A JRPG that took big risks that paid off

The trajectory of the JRPG genre in modern gaming is fascinating. After becoming prevalent on classic consoles, the release Final Fantasy VII cemented the genre in the eyes of many as profitable and turned the PS1 into the center of these amazing experiences.

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However, the genre's appeal has waned over time, only for modern players to integrate everything from visual improvements to gameplay innovations, ensuring that JRPG fans can enjoy plenty of games in the genre once again. Some of the best JRPGs are the ones that took massive risks and ended up paying dividends.

8

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

It changed the gameplay loop of an established series and attracted new fans



Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Released

November 10, 2020

OpenCritic rating

Mighty

The story of an April Fool's prank that dictated the game shift Yakuza series may be exaggerated, but this rumor proves how risky the move was. Real time combat Yakuza series was a joy to experience and fans wanted to see how the Dragon Engine could improve the action gameplay.

However, the main series decided to take a dramatic turn with a new protagonist and combat mechanics turned around Yakuza: Like a dragon into a classic turn-based JRPG with a quest system. In retrospect, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that such successful and efficient developers like RGG Studio did this gameplay shift justice, allowing players to enjoy one of the best modern JRPGs of all time.

7

Final Fantasy VII

Probably the first ever AAA game to invest tons of money in marketing in the West



Final Fantasy VII

Released

January 31, 1997

OpenCritic rating

Strong

Final Fantasy VII is hailed by many as the industry's first ever AAA game, and it's easy to see why. Prior to the release of this title, JRPGs had a small niche in Western markets and did not really appeal to players outside of Japan.

However, SquareSoft was so confident in the title that the marketing budget swelled to let everyone and their mothers know about the epic adventure. Final Fantasy VII could take the player further. It was a risky strategy that paid off in the end Final Fantasy VII broke all records to become one of the most popular PS1 titles of all time and ushered in the golden age of JRPGs on Sony consoles.

6

Personality 5

The impact of the art style and improved dungeons were worth all the delays



Personality 5

Released

September 15, 2016

Developers

P-Studio

OpenCritic rating

Mighty

Personality 5 was doing something special with many demos for players to enjoy. The art style was amazing and the gameplay looked snappy, but the game's ambitions led to it facing so many delays that fans wondered if the final product was worth the financial burden on Atlus.

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At this point it is quite clear that the polishing Personality 5 was a smart decision that helped this JRPG break new ground for the genre on modern consoles. Amazing visual flair, fast-paced gameplay, addictive life-sim elements and an unforgettable cast of characters ensured that players will remember Personality 5 long after the Phantom Thieves adventure comes to a close.

5

EarthBound

An anti-JRPG that slowly turned into an influential cult classic



Earthly

Systems

8-bit grayscale logo

Players just have to watch EarthBound's marketing strategy to see the risky game Nintendo is playing. The absence of any high fantasy elements, along with the message that players would hate the game, was a bold way to launch one of the most innovative JRPGs of all time.

EarthBoundSales were rather tepid when the game first launched, but it was only a matter of time before more and more players experienced its brilliance first hand. This anti-JRPG was revolutionary and continues to influence modern gaming, with titles like Undertale and Omori be inspired by this masterpiece.

4

A tramp's story

A unique JRPG that came at the end of PS1 with a bold combat system



A tramp's story

Systems

PlayStation-1

Released

May 15, 2000

Developers

Square

That's a shame A tramp's story was released so late in the PS1's lifespan that most gamers never got to experience this amazing title for themselves. It expands on the lore of Ivalice, allowing players to control a single character in a JRPG without traditional leveling mechanics or party members.

Instead, players simply controlled Ashley Riot and used powerful equipment to ensure they could take on powerful enemies without feeling like they were a step behind. Poor sales were disappointing, but gamers only need to hear the generous praise for this title to realize how ahead of its time it was A tramp's story was.

3

The world ends with you

We've made the most of the DS to allow players to enjoy a unique combat system in modern Tokyo

Systems

phone transparent 8-bit grayscale logo

Real-time combat in JRPGs can always be a pain point for fans who find these systems a bit too squishy and random at times. However, The world ends with you showed how innovative such a combat system can be when it tries something different.

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Battles in The world ends with you took place on both DS screens, with players using buttons for one character and the touchscreen for the other. It was a messy but satisfying combat system that paired well with the game's stylish presentation, turning it into a popular JRPG that continues to receive updated versions on modern consoles (even if these re-releases have to make compromises to make the combat system easier to control). play on one screen).

2

Xenogears

Despite falling short of his lofty ambitions, he elevated Takahashi's name and the Xeno series to new heights



Xenogears

Systems

PlayStation-1

Released

October 20, 1998

Developers

Square

It is easy to mark Xenogears as a failure where the game promised a month on the first disc only to force the player to wade through excruciating paragraphs of text in the second half of the game. It was both a product and a victim of the ambitions of Tetsuya Takahashi, whose inexperience as a video game developer meant that Xenogears fell long before its end.

However, the game was still a huge success for her Xeno a series whose ambitious creator never gives up and creates his own company to make this vision a reality. Fast forward to today and the risks are clear Xenogears laid the foundation for Xenoblade Chronicles flourish as a must-play first-party title on Nintendo hardware.

1

Final Fantasy 12

A huge game switcher for the Final Fantasy Series that created a unique experience



Final Fantasy 12

Released

October 31, 2006

Final Fantasy 12 is a game that took huge risks and served as the first major single player series Final Fantasy game after the merger of SquareSoft and Enix. It took advantage of the lessons learned Final Fantasy 11's development to allow players to enjoy a hybrid combat system where deciding party member priorities using the Gambit system was essential for players to emerge victorious.

Final Fantasy 12 may seem daunting at first, but the world of Dalmascia is so beautiful and immersive that fans can easily get lost in these vast environments. The epic story and cast ensure that the central conflict is never overshadowed by a single party member and mimics much of what Final Fantasy 6 such a special title.

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