Best JRPGs That Let You Create Your Own Character

Unlike many Western RPGs where you create your own character, Japanese RPGs, or JRPGs, usually feature protagonists with established backstories. This isn’t a negative thing, though – some of the most popular JRPGs, like Final Fantasy 7 and Persona 5, are famous for their compelling characters. In fact, the characters from Final Fantasy 7 are so well-loved that Square Enix has continued to build upon that world with new stories and games.

In Persona 5, players form closer relationships with their teammates through dates and casual hangouts, which can even lead to romantic connections. Leaving aside traditional Japanese role-playing games, let’s explore some games inspired by Western culture that allow you to create your own character. We’ll also consider massively multiplayer online games and ‘Souls-like’ games, even those made in Japan, as they represent a different style than the games we’ll be focusing on.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

The City Of Champions

Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newest game in the Pokémon series, lets players create highly customized characters. You can choose your avatar’s gender and adjust everything from their hairstyle and eyes to their overall facial structure. Plus, you can continue to personalize your look with new haircuts at the barber and by shopping for the latest clothes.

A big part of the game is showing off your customized characters when you battle other players – that’s why people invest so much time in them. Beyond that, it’s fun to explore the city and catch Pokémon in different locations. At night, you can challenge rivals and compete in a city-wide tournament. Battles happen turn-by-turn, but the ability to quickly use attacks during cooldowns makes the combat feel faster and more engaging than in many other games.

Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Sky

A Big Step For DQ

Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky is a significant game in the Dragon Quest series, especially because it let players create and customize their character’s gender for the first time in a core Dragon Quest game. This feature continued in the next installment, Dragon Quest 10: Rise of the Five Tribes Online, but was more common for that game since it was an online multiplayer experience.

While the game doesn’t have a huge visual overhaul, a standout feature is the ability to recruit and switch up your party members – something you don’t see often in Japanese role-playing games. As you progress, you can also utilize a class system called Vocations to fine-tune your party and make them stronger in combat. Plus, the game supports four-player co-op, letting you team up with friends and experience the adventure together.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Your Life, Your Rules

For JRPG fans who love to customize their characters, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a top pick. While you can’t create a character that looks exactly like a celebrity, you can still personalize their appearance and choose a starting class. These classes, called Lives, fall into different categories. Combat Lives focus on traditional RPG roles like fighting, with options like the Paladin, while Gathering Lives involve collecting resources, such as woodcutting.

There are also ‘Crafting Lives,’ characters focused on making items, like the Cook. All three types of Lives – Heroes, Paladins, and Crafters – can be leveled up and improved, letting players switch between them. The more Lives you unlock, the more things you can do in the game. Unlike some RPGs, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time doesn’t rely on a major, world-ending plot, making it a more relaxed experience. You can even team up with friends online for optional dungeon adventures.

Octopath Traveler 0

Rebuilding Tomorrow

Octopath Traveler 0 introduced character creation to the HD-2D series, offering basic customization options like gender and hairstyles – a step up from earlier games. The gameplay builds on the series’ turn-based battles, letting players choose between defending to earn points, or spending those points to take multiple actions in a single turn.

Unlike previous games where you controlled parties of four, Octopath Traveler 0 lets you bring eight characters into battle. These characters are split into two independent rows, giving you more strategic options. The game also adds a town-building feature, letting players express their creativity in new ways beyond just customizing their characters.

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Fish Out Of Water

Okay, so out of all the Xenoblade Chronicles games, Xenoblade Chronicles X is the one where you actually get to build your character how you want. You can change things like gender and facial features, which is cool. Plus, there’s a class system, and honestly, switching between classes is the key to getting really powerful. It’s the best way to level up and become a beast!

Xenoblade Chronicles X is a large, open-world game featuring action-packed combat similar to massively multiplayer online games. Players team up to explore the world, battle creatures, and combine abilities for strategic effect. While the game can be initially difficult, it becomes more manageable once you unlock your mech, known as a Skell.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin

Running With Eggs

Like other Monster Hunter games, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin lets you customize your character’s appearance quite a bit. Even though the game has a brighter, cartoonish art style compared to the main Monster Hunter series, you can still create a character that looks like you.

Unlike traditional Monster Hunter games focused on action-packed combat, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a turn-based RPG where you raise and team up with monsters. You’ll still battle monsters as you explore a large, open world, searching for their nests. Inside these nests, you can steal eggs, and if you succeed, you can hatch them and add powerful monsters to your team – a lot like collecting Pokémon!

Kingdom Hearts X

Keyblade Wars

Originally a Japanese browser game, Kingdom Hearts X went through several changes in name and how it was played. Players could always design their own Keyblade Master, choosing from a limited selection of faces, hairstyles, and outfits. The game, before it was discontinued, featured a collectible medal system with characters from across the Kingdom Hearts, Disney, and Final Fantasy universes.

Each medal possessed an attack strength that grew with its rarity, and could be further enhanced by combining medals. The gameplay resembled a collectible card game, using medals in turn-based battles within both original and well-known worlds, all driven by unique stories. Sadly, Kingdom Hearts X is no longer available for new players. Its online services ended in 2021, and the game was removed from digital stores in 2024.

Miitopia

More You Than Normal

While Miitopia isn’t the strongest turn-based RPG – battles happen mostly on their own – it can be surprisingly enjoyable thanks to its creative character customization. The original game for the 3DS had a unique feature: it used faces from your friends gathered through SpotPass and StreetPass, randomly inserting them into the game world, often as monsters.

Players can use their existing 3DS Mii avatar or create a new one to play. While the Switch version lets you customize a Mii, the 3DS version offered more unique experiences thanks to features like SpotPass and StreetPass, which created randomized adventures. If you’re looking for the most original and fun gameplay, it’s best to find a copy of the game for the 3DS.

2026-02-01 08:35