As a long-time enthusiast of JRPGs, I must admit that the non-Japanese landscape of this genre has been a breath of fresh air. These games have managed to capture the essence of classic JRPGs while infusing their own unique twists and creative storytelling. Amongst these newcomers, Sabotage Studio’s Sea of Stars stands out as the best non-Japanese JRPG in recent years.
As Japanese developers started crafting their own role-playing games (RPGs), innovators such as Yuji Horii, often referred to as the founder of Dragon Quest, sought to develop a gaming experience that was easier for players to grasp.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that my beloved classic game, Dragon Quest, drew significant inspiration from the legendary titles like Wizardry and Ultima. However, unlike those games, it didn’t offer the freedom to completely customize characters, nor did it delve into an endless list of attributes or allow for massive parties. Additionally, its storyline wasn’t as branching as those classics.
By blending a streamlined method with distinctly Japanese elements such as artwork reminiscent of anime, intense narratives, and a strong emphasis on character growth, these games came to be known as Role-Playing Games of Japanese origin (JRPGs).
With the rise in popularity of JRPGs (Japanese Role-Playing Games), many other game creators started to incorporate elements inspired by these games. Numerous developers aimed at developing their unique versions of JRPGs, despite not being from Japan.
Instead of focusing on traditional Japanese RPGs, we’ll spotlight some outstanding non-Japanese JRPGs that share the same essence and quality as if they were crafted by the legendary Japanese RPG masters from yesteryears.
8 Earthlock
The Festival of Magic
The game Earthlock, developed by Norwegian studio Snowcastle Games, is a modest indie production. Its narrative unfolds in a universe where Earth has come to a standstill, leading to extreme weather events across different zones – some areas are seared by unrelenting sunlight, while others are shrouded in eternal darkness due to lack of rotation.
Snowcastle derives its influence from timeless SquareSoft games that employ turn-based battles. In this game, party members engage in combat in duos, rotating their skills and adopting two unique stances. For instance, Amon switches between ranged and melee attacks, each offering specific benefits against particular foes.
On the screen’s side, a timeline shows the combat sequence, assisting players in planning their strategies. Earthlock, a modest and comfortable game, keeps its word well. It seems the initial game was fairly successful, as Snowcastle announced Earthlock 2 back in 2020.
7 Fallen Legion
A Vanillaware-esque Game
Initially, the game Fallen Legion may appear to be a creation by Vanillaware, thanks to its captivating graphics. However, this assumption is incorrect. The games Fallen Legion: Sins of an Empire, Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion, and their compilation Rise to Glory were in fact developed by the Indonesian studio Mintsphere, not Vanillaware.
In each game, the action unfolds within the Empire of Fenumia, with distinct characters serving as the lead. Although not classics in the traditional sense, they possess a unique appeal. The battle system mirrors that of Valkyrie Profile, where pressing each face button initiates an attack by one of your party members.
In battles, it’s as if you’re navigating through multiple rounds or levels. Following every triumph, players have the option to select enhancements that boost their team’s power for the upcoming contest.
Beyond battle scenarios, the game Fallen Legion unfolds on a map resembling tactical games. Interacting with different areas leads to cutscenes, battles, or a combination of both. It might not be the most extraordinary game, but it offers a fresh take on something that feels slightly familiar.
6 Child of Light
The Only Child
In the imaginative game titled “Child of Light,” developed by Ubisoft Montreal, it shares more similarities with Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) than Western Role-Playing Games (WRPGs). This captivating adventure revolves around a character named Aurora, who passes away in her sleep and finds herself in the fantastical realm of Lemuria. Her quest is to bring light back to this land so she can return home.
Child of Light is richly artistic, with its storyline primarily in rhyme which could potentially be a concern for some gamers. The visual style pays homage to historical illustrators and also includes influences from Yoshitaka Amano, famed for designing the logos and characters of the Final Fantasy series.
The fighting follows an active turn-based mechanism akin to Grandia, where a sequence dictates the action order. Based on the selected commands, players have the ability to disrupt or halt enemy moves. In battles, just two party members engage, resulting in more focused and tactical encounters. Child of Light is often praised as one of the finest Role-Playing Games (RPG) for the PS3.
5 The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age
The Fellowship Of The Final Fantasy
It’s surprising that Electronic Arts seemingly followed the design of Final Fantasy X when developing their Lord of the Rings game, which turned out to be The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age.
The battle sequences closely resemble Final Fantasy X’s Conditional Turn-Based Battle system. A list shows the sequence of combatants, and you can manipulate this order using abilities that accelerate allies or immobilize and delay enemies. Each team member possesses unique talents and acquires new skills by leveling up or by using Elf Stones.
In this unique take, the main character hailing from Gondor goes by the name Berethor, serving as a captain. The narrative of the game takes place amidst the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it’s important to note that this story is not part of the original canon. This creative liberty enables the game to incorporate thrilling boss battles, such as teaming up with Gandalf to confront formidable foes like the Balrog.
Behind the scenes, Berethor and his team work under Gandalf’s supervision, offering support to Frodo and the Fellowship on their mission to eliminate the One Ring.
4 Battle Chasers: Nightwar
An American JRPG
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of diving into Battle Chasers: Nightwar, a captivating RPG crafted by the American studio, Airship Syndicate. Unlike many other games on my radar, this one doesn’t openly acknowledge JRPG influences, but it sure does resonate with that vibe for me and some gaming aficionados who tag it as an “American-style JRPG.” It’s a bit of an odd label, I must admit.
In the game titled Battle Chasers: Nightwar, a varied group of characters undertakes a mission to safeguard the area known as Gully while journeying towards the Capital Lands. However, when their airship is attacked and damaged, they find themselves stranded on an ominous island brimming with dangerous adversaries, forcing them to navigate and survive in this perilous environment.
This game offers a perspective similar to that in Diablo, making it easy for players to traverse dungeons and the overall map. The level of dungeon challenge can be selected prior to entry, and the layout is randomly created, ensuring each exploration feels unique.
The combat in this game is easy to grasp with some unique elements. During fights, ordinary attacks build up Overcharge, an extra mana reserve that can only be used during that particular battle. Certain skills require charging, moving the character’s turn later in the sequence. Similarly, opponents also have mechanisms like these, allowing players a chance to prepare for powerful strikes.
3 Cris Tales
Time Travel In Battle
As a passionate admirer, I’d like to share that I am part of the team at Dreams Uncorporated, a Colombian studio, who crafted Cris Tales as an affectionate tribute to classic JRPGs such as Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, and Persona.
The game’s central concept involves time travel, but with an original twist. The main character, Crisbell, has the ability to traverse through time not just on the map, but also during battles. This unique trait allows for diverse outcomes, such as Crisbell leaping back in time to manipulate objects, thus eliminating them as hindrances in the present moment.
Crisbell’s knack for time-travel proves crucial in combat scenarios too. By sending adversaries back in time, she weakens them, or sets up a toxic assault that strikes when they reach the future, inflicting significant harm. This time-altering tactic is vital for overcoming certain predicaments.
The fundamental structure of the game “Cris Tales” revolves around its time-traveling mechanism, with a strong emphasis on storytelling. Once Crisbell acquires her powers, she witnesses her homeland being ruined by the Empress of Time. Driven to halt the empire of this antagonist, she embarks on a journey to learn mastery over her time sorcery and alter the destiny of her world.
2 Chained Echoes
A Mix of JRPGs Homages
The independent RPG game, Chained Echoes, which is reminiscent of 1990s JRPG legends, was developed by Matthias Linda, a lone German developer. If you’re an admirer of games such as Final Fantasy, Suikoden, and the timeless classic Chrono Trigger, there are numerous aspects in this game that will surely catch your interest.
In the game titled “Chained Echoes“, players accompany Glenn on his journey as he takes part in a mission with the Iron Bull crew. Unintentionally, Glenn sets off a strange stone during this mission, leading to a massive explosion and unfortunate casualties. This event forms the foundation for the game’s complex storyline.
The story is full of twists—sometimes too many—but JRPG fans will easily recognize its influences. The game offers numerous features, including base building, giant robot battles, a class system, and robust turn-based combat.
One notable aspect of the battle system is the Overdrive Meter. In combat, certain actions can increase or decrease this meter, and its level affects whether teammates inflict greater damage or sustain more. This encourages tactical play instead of excessive use of fundamental attacks.
1 Sea of Stars
The Best Non-Japan JRPG
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but sing praises for the breathtaking masterpiece, Sea of Stars, crafted by the ingenious minds at Canadian studio Sabotage Studios. This contemporary RPG carries the soul of a timeless JRPG, transporting players on an unforgettable journey. As per the words of director Thierry Boulanger, the game’s origins were inspired by gaming greats such as Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, and Illusion of Gaia, and it’s clear that the final product truly sparkles with brilliance.
The tale unfolds around Solstice Warriors Valere and Zale, who are on a long-term quest to vanquish The Fleshmancer. During their journey, they encounter an array of vibrant characters, all propelled by unique reasons for joining them.
In this game, the battle system employs various inventive tactics. Every skill comes with an individual interactive feature that boosts its potency. Moreover, players have the option to lessen incoming damage from enemies by timing button presses correctly, and teammates can collaborate their skills to unleash powerful joint attacks.
The unique combat feature in Sea of Stars is known as the Lock system. During an enemy’s preparations for an assault, symbols representing various elemental types float above them. If a player manages to strike all the necessary elements before the enemy takes their turn, it nullifies the enemy’s attack. This encourages players to think strategically rather than relying on impulsive attacks.
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2024-11-28 19:09