As a seasoned video game enthusiast and avid collector of JRPGs, I must say that this year has been a veritable feast for my gaming appetite. From the moment I booted up my trusty PlayStation 5, I knew we were in for a treat.
The end of the year is a time to reflect on an individual’s personal and professional decisions.
On this gaming platform, it serves as a reminder to reflect upon the various video games launched throughout the year, and evaluate how these releases influenced the broader gaming industry.
At TopMob, we’ve not only shared our predictions for the Game of the Year Awards 2024, but we also wanted to do something special by shining a light on exceptional games from particular genres. We feel that each game deserves its time under the limelight.
In this place, our team went over many of the JRPGs that were launched in 2024, and after a very close competition, we added up the votes to create a list showcasing the top picks from them all.
2024 stood out as a remarkable year for Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), with many exceptional games released that left their mark on gamers around the globe. Moreover, it’s safe to assume that numerous other notable titles also found their way into players’ collections.
The entire TopMob staff listed their favorite JRPGs of the year, and after tallying the votes, we arrived at the following list. Some games listed here lean more JRPG-adjacent than strictly JRPG, but since the genre’s definition can get a little convoluted, we honored the results as they stood.
10 Visions of Mana
Return Of The Franchise
As a dedicated gamer, diving back into the world of Mana after all these years felt like stepping into a familiar, cherished home. It’s been 15 years since Square Enix graced us with a mainline Mana series game, but they’ve managed to capture the essence that made it so beloved in the first place.
In the game called “Visions of Mana,” you’ll find familiar elements such as magical beings known as elementals, recurring characters, a unique interface called the Ring Menu, and a cheerful and vibrantly colored ambiance.
One significant change noticed in this game is that it leans heavily towards storytelling, a departure from the approach taken by its earlier versions. (Visions of Mana)
Val serves as a Soul Guide, responsible for safeguarding and leading selected people known as Alms. Their purpose is to present their souls to the Tree of Mana, thereby reestablishing the balance of elements in the world.
This role-playing game in the style of classic JRPGs showcases Square Enix’s finest qualities at their best. Visions of Mana features a class system, allowing for personalized skill development; it employs strategic combat that takes advantage of elemental strengths and weaknesses; and it incorporates the exploration mechanics reminiscent of Metroidvania games, which becomes more extensive as you gather new tools. Furthermore, it presents an abundance of additional content that provides further insights into its lore.
After numerous updates and re-releases, we sincerely hope that Visions of Mana has introduced the Mana series to a fresh group of fans and that Square Enix continues to support it rather than putting it away once more.
Despite the game’s studio mysteriously shutting down on its release date, let’s maintain Val’s positive outlook and look forward to a promising future.
9 Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Arriving At The Big Leagues
Cygames made the game “Granblue Fantasy: Relink” available on specialized gaming systems such as consoles and computers, demonstrating that mobile games have the potential to compete with top-tier console and PC games – no disrespect meant to mobile games.
The difference in complexity between creating a mobile game and a large-scale Action Role Playing Game (ARPG) is truly colossal.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink offers a captivating experience and ranks among the most enjoyable JRPGs released in 2024. The Granblue Fantasy franchise originated back in 2014, debuting on mobile devices and web browsers.
Following significant achievements, it aimed even greater heights, conquering uncharted territories so remarkably that it shattered records at launch.
In this role-playing game set in an action format, you embark on your adventure choosing between Gran or Djeeta as your initial character. However, the game Relink offers more than just these two options, boasting over 20 playable characters (including those from DLC). Each of these characters possesses distinct weapons, abilities, and specializations. Typically, you’ll engage in battles with a team of four characters, which can be controlled either by the AI offline or by other players online.
Although Granblue Fantasy: Relink has its own separate storyline, it does draw upon events from the mobile game. The character episodes provide an overview of their pasts prior to the main plot, but this summary is essentially a recap.
However, this doesn’t change the fact that caution is needed before diving into the JRPG. My 130 hours of gameplay taught me one thing: farming to upgrade weapons and finding new sigils is incredibly addictive.
8 Dragon’s Dogma 2
Bigger, Better, And Stronger
Dragon’s Dogma 2 took everything the original did and made it bigger, better, and more fun.
Originally overlooked, yet ultimately cherished by many, the original “Dragon’s Dogma” from Capcom earned the title of a hidden gem among gaming enthusiasts. The anticipation for its long-awaited sequel, which finally arrived after a 12-year wait, has been palpable among fans worldwide.
Despite some controversies surrounding microtransactions and FPS issues, the game was a phenomenon.
In the follow-up, we see the introduction of fresh professions, a bigger and livelier universe teeming with colossal beings, an improved chess piece system (pawns), and a more compelling storyline.
In a simplified manner, “Dragon’s Dogma 2” offers an engaging open-world Role Playing Game (RPG) experience that remains unique each time you play due to its clever systemic design.
In plain terms, playing Dragon’s Dogma 2 won’t babysit you, and there may be instances where you feel like quitting, finding yourself disoriented in the dark, seemingly miles away from any semblance of safety. Yet, persevering and making it through another day is an extraordinary feeling that no other game can quite offer like Dragon’s Dogma 2 does.
7 Rise of the Ronin
Shaping Japan’s History
In the game titled “Rise of the Ronin“, Team Ninja’s skills from “Nioh” are reimagined to create an expansive open-world setting where your decisions matter, shaping not only the storyline but also the gameplay mechanics. This role-playing game (RPG) also encourages a great deal of player autonomy, rewarding exploration and completion.
During the Bakumatsu era, a time when Japan opened its doors to Western powers, the game “Rise of the Ronin” offers an unexpected abundance of choices that significantly affect the main story’s conclusion. At a certain point, players are compelled to pick a side, leading inevitably to conflicts with the opposing faction.
Fighting, inspired by Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, brings its own innovative elements into play. For instance, it incorporates a strategic stealth system to gain an advantage, and offers diverse fighting postures for each of the nine weapon classes available.
As a devoted admirer, one of the most captivating elements of “Rise of the Ronin” for me is exploring the map, settling disagreements, tracking downlawbreakers, and boosting my moral standing as I traverse through the rich history of ancient Japan.
6 Unicorn Overlord
Tactical Excellence
Vanillaware, a studio known for its confidence in its abilities, narrowly avoided bankruptcy following the development of “13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.” However, they didn’t let this setback deter them and bravely ventured into another project, creating the strategy RPG titled “Unicorn Overlord.
Ultimately, everything paid off, and the game was a massive hit.
In a similar style to the cherished “Ogre Battle,” the game titled “Unicorn Overlord” is a strategy RPG. The storyline immerses players in a world of political machinations, where Prince Alain’s kingdom has been deceived and overthrown by his own generals. After a decade, now aged seventeen, it falls upon him to restore his rule by gathering allies throughout the realm.
Adding new team members significantly enhances our tactical battles, as they bring a variety of character classes that offer multiple strategic options.
As an avid gamer, I can confidently say that the game “Unicorn Overlord” stands out among the best JRPGs of 2024 and is a remarkable addition to the strategy genre. The game’s unique selling point lies in its meticulously designed system of strengths and weaknesses, where each class has its moment to shine. Coupled with an intricate modular tactics system, it offers a gaming experience that is both engaging and strategic. In essence, it’s not just one of the best JRPGs of 2024, but it ranks among the finest strategy games I’ve encountered in recent years.
5 Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake
A Classic Remade
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the profound influence Dragon Quest 3 had, so potent that even the Japanese government felt compelled to partner with Nintendo in a unique agreement. This deal aimed to restrict the release of Dragon Quest games on weekdays, a strategic move designed to minimize instances of students skipping school and workers absenting from work due to their uncontainable enthusiasm for these captivating games.
The fact that it stands alone says a lot about the enduring impact of this classic JRPG. With its impressive sales figures exceeding millions, and the brand’s status soaring to unprecedented levels, it truly left an indelible mark on the gaming world.
It’s no wonder that Square Enix selected the HD-2D graphical engine for their remake of Dragon Quest 3, as it sets the stage for the Erdrick trilogy. In essence, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is essentially a must-play JRPG for dedicated fans and those yearning for a dose of nostalgia.
As a passionate admirer, I can say that this refreshed version not only maintains the classic gameplay but also enhances it with contemporary conveniences such as automatic saving and a more detailed background for the main character’s father. This added depth significantly improves the overall storyline.
The minimal adjustments required for the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake suggest that the original was visionary, as it was developed before many contemporary gaming trends. It might not appeal to all gamers, particularly those who favor narrative-heavy games over those with less emphasis on storytelling.
If you’re in search of a classic, strategy-based RPG featuring a customizable character system, challenging gameplay, and outstanding exploration, be sure to give the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake a try!
4 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Holidays In Hawaii
In “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth,” we find ourselves once again stepping into the shoes of Ichiban Kasuga, following his continued journey as the protagonist from “Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
Kasuga journeys to Hawaii for private matters, only to find himself caught up in the complex plots that the show is famous for, joining forces with the previous main character, Kazuma Kiryu.
Instead of Infinite Wealth sticking with the beat ’em up genre like its previous version, it has transitioned to turn-based combat and made significant enhancements to this system.
For instance, character positioning and follow-up attacks are no longer random. Each character has its own movement range in battle, adding a strategic layer. Some jobs, the character classes, return, while new ones expand the progression system’s scope.
The series favorite mini-games return with a force in Infinite Wealth, offering robust gameplay reminiscent of standalone titles. Included are humorous mini-games like Crazy Delivery, Sujimon, and Dondoko Island, which pay homage to other games.
The highlight, however, is Miss Match, a dating app Kasuga can join, showing that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth isn’t afraid to lean into its zaniness for the sake of player enjoyment.
3 Persona 3 Reload
The Best School Life
In simpler terms, Persona 3 was the role-playing game that boosted the series’ popularity through its unique calendar system, an engaging school setting complete with various social events, impactful interactions with non-player characters, and, not forgetting, the traditional turn-based battles featuring the collection and fusion of bizarre new creatures.
If you found Persona 3 enjoyable, it’s hard not to be smitten with Persona 3 Reload. It builds upon and enhances every aspect that the original game had to offer.
In this revised version, let me rephrase it as follows: The graphics have been significantly improved, the fighting and leveling systems are now more strategic and less dependent on random chance, and the character development for both party members and non-playable characters continues to be exceptional while providing one of the deepest psychological narratives in Japanese Role Playing Games.
In the updated version of the game, even the contentious area known as Tartarus underwent a graphical makeover and now includes lively conversations between party members to maintain an engaging experience.
Though it’s a bit challenging at times, the whole experience of playing “Persona 3 Reload” easily makes it one of the top JRPGs this year and an ideal starting point for those new to the series.
2 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The Most Ambitious
The challenge facing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was immense: building upon the foundation laid by Final Fantasy VII Remake, while reacquainting players with the world of Midgar, without compromising the essence that made Cloud’s journey and his companions so memorable. I am delighted to report that Rebirth has achieved this feat admirably.
In a clever manner, the follow-up masterfully preserves all elements of the original game, enhancing it with rich history, intricate mechanics, and numerous mini-games – whether you’re fond of them or not.
Discovering expansive, uncharted territories offers a wealth of engaging tasks that deepens the lore behind the game Final Fantasy VII.
The gameplay has been further polished, now offering aerial battles, along with the introduction of two fresh characters, and Synergy Actions – these are coordinated attacks that utilize each ally’s unique skills.
In addition to a skill tree system, there’s a bit of personalized adjustment available for each character in your party. Despite some minor hiccups near the conclusion, it remains charming.
Reviving the enchantment of a 1997 game by incorporating contemporary visuals, motion-capture technology, and voice acting is more challenging than creating an entirely new project from the ground up.
It’s great news that Square Enix did not disappoint, with Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth receiving numerous accolades, even here at TopMob. The game’s quality shines so brightly that the majority of criticisms revolve around its minigames, a minor issue given all the impressive feats this JRPG manages to pull off.
1 Metaphor: ReFantazio
The Best JRPG of 2024
It would be beneficial for every business to learn from Atlus’s approach. This innovative studio not only ensures a continuous flow of products, but also consistently creates outstanding games that set new benchmarks in the industry.
In the course of this year, Atlus introduced several noteworthy titles including “Persona 3 Reload,” an extended version of “Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance,” published “Unicorn Overlord,” and concluded with “Metaphor: ReFantazio,” a fresh intellectual property from Studio Zero, masterminded by the renowned director behind the “Persona” series.
In simpler terms, “ReFantazio” is an outstanding example of what Atlus JRPGs are known for. It combines the turn-based combat system from Shin Megami Tensei, a flexible progression system for all characters, and the calendar-based structure and social connections (Social Links) from Persona, creating a true masterpiece.
The primary narrative is remarkably realistic and subtly eerie in the way it reflects our world. This game delves deep into politics, fearlessly portraying corruption, prejudice, stark social disparity, and everyday hardships. It cleverly employs a JRPG fantasy backdrop to create a thought-provoking analogy.
In the esteemed ranks of JRPGs in 2024, Metaphor: ReFantazio stands out as the crown jewel at TopMob, symbolizing the perfect blend of time-honored traditions with groundbreaking innovation to create an extraordinary adventure.
Despite some small imperfections, its numerous advantages clearly demonstrate that it is feasible to remain faithful to a pattern while setting new standards for greatness.
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2024-12-05 17:10