Best dragon slaying JRPG

While JRPGs can fall into a wide variety of subgenres, the high fantasy theme is usually the default setting for a number of major and indie JRPG developers. Even in titles where the aesthetic doesn't have to be fantasy, there are always hints of it, through specific enemies or even a quest that subtly informs the player about the roots of the genre.

But whether fantasy, sci-fi, or some mix of the two, many JRPGs have showcased the almighty high fantasy icon: the dragon. Fire breathing, or at least some kind of elemental breathing, beasts renowned for the destruction they can cause and the terror they inspire. These JRPGs particularly highlight either one particularly terrifying draconic beast, or have bolstered the ranks of friends and foes alike with these legendary creatures.

5 Harvestella

A colossal draconic boss with a unique design

Harvestella is Square Enix's gambit in the farming simulator genre, specifically the subgenre popularized by games like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley. Players gain access to an idyllic, peaceful farm that they can manage as they see fit, while exploring neighboring towns and meeting plenty of interesting and well-written characters along the way. This game tends to be somewhat overlooked by both JRPG fans and cozy farming sims alike, but for those willing to give it a shot, there's a great, aesthetic game in store.

Main Dragon boss v Harvestella is this creepy, beautiful, terrifying creature composed of bird and synthetic parts. Unlike most of Square Enix's JRPGs, this isn't a turn-based affair, and all characters act in real-time – applying pressure to avoid the dragon's colossal breath attacks. All the traits of a dragon are here, but reworked with strange, wistful qualities, and this is definitely one of the most interesting takes on draconic entities in a JRPG.

4 Alliance Alive

The Dreadwyrm is an incredibly difficult fight

Alliance Alive is a game with an amazing atmosphere that uses its setting and environment to create an incredibly unique story about a world where people are subjugated by powerful demons. The demon design in this game is some of the best we've seen in any JRPG yet, with each demon having a unique design and incredible flare. The turn-based combat is unique and compelling with plenty of opportunity for customization and personalization – and the HD remake on Switch confirms it as an all-time JRPG classic.

For players who think they've mastered the combat in this game, which is easier said than done, there's an incredibly challenging optional boss fight later in the game based on a creature known as the Dreadwyrm, which is incredibly deadly. Defeating this enemy won't be easy, as the Dreadwyrm has powerful AOE fire attacks (as you'd expect from a dragon), but the rewards for defeating this creature are well worth the battle.

3 Ogre tactics

A challenging grid-based JRPG with dragon friends and enemies

Ogre tactics is considered by many to be the opus among Square Enix's grid-based JRPGs. It really has everything players could want from a role-playing title, including a branching story, deep tactical combat, and plenty of creatures to recruit. While this game is showing its age in some areas, including the graphics, which really should be polished up even more in a more recent re-master of this game, the dragon units, surprisingly, still hold up as some of the best. charming and attractive in the game.

Dragon enemy units are incredibly powerful shock troops that aim to jump right into the heart of the fight where the player has most of their units and deal as much damage as possible. Their breath attacks vary depending on what type of dragon they are attacking, but one thing they all have in common is their incredibly high damage. Fortunately for players, while the dragons are a dangerous threat to their party, they can also be recruited as units that can be used against enemies later in the title's expansive story.

2 Tales of monster hunters 2

Stylish and unique JRPG Catcher Monster Catcher

Tales of Monster Hunters is a spin-off series to the quintessential monster hunting experience – aptly named Monster Hunter. Many players will spend hours (in game or in real life) tracking down some colossal beast Monster Hunter and think, “Wow! That thing looks amazing” before immediately reducing it to so many servings of delicious food. For players who feel pangs of remorse not only because they can't really stand up for killing monsters who are just minding their own business, but also because they want to be friends with said monster, both Tales of Monster Hunters titles are exactly what they need.

Defeating – and raising – the draconic entities in this JRPG is the highlight of the game, as the fearsome dragon and dragon-adjacent enemies in this game are too powerful for all but the most powerful tamers. This game delivers Monster Hunter fire up a bunch of classic monster hunting tropes in the best way possible.

1 7th Dragon 3: Code VFD

An elegant and stylish dragon hunting title

The 7. dragon series has unfortunately become obscure in recent years, but for JRPG fans with a hunger for dragon hunting, this party builder revolving around colossal, evil, interdimensional dragons is hard to beat.

This title brings a cyberpunk and urban fantasy aesthetic to its setting, and jumping through various beautifully constructed time periods to take down a voracious beast that wants to claim all of humanity (spoiler: it's a dragon) is an incredibly satisfying story to watch.