One distinctive feature that enriches the JRPG experience is the freedom to pause our adventures when we arrive at towns or cities, providing opportunities for relaxation.
After a long day of adventure, it might be wise to catch some sleep at an inn, explore shops for fresh weapons, replenish supplies, and perhaps try our hand at the casino games if we’re engaging in a game like Dragon Quest.
Among the numerous cities we have the opportunity to explore, some may be overlooked, merely serving as stops along the way. Yet, there are those exceptional ones that leave an indelible mark on our minds and hearts.
In this article, I’ll highlight some of the most memorable city landscapes from Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) that have left an impression on me, either through their stunning architecture, unique offerings, or because they stir up feelings of nostalgia within me.
To ensure diversity, I made an effort to exclude multiple entries from a single franchise. However, certain cities hold such significance that omitting them from this list would seem negligent.
8. Zaphias
Tales of Vesperia
I’ve almost completed every main installment in the Tales series, yet when it comes to remembering cities, I find myself struggling quite a bit. However, one city that readily pops into my mind is Zaphias from Tales of Vesperia, the imperial capital, which serves as the starting point for our defiant hero, Yuri Lowell, on his adventure.
The most striking feature of Zaphias is undeniably its rigid caste system, a social structure that is prominently displayed across the city, from the lower districts to the nobles’ quarters. Each resident is well aware of their position and is accordingly treated, which is indeed a disturbing aspect of the city.
If you wander through the aristocratic districts accompanied by Yuri at the outset of the game, certain non-player characters may react dismissively towards you, belittling your attire or etiquette.
Zaphias stands out as it skillfully showcases how a city and its inhabitants can embody a fittingly intense and brutal image when the storyline requires such a portrayal.
7. Township
Breath of Fire II
In this post, there’s a bit of a trip down memory lane, but I’ve got a valid explanation. The location referred to as “Township” in the game “Breath of Fire II” is actually a city or town. As the player, you assist in its construction and development. After successfully defending it from an invasion by giant cockroaches, you then transform Township into your operational base. Over time, with further progress, this base evolves into a fully-fledged city.
In the realm of Breath of Fire II, you’ll encounter Non-Player Characters (NPCs) yearning for change, who dream of relocating to another village or starting their own business. By inviting these characters to your Township, you can help it grow and flourish, adding new businesses, facilities, or residences over time.
For the very first time, I encountered a town-building mechanism within a Japanese Role Playing Game (JRPG), and it captivated me right away. Prior to my encounter with Township, I had never realized just how gratifying it could be to watch a city evolve, become bustling, and acquire fresh resources.
In addition to Breath of Fire III and IV, games such as Suikoden, Xenoblade Chronicles, and others employed comparable gameplay systems.
6. Zeal
Chrono Trigger
1) The melodious tones of a gong and sitar, part of Zeal’s enchanting soundtrack, are music to my ears. Who wouldn’t love a floating continent, home to magical beings, serving as the capital for these gifted humans? Unthinkable not to find it captivating.
Chrono Trigger navigates various time periods without strictly adhering to each epoch’s cultural norms, geographical features, or historical timeline. This globally acclaimed role-playing game preserves its mythos while embedding every region with abundant fantasy, detail, and creativity.
On my initial visit to 12,000 BC, I assumed it would be an era entirely reminiscent of the Middle Ages, but Chrono Trigger surprised me. The realm of Zeal was a marvel of technology and magic, a beacon of wisdom. However, as is often the case, the quest for increasing power ultimately led to its demise.
Who would’ve thought draining power from an alien monster was a bad idea?
5. Heliodor
Dragon Quest XI
As a gamer, I’d say that between Puerto Valor or Gondolia in Dragon Quest XI, I might lean towards one or the other, but when it comes to prestige and iconic recognition, Heliodor stands out. That’s because it’s the initial city and, based on statistics, the place most players will visit the most.
In the captivating world of Dragon Quest, one consistent feature that stands out is that each city appears to mimic a genuine geographical area, not just in its architectural design but also in the dialects spoken by its inhabitants.
Puerto Valor draws inspiration from Spain, whereas Gondolia takes its cues from Italy. Heliodor, on the other hand, appears to be the most traditionally-oriented, featuring an English theme and a multitude of regional dialects.
To be honest, some might think I’m criticizing Heliodor, but let me clarify – far from it! It embodies the epitome of classic, traditional medieval charm, which is quite unusual to find in JRPGs.
The city is segmented into various districts, such as an affluent district and the central business district, which tends to draw questionable individuals.
4. Grand Trad
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Despite having looked up the definition of ‘iconic’ prior to choosing the cities, I found it intriguing to incorporate Grand Trad for reasons that were completely contrary to the word’s usual connotation.
This is due to the fact that the capital city of the Kingdom of Euchronia is particularly noteworthy, in a negative way, for its annoying and harmful characteristics.
As a passionate admirer, let me express that “ReFantazio” is an intensely political JRPG that delves into themes of diversity and racial equity. Even before I set foot in Grand Trad, I find myself on the receiving end of hate speech and discriminatory remarks, casually hurled at my Elda character in broad daylight by seemingly ordinary citizens.
In the capital, disturbingly frequent scenes of public executions and mistreatment of homeless people have become commonplace, with such events often taking place in full view of even young children, who seem unfazed by the spectacle.
While other options might be more instantly recognizable, Grand Trad is undeniably destined to make a lasting impression for many years to come.
3. Altissia
Final Fantasy XV
I’m not particularly fond of Final Fantasy XV. When I first played it at its release, it felt unfinished to me, and despite playing the additional content, I ended up feeling hollow, like a sense of betrayal from my own anticipation.
It’s undeniable that Final Fantasy XV boasts a stunning visual appeal. This extends to its characters, monsters, the expansive yet seemingly vacant landscapes of its world, and most notably, its cities – particularly Altissia, which bears a striking resemblance to Venice.
In Altissia, you have the opportunity to go fishing, explore numerous coffee shops, snap photos with Prompto, and travel on gondolas from one point to another.
Among the most stunning cities found in Japanese Role-Playing Games, this one truly captures our hearts, even though a colossal Leviathan has wreaked havoc upon part of it. However, from a gameplay perspective, the devastation left behind isn’t fully visible to us.
Following our victory over Leviathan, our investigation of Altissia continues as if nothing has changed. This implies that the devastated section was perhaps the part the player couldn’t reach before. I understand their reasoning, but it irks me when games make elements inaccessible due to widespread destruction. Ah, Altissia, mon amour, je t’adore.
After vanquishing Leviathan, our examination of Altissia carries on unaltered, hinting that the destroyed section was possibly the area the player couldn’t visit earlier. I can see why they did this, but it frustrates me when a game hides parts by causing widespread destruction. My dear Altissia, je t’aime.
Lastly:
Having defeated Leviathan, our investigation in Altissia remains the same, implying that the demolished part might have been the section the player couldn’t enter before. I comprehend their reasoning, but it aggravates me when games render parts unreachable through destruction. Cherie Altissia, je t’aime.
2. New Los Angeles
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Instead of choosing just one city from the Xenoblade series, I opted for a city that had significant narrative importance and boasted the most features across all games in the franchise. Additionally, given the upcoming release of the Definitive Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles X, it seemed like a good opportunity to make my decision.
In the game Xenoblade Chronicles X, New Los Angeles stands as the solitary human settlement, a refuge for those who left an ailing Earth in pursuit of a fresh beginning.
In the novel metropolis of this fresh city, the remaining members of society persistently fight to stay alive as we, the adventurers, scour for the Lifehold – an advanced computer system that preserves the awareness and genetic makeup of various life forms.
Just as its title implies, New Los Angeles is modeled after the original, boasting a modernized, futuristic twist on classic American architecture. Explore this urban landscape, glimpse into the routines of certain inhabitants, and witness the city flourish as you onboard new residents and accomplish various missions.
In Xenoblade Chronicles X, the city known as NLA holds a unique and singular importance. It was destined to be memorable, and it certainly lives up to that expectation. With an abundance of side quests, additional activities, and daily occurrences, NLA becomes a mesmerizing destination and one of the standout cities in the entire Xenoblade series.
1. Midgar
Final Fantasy VII
Midgar, Shinra, Wall Market, and the sectors are iconic locales in the cityscape of Final Fantasy VII’s JRPG world. Few virtual cities hold as much recognition as Midgar, characterized by its cyberpunk design and stark class divide. Despite this, it remains a gaming landmark beloved by many.
Our adventure commences in Midgar, as we strive to protect our world and elevate the esteem of everyday citizens by opposing the Shinra Electric Power Company. Throughout this journey, we become acquainted with the city’s essence, its inhabitants, their hardships, and their moments of happiness.
The enhanced version of Final Fantasy VII Remake expanded Midgar’s depth, enriching each district, including the Honeybee Inn, the Train Graveyard, and even the slums, where we met ordinary citizens. Additionally, characters such as Johnny and the Shinra Middle Manager were given more focus, enabling players to foster deeper relationships with them.
In response to those who view Final Fantasy VII Remake as a lengthy story with excessive additions, I find it to be a rich exploration of Midgar that was ideal for my experience and served as the ideal prelude for my remarkable voyage in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the standout JRPG I played in 2024.
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2025-02-06 17:10