Yuji Horii’s vision for Dragon Quest was to refine certain aspects of role-playing games (RPGs) such as Wizardry and Ultima. This innovation sparked the emergence of simplified RPGs, which soon gained the moniker of JRPGs. As the gaming industry evolved, various developers began to introduce unique interpretations of JRPGs, leading to a plethora of intricate and unconventional systems.
While some titles necessitate a firm grasp of their mechanics, others may not be as demanding but still provide substantial rewards for players who invest time to explore every feature. In this article, we will delve into nine JRPGs recognized for their formidable learning curves, arising from complex battle systems, progression frameworks, or a combination of both.
Many older games often placed their tutorial content in the user manuals, which, let’s be honest, are rarely read anymore. Those manuals may now be missed by some nostalgic players.
9 Digimon World
I Hate Numemon
Playing Digimon World can leave you bewildered, especially when trying to decipher the optimal training regimen for your Digimon. How many times did you find yourself stuck with a Numemon instead of the Garurumon you desired? This title splendidly embraces the whimsical nature of Digimon evolutions, albeit sometimes excessively.When your monster perishes, it reincarnates as a Fresh Digimon, and its subsequent evolution depends on how you raise it.
This evolution chain continues up to the Mega level, leading to the challenge of retrieving the ideal Digimon. However, even if you manage to obtain a MetalEtemon, your success in battles hinges on your monster’s loyalty, as you cannot directly command its skills. The game indeed offers a memorable experience.
8 Resonance of Fate
What The Hell Is Going On
Resonance of Fate quickly comes to mind when discussing JRPGs with steep learning curves. This title epitomizes complexity, presenting a gameplay style that melds turn-based and real-time mechanics.
In this game, characters dart around the battlefield, engaging enemies with relentless gunfire. As one character advances, a gauge surrounding the enemy fills up, which, when completed, unleashes a barrage of attacks. The catch? The distance from the enemy affects the charge time of your attacks—further distances increase wait time but offer safety from counterattacks.
There are tactical combos such as the Tri-Attack, where characters coordinate their positioning to unleash devastating moves collectively. Many players may complete the game with only a partial understanding of its intricate systems, yet oddly, that may be acceptable.
7 Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song
Stop Punishing Me, Game
Many SaGa titles could easily find a spot on this list, but Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered stands out, particularly due to its lack of difficulty settings.
This game is uniquely unconventional, presenting players with a freeform scenario that can offer a rewarding experience to seasoned gamers, but potentially frustrate newcomers. One of its notorious features is the Battle Rank system: every victory boosts your stats but simultaneously increases the Battle Rank, thereby escalating the strength of enemies.
Finding yourself stuck against ridiculously tough enemies because you’ve leveled up too much is a painful experience, especially when the game penalizes grinding—the ultimate contradiction in JRPGs. While previous titles in the SaGa series can be more complex, that’s a discussion for another time.
6 Tales of Zestiria
Don’t Look At The Fuse Weapons Interface
Tales of Zestiria often receives criticism as one of the lesser entries in the Tales of series. While I appreciated its gameplay beyond the narrative, I navigated through it without fully comprehending its mechanics.
Battles in Zestiria involve a System for Artes that requires SC, which is recouped through defensive actions. However, post-battle SC max drops by one, ultimately leading to a maximum of zero SC after 100 battles, rendering you effectively incapacitated in upcoming encounters. Players can restore SC via meals or inns, but many overlook this crucial detail, complicating their gameplay experience.
Compounding this is the Armatization, which acts as a fusion mechanic during battles, alongside a Blast Gauge and elemental dynamics that dictate the effectiveness of Artes against certain foes. The intricacies of the gear and weapon-fusing systems add layers of complexity to the gameplay.
While casual players can still progress without diving deeply into mechanics, those seeking to fully experience everything must seek advanced tutorials.
5 Vagrant Story
It’s A Risk Just Playing It
Vagrant Story is another prime example of a game demanding player comprehension to progress effectively. Unlike some games where misunderstanding systems may not hinder progress, in Vagrant Story, familiarity with combat mechanics is essential.
Combat revolves around executing combo strings, with players selecting target areas on enemies to attack. Yet, this approach raises the Risk gauge, increasing both critical hit chances and the damage Ashley sustains.
Strategic consideration is vital; utilizing the right equipment tailored to enemy types is paramount for successful engagements. Neglecting this can lead to futile battles against routine foes and catastrophic defeats against bosses. The complex crafting system can be beneficial as players navigate Vagrant Story’s multifaceted gameplay—but it may feel overwhelming.
4 Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Power Indeed Corrupts People
My initial experience with Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter was quite jarring. While its battle system seemed straightforward—characters expend AP when moving or executing skills—the game quickly escalates in difficulty.
Players encounter increasingly overwhelming enemies, while traps abound, making the game feel punitive rather than enjoyable. The turning point comes when unlocking Ryu’s transformative dragon power, allowing him to unleash devastating attacks and feel almost invincible. However, failing to monitor the D-Ratio interface can lead to dire consequences.
Upon reaching a D-Ratio of 100%, it’s game over—quite literally—as players realize their autosave sits precariously close to that threshold, forcing them to restart. This disastrous consequence embodies the core premise of Dragon Quarter.
3 The Last Remnant
A SaGa Game In Disguise
The Last Remnant, crafted by veterans of the SaGa series, presents familiar challenges known to fans of that franchise. Set in a world where city-states vie for Remnants—powerful artifacts—players command groups of characters called Squads rather than individual units.
Orders such as attacking, defending, or healing must be issued to the squad as a whole, and the consequences of these commands can range from strategic victories to exasperating failures, depending on how well your squad executes your directions. The games also incorporate a morale system, flanking mechanics, and other nuances, each capable of turning standard battles into potential game-enders.
Further complicating the gameplay, The Last Remnant features a Battle Rank mechanic where enemies may grow stronger relative to your party’s victories, echoing the pitfalls of excessive grinding from the SaGa series.
2 Final Fantasy Tactics
When Gamers Need To Get A Job
Final Fantasy Tactics holds a revered spot within the franchise; however, its reputation for being daunting cannot be overlooked. Those approaching it without prior knowledge may find themselves overwhelmed by the intricacies it presents.
Upon release, games like this did not have the luxury of extensive tutorials, leaving players to decipher the mechanics independently.With over 20 different Jobs to master, players face an exceptionally challenging journey through the land of Ivalice.
However, for those willing to invest time in mastering each Job’s abilities and nuances, the payoff can be immense. Constructing powerful builds can lead to satisfying combat experiences that leave even the toughest bosses trembling.
1 Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Anime Tropes Are The Least Of Your Problems
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 stands out amongst its franchise for layering complexity excessively, basically inundating players with tutorials that attempt to explain its multifaceted systems.
Despite the irritating presence of anime tropes, the game features a diverse Blade system and refined combat mechanics that subsequently influenced the gameplay refinement in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Mastering the battle system in XC2 is no small feat; it demands a cognitive engagement that tests the limits of even dedicated JRPG fans.The multitude of combat variables—such as the characteristics of the accompanying Blade, the impact of elemental abilities, and the order of skill usage—can create a daunting learning curve.
Even after spending over 100 hours in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, I recognize the frustrations other players may feel. Although I grasped the intricacies of the combat system, it’s clear that the game’s design had ample capacity for improvement. Thankfully, those refinements became a reality in its successor, Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
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