If You’re Getting Into JRPGs, Avoid These Games

Summary

JRPG newbies should start with tactical or turn-based games for a smoother introduction.
Elden Ring represents challenging Soulslikes, not ideal for beginners without skills.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake isn’t the best starting point due to its incomplete story and action focus.

As someone who’s recently discovered the captivating world of JRPGs, I can attest that they can be quite challenging for beginners or gaming novices. The genre spans a broad spectrum, from turn-based to action to tactical gameplay styles. For those just starting out, tactical or turn-based games might be the ideal entry point. This is because these types of games allow players to take their time during battles, making it easier to learn the ropes and gradually immerse oneself in this intriguing genre.

A remastered version of Final Fantasy 3 on Steam, as well as the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, serve as excellent examples. They share similarities in their class systems and straightforward narratives, making them less complex compared to other popular JRPGs. Although these newer JRPGs boast exceptional quality today, they often come with intricate controls, dense lore, or challenging difficulty levels.

8. Elden Ring

The Stand In For All Soulslikes

Elden Ring stands out from the crowd, serving as a hub for all Souslikes, considering how it might otherwise be swamped by them. It reigns supreme in its genre, offering rich lore, a multitude of weapons to amass, and an expansive world to traverse.

As a fellow enthusiast, I must confess that this game is incredibly challenging, with no easy settings to dial down the intensity. This toughness seems to be a common trait among games of its kind. Even if you’re diving in with friends in co-op mode, the learning curve might be too steep for beginners who lack the necessary skills to thrive.

7. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Raising Your Army

The game “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” was exceptionally intense for long-time fans of the “Fire Emblem” series, as it introduced a magnitude of choices never seen before in the series, including three distinct campaigns and around a dozen playable characters. During the downtime between fights, players were able to interact with their party members, fostering stronger connections with the characters.

Having numerous characters makes for quite a lot of dialogues, which might become overwhelming for some. The complexities of strategic fights could be eased by reducing their challenge level, but it’s the surplus of options and character interactions that can overwhelm beginners, hence making it less suitable for them.

6. Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Not THE One To Start With

For those not into Role-Playing Games (RPGs), they might have come across the title “Final Fantasy 7“. It’s often considered exceptional by many devoted fans. As a result, the remake of “Final Fantasy 7“, being a contemporary update, could appear as an excellent starting point for newcomers to this classic game.

In this situation, it’s important to note that what we have is just the first part of a trilogy that hasn’t been completed yet. Making a judgment based on this might be premature, as it only offers a limited perspective of the story, which doesn’t fully capture the essence of the original game due to its confined scope.

5. Kingdom Hearts

It Only Gets Weirder From Here

Kingdom Hearts is a unique blend of characters from the Final Fantasy series, such as Cloud from Final Fantasy 7, and beloved Disney animated stories like Aladdin. For enthusiasts of both worlds, it was an engaging action RPG on the PlayStation 2 that also introduced a new cast of characters, including Sora, Kairi, and Riku. The game offers various difficulty levels, but even the initial installment can be quite challenging due to its platforming sections and camera angles.

Playing the sequels of these games might offer improved experiences, but they are not advisable recommendations due to their complex and difficult-to-follow lore, particularly starting from the second game. The storylines in all the games are part of a continuous narrative, making it essential for players to have some experience with easier action RPGs or even some games from the Final Fantasy series before diving into the Heartless universe.

4. The Legend Of Legacy: HD Remastered

The Saga Continues

Originally released for the 3DS, ‘The Legend of Legacy’ was effectively the spiritual sequel to Square Enix’s popular ‘SaGa’ series. Now, you can experience this engaging role-playing game on additional platforms due to ‘The Legend Of Legacy HD Remastered’. While it offers a compelling storyline, its primary focus is on gameplay and provides an immersive, vibrant world to discover. In essence, it serves as an excellent introduction to the RPG genre.

In contrast to conventional RPGs, enhancing your character in this game resembles the SaGa series, where statistics and skills are augmented or acquired unpredictably during turn-based combat. Keeping tabs on these changes can be quite challenging.

3. Octopath Traveler

No Sharing Allowed

In a nostalgic nod to role-playing games from the SNES era, Octopath Traveler debuted, showcasing Square Enix’s innovative HD-2D visual approach. Initially, players embark on their journey as a single character, gradually encountering and recruiting the remaining seven party members while traversing the world and engaging in enjoyable, strategic turn-based combats. Each character possesses their unique narrative, implying minimal interaction between the team, which was slightly disappointing for some fans seeking more interconnected stories.

In addition, characters who weren’t part of the main party didn’t gain levels, resulting in more leveling or grinding than many modern role-playing games when it first came out. Therefore, Octopath Traveler does have challenges that might confuse a newcomer, however, it is still a solid JRPG, though it has some minor criticisms worth noting.

2. Persona 5

This Game Is How Long?!

Spending over 80-100 hours on Persona 5 is a significant commitment, but it’s worth it if you enjoy Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs). The game isn’t particularly difficult when the challenge level is lowered, but investing such a large amount of time in one JRPG can be demanding. However, this linear structure benefits Persona 5, as it offers an authentic glimpse into Japanese school life and fosters stronger relationships between the player and their team members compared to most other JRPGs.

The “Persona” series stands out distinctly, yet it might not be the ideal starting point if someone is seeking an immersive, grand journey for their first encounter with the franchise.

1. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Massive Beasts, Massive Heartaches

Originally released for the less favored Wii U console, Xenoblade Chronicles X has now been upgraded as the Xenoblode Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. Despite being tough on the original platform, it continues to be difficult on the Nintendo Switch, owing to its expansive open-world setting. During your journey towards quest markers, you’ll frequently encounter massive monsters that are far beyond your combat capabilities, initiating battles.

Navigating through can be quite a hassle, despite the fact that death doesn’t result in losing progress. The steep difficulty levels can be daunting without using guides, but this challenge is what draws many to it within the Xenoblade series. Additionally, the multiplayer aspect offers an intriguing side activity.

2025-07-26 22:13