10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

I’ve been playing video games for as long as I can remember, and one title that has always stood out to me is Chrono Trigger. Growing up in the 90s, this game was like a beacon of hope in an era where JRPGs were just starting to gain traction. The music, characters, and world-building were simply unparalleled, and it’s still revered by gamers today, but for me, well, that’s the one I played on my trusty old SNES.

As a kid, I would spend countless hours exploring its timeless worlds that it’s hard to believe it was released all the way back in 1990s. The story is a masterpiece of intrigue and emotion, and even today, it’s most diverse and interesting group of heroes in any game, with her Terra, Celes, Locke being unforgettable cast.


The popular role-playing game genre, once prominent, has been regaining significant attention within the mainstream market, largely due to the emergence of high-definition/2D remakes.

We’ve noticed several hit titles employing this artistic style effectively, yet there are plenty more that could benefit from the same approach. Here are ten candidates we believe are worthy of such a makeover.

10 Breath of Fire IV

Re-ignite the Flame

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

Among the less celebrated PlayStation 1 role-playing games is Breath of Fire, often overshadowed by titans such as Final Fantasy. Yet, in spite of this, it managed to maintain a significant presence and has garnered a loyal fanbase for its franchise who eagerly await further developments from the IP.

Though a fresh installment in the series might not be imminent, there’s certainly potential for a return to its roots in the near future.

Among all the games available, Breath of Fire IV is undoubtedly the gem you won’t want to miss out on.

This particular game stands out as the most advanced within its series in numerous aspects, including visual design, battle mechanics, and narrative structure. At the time of its release, the storytelling was unlike anything previously presented.

Exploring the dual perspective of Ryu and Fou Lou was captivating, offering a unique twist to the story since we seldom get to assume the role of the primary antagonist. This innovative approach significantly enhanced an otherwise predictable narrative, making it more memorable.

The game initially offered both 2D and 3D elements upon release. However, considering its predominantly 2D foundation, a high-definition, 2D remake similar to Dragon Quest III would be an impressive update.

9 Valkyrie Profile

The Most Unique JRPG Ever

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

Valkyrie Profile is a must-play for any JRPG fan, but it’s fair to say it hasn’t aged the best.

In terms of its 2D, side-scrolling design, intense battles, and merciless time management mechanics, this game can prove to be a real challenge to play.

If you’re up for the challenge, this game offers a deep and mature experience filled with thought-provoking content, immersive narratives, and exciting battles as well.

One way to rephrase this sentence in a more natural and easy-to-read style is: This game offers an excellent interactive turn-based combat system, where each character can be controlled individually using separate buttons. The success of your attacks, as well as whether you break the enemy’s defense or not, depends on your timing for when to strike and follow up on previous attacks.

The setting is much more somber compared to many others in the same genre, and Lenneth’s mission to gather a powerful force for the battle of Ragnarok is nothing short of captivating.

The beautiful art style would be a perfect contender for the HD/2D remake treatment, and considering this was an Enix title, Square Enix has to know that they’re sitting on a massive success if they pull the trigger here. We’re waiting, hopefully not until Ragnarok.

8 Final Fantasy Tactics

Unrivaled in the Genre

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

Among the titles in the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy Tactics stands out as one of the finest, arguably even the greatest strategy role-playing game ever crafted.

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of revisiting Square Enix’s masterpiece again and again, whether on my trusty Game Boy Advance or more recently on my iPhone. It seems like Ramza and his crew have been keeping me company quite frequently as of late.

However, we still haven’t seen the full remake treatment like many others have gotten.

Redoing Final Fantasy Tactics in full high-definition 2D style, similar to Triangle Strategy in terms of visual splendor, would be nothing short of sensational! It would offer an enhanced experience with greater detail in character development and narrative unfolding.

Refreshing the game with a fresh coat of paint, incorporating overdue quality-of-life enhancements, and addressing existing bugs could provide an excellent opportunity for reintroducing these timeless classics to modern gamers.

The game’s mechanics are simple yet offer a profound depth, enabling extensive personalization when designing your team’s appearance.

This show, too, boasts one of the most complex narratives among its peers, tackling political intrigue, and it carries a similar vibe to “Game of Thrones,” but set within the context of a Japanese Role Playing Game (JRPG).

This choice is hard to disappoint, and it’s only a matter of time before it receives such attention.

7 Persona 2: Innocent Sin

Darkness In The Classroom

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

Prior to Persona 5 reaching unprecedented peaks within the series, way back in 1999, Persona 2 was launched, though it received less recognition than it deserved.

In contrast to the contemporary Persona series with its lively and upbeat style, Persona 2 had a much slower and somber atmosphere.

It resulted in a story that approached some really dark themes and overall, feels like a more mature version of what the series would eventually become.

In this game, you’ll encounter the traditional fighting style from Persona, where characters summon Personas for battle, and an intriguing feature is the ability to converse with almost any enemy during combat.

In 1999, this particular game was launched, but it primarily featured a 2D design, with characters appearing on a 3D plane. Although the visuals were acceptable, they weren’t particularly remarkable. However, the game offered some interesting environments to explore throughout the play.

If you’ve witnessed how games similar to Octopath Traveler utilize this technique, it becomes clear that such a game design would be ideally suited for a high-definition/2D transformation.

6 Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen

Ahead of the Curve

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen” stands out as one of the intriguing titles in the annals of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). It was unveiled during a period when video games were still finding their stride, striving to deliver more engaging experiences for players.

In an unexpected move, Ogre Battle surpassed the limitations set by most, pioneering a strategic war simulation that was unprecedented on-screen.

As a commander, I’m tasked with leading my troops into epic battles. I deploy my units strategically, and then choose the best battle tactics for each situation. Then, I watch as they engage in fierce combat against their enemies.

If the gameplay feels reminiscent, it’s likely due to the fact that Unicorn Overlord reintroduced this style not long ago, showcasing great skill in its execution.

Revitalizing the original creator’s vision for this gaming style by providing a high-definition or 2D remake seems entirely fitting, as it could breathe new life into an outdated franchise that may have been ahead of its time in the past.

Currently, it’s widely regarded as a timeless cult favorite, and many enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the revival of this seemingly dormant franchise.

5 Tales of Destiny II

A Tale Worth Retelling

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

Among all the games from the Tales series, none seems more worthy of a remake than Tales of Destiny 2.

In this new adventure, you follow the story of Kyle, the son of the protagonist from the previous game. This epic tale encompasses familiar JRPG elements such as time travel and conflict, setting it apart and proving that Tales is a force to be reckoned with among the genre’s giants.

In this version, the intense battles stood out, employing a system reminiscent of Star Ocean 2, resulting in much the same experience. The action-oriented mechanics significantly boosted interactivity, creating an immersive feeling that resembled playing a fighting game during numerous skirmishes, and it all functioned flawlessly.

One issue, though, is that the combat screens were often too crowded, making it hard to see the action.

By providing the characters with a spacious battlefield to move around, we can avoid overcrowding and improve the clarity of the 2D/HD treatment.

The distinctive artistic approach it boasts is also something to preserve in any potential remake, avoiding the temptation to over-polish as the rough aesthetic played a significant role in enhancing the gaming experience.

4 Grandia

An Adventure Like None Other

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

It’s time for the JRPG series known as Grandia to be reawakened from its lengthy slumber, and a high-definition/2D remake could provide the necessary jolt.

Among all-time JRPGs, it stands out as one of the finest, capturing the spirit of embarking on a journey more authentically than any other game in its era.

As I embark on this grand adventure, I find myself at the center of a tale that swells into epic dimensions, casting me as a world-saving hero in search of an ages-old civilization. Yet, the haunting melodies and captivating artwork weave their own narrative threads, equally eloquent in relaying the story as the plot itself does.

In this game, I found myself utterly captivated by the exceptional combat system. It brought fresh ideas to the table, such as my ability to move freely during battles, outsmart enemies by canceling their actions, and employ strategic elements that were rarely seen in Japanese Role-Playing Games back then.

Even today, it remains an enjoyable experience, however, you might notice that the visuals could benefit from a fresh update.

Reminiscing about it, this game isn’t the longest one within its genre, but if given the chance to explore this world again, similar to our recent experience with Dragon Quest III, it would undoubtedly bring a lot of excitement.

3 Xenogears

The GOAT

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

I strongly believe that “Xenogears” deserves a complete overhaul in its remake, not just an upgraded or 2D version. Although my hopes are consistently shattered annually, maybe Square Enix could breathe new life into one of the greatest games ever made.

Xenogears narrates Fei’s transformative odyssey from a simple village dweller to unveiling the very essence of existence. Along this journey, profound topics like existential questions, faith, reincarnation, and others come into play.

There have been criticisms about the combat system since its inception, and it’s clear that improvements are needed, particularly for ground-based combat scenes.

The interactive battle system, which combines elements of turn-based combat, offers some innovative concepts, yet it would benefit significantly from refining its overall performance.

Although it is highly respected, it possesses one of the harshest random encounter rates among games, making it quite challenging to navigate due to this aspect.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but rave about this tale that stands head and shoulders above the rest. If only they could recreate its magic, expand on the enigmatic disc 2 segment, this masterpiece would be pure gold!

Refreshingly revisiting this game in a manner similar to how Star Ocean 2 was revamped would be fantastic. By blending 2D and 3D environments, we can breathe life into the narrative and perhaps spark anticipation for a complete remake in the future.

2 Final Fantasy VI

The Last of its Kind

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

For numerous fans, the pinnacle of the Final Fantasy series is none other than “Final Fantasy VI”.

This extensive story is packed with unforgettable characters and scenes, making it challenging to keep track, and it boasts one of the most compelling villains the RPG genre has produced thus far.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but rave about the incredible party dynamics in this JRPG. I’ve always been captivated by the diverse cast of characters, including Terra, Edgar, and Shadow, among others. Each one brings something unique to the table, and their growth throughout the game is nothing short of remarkable.

At that time, the battle system stood out as well, featuring interactive Limit Breaks and numerous methods for customizing your characters.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel that Square Enix’s classic game needs a fresh upgrade. While they’ve given us several versions, including a pixel remaster and various ports, what truly resonates with me is a full HD/2D remake. This would breathe new life into the game while preserving its timeless charm.

In Final Fantasy VI, the world is incredibly fascinating, yet it’s evident that the game’s aspirations were somewhat beyond the technological capabilities of its era.

Experiencing the World of Ruin as intended in its full glory would make for an amazing gaming experience. It would also be nice to see Kekfa undergo some improvements, so he’s not merely a laughing, vibrant speck on the screen.

In simpler terms, they have a vast, unmined source of potential with this game, yet it seems to be overlooked despite their rapid production of high-definition and 2D remakes.

1 Chrono Trigger

Its Time

10 JRPGS That Need 2D-HD Remakes

Without a shadow of a doubt, Chrono Trigger stands among the greatest JRPGs ever created, although personally, I might lean towards its sequel.

In this game, you’ll encounter unique music, imaginative characters, and enigmatic realms spanning various time periods – an unparalleled blend rarely seen since its inception.

Transitioning effortlessly from ancient times to the distant future, while maintaining a unified and intricately woven narrative, is a masterpiece that all forms of entertainment ought to study and admire.

You accompany Chrono and his companions on a temporal adventure aimed at defeating Lavos, an ominous entity. Along the way, you’ll face various challenges and hardships as part of this intricate and convoluted storyline.

In this game, the fight mechanism stands out as well, enabling characters to combine forces for powerful assaults. It boasts one of the finest, arguably the best, battle soundtracks ever composed.

However, Chrono Trigger was originally an SNES game, meaning it’s growing a bit long in the tooth.

Although the rough textures of the game’s visuals contribute to its appeal, many gamers have longed for years to witness these breathtaking landscapes reimagined in high-definition 2D format.

Even though it appears the Chrono series has reached its end, it doesn’t necessarily follow that Square Enix should disregard one of their most exceptional games in their library.

In other words, since it’s not a lengthy project, the work required for a remake shouldn’t be excessively challenging or demanding.

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2024-11-22 14:10