5 Greatest JRPGs That Aren’t Final Fantasy

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As a huge JRPG fan, it’s hard to escape Final Fantasy. It’s always at the top of everyone’s list, and honestly, it can make finding something new that feels just as special a little tough – you keep comparing everything to it! But today, I’m putting all that aside. Let’s forget Final Fantasy 7, X, XV, or whatever your favorite is for a moment. We’re not talking about how great that legendary series is right now – we’re looking at something different!

Let’s talk about some incredible JRPGs that often get overlooked because Final Fantasy is so popular. There are tons of amazing games in the genre – whether they’re the best on Nintendo Switch, surprisingly heartfelt, or from series not usually known for JRPGs – that don’t begin with the word Final. If you’re looking for a long, immersive adventure, a truly moving story, or that special feeling JRPGs provide, and you’ve had enough recommendations for Final Fantasy, you’re in the right place.

5. Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger remains one of the most beloved games from the Super Nintendo era, and for good reason. While many classic SNES titles are still enjoyable today, Chrono Trigger would still be considered a masterpiece if it were released now. Its compelling story, well-developed characters, immersive world, engaging combat system, smooth gameplay (without frustrating random battles), incredible music, and unique time travel elements all combine to create an unforgettable experience. It’s truly remarkable what Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yuji Horii, and Akira Toriyama accomplished together – they created a game that still stands above the rest.

Luckily, Chrono Trigger remains accessible and affordable on mobile and PC. While it doesn’t have a current-generation console version, a remake is rumored to be in development, so that may happen eventually. In my opinion, Chrono Trigger is much better than the original Final Fantasy games and absolutely deserves all the acclaim it gets from fans and RPG lovers. If you haven’t played Chrono Trigger yet, you really should – it’s a fantastic game you won’t regret experiencing.

4. Xenogears

Xenogears is a truly special game – a rare gem that makes you question if game design has gotten worse over time. Created by Kaori Tanaka and Tetsuya Takahashi, the creator of the acclaimed Xenoblade Chronicles series, Xenogears excels in storytelling, developing relatable characters, and crafting a rich, immersive world. Despite feeling unfinished in some ways, the game tells an incredibly captivating story with a cast of characters so well-developed, it’s surprising we haven’t seen more of them in spin-offs or sequels.

It’s frustrating that Xenogears, a fantastic JRPG from 28 years ago, remains unavailable and unappreciated by Square Enix. A remaster or remake would introduce a new generation to this classic and finally allow the creators to realize their original vision for the game. Even now, Xenogears stands out as superior to many modern JRPGs, and it continues to be a beloved cult favorite – and rightfully so.

3. Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Okay, so Yakuza: Like a Dragon totally surprised me. Honestly, coming from the previous games, I didn’t expect a JRPG, let alone a great one. But the turn-based combat is seriously amazing – a real breath of fresh air. And the story? Wow. It’s incredibly emotional, really well-paced, and just beautifully written. I genuinely ended up finishing it with tears in my eyes! It takes everything that made the last game awesome – the great graphics, the relatable characters, the crazy plot twists, and the epic fights – and just nails it within a JRPG structure. It’s something completely different and I absolutely loved it.

Even if you’re new to the Yakuza series, you can easily jump into Yakuza: Like a Dragon without any prior knowledge. While familiarity with previous games is helpful, it’s not required. Some might question its place among the best JRPGs, perhaps preferring titles like Persona 5 or Final Fantasy. However, I believe its story and unique combat system are truly exceptional, even surpassing those popular games in many ways. It simply feels different because it’s a Yakuza game and doesn’t rely on typical fantasy tropes. I urge you to try Yakuza: Like a Dragon – you’ll quickly see why it deserves to be considered an all-time great.

2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2

I know some people might disagree, but I truly believe Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is one of the best JRPGs of all time – and possibly the very best. This isn’t just because it’s my personal favorite, or because it affected me so deeply that I had trouble enjoying other games for years. It’s because XBC2 offers an amazing adventure with characters you’ll never forget, a story that really pays off, and an ending that’s incredibly emotional.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a truly beautiful game, boasting one of the best soundtracks ever created for video games. Its worlds are incredibly detailed and filled with breathtaking scenery and interesting places to explore. The combat system is both complex and engaging, and collecting creatures feels much more rewarding than in Pokémon, as it’s closely linked to some of the game’s most memorable side quests. What the developers at Monolith Soft accomplished with this game is genuinely brilliant. While the other games in the Xenoblade series are also excellent, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 uniquely blends a sense of joyful adventure and childlike wonder with genuinely moving and heartbreaking moments.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

It’s hard to fully capture how amazing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is. This JRPG from Sandfall Interactive truly embodies everything that makes the genre so special. The story is incredibly moving and beautifully written, keeping you hooked on its central mystery right up to the very end. And the combat system is a fantastic improvement on classic JRPG battles, skillfully blending fast-paced action with strategic turn-based gameplay.

It’s easy to enthusiastically praise Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 because it truly deserves the acclaim. Very few games live up to the hype, let alone surpass expectations and redefine their genre. Clair Obscur did exactly that, and I’m incredibly eager to see what Sandfall Interactive creates in the future, whether it’s more content within this world or something completely different. In fact, and this might be controversial – especially considering my love for Final Fantasy 7 Remake – I’d even trade future Final Fantasy games for another Clair Obscur title.

What are your favorite JRPGs? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-20 21:15