8 JRPGs That Shocked Everyone By Being Way Better Than Anyone Expected

Summary

Kingdom Hearts defied expectations by having a complex plot, blending FF and Disney elements.
Octopath Traveler 2 improved on its predecessor with reduced random encounters and better storylines.
Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana impressed players with its gameplay, characters, and intriguing story.

The release of Final Fantasy 7 was highly anticipated, but the series wasn’t as well-known in certain regions compared to others. Since most of its earlier games didn’t reach Europe, The Official UK PlayStation Magazine appeared skeptical when they featured it in their Christmas 1997 issue with the “Is this a Japanese RPG? You must be joking…

Regardless of whether players were initially fond of JRPGs or joined the trend later on, they’ve had the chance to witness numerous games meet or surpass expectations. Some games have even surprised us by becoming hidden treasures, contemporary classics, or giants in the JRPG genre. Here are some Japanese RPGs that have outshone our expectations.

8. Kingdom Hearts

The Famous Crossover Proves to Be Anything But a Mickey Mouse Operation

The initial game in the Disney-“Final Fantasy” collaboration ranks low due to fans’ high initial expectations. Given that “Final Fantasy” is a renowned name in Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), and Disney is a globally influential brand with a century-long presence in people’s childhoods, the pairing might seem unlikely. Notably, “Final Fantasy” is known for its mature themes and complex narratives, while Disney is typically associated with soft, fluffy, and conservative content; even as recently as 2012, Disney staff couldn’t grow beards in their work environment.

Some spectators believed that merging the two would result in a game with a Disney-esque tie-in flavor and a few Final Fantasy characters, rather than a standalone JRPG. Contrary to this expectation, although it didn’t present much of a challenge for dedicated JRPG players in terms of gameplay, its narrative was more intricate (and somewhat confusing) than anticipated. It provided enough story depth to make Final Fantasy fans feel comfortable in their familiar territory.

7. Octopath Traveler 2

The Rising JRPG Series Gets Over First Game Syndrome

Upon its debut, Octopath Traveler was both critically and financially acclaimed, yet there were areas for enhancement. The frequent random encounters, certain underwhelming narratives, and the representation of women could have been more effective. Despite these criticisms, some players considered it their game of the year. Nevertheless, these issues led others to contemplate avoiding Octopath Traveler 2 initially. However, many eventually gave it a chance.>

Or simply:

Octopath Traveler was well-received upon release, with room for improvement in areas like random encounters, storylines, and female character representation. Although some players hailed it as their game of the year, others considered skipping Octopath Traveler 2 until they eventually gave it a try.>

The second installment in the game series diminished the frequent random battles, quickened the combat pace, and introduced captivating new abilities such as the rechargeable Latent Powers. This means players don’t have to frequently switch party members for specific duties, and the narratives flowed smoother due to characters crossing paths and exchanging witty dialogue. These enhancements, along with others, successfully converted critics of the first game into followers of the series.

6. Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana

Unassuming Cult Classic Hides an Incredible Experience

For many years, the popular Ys game series has been in existence, but during its prime, its games were not widely released internationally. Many gamers likely became familiar with it around the mid-2000s, through games like Ys 6: Ark of Napishtim, remakes of its first two installments, fan translations of earlier versions, or via Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana.

If they joined the eighth game, players might not have known exactly what lay ahead. However, based on the game’s reception, they anticipated it would be enjoyable, but not extraordinarily so. What actually happened was that they became captivated by the gameplay, characters, and the intriguing storyline that unfolded as they explored the enigmatic Isle of Seiren. It’s no wonder the series has endured for almost four decades.

5. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel

A Humble Action JRPG That’s More Complex Than It Appears

Similar to Ys, The Legend of Heroes series didn’t gain much popularity outside Japan until its Trails subseries. Despite this, the games in the series weren’t as visually impressive or stylishly designed as their bigger counterparts. In comparison to the Final Fantasy games, titles like The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel came across as generic and somewhat outdated.

Initially, gamers might have been hesitant due to its simple-looking cover, but once they started playing, they found themselves captivated by its Action Time battle system and Orbment system. The latter allowed players to experience different effects based on the type of quartz they used. What’s more, the game frequently goes on sale, making it an affordable and accessible option for those seeking a new JRPG. Despite its unassuming appearance, its wealth of content and user-friendly nature has effectively converted many skeptics into enthusiastic fans of the Trails series.

4. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Sega Turns Their Brawler into a JRPG

In the narrative of Yakuza/Like a Dragon, it appeared that Kazuma Kiryu’s story had concluded with Yakuza 6. However, RGG Studio chose to explore a fresh hero’s tale instead of creating another open-world brawler as the sequel. Instead, they transformed it into an unconventional role-playing game titled Yakuza: Like a Dragon. The new protagonist, Ichiban, embarks on a journey to discover why he was wrongly blamed for his clan’s downfall, all while being backed by his eccentric companions. This adventure is filled with turn-based battles, a job system, and summons known as ‘Poundmates.’

Initially, it seemed like “Yakuza: Like a Dragon” was a drastic departure from the traditional games in the series – or so it appeared. However, upon closer inspection, these classic games were not just open-world action games; they also incorporated numerous RPG elements such as level-ups and items that enhanced stats. It took some time to adjust to the new direction taken by “Yakuza: Like a Dragon”, but its success defied expectations, making it one of the most successful titles in the series despite initial concerns about sales. RGG Studio had indicated they might revert to the old formula if the game failed, but instead, it thrived.

3. Final Fantasy 15

FF13 Tie-In Becomes a Standout, Standalone Adventure

Almost every “Final Fantasy” game is either someone’s most cherished title or least favored installment, with a few enthusiasts even enjoying the more contentious games such as “Final Fantasy 13”. Square Enix had confidence in this game, as evidenced by their development of an entire subseries centered around it. The games under the “Fabula Nova Crystallis” banner would have included “FF13-2”, “FF Type-0”, and the intriguingly titled “FF Versus 13”.

Following a decade of personnel adjustments, script revisions, technological upgrades, “Final Fantasy 15” was ultimately launched – a standalone title distinct from the “FNC” series. This development had some fans feeling apprehensive and recalling the disappointing wait for “Duke Nukem Forever“, but it ended up being a success. Although its narrative wasn’t particularly powerful, the bond between Noctis and his companions, combined with its action-driven gameplay, resonated strongly with a broad player base.

2. Fantasian

Apple Arcade RPG Proves Too Popular for It to Keep Hold Of

Subscription services, once offering numerous choices in one convenient location, now seem like an exclusive club restricting access to items that were previously sold individually. For instance, spending $6.99 per month (or $49.99 yearly) to play indie games and a few exclusives on Apple Arcade might not appeal to gamers who can get many games for the same price during the next Steam sale. However, those who took the plunge got to experience the initial version of Fantasian.

In a delightful twist, Fantasian, crafted by Mistwalker (the studio of Hironobu Sakaguchi, the original Final Fantasy creator), has delivered an authentic JRPG experience for nostalgic fans. This game offers a novel combat system where your positioning matters significantly, which can either bolster or hinder you depending on your strategy. Notably, its vintage vibe may seem familiar due to its heritage. Previously exclusive to Apple Arcade, gamers can now enjoy it on consoles and PC as Fantasia: Neo Dimension.

1. Pokémon: Red & Blue

Nintendo Wins Big After Being Convinced to Take a Gamble

Many JRPGs on this list exceeded fans’ initial doubts, as their mysterious beginnings, unexpected genre switches, or plain appearances didn’t immediately resonate with them. However, Pokemon: Red & Blue is an exception to the rule. The idea for a role-playing game centered around monster collecting was proposed by its creator Satoshi Tajiri to Nintendo as early as 1990. Initially, Nintendo didn’t fully grasp the concept’s potential appeal. It wasn’t until Shigeru Miyamoto became aware of the project that he successfully convinced the higher-ups at the company to give it a chance.

Despite initial challenges, Tajiri and his team needed six years to transform their Game Boy RPG featuring pocket monsters into a tangible reality. Upon release, its intuitive yet challenging gameplay quickly ignited a worldwide phenomenon as players attempted to collect them all, utilizing the handheld link cable for trading. This soon evolved into a multimedia powerhouse that generated substantial profits for Nintendo, only then did they fully grasp the project’s potential.

2025-04-29 13:44