6 Best JRPGs Available For Free On Steam

by

Before high-definition gaming became popular, truly free games were rare – you mostly got short demos with magazines or as promotional items. When free games first appeared in the HD era, they often came with hidden costs. While labeled as ‘free,’ players were usually expected to spend money on in-game items or other features to fully enjoy the experience.

Free-to-play games have become incredibly popular, with many of the best titles now coming from China and South Korea – think games like *Genshin Impact*, *Zenless Zone Zero*, and *Wuthering Waves*. This raises the question: what about Japan, which used to lead the gaming world? For those who play on Steam, the answer is yes – there are some excellent free-to-play RPGs from Japan worth checking out.

Persona 5: The Phantom X

Another Side Story In Tokyo

Persona 5: The Phantom X isn’t quite a direct sequel, but it explores a similar story with a fresh perspective. You play as a new hero, codenamed Wonder, who develops abilities like those of the Phantom Thieves. When a wave of corruption sweeps across Japan, you’ll need to investigate mysterious Palaces and help those responsible confront their inner demons.

The game plays much like previous *Persona* titles, both when exploring and during turn-based battles. You build a team using story characters and those you unlock through random draws. It can require some repetitive effort, but it truly captures the feel of *Persona 5*. It launched in early 2025 for mobile and Steam, and it runs surprisingly well on the Steam Deck.

Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis

Remaking The Whole Thing

Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis is a remake of Final Fantasy 7, but it’s smaller in scope than projects like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth. It aims to retell the entire Final Fantasy 7 story, including all related games, in shorter, more manageable episodes. Released in 2023 for mobile and Steam, Ever Crisis stays closer to the original storylines.

The game has expanded significantly since 2023 with new content delivered through chapters. While some previous installments, like *Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7*, featured action-based combat, everything is now turn-based for a consistent experience. Players can also customize their characters with a variety of fun costumes. Plus, the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis

An Ongoing MMO

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is the updated version of Phantasy Star Online 2, revamped with modern gameplay. The original Phantasy Star Online 2 launched in Japan in 2012, but North American players didn’t get to experience it until 2020. This was a surprisingly long wait, especially considering how popular the first Phantasy Star Online game was on systems like the Dreamcast.

Many Western players first experienced the *Phantasy Star* series through the *Online* games. This action RPG is a great choice for co-op play on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox, letting you team up with friends to take down large monsters and collect rewards in quick missions. However, it unfortunately doesn’t perform well on the Steam Deck due to its demanding system requirements.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links

Release The Dragon

If you’ve played any previous *Yu-Gi-Oh!* games, you’ll likely be familiar with this one. *Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links* came out in North America in 2017, following its release in Japan the year before. It’s available on mobile, Steam, and even the Steam Deck.

I’m really into this card game! It’s been around for ages and the whole point is to beat your opponent by reducing their life points using these crazy, awesome cards. What I love most is that it brings together characters from so many different anime shows I enjoy. But, honestly, getting the really powerful cards can be a bit of a struggle – you either have to play for a long time to earn them, or spend some money with Konami to get them quickly.

Bleach: Brave Souls

Play As Your Favorite Soul Reapers

Bleach: Brave Souls originally launched on mobile devices in North America in 2016, following its release in Japan the previous year. It became available on PC in 2020, and has since been ported to consoles like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Interestingly, despite running on a standard Switch, it’s not currently playable on the Steam Deck.

Putting aside its history across different platforms, *Bleach: Brave Souls* feels like a typical mobile game – most missions are very short, usually lasting five minutes or less. You can unlock and level up a wide variety of characters from the *Bleach* series, from the main hero Ichigo to more unusual fighters like Kenpachi. It’s a simple hack-and-slash game, but anime fans will likely enjoy it.

Tribe Nine

Play It Before It’s Gone

Tribe Nine was released on February 20, 2025, for Steam and mobile devices, and is playable on the Steam Deck. However, access to the game is limited – the service will end on November 27, 2025. Fortunately, the game’s challenging gacha elements have been toned down, especially with the latest updates designed to improve the player experience.

Inspired by the 2022 anime of the same name, *Tribe Nine* throws players into a high-stakes game that’s like a supercharged version of baseball. The game features a charming pixelated world to explore, but when it comes to action, characters are rendered with detailed 3D models. If you enjoyed *Danganronpa*, you’ll likely appreciate *Tribe Nine*’s art style and story, as some of the same creators worked on it. Even though it’s a free-to-play title, *Tribe Nine* is shaping up to be a standout game of 2025.

Read More

2025-10-18 07:35