5 Forgotten JRPGs Worth Playing Today

While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t a typical Japanese Role-Playing Game – it was developed in France – it certainly feels like one. It’s a great RPG that has the potential to become a major talking point. In contrast, Persona 5 is a hugely popular, established JRPG that often overshadows other games. This highlights a common issue with successful titles: they can sometimes dominate the spotlight.

You know how sometimes a game just takes over everything, and it feels like nothing else is even happening? That’s happened to a few games I really love. When bigger titles came out around the same time, they kinda got lost in the shuffle, and people didn’t really notice them at first. But honestly, it’s not just that. Luckily, a lot of these older games, especially JRPGs, have gotten remasters, which is awesome because it let me and a lot of other fans rediscover them. And even though they’re technically old now, they still play really well and are totally worth checking out!

Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. The Soulless Army

Spirit Detectives

I was so excited when Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army finally dropped! The original, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army, came out on the PS2 way back in 2006 – a tough time, since the PS3 was also new. It felt like a lot of people missed it then, and for years, it stayed pretty much untouched. But now? It’s everywhere! They released the remastered version on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S, which is fantastic. It’s great to see a classic get so much love. And honestly, this isn’t just a remaster – it’s more like a remake! They’ve made so many quality-of-life improvements and really buffed up the combat. As a Shin Megami Tensei fan, I can tell you this is a must-play title.

In Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, you play as Raidou, a detective who hunts demons in a 1930s-inspired Japan. You’ll battle demons, and you can even befriend and fuse them to create new allies – a familiar mechanic for fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series. What sets this game apart is its action-focused combat system. Alongside two demon companions, Raidou uses weapons and spells to fight enemies. While it’s not quite as fast-paced as Devil May Cry, the combat is a significant improvement, and with this updated release, the game hopes to reach a wider audience.

Ys: The Oath In Felghana

Zelda As An RPG

The game Ys 3: Wanderers from Ys first came out in Japan for PCs in 1989, and North American players didn’t get a chance to play it until the TurboGrafx-CD version in 1991. However, the true highlight is the remake, Ys: The Oath in Felghana, which initially launched on PC in Japan in 2005. North American audiences first experienced the remake on the PSP in 2010. Most recently, it was updated again in 2023 for the Switch in Japan, and as of 2025, it’s available on Switch, PS4, and PS5 in North America. Even if you don’t count the ports of the original game, the remake has had a surprisingly long history.

If you’re new to the Ys series, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is the perfect place to start. All Ys games follow the same hero, Adol Christin, and while they’re connected, the stories aren’t always told in order and don’t heavily rely on each other. Think of it as a faster-paced, action-focused take on classic top-down Zelda games. You’ll battle enemies with swordplay, learn magic, find equipment, and even unlock abilities that let you explore new areas, similar to Metroidvania games. The story is straightforward and the game is relatively short, making it a great experience to complete in a weekend.

Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings And The Lost Ocean

Card-Based Angels

I first played Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean back when it came out on the GameCube in 2004 – it was a pretty big deal because there weren’t a ton of JRPGs on that console. It’s cool to know that Monolith Soft and tri-Crescendo worked together on it, those two are awesome! For years, it was only available on the GameCube, but thankfully they released Baten Kaitos 1 & 2 HD Remaster on the Switch in 2023, and then on PC in 2024. The other game in the collection, Baten Kaitos Origins, was a prequel and originally came out on the GameCube way back in 2006.

When it was released, Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean stood out from other Japanese role-playing games. Instead of a traditional world map, the game took place across a series of floating islands, and players controlled characters who were angelic humanoids. The battle system was also unique – instead of standard turn-based combat, players built and used card decks to fight. Though this card-based system may have turned some players off in 2004, it wasn’t overly complicated. With deck-building games being so popular now, card game enthusiasts might be interested to learn about this hidden gem from the past.

The Legend Of Legacy

Mechanically Gifted

Originally released for the 3DS in 2015, The Legend of Legacy received a remastered version, The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered, in 2024, becoming available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Switch. While the remaster improved the graphics, the original 3DS version already boasted a vibrant art style. The game was designed as a spiritual successor to the SaGa series, known for its distinctive turn-based combat. Players begin by choosing one of several characters, though this choice mainly affects their class and doesn’t significantly alter the overall story, which is relatively simple.

What really grabbed me about this game was the fighting and the dungeons – and the best part is, they promised to keep adding more! It doesn’t use typical experience points to level up. Instead, your characters get better based on how you play. If you take a lot of damage, your HP might go up, and if you’re constantly landing melee attacks, your strength could improve. Plus, trying out different abilities could unlock completely new moves – it felt a bit random, honestly, which is probably why the SaGa series hasn’t blown up. Even though this remaster came out, The Legend of Legacy might still stay a bit under the radar, but it totally deserves more attention. If you’re like me and you love a unique and experimental battle system, you absolutely need to check this JRPG out.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy

A Great JRPG Returns For A New Launch

The history of Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is a bit complicated. It originally launched in Japan in 2012 under that name, then received an enhanced version called Bravely Default: For The Sequel in 2013. When it came to North America in 2014, it was released simply as Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, despite being based on the updated version. More recently, in 2025, it reappeared as Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster as a launch title for the Switch 2. Ultimately, the game began as an experiment by Square Enix to revisit the classic combat and style of older Final Fantasy games – less a successor, and perhaps more of a return to roots.

In Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, players controlled a team of four heroes who unlocked different classes, called Jobs, by defeating bosses. While equipped with one Job like a Black Mage, heroes could still use abilities from other classes, such as a Monk. The game’s unique Brave and Default system allowed players to strategically sacrifice turns to gain extra ones later, adding depth to the traditional turn-based battles. With its vibrant world, memorable characters, and innovative battle system, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy became a standout JRPG on the 3DS and remains a highly regarded title on the Switch 2, despite some story issues towards the end.

2025-12-22 11:39