Great JRPG Franchises That Had Rough Starts

Key Takeaways

Persona series found its identity after initial struggles, combining life sim with classic JRPG elements for a winning combo.
Fire Emblem overcame initial problems to become a beloved tactical franchise, rewarding players with strategic gameplay.
Drakengard’s initial lack of identity and engaging gameplay loop led to its overshadowing by mainstream audiences.

As a seasoned gamer who has navigated through countless digital realms, I must say that my journey with these iconic games has been nothing short of intriguing. The early iterations of what we now call classics were often far from perfect, and the Drakengard series is no exception. Before Yoko Taro found his footing in the world of gaming with Nier: Automata, his work on Drakengard struggled to resonate with a larger audience due to its complex plot and lackluster gameplay mechanics. It was a shame because the storytelling in those games was truly captivating.

Role-playing games in the Japanese style (JRPGs) boast a deep and vibrant heritage within the gaming world, leaving an indelible mark before finding massive success in the West with the advent of the PlayStation 1, which exposed countless gamers to the exhilarating experience of managing a team and embarking on an unforgettable journey. Over time, many series have emerged, pushing the boundaries of this genre and introducing groundbreaking advancements across various aspects such as combat mechanics and visual aesthetics.

Many well-known JRPG series have become familiar names today, but their beginnings in the gaming world were far from smooth sailing. The initial games within these series often received heavy criticism, faced challenges during development, didn’t sell as expected, or struggled with a mix of these difficulties. Fortunately, these hurdles didn’t prevent the top JRPG franchises from making their mark in the industry.

5 Persona

It Took A While For This Spinoff Series To Establish An Identity Of Its Own

The “Persona” series is widely recognized as one of the most successful modern role-playing game (RPG) franchises, appreciated for its unique blend of life simulation and traditional RPG mechanics. Since the third main installment, these games have been refining their visual appeal, offering players some of the most visually engaging RPG experiences ever created. It’s quite astonishing to think that this series began as a spin-off from “Shin Megami Tensei”, with the initial game not exactly setting the gaming world alight upon its release.

As a dedicated fan, I must confess that “Persona Revelations” boasted an engaging narrative and intriguing characters, but its gameplay left much to be desired. The battles, which were notoriously long-winded, often stretched on for what felt like eternities. In fact, even a few random encounters could make players want to pull their hair out due to the agonizingly slow combat pace. Regrettably, “Persona Revelations” lacked any innovative modern mechanics to expedite gameplay, making it an arduous journey that I would advise fellow fans to steer clear of, if possible.

4 Fire Emblem

The First Entry In This Beloved Tactical Series Had Its Fair Share Of Problems But Managed To Establish A Series

Many enthusiasts of strategy role-playing games are familiar with the acclaimed series, Fire Emblem, and its significant influence on the video game sector. This JRPG franchise from Nintendo is renowned for consistently offering top-notch tactical gameplay, where smart strategies and unit management pay off. It’s remarkable to think that a well-known series like this had a challenging start in the gaming world, as Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light was criticized for numerous issues that failed to impress many gamers.

Back in the day, I found the gameplay of this title brutal and tough to grasp. To make matters worse, it wasn’t exactly easy on the eyes, even for its time. This combination made it hard to sell copies, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the Fire Emblem series would vanish after just one release. But boy, was I wrong! This game managed to scratch a specific itch for many fans, leading to word-of-mouth spreading like wildfire. As a result, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light saw enough sales to warrant a sequel. And now, here we are, with a successful series that’s still going strong today.

3 Drakengard

Before The Advent Of The Nier Series, Drakengard Struggled To Find An Audience Or Identity

Prior to achieving widespread recognition through his stellar work on Nier: Automata, the creator was predominantly recognized for his contributions to the Drakengard series. This trilogy was marked by an unusual narrative and multiple endings, but its gameplay mechanics failed to captivate a mass audience, thus causing the Drakengard games to be overlooked in mainstream gaming circles. Struggling to establish a unique identity, the initial game utilized a musou-style gameplay loop, while subsequent installments experimented with smaller-scale combat instead.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit that the narrative in Drakengard hooked me good, but it left much to be desired elsewhere. The visuals were far from stunning, and the sound design didn’t pack the punch it needed. At times, the gameplay felt like a retread of familiar territory, even coming across as mindless at points. Despite its ambition, it was evident that Yoko Taro’s stories could’ve benefited from a more engaging gameplay loop to reach a broader audience. Thankfully, he nailed it with Nier: Automata.

2 Xeno

Despite Being A Stellar JRPG, Deadlines And Lack Of Funds Turned Xenogears’ Latter Half Into A Glorified Slideshow

Many people view Xenogears as an exceptional JRPG, yet one of the PS1’s greatest letdowns. The narrative brimmed with insights on societal and religious themes while skillfully utilizing its sci-fi backdrop to captivate players in a gripping tale. The ability to switch between conventional and mecha combat added an exciting twist to the turn-based gameplay, only for it to be unfortunate that the game’s initial concept didn’t align with its financial resources or development duration. After drawing players in with the first disc, much of the second disc essentially presented as a lengthy slideshow, revealing the disorganized nature of the game’s development process.

It’s great news that following the good Xenosaga trilogy, Nintendo acquired the rights to the Xeno series. This allowed Tetsuya Takahashi to bring his vision to life and more in the Xenoblade Chronicles games. The open worlds and captivating stories found in these games make them among the finest modern JRPGs available, indicating that this series will likely remain on Nintendo consoles for a long time.

1 Dragon Quest

The First Game Is Important To JRPGs As A Whole But Isn’t Fun To Play At All

For many gaming enthusiasts, criticizing Dragon Quest in any manner could be seen as blasphemy. After all, it’s one of the most revered JRPG series in history, having laid the groundwork for numerous genre tropes with its debut game. This initial installment played a significant role in setting the stage for the classic hero’s journey – battling formidable opponents, overcoming powerful adversaries, and ultimately saving the realm from great evil. However, despite the legendary status of the first game, it would be flat-out dishonest to claim that it offers an enjoyable gaming experience.

Initially upon its launch, Dragon Quest (or Dragon Warrior as it was known in the West) faced criticism due to its basic gameplay mechanics. Western audiences were often unfamiliar with such games, which led to sluggish sales at first. However, Nintendo Power’s promotions and giveaways helped boost its popularity, ensuring subsequent games would be distributed globally. Despite its initial struggles in the West, the strong following it garnered in Japan guaranteed a lasting impact for the series.

2024-10-08 08:33