As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating worlds of these iconic JRPG franchises, I must say that each one holds a special place in my heart. However, if I had to pick just one series that truly embodies the spirit of an anthology and continues to push the boundaries of what a role-playing game can be, it would have to be Final Fantasy.
The gaming world hosts numerous Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) series that have been ongoing for a while. Some of these narratives unfold in a continuous sequence within the same epic storyline, whereas others provide self-contained journeys in every new installment.
Both approaches can deliver compelling narratives, engaging gameplay, and fascinating worlds. However, they all have in common the shared mythology—the lore that every title within a franchise carries forward.
Regardless of having unique narratives, these JRPGs maintain a connection to their brand identity, often through the use of manuals explaining monster and spell origins or frequent recurrence of common themes.
In this post, we’ll be showcasing some outstanding JRPG series that offer self-contained narratives, yet share common traits and take place in a unified world.
For our consideration, we focused only on franchises that have had at least three core series releases. Additionally, we excluded any titles that directly follow another game in the series, as we felt it was too straightforward.
8. Pokemon
Different Generations
As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring impact and influence that Pokémon has had not just within the realm of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPG), but across the entire gaming industry. These adorable pocket creatures have proven time and again that turn-based RPGs are far from extinction, and continue to captivate audiences worldwide with their charm and depth.
It’s only logical to ponder if the primary Pokémon games share a connection given that we’ve seen over nine generations and about 1,000 distinct creatures. However, in a nutshell, they don’t.
Each Pokémon entry features a unique, self-contained tale. Although storytelling isn’t the primary emphasis of these games (as they offer enjoyable gameplay experiences regardless), you can still enjoy them individually.
Each Pokémon adventure presents its own distinct tale within the broader context of aiming to become a top-notch trainer by collecting them all, earning badges, and competing on a global scale. However, across the various media outlets associated with Pokémon, each installment offers a unique narrative.
7. Grandia
The Most Standalone Franchise
Among all the Grandia series, what they share most notably is their unique battle system; however, each individual game offers self-contained narratives, character development, settings, events, monster types, and even exclusive names for items.
The initial “Grandia” series introduces Justin, a young boy, as its main character, while the second installment revolves around Ryudo, a witty mercenary. The third game centers around Yuki, a pilot. Each hero embarks on their journey for distinct reasons, accompanied by an eccentric group of companions whose stories eventually intersect.
In this game, the combat system seamlessly blends elements from both real-time and turn-based modes. The sequence of events is dictated by a timeline, which decides when characters can make their move and how long each action takes to complete. A skillfully timed strike can disrupt an enemy’s attack, while stronger moves necessitate a brief charging period.
One common aspect is the intricate magic system. By merging distinct elements, new ones emerge with distinctive spells and effects. Thankfully, the magic names are consistently used throughout the series to avoid Grandia becoming the most unremarkable JRPG franchise in the gaming world.
6. Wild Arms
The Fantasy Wild West
The “Wild Arms” series consists of five individual games that have common elements, such as the weapons known as ARMs (short for firearms), a setting inspired by the Wild West and resembling a desert landscape called Filgaia, and a recurring theme emphasizing the preservation of life on this planet.
In the game world of Wild Arms, party members utilize ARMs defensively, whereas antagonists employ them for harmful purposes. The role of Guardians emerges here, serving as defenders of Filgaia. Moreover, players can summon these Guardians during battles, introducing an intriguing aspect to the combat system.
The Wild Arms series has consistently stuck to its central theme, weaving stories around monsters and key events, yet each tale is unique in its own way.
Every game offers its own distinct characteristics, featuring original races such as extraterrestrials and demons. The fourth and fifth installments significantly revamp the turn-based battle system, introducing innovative tactics into the Japanese role-playing game genre.
5. Breath of Fire
Dragon Clan Saga
In essence, the initial three installments of the “Breath of Fire” series take place in the same universe, but they span multiple centuries. As a result, gamers can play each title individually, without requiring a summary or recap to follow the events unfolding in what appears to be a sequel.
In every game, there’s a main character named Ryu, who has distinctive blue hair and can transform into a dragon. Alongside him in his journeys is a companion, Princess Nina, who possesses wings.
Throughout the first four parts, the series consistently immerses us in a medieval-style fantasy world populated by characters who are personifications of different animal species, thus upholding the core concept that runs throughout it.
In the game ‘Breath of Fire’, the adversary frequently assumes the role of a religious figure. The dragons in this world yearn for tranquility, but their peace is constantly disrupted by individuals who fear what they might transform into, and ultimately, their actions often lead to the villain’s downfall.
This series offers a charming, vibrant journey filled with a deep-rooted lore centered around dragons and abundant opportunities for fishing.
Perhaps the reason Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, the fifth installment, didn’t perform as well could be because it ventured too far from the norm. It introduced new settings and gameplay that were more advanced than what was typically accepted at the time, which might have left fans feeling disconnected or even alienated.
4. Star Ocean
A Universe of Games
Again, I find myself emphasizing the intricacies since every game within the Star Ocean series takes place in a continuous timeline, despite being spaced out by millennia.
Though the second game follows as a continuation, the link between them is scarcely addressed. Essentially, each game carries its unique narrative, yet they share certain common features.
One of the most significant families is the Kenny clan. Since the initial installment of Star Ocean, a representative from this family has held a notable position within the Pangalactic Alliance, an entity committed to preserving harmony and order across the cosmos.
The series is captivating due to its exploration of space travel and intriguing interactions between characters hailing primarily from medieval-like and advanced futuristic realms.
Recent mainline titles like Star Ocean: The Divine Force include callbacks to their predecessors.
Instead of direct links, these references seem to hint at a poignant, wistful goodbye rather than straightforward connections between the games. It’s almost as if The Divine Force was sensing that Star Ocean was nearing its final chapter in the realm of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), and was acknowledging the series with a heartfelt tribute as it bid adieu to the world of JRPGs.
3. Shin Megami Tensei
Thematically Religious
In simpler terms, the “Shin Megami Tensei” series is a Japanese Role Playing Game (JRPG) franchise that maintains consistent themes, mechanics, and sometimes similar environments, but each game tells its own unique story while fitting within a larger concept.
The background of Shin Megami Tensei draws heavily from various religious motifs, weaving together a rich and diverse mythological landscape that is mirrored within the gameplay.
The games encompass characters based on religious figures from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Norse mythology, and other belief systems. Additionally, the series explores philosophical concepts, science fiction themes, and mysticism.
In Shin Megami Tensei, most stories take place in contemporary Tokyo amid a post-apocalyptic backdrop, but there are exceptions. This series often delves into how common folk cope when the extraordinary intrudes upon their reality, often by means of dark or malevolent entities.
Exploring the various themes in this series can sometimes feel complex due to the multiple, subtly woven layers of meaning and intricate connections between ideas that might not always be immediately apparent.
2. Tales Of
The Most Anime-esque Franchise
Among all Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) franchises, Tales series likely boasts the highest number of mainline games. With well over fifteen installments – excluding direct sequels or spin-offs – it’s worth mentioning that only a few titles actually continue from one another in the storyline.
Generally speaking, the main Tales of series entries can be enjoyed independently. Each one takes place in a unique world with separate characters, consistent motifs, and narratives.
In both instances, you’ll find a common thread running through the fantasy genre, whether it’s a story that incorporates some technical elements or is part of the franchise’s game manual. This bond is evident in terms of shared names for items, magical spells, abilities known as Artes, and creatures.
A notable characteristic of this franchise is its strong connection to anime style. Notably, various games from the “Tales of” series have been transformed into anime episodes. While Tales of Arise has updated its graphics, the cutscenes maintain an aesthetic reminiscent of traditional Japanese animation.
In this narrative, viewers will encounter a rich tapestry of character growth, intense emotional scenes, profound expressions of friendship, and other signature elements commonly found in Eastern storytelling.
Among the many series that could be chosen to represent JRPGs, “Tales of” is undoubtedly a strong candidate. Interestingly, the skit system is a feature that has won over fans and is commonly found in many versions of the game.
1. Final Fantasy
The Crystal Lives
When it comes to anthology series in gaming, Final Fantasy is often the title that readily springs to the lips of numerous gamers.
From its initial release, the Crystal Saga series has always provided self-contained tales within each primary installment, except for those directly linked sequels that make their connections apparent through the titles themselves.
As a dedicated storytelling enthusiast, I can tell you from personal experience that when it comes to self-contained tales, it’s not merely the storyline, figures, or sequence of events that vary – the whole universe gets reinvented.
In some “Final Fantasy” games, the settings are medieval, in others they’re steampunk, and in others they seem quite modern. These distinct settings can make a newcomer to the series think that games like “Final Fantasy VIII” and “Final Fantasy XVI” are from entirely different franchises due to their unique worlds.
They won’t realize it until they become aware of the consistent mythology in Final Fantasy series, which serves as a sort of gaming manual or bible. While each game is distinct, common elements bind them together: crystals, chocobos, moogles, summons, spell names, items, and the character named Cid who always appears.
The thing is, Final Fantasy takes pride in being an anthology, not just with its standalone stories but also in its gameplay. Each new director essentially defines what the next Final Fantasy will be.
Although the following installment deviates significantly from the previous one, the series’ mythos undeniably belongs to the realm of “Final Fantasy,” continually drawing fans in with its daring and imaginative entries.
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2024-12-07 19:39