As the home console era emerged, one genre made a lasting impression in gaming history: Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs).While these games didn’t achieve global fame until around 1997, their early seeds were sown in the catalogs of the Super Nintendo, PlayStation 1, and PlayStation 2. The abundance of JRPG series during this period laid the groundwork for the diverse lists we can curate today, especially considering the unique titles exclusive to Japan.
However, with the gaming industry’s evolution came significant challenges, including rising development costs and lengthy production times. Many beloved JRPG franchises struggled to adapt to these new realities, resulting in their gradual disappearance from the gaming landscape. This article explores some JRPG series that would leave fans astonished if they were to see a new installment, whether due to prolonged absence or disappointing past releases.
10 .hack
An Ambitious Franchise
The.hack franchise is notable for being both obscure and expansive, encompassing games, anime, and novels. Although many titles within the series follow a similar formula, their sequential numbering somewhat mitigated repetitiveness. CyberConnect2 launched this intriguing franchise in 2002, featuring a storyline that mirrored an MMORPG experience.
Players take on the role of Kite, tasked with uncovering the mystery behind players falling into comas while engaged in the virtual reality MMORPG, The World. Initially, the titles were commercially successful and received favorable reviews; however, as the series progressed, issues with repetitive gameplay became apparent. The franchise saw various adaptations, including a standalone PSP title, a PS3 fighting game, and the remastering of.hack//G. U.trilogy, with the latest releases in 2017 and 2022.
Despite.hack//G. U.Last Recode being well-received critically, it raised questions about future installments. Bandai Namco hinted at a new.hack project, but mass cancellations and layoffs have left its future uncertain.
9 Grandia
At Least We Have The Collection
The PlayStation 1 era was a golden age for JRPG enthusiasts, marking the launch of numerous franchises that captured players’ hearts. Grandia stands out for its lighter storytelling, real-time turn-based battle mechanics, and an innovative magic fusion system. Despite delivering four games in total, including the oft-overlooked Grandia Xtreme, the series began to fade.
The decline can be attributed primarily to the untimely passing of series creator Takeshi Miyaji. Subsequent installments, Grandia Xtreme and Grandia III, struggled to engage players in the competitive gaming landscape of the PS3 era. Ultimately, these factors have contributed to Grandia fading into obscurity, along with several other beloved JRPG franchises.
8 Shadow Hearts
Penny Blood Is Just A Fever Dream
The Shadow Hearts series carved out a unique niche within the PS2 generation, starting with the horror RPG Koudelka before adopting a more whimsical tone. Its distinctive gameplay featured a timing-based combat system known as the Judgment Ring, enhancing the thrill of battles alongside character fusion capabilities.
Hiroki Kikuta, the visionary behind Shadow Hearts, attempted to revive the spirit of the series through a spiritual successor known as Penny Blood. This endeavor began with a 2022 Kickstarter campaign that garnered significant funding but has since faced significant challenges, including unresolved lawsuits and a cloudy release future.
7 Mana
The Mana Tree Is Dying
If you haven’t experienced Visions of Mana, it’s definitely worth your time. The game is rich in charm, innovative systems, and engaging characters, especially for Mana series fans who will notice numerous callbacks. Visions of Mana marked the first new entry in over 15 years, and anticipation was high. Unfortunately, its subsequent news cycle has been anything but encouraging.
Ouka Studios, responsible for developing Visions of Mana, shut down on the same day of the game’s release, raising concerns about its performance. Despite the success of Trials of Mana, a remake of Seiken Densetsu 3, Visions of Mana appears to have struggled commercially, leaving the future of the franchise in jeopardy.
6 Star Ocean
A Universe of Disillusions
The release of Star Ocean: The Second Story R in 2023, a remake of the acclaimed second installment, ignited some excitement among fans. Surpassing sales expectations, it seemed to hint that the franchise was ready for resurgence. However, this optimism was tempered by the lackluster reception of the sixth entry, Star Ocean: The Divine Force, which struggled to emulate its predecessor’s success.
This disparity between the new title and its remake underscores a troubling reality for the series: established nostalgia often doesn’t equate to successful new entries. With tighter budgets becoming the norm, it appears unlikely that Square Enix will invest in future Star Ocean titles, leaving many fans disheartened.
5 Parasite Eve
Bring Aya Brea Back
Aya Brea’s iconic line, “If you do nothing, you will lose nothing, ”seems to resonate with Square Enix, considering the long absence of new titles or remakes in the Parasite Eve franchise. There is ongoing speculation about licensing rights involving the franchise’s original author, Hideaki Sena, but this remains largely unconfirmed.
The third installment, The 3rd Birthday, faced its own issues, losing the rights to the Parasite Eve title, which further complicates the possibility of a franchise revival. Any new adventure featuring Aya Brea would need to deliver engaging gameplay, something that The 3rd Birthday failed to do.
4 Earthbound (Mother)
Mother 3 International Release Please
Earthbound remains a beloved classic, notable for its witty script and clever parody of JRPG tropes. Yet, Mother 3, its highly acclaimed sequel, has never received an international release. Creator Shigesato Itoi has indicated the series has reached its conclusion, explaining the long hiatus from new games.
Despite this, he expressed hope for a new Earthbound installment from another developer. However, without the original creator’s involvement, fans are left wondering if any new entries would measure up to the storied legacy of the previous titles. As it stands, many are simply yearning for an official release of Mother 3.
3 Golden Sun
Nintendo, Do Your Weird Magic
Among the franchises highlighted, Golden Sun possibly has the greatest chance of receiving a new title. This optimism is not necessarily due to its superiority but stems from Nintendo’s unpredictable nature regarding their catalog. The first two installments of Golden Sun, intended as a single game, managed to impress on the Game Boy Advance, while Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, while not as lauded, still contributed to the legacy.
The decline may be attributed to Camelot’s shift to focus on Mario sports titles, which are generally easier to produce. With Mario Tennis Fever coming in 2026, fans are hopeful yet realistic about potential news from this childhood favorite.
2 Chrono
Hear Your Fans, Square Enix
The calls for a remake of Chrono Trigger are ever-present, accompanied by desires for similarly ambitious successors. Given Square Enix’s recent adventures into familiar territories, the prospect remains a tantalizing possibility. More than mere nostalgia, dedicated fans crave a new addition, following the narrative threads established in Chrono Cross.
While many games are inspired by Chrono Trigger, the fandom collectively longs for an original installment—ideally the long-speculated Chrono Break. The idea of a fresh time-traveling JRPG resonates deeply with enthusiasts.
1 Breath of Fire
If Only Dreams Came True
Each time Capcom revives franchises like Mega Man or Ace Attorney, hopes for a Breath of Fire revival flicker to life. However, with most original developers now working on other projects, such as Monster Hunter, this seems increasingly unlikely. Nonetheless, fans still hold out hope for a collection featuring all five main titles, ushering in renewed interest in Ryu’s journey.
Ultimately, unless such a compilation proves immensely successful, the road to a new Breath of Fire installment seems paved with uncertainty. As players yearn for dragon-filled adventures and strategic combat, they find solace in similar titles, such as Monster Hunter Stories.
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