My journey into the world of JRPGs began in my childhood, with my older brother guiding me through the complexities of these vast game worlds. As a passionate anime enthusiast, I quickly gravitated towards JRPGs, making them my favorite genre. However, unlike my younger self, who had endless hours to devote to gaming, my current life demands a more strategic approach to how I spend my gaming time.
Considering my busy schedule and the evolving landscape of the gaming industry, I find myself favoring JRPGs that integrate quality-of-life enhancements. These features enhance gameplay without detracting from the enjoyment. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, as some titles tend to disregard players’ time, extending their length through unnecessary mechanics or tedious design choices. It often leads me to question if a gaming session is worth missing quality moments with my son.
10 Sea of Stars
A Dilemma of Completion
Sea of Stars is undeniably a gem in the indie JRPG sector, radiating warmth and charm. Despite my fondness for the game, it appears here for a reason. While the main storyline is incredibly well-paced, the post-completion experience can be daunting for those who wish to unlock the True Ending.
Completionists will likely find joy in their quest, but for those who aren’t inclined, I recommend watching the True Ending on platforms like YouTube. Achieving it requires completing all side quests tied to party members, combined with the tedious task of collecting 60 Rainbow Conches. The necessity to backtrack throughout almost every map can become frustrating, thus detracting from the enjoyable experience.
9 The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
A Narrative Investment
While any entry in the Trails series could fit this description, the original Trails in the Sky exemplifies the extensive narrative investment required. The interconnected nature of the series enhances the experience but also demands significant time from players. Each subseries can be played standalone, but for the full storyline impact, they are best enjoyed in release order.
The game features dialogue-heavy quests, where even simple tasks can involve lengthy explanations. For instance, a side quest involving a lamppost morphed into an elaborate lesson on the intricacies of engineering—a situation that could have easily been succinctly summarized.
8 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
A Complex Conclusion
Dragon Quest XI holds a special place in my heart as a quintessential comfort JRPG; however, the inclusion of Act 3 presents a dilemma. The game excels at providing optional post-game content, but Act 3’s ambiguous status complicates things. Some view it as canon, while others claim it’s merely optional.
I personally prefer the resolution at the end of Act 2, which can be reached in approximately 40 hours. In contrast, Act 3 feels drawn out and diminishes the stakes established in the earlier plot, leading to an unsatisfying experience for those seeking closure.
7 Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Stuck in the Past
The gaming world has evolved, demanding modern tweaks like streamlined experiences, yet Eiyuden Chronicle missed this memo. As a spiritual successor to Suikoden, it generated excitement, yet the game feels outdated with its mechanics, ultimately hindering enjoyment.
The absence of crucial quality-of-life features, such as side quest markers, fast travel, and efficient encounter management, transforms what could have been an exhilarating journey into a series of monotonous chores. The necessity to recruit all 120 characters to see the True Ending adds further frustration.
6 Bravely Default
A Promising Start with Repetitive Loops
My acquisition of a Nintendo 3DS was motivated by my desire to play Bravely Default, touted as a potential return to classic RPG formulas. Initially, the game delivers an engaging experience, showcasing a robust job system and an intriguing plot centered around crystals.
However, Chapter 5 introduces a frustrating timeline repetition that had me questioning the overall experience. After going through the motions of awakening the crystals multiple times, the narrative could have been better executed, and repetitive gameplay detracted from the intended impact of the plot twists.
5 Xenoblade Chronicles 2
A Clunky Interface
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 boasts lengthy gameplay while maintaining engagement; however, its Blade system introduces unnecessary complications. Blades function as party members, acquired through a gacha-like mechanism, but their Field Skills can turn quests into cumbersome tasks due to a poorly designed interface.
Frequent switching of Blades and their respective skills consumes valuable time, detracting from the joy of journeying through the game’s beautifully crafted world.
4 Person 5
Unparalleled Despite Its Length
Persona 5 ranks among my beloved JRPGs, having influenced my current enthusiasm for its spin-offs. Despite its masterful plotting and memorable characters, I often hesitate to recommend it due to its overwhelming campaign length, which can approach 100 hours.
With life’s responsibilities now in full effect, I recognize the significant time commitment required, making it challenging to recommend. Yet, for those willing to invest the time, Persona 5 is undeniably a masterpiece worth experience.
3 Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Endless Campaigns
Fire Emblem: Three Houses exemplifies a JRPG’s length that feels artificially prolonged. While the Monastery offers engaging activities initially, they quickly turn tedious over time. The requirement to replay three separate campaigns for comprehensive story access is particularly grueling.
While New Game+ options exist, the necessity to replay lengthy early missions detracts from overall enjoyment, making the substantial time invested feel excessive.
2 Digimon World 3
Endless Backtracking
| Developer | Bandai Namco Forge Digitals |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 5, 2002 |
| Platforms | PlayStation |
While my preference for Digimon over Pokémon might seem peculiar, the allure of the Digimon World games always captivated me. Digimon World 3 initially appeared promising due to its faster pace compared to predecessors, yet the game forces players into excessive backtracking without a fast travel option.
This mechanic detracts from enjoyment, making what could be an engaging adventure feel like a chore.
1 Record of Agarest War
A Cautionary Tale
Record of Agarest War stands out as a title where I struggled to find redeeming qualities. Despite attempts to innovate with unusual mechanics, the game falls short in execution, leading to a bloated experience that fails to captivate.
The relationship-building system, which allows players to forge connections with various characters, initially seems intriguing. However, as the campaign drags on for over 60 hours, the excitement wanes, and repetitive gameplay becomes overwhelming.
With a blend of tactical combat and dating simulation, this game feels more tedious than engaging, leaving me unsatisfied and eager to move on.
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