-sea world of Alrest and a deep progression system drive the experience.
A sprawling JRPG set on the backs of giant Titans, where you collect Blades and use them in a real-time combat system built on auto-attacks and combos. Exploring the cloud-sea world of Alrest and a deep progression system drive the experience.
The sequel to Final Fantasy X follows an all-female trio in a fast active-time battle system where you swap jobs mid-fight via Dresspheres. The tone is much lighter and poppier, with flexible mission order and incentives for multiple playthroughs.
The sequel to Final Fantasy X follows an all-female trio in a fast active-time battle system where you swap jobs mid-fight via Dresspheres. The tone is much lighter and poppier, with flexible mission order and incentives for multiple playthroughs.
A fairy-tale JRPG with Studio Ghibli artistry: young Oliver travels to a parallel world to save his mother, fighting alongside tamed familiars in real-time battles driven by command menus.
A fairy-tale JRPG with Studio Ghibli artistry: young Oliver travels to a parallel world to save his mother, fighting alongside tamed familiars in real-time battles driven by command menus.
A turn-based sci-fi gacha RPG where you travel from world to world aboard the Astral Express, building a team of many characters around elemental weaknesses and ultimates. Polished presentation, dialogue-heavy storytelling and a large roster of collectible characters define it.
A turn-based sci-fi gacha RPG where you travel from world to world aboard the Astral Express, building a team of many characters around elemental weaknesses and ultimates. Polished presentation, dialogue-heavy storytelling and a large roster of collectible characters define it.
A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable16.79 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 80,438 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Emotional impact
Turn-based combat
A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.
A genre-defining tactical RPG where you lead a party through isometric battlefields using a deep, flexible job system. Its dark, politically tangled story of betrayal and war is matched by challenging fights that reward careful planning and class combinations.
A genre-defining tactical RPG where you lead a party through isometric battlefields using a deep, flexible job system. Its dark, politically tangled story of betrayal and war is matched by challenging fights that reward careful planning and class combinations.
A turn-based RPG set in modern-day Yokohama that blends gritty yakuza drama with absurd humor and plenty of charming side activities. Ichiban and his ragtag party turn everyday jobs into battle classes.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified19.99 €93 % positive
Very positive, 28,256 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Turn-based combat
Dense, handcrafted world
A turn-based RPG set in modern-day Yokohama that blends gritty yakuza drama with absurd humor and plenty of charming side activities. Ichiban and his ragtag party turn everyday jobs into battle classes.
A JRPG with a fast paradigm-shifting battle system where you hop through time across different eras and timelines. You recruit monsters as allies and solve occasional puzzles and paradoxes along the way.
A JRPG with a fast paradigm-shifting battle system where you hop through time across different eras and timelines. You recruit monsters as allies and solve occasional puzzles and paradoxes along the way.
A colorful, Ghibli-style action JRPG where you play an exiled young king, recruit allies, build up your own kingdom and fight in real time alongside adorable Higgledies.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified59.99 €82 % positive
Very positive, 8,121 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Fantasy setting
Lavish presentation
A colorful, Ghibli-style action JRPG where you play an exiled young king, recruit allies, build up your own kingdom and fight in real time alongside adorable Higgledies.
A turn-based JRPG where you collect hundreds of Digimon, evolve them and build your own teams while unraveling a time-travel mystery spanning the human and Digital Worlds.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified69.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 16,166 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
Strong character progression
Sci-fi setting
A turn-based JRPG where you collect hundreds of Digimon, evolve them and build your own teams while unraveling a time-travel mystery spanning the human and Digital Worlds.
The remaster of the strategy classic tells a grim tale of intrigue, betrayal and honor amid the wars of Ivalice. You fight grid-based battles and shape your squad through a deep job system, now with full voice acting, improved visuals and new difficulty options.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified49.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 5,879 reviews on Steam
Tactical depth
Build variety
Challenging difficulty
The remaster of the strategy classic tells a grim tale of intrigue, betrayal and honor amid the wars of Ivalice. You fight grid-based battles and shape your squad through a deep job system, now with full voice acting, improved visuals and new difficulty options.
The prequel to Final Fantasy VII follows the tragic tale of Zack Fair through fast real-time combat, where a slot-reel system randomly triggers special attacks and summons. Its emphasis is on emotional storytelling and beloved characters.
The prequel to Final Fantasy VII follows the tragic tale of Zack Fair through fast real-time combat, where a slot-reel system randomly triggers special attacks and summons. Its emphasis is on emotional storytelling and beloved characters.
Eight travelers, each with their own story and path action, roam a fantasy world rendered in the striking HD-2D blend of pixel sprites and 3D dioramas. The Boost-and-Break system makes its turn-based battles surprisingly tactical.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable59.99 €85 % positive
Very positive, 14,137 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Fantasy setting
Turn-based combat
Eight travelers, each with their own story and path action, roam a fantasy world rendered in the striking HD-2D blend of pixel sprites and 3D dioramas. The Boost-and-Break system makes its turn-based battles surprisingly tactical.
A group of teenagers on a school trip gets stranded in a strange world full of Digimon. It blends visual-novel storytelling with morally weighty choices and grid-based turn-based tactical battles.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable49.99 €78 % positive
Mostly positive, 3,148 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
Turn-based combat
Dialogue and role-playing
A group of teenagers on a school trip gets stranded in a strange world full of Digimon. It blends visual-novel storytelling with morally weighty choices and grid-based turn-based tactical battles.
The second chapter of the Final Fantasy VII remake sends Cloud and his companions across a vast world in pursuit of Sephiroth. It blends real-time combat with tactical command menus, offers sprawling regions and plenty of minigames, and delivers a cinematic, emotional story.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified49.99 €74 % positive
Mostly positive, 26,872 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Companions and relationships
Action-packed real-time combat
The second chapter of the Final Fantasy VII remake sends Cloud and his companions across a vast world in pursuit of Sephiroth. It blends real-time combat with tactical command menus, offers sprawling regions and plenty of minigames, and delivers a cinematic, emotional story.
A streamlined, beginner-friendly return to Kanto with Pikachu at your side, built around motion-controlled Pokémon catching. Great for families and newcomers, with turn-based battles and simple two-player co-op on one console.
A streamlined, beginner-friendly return to Kanto with Pikachu at your side, built around motion-controlled Pokémon catching. Great for families and newcomers, with turn-based battles and simple two-player co-op on one console.
A dark JRPG where you play the vengeful Velvet and lead a band of misfits against the world's established order. Fast real-time combat and a character-driven story set it apart from typical heroic tales.
2016PC, PlayStation49.99 €91 % positive
Very positive, 14,405 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Dark, serious atmosphere
Fantasy setting
A dark JRPG where you play the vengeful Velvet and lead a band of misfits against the world's established order. Fast real-time combat and a character-driven story set it apart from typical heroic tales.
A fast-paced action JRPG about two people from opposing worlds joining forces to break an oppressive rule. Flashy real-time combat with party-based combos and a character-driven story are the core of the experience.
2021PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified49.99 €86 % positive
Very positive, 27,738 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Fast pace
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A fast-paced action JRPG about two people from opposing worlds joining forces to break an oppressive rule. Flashy real-time combat with party-based combos and a character-driven story are the core of the experience.
A streamlined, beginner-friendly retelling of the Kanto adventure where you catch wild Pokémon with a throwing motion instead of fighting them first. Eevee is your partner, and a second player can drop in locally at any time.
A streamlined, beginner-friendly retelling of the Kanto adventure where you catch wild Pokémon with a throwing motion instead of fighting them first. Eevee is your partner, and a second player can drop in locally at any time.
A Final Fantasy in modern pixel art that revives the classic turn-based formula. A party bound by fate calls on Visions in battle to stop a force threatening to destroy the world.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified49.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 5,834 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Fantasy setting
Turn-based combat
A Final Fantasy in modern pixel art that revives the classic turn-based formula. A party bound by fate calls on Visions in battle to stop a force threatening to destroy the world.
A warm, classic JRPG with turn-based battles, a lovable band of heroes and a storybook world full of monsters and towns. It leans on comfort and nostalgia, and lets you switch between 3D and retro 2D visuals.
2017PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck verified84 % positive
Very positive, 6,520 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Turn-based combat
Strong soundtrack
A warm, classic JRPG with turn-based battles, a lovable band of heroes and a storybook world full of monsters and towns. It leans on comfort and nostalgia, and lets you switch between 3D and retro 2D visuals.
A quirky pixel-art RPG across a post-apocalyptic wasteland that blends dark humor with grim, disturbing moments. Forced moral choices cost you party members, limbs or strength, making every decision genuinely painful.
2014PC, Steam Deck playable−60 %19.99 € 7.99 € until tomorrow95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 13,181 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Dark, serious atmosphere
Post-apocalyptic setting
A quirky pixel-art RPG across a post-apocalyptic wasteland that blends dark humor with grim, disturbing moments. Forced moral choices cost you party members, limbs or strength, making every decision genuinely painful.
As a transfer student you balance school life and friendships with turn-based Persona battles in the Tartarus tower during the Dark Hour. The remake blends social sim, an emotional story and slick stylish presentation with modern polish.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified59.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 45,820 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
Emotional impact
Companions and relationships
As a transfer student you balance school life and friendships with turn-based Persona battles in the Tartarus tower during the Dark Hour. The remake blends social sim, an emotional story and slick stylish presentation with modern polish.
A classic JRPG adventure in gorgeous HD-2D: you build a party with the vocation system and roam a wide world to defeat the archfiend Baramos. Turn-based battles, an orchestral score and modern quality-of-life options make this genre cornerstone easy to enjoy.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified59.99 €75 % positive
Mostly positive, 4,063 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Turn-based combat
Strong character progression
A classic JRPG adventure in gorgeous HD-2D: you build a party with the vocation system and roam a wide world to defeat the archfiend Baramos. Turn-based battles, an orchestral score and modern quality-of-life options make this genre cornerstone easy to enjoy.
Chrono Cross is a JRPG classic in which Serge hops between two parallel worlds while uncovering his own fate. Over 40 recruitable characters, an unusual element-based combat system instead of standard leveling, and a superb soundtrack set it apart.
Chrono Cross is a JRPG classic in which Serge hops between two parallel worlds while uncovering his own fate. Over 40 recruitable characters, an unusual element-based combat system instead of standard leveling, and a superb soundtrack set it apart.
An anime-style football RPG where you collect and train a huge roster of players and build teams around over-the-top special moves. A new cast, an original story and online tournaments round out the package.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified69.99 €88 % positive
Very positive, 11,265 reviews on Steam
A party of several characters
Tactical depth
Distinctive, stylised art style
An anime-style football RPG where you collect and train a huge roster of players and build teams around over-the-top special moves. A new cast, an original story and online tournaments round out the package.
A classic Japanese RPG with turn-based battles, a four-member party and a large, freely traveled 3D world in charming cel-shaded style. The quest to lift the king's curse is warm, humorous and very approachable.
A classic Japanese RPG with turn-based battles, a four-member party and a large, freely traveled 3D world in charming cel-shaded style. The quest to lift the king's curse is warm, humorous and very approachable.
You live a double life as a student: school days and friendships by day, climbing the tower of Tartarus during the Dark Hour by night. The blend of social sim, turn-based weakness-exploiting combat, and a moving story about mortality sets it apart.
You live a double life as a student: school days and friendships by day, climbing the tower of Tartarus during the Dark Hour by night. The blend of social sim, turn-based weakness-exploiting combat, and a moving story about mortality sets it apart.
An ambitious PlayStation JRPG with a sprawling, philosophically and religiously charged science-fiction story. Giant mech battles and a button-input combo system add variety, but the narrative is clearly the centerpiece.
An ambitious PlayStation JRPG with a sprawling, philosophically and religiously charged science-fiction story. Giant mech battles and a button-input combo system add variety, but the narrative is clearly the centerpiece.
This remake of the PlayStation classic sends you on a traditional turn-based adventure through many small island worlds and past eras. The charming doll-like look and a streamlined battle system make its huge scope more approachable.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified59.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 2,227 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
Fantasy setting
Lots to discover
This remake of the PlayStation classic sends you on a traditional turn-based adventure through many small island worlds and past eras. The charming doll-like look and a streamlined battle system make its huge scope more approachable.
As Lightning you have just thirteen days to save souls before the world ends. A real-time combat system built on swapping outfits and constant time pressure make it an unusual entry in the Final Fantasy series.
As Lightning you have just thirteen days to save souls before the world ends. A real-time combat system built on swapping outfits and constant time pressure make it an unusual entry in the Final Fantasy series.
A classic JRPG with a gripping war story of friendship and betrayal. Over 100 recruitable characters, a growing home base, plus duels and army battles keep the gameplay varied.
A classic JRPG with a gripping war story of friendship and betrayal. Over 100 recruitable characters, a growing home base, plus duels and army battles keep the gameplay varied.
2013PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified9.99 €83 % positive
Evoland retraces the evolution of action-adventure and RPG games: you unlock new graphics and mechanics as you go, from monochrome pixels to 3D, packed with playful nods to genre classics.
2013PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified9.99 €83 % positive
Very positive, 4,586 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Lots of humour
Fantasy setting
Evoland retraces the evolution of action-adventure and RPG games: you unlock new graphics and mechanics as you go, from monochrome pixels to 3D, packed with playful nods to genre classics.
JRPGs are built around a cast you spend dozens of hours with, so the main question is whether you want to follow a story or fiddle with a combat system. Most games here are story rich and party-based, but they differ a lot in feel. The biggest split is turn-based versus action combat, so decide that first. After that, think about tone: comedic, emotional, stylish or dark.
If you want turn-based combat with a lot of personality, Persona 5 Royal is a strong pick for its stylish presentation and party focus, and it is the version on the list that is available on PC, Xbox and Switch as well as PlayStation. Final Fantasy X suits players who want an emotional fantasy story in a classic turn-based format. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the newest entry, mixing turn-based combat with parrying and a dark fantasy setting. Undertale is the easiest way in if you like humor, pixel art and choices that matter.
If you prefer action, Final Fantasy VII Remake combines real-time combat with a cinematic, sci-fi story and a party. Kingdom Hearts III is colorful and action-driven if you like anime-flavored fantasy. Older games like Final Fantasy IX are worth it if you enjoy classic turn-based fantasy, and check the platform lists, since several entries are limited to one system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best JRPG for beginners?
Undertale is a gentle starting point, with simple turn-based combat, humor and pixel art. Final Fantasy X is also approachable if you want a classic, story-driven fantasy adventure.
Which JRPGs have action combat instead of turn-based?
Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts III are tagged as action RPGs. Final Fantasy XV also adds an open world.
Which JRPGs are good if I want a stylish, story-heavy game?
Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5 are both tagged stylish, story rich and party-based. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a good alternative if you prefer a dark fantasy tone with turn-based combat.
Not quite your taste?
Tell us your favourite games and we'll find recommendations that fit you exactly.
