JRPGs and strong character writing go hand-in-hand, and any title that fails in this department is in for a really tough time. After all, a lengthy and engaging narrative is one of the best parts of any video game, but this is even more important in the story-driven JRPG genre. The most popular games in this genre are known for featuring memorable narratives and amazing characters, with the journey being downright unforgettable in certain titles.
RELATED:The Best JRPGs You Can Play On The PS4 (According To Metacritic)
Character development is important in JRPGs, since these games can last hundreds of hours and the lack of any development for the major characters can lead to the adventure feeling a bit static at times. Thankfully, the following games understood the assignment and are known for beingsome of the best character-driven JRPGs of all time.
8Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 9is considered by many to be one of the greatest entry in the series. The game seems like a combination ofnostalgicFinal Fantasyelementsand common JRPG tropes mixed together in one delectable batch, but the title is so much more than what this description suggests.
Despite seeming like elaborate cliches, the characters ofFinal Fantasy 9go through a ton of development that turns them into mature and beloved characters. The most notable mentions of the same are Steiner and Vivi, with the latter’s story being particularly heartbreaking.
7Persona 5
Check it out on Amazon!
Persona 5is one of the most stylish games on this list, bringing over a new wave of fans to the series and helping them understand the winning formula of this popularShin Megami Tenseispinoff series.
Persona 5’s grand story is pretty engaging as is, but players can uncover several amazing side stories by interacting with the many Confidants in this game. It makes for a great time and ensures that players will be invested in the lives of both their party members and other side characters in the game.
6Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragonwas a game that everyone was worried about, given that this title was shifting from the beloved real-time action of previous games and adopting a turn-based system instead. However,the satisfying nature of this battle systemcoupled with the ludicrousness of every combat encounter makes it a blast to play through.
RELATED:The Best JRPGs On Xbox Consoles
Like a Dragondoes feel like an experiment at times, but it’s amazing how the first-ever effort at creating aYakuzaJRPG was nothing short of an incredible success. Ichiban Kasuga is one of the bestYakuzaprotagonists of all time, and watching him evolve as a character while interacting with other fresh and familiar faces is a blast.
5The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky
The Legend of Heroesfeatures several arcs and multiple games that are fun, but quite generic in their implementation of fantasy elements. This may lead to people thinking that the title is anything but impressive, but it’s the amazing character writing in these games that makes them so worthwhile.
Trails in the Skyand its second chapterare fan favorites for many, with the story of Estelle and Joshua being quite compelling indeed. Their romance may have creepy implications, but these two main characters coupled with the rest of the party members and side characters are quite engaging and show some impressive character development over the course of this magical experience.
4Tales Of The Abyss
TheTalesseries is woefully underrated outside of Japan, which is a shame. The real-time action of these games is quite great, but the major highlights are definitely the cast of characters and how they mature and develop over the course of these games.
No title personifies this more thanTales of the Abyss, featuring one of the best-written protagonists in a video game. Luke seems like a privileged brat early on, but the circumstances and friends around him lead to him becoming more level-headed and dependable in a realistic manner.
3Xenosaga
TheXenosagatrilogy on the PS2 is another series of JRPGs that more people should check out. The games can be a bit rough around the edges but more than make up for this with a story that’s full of heart and characters who are quite lovable in their own right.
RELATED:The Best JRPGs On The PS5
It’s clear that the developers learned from their missteps withXenogears, and fleshed out every notable character over the course of the three games. Players looking for a meaty series of JRPGs to sink their teeth into should definitely check outXenosaga.
2The World Ends With You
The World Ends With Youfeatures an intriguing premise with protagonist Neku at the heart of things. Each and every partner Neku gets paired up with are all pretty intriguing in their own right, with the tense situation around them forcing these people to adjust and mature as the story progresses.
Neku himself changes a lot over the course of the series, with the protagonist slowly getting over his social anxiety over the course of this title. The story and style of this game are whatturnedThe World Ends With Youinto a beloved classicthat fans can’t get enough of.
1Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 10wasthe franchise’s first foray on the PS2that was nothing short of a runaway success. Aside from its amazing visuals,Final Fantasy 10is remembered for an emotional story that will keep players hooked to the very end.
This story is rife with its fair share of twists and turns, augmented by a cast of beloved characters who grow and get over their issues in their own way. Even though Tidus may seem like an annoying protagonist, there’s no denying that even he becomes quite competent and reliable by the end of the game.
MORE:JRPGs To Play If You Loved Final Fantasy 10
