6 Best JRPGs That Let You Build Your Own Town

As a seasoned RPG enthusiast with over three decades under my belt, I must say that these games have certainly come a long way from the days of pixelated characters and simple quests. Today, we have titles like Fire Emblem Fates, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom, which offer players not just epic battles and captivating stories, but also the opportunity to build and manage their very own towns.

Constructing a house or even creating one can be quite expensive, which is why many individuals today find satisfaction not only in designing a single digital house but an entire virtual town. City-building games have been around for quite some time, ranging from timeless classics like SimCity to more recent ones such as Fallout 4. Even the game Animal Crossing: New Horizons touches upon this genre.

Have there been any role-playing games with a strong focus on town construction that you might find impressive? It’s interesting to note that many JRPGs incorporate some form of urban planning, though it might not be immediately apparent. Let’s dive in and let these standout titles showcase their unique features.

6 Dark Cloud 2

Changing The Past Through Carpentry

6 Best JRPGs That Let You Build Your Own Town

Dark Cloud 2 is an action role-playing game brimming with numerous mechanics. Fundamentally, it’s a time-travel RPG where the protagonists, Max and Monica, venture through various periods in time to rebuild towns that a villainous force is tearing apart. To restore these towns, players will find themselves delving into dungeons, which are randomly structured similar to a roguelike game style.

As a player, I relish the opportunity to gather various resources and characters (NPCs), which enables me to revert the game world to its original state. Although I enjoy crafting towns according to my own vision, restoring certain aspects can reward me with bonuses. For instance, an NPC might request their house be built near a river.

5 Dragon Quest Builders 2

A More RPG-Infused Minecraft

6 Best JRPGs That Let You Build Your Own Town

In simpler terms, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a follow-up that breaks many restrictions found in the initial game. The original game was a spinoff of the classic Dragon Quest, aiming to emulate the gameplay style of Minecraft. In this title, players could explore, battle monsters, and construct towns. However, these towns would reset at the end of each chapter, giving players a sense that their hard work was erased as soon as they moved forward.

In the sequel, I found that the reset mechanic took a step back, making combat more polished and enjoyable. Plus, they handed us gamers an array of tools for construction and crafting whenever we pleased. The cherry on top? A co-op island where friends and I could collaborate to build a dream paradise! Now, while it didn’t boast as many building mechanics as Minecraft, Dragon Quest Builders 2 truly shone in the RPG aspects, leaving me hooked!

4 Ever Oasis

Setting Up Paradise In The Desert

As a fervent admirer, I can say that my journey in Ever Oasis commences with me, a young traveler, stranded in a barren desert landscape. To flourish and advance, players must construct a town which will, in turn, aid our character’s growth. The development of shops to acquire superior gear is an integral aspect of the gameplay loop. Moreover, the game features conventional leveling-up mechanics, and it plays remarkably like a Mana title.

After properly configuring the NPC characters and their stores, several of these NPCs can join your party. These NPCs possess unique abilities that aid players in overcoming dungeon challenges such as fitting through narrow openings or shattering large boulders. Although it doesn’t offer a vast town-building system typical of RPGs, these mechanics form the heart of the gaming experience.

3 Fire Emblem Fates

Creating A Medieval Or Samurai Castle

Initially, the game known as Fire Emblem Fates was divided into two separate releases: Conquest and Birthright. A common feature in both games was a mode called My Castle, where players could create their own town square. In this town square, they had the ability to establish shops that would ultimately contribute to the development of their kingdom as a whole.

In Fire Emblem Fates, each game brought a unique taste to my castle. The Conquest family had a more medieval feel, while the Birthright family leaned towards samurai themes. Similar to Ever Oasis, the gameplay options available in My Castle were somewhat restricted, but it was an engaging feature that added a fresh touch to the Fire Emblem series.

2 Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Become The Mayor Of An Island

As a gamer, I’ve recently found myself immersed in “Like a Dragon: Infinite Riches,” a fresh turn-based RPG that boasts a remarkably detailed town-building system. Approximately a third into the game, my character, Ichiban, finds himself shipwrecked on an island known as DonDoko Island. Upon arrival, I’m greeted by characters reminiscent of amusement park mascots.

The aim is to restore the island’s livability by gathering litter such as cans and clearing mud, with the collected items potentially used to construct furniture like benches that can be set around the island. This process is so detailed it seems like a game in itself! Sega might consider developing this concept for a spin-off within their Yakuza series, known for its unusual spinoffs ranging from zombie shooters to pirate adventures.

1 Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Taking Back Your Lineage

In “Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom,” the story revolves around reclaiming a kingdom that has been seized by an army of rodent-like invaders, leaving our protagonist, Prince Evan, without his rightful throne. However, an unexpected ally appears in this magical realm – none other than the President of the United States! Joining forces, they embark on a quest to gather allies and troops to challenge these small outposts across the world map using tactics reminiscent of Pikmin’s unique strategies.

In this game, players can construct a fresh base resembling a castle. Gathering enough NPC characters and resources will enable the creation of additional structures such as shops. These new builds will enhance aspects like morale within the kingdom. The improvements are built in real time, which means there’s a waiting period or cooldown, with some taking hours to complete. This concept is somewhat inspired by time-based mechanics found in mobile gacha games.

2024-10-03 08:33