I struggle with creating effective systems within Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). Often, these games provide minimalistic systems that might not seem appealing, yet I persist in trying to maximize them, showing a strong resistance to abandon the effort.
It seems reasonable to take advantage of a game’s features if available. However, after spending many years feeling frustrated, I eventually realized that only a few Role-Playing Games from Japan (JRPGs) offer crafting systems that are truly valuable.
In some of these games, you’ll find captivating crafting mechanisms that keep you on the lookout for fresh recipes, materials, and other essentials to develop a brand-new item or equipment piece.
Here, I’ve compiled a rundown of some Japanese Role-Playing Games featuring exceptional crafting systems, which play a crucial role in advancing the storyline, inspiring players to venture further, and boosting the entire gaming experience.
8. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
No Money, Just Materials
In contrast to many other JRPGs, where earning money comes from defeating enemies, visiting towns, and upgrading equipment, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana takes a unique approach by not utilizing an in-game currency system at all.
To acquire a potion or new equipment in Castaway Village, you’ll need to interact with the appropriate Non-Player Character (NPC) and utilize materials that you gather from defeating enemies. In some cases, you may first need to learn the recipe for the item before you can create it, which might seem like an additional step that isn’t strictly necessary.
Additionally, there’s a Synthesis feature for enhancing weapons, which can further transform into evolved versions when they reach their highest level. A miniature tree illustrates the various enhancements a weapon can undergo, fostering resource gathering and establishing a gameplay cycle that feels natural.
In essence, the crafting system in Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana might not be revolutionary, but it’s integral to the gameplay experience. Instead of the monotony of just visiting a shop, spending gold, and casually switching gear, this system offers a more interactive and immersive way to manage your character’s equipment.
7. Vagrant Story
All About Overlooked Essentials
It’s possible that I mixed up “easy to grasp” with “complicated,” but there’s a solid explanation behind my choice to feature “Vagrant Story” on this list. If you don’t become proficient in the game’s crafting system, you might struggle to progress effectively.
Vagrant Story” is an acclaimed Role-Playing Game from the PlayStation 1 era, known for its lack of handholding and penalizing those who don’t grasp its mechanics. A notable aspect of this game is its intricate crafting system, which can be confusing yet is indispensable to master.
As a gamer, in the world of Vagrant Story, I’m not just focusing on the mechanics; it’s all about the process. You see, crafting a new weapon isn’t just about wielding it, but about creating it. There are three essential components: the weapon itself, the blade, and the hilt. When you assemble these pieces, presto! A brand-new weapon is yours to master. The armor system operates in much the same way; it’s a creative process of assembly and improvement.
The true test lies in deciding which tool to design and optimizing its usage within the system. These tools can be categorized according to their class, affinity, and type. Class specifies which types of creatures they are effective against, affinity refers to elements such as fire or water, while type can be further divided into blunt, edged, or piercing weapons.
As you repeatedly employ a specific weapon against a particular kind of foe, its effectiveness against them increases. Conversely, it loses potency when used against other types. This predicament leads strategists to manufacture numerous specialized weapons and frequently switch between them based on the opponent.
Over time, if a weapon’s performance lags, consider breaking it down for components and create fresh ones, aiming to preserve its type and attributes. This might seem straightforward, but trust me, it can be quite complex.
Instead of providing a detailed guide, this is just a list about the crafting system in ‘Vagrant Story.’ Thankfully, I won’t have to explain it thoroughly because it’s quite complex, but for those familiar with it, you might find it intricate yet rewardingly satisfying.
6. Final Fantasy IX
The Simple Life
In simpler terms, the crafting system in Final Fantasy IX is straight-forward, and since the game shows you abilities by using certain equipment, it turns out to be crucial and fulfilling.
The Synthesis system in Final Fantasy IX felt tailor-made for someone with a hoarding tendency like myself. However, for individuals who frequently offload their equipment, it might seem bothersome initially.
That’s due to the fact that Synthesis involves merging two elements to produce a fresh outcome. These can range from two pieces of equipment, decorations, protective gear, or other items. The possibilities for combinations are virtually endless.
What makes Final Fantasy IX stand out is its equipment system that grants new abilities with each item purchased or obtained through stealing. Consequently, players often find themselves wanting to acquire every possible piece of gear they come across.
After mastering a skill, merging your existing tools with new ones can forge fresh equipment, thereby granting you an additional ability. The joy of minimalism is evident, and the crafting system in Final Fantasy IX beautifully illustrates this.
5. Tales of Graces f
Crafting Items, Food, Equipment, Mostly Anything
Initially, the crafting system found in Tales of Graces f appears to resemble the Synthesis system from Final Fantasy IX. This method is known as “Dualize,” and while it begins with a straightforward approach, it gradually becomes more intricate as you advance through the game.
Essentially, you’re merging two distinct elements to produce something novel, like blending an apple and a Gel Seed to make an Apple Gel, which is the fundamental recovery item in the Tales series.
One of the great aspects is that you can create items without needing specific recipes; all you require are the necessary materials. This element of exploration and discovery is present as you craft each item, although the game ensures that incompatible items cannot be combined together.
Besides combining substances to make food and everyday objects, there is also a mechanism for bonding tools with crystals to produce more robust versions, or blending them with fragments to alter their functionalities or improve their quality.
Materials can be obtained from monsters, discovered as you traverse the game’s expansive landscapes, or produced through the Eleth Mixer – a distinctive feature in the game “Tales of Graces f”. The entire design of the game contributes to making its crafting system extremely gratifying.
4. Persona 3 Reload
Crafting New Demons Via Fusion
It seems we’re on the same page about demon fusion being akin to a crafting mechanism, doesn’t it? Particularly in role-playing games such as Persona and Shin Megami Tensei.
I selected “Persona 3 Reload” primarily due to its streamlined gameplay structure, as it eliminates the need for excessive saving manipulation (save scumming) or frequent menu navigation for skill inheritance.
In the game “Persona 3 Reload“, following a fight, you sometimes gain a fresh Persona just by selecting a card. This is a significant improvement over the shuffling process in earlier versions since the new Personas arrive already at a fixed level and come equipped with some fundamental skills.
A more effective method for creating new characters, known as Personas, is by merging them within the Velvet Room. You can perform various types of merges; for instance, a standard merge combines two characters to produce one stronger character, and special merges enable fusion of three or more. The strength of the resulting persona will increase based on your level in Social Links.
Merging Personas is sheer joy and can swallow up quite a bit of your time if you share my passion for collectibles. Notably, mastering the appropriate skills in Persona 3 Reload becomes more straightforward, enabling you to craft a powerful monster capable of dealing critical damage to any boss with ordinary attacks.
3. Dragon Quest XI
Having Fun With The Fun-Size Forge
In Dragon Quest XI, crafting is accomplished using the conveniently portable Fun-Size Forge. This process combines elements of skill and chance, similar to many other turn-based JRPGs, it seems.
Following the usual process of choosing a piece to work on using your supplies, you then begin the rhythmic pounding. Essentially, there are two primary actions involved in crafting: striking (bash) and adding intricate details (flourishes).
For each item, there’s a particular dimension and it’s split into smaller squares. Using Bash, the Luminary selectively strikes one of these squares to enhance its quality, often employed in refining the last stages of the process.
Skillful moves, known as Flourishes, allow you to strike multiple squares simultaneously or hit the same square repeatedly. However, they require Focus Points for use, thus limiting their application. Furthermore, the complexity of crafting increases as more Flourishes are utilized, lowering the temperature of the process.
Following every hit, if the marker on the square lands close enough to a specific range, the crafted item’s quality improves. However, if it goes beyond this range or misses it altogether, you can anticipate an average quality result.
The procedure is both subtle and thrilling as it promotes DIY projects, and what’s more, you have the flexibility to modify items in your inventory and boost them up to a +3 enhancement level. The element of chance I mentioned? Occasionally, a strike might result in a critical hit, which can either aid or disrupt your entire plan of action.
2. Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream
The Power of Alchemy
It’s impossible to have a conversation about crafting in Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) without bringing up the Atelier series. Essentially, this entire franchise is centered around the concept of alchemy and crafting, with only a few exceptions.
As a devoted fan, I’d have to say that every Atelier title offers its unique crafting experience, but the enigmatic subseries, particularly Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream, stands out as the most innovative and gratifying for me.
Initially, it’s essential for you, as a virtual entity, to collect any item that comes within your reach. This task serves as a driving force for exploration, adding an entertaining twist of occasional mini-games focused on gathering, which keep the gameplay engaging and fun.
In order to initiate alchemy within Atelier Sophie 2, three essential elements are required: a recipe, your current alchemy level, and the necessary ingredients. After gathering these items, you will choose traits from various materials and arrange them on a Tetris-style grid.
In this crafting system, you can mix parts, establish connections between them, and employ diverse techniques to elevate your creations. It’s truly captivating and exhilarating! However, it could become a bit monotonous after some time, but there’s no questioning that it ranks among the most imaginative crafting systems in JRPGs.
1. Star Ocean The Second Story R
The Best Crafting System in JRPGs
As a dedicated gamer, let me tell you again and again, the Star Ocean series boasts one of the most outstanding crafting systems among Japanese RPGs. Brace yourself, because I’m about to delve deep into this topic.
It’s clear to me that the third and fourth games in this series feature complex and perhaps overly intricate systems that demand a high level of comprehension. However, the creators, tri-Ace, streamlined and refined these processes from the fifth game onwards, with the remake Star Ocean: The Second Story R, making it more accessible for players.
In this game, crafting functions just as you’d expect – we collect resources, pick a skillset, and produce items. However, what makes it unique is not only the manner in which crafting becomes available but also the vast array of potential results.
To enhance and develop a character’s proficiency in crafting, it is essential to allocate Skill Points (SP) into designated skill sets. Once these skills are obtained, the character might discover a fresh crafting capability or advance an already acquired one.
With our skill in crafting growing, we start incorporating scarcer resources into our work, boosting the likelihood of exceptional outcomes. Next, we choose a specific material, send a wish to the Random Number God, and patiently await the completion of the crafting process.
Without resorting to save-scumming tricks, it’s incredibly enjoyable and immersive to watch the crafting system in Star Ocean develop, bestowing us with extraordinarily potent items – a significant number of which are employed in speedrunning tactics. It’s one of the rare systems that truly acknowledges our commitment by offering substantial rewards.
In the game, I established a comprehensive workshop where items are made. One character utilized Alchemy to transform common Iron into rare Mithril, which another character then used to create armor that was far too strong for my character’s current level. The creative potential is vast and customizable according to your preferred playstyle.
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2025-02-23 17:11