JRPGs For Players Who Love Persona, But Want Something Different

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The Persona series has always been popular with RPG fans, either as a first introduction to the genre or by leaving players feeling deeply satisfied—and a little sad—after finishing the game.

After finishing a game, players often crave something new to play, something that really hits the spot or even introduces them to different experiences. Luckily, the world of Japanese Role-Playing Games, or JRPGs, has a huge variety of options, and there are definitely some titles every fan should try at least once.

That’s why I’ve put together a list of great JRPGs for fans of Persona who are looking to try something new. These games all have something special – whether it’s how they play or unique features that make them stand out.

8. Scarlet Nexus

High-Octane Brainiac

Okay, so let me tell you about this game, Scarlet Nexus. It’s an action RPG, and honestly, it almost slipped past me because parts of it looked pretty standard. But trust me, I’m so glad I checked it out – it’s totally worth playing. Seriously, don’t sleep on this one!

Scarlet Nexus differs from Persona’s strategy-based battles by offering fast-paced, real-time action combat, similar to games like Devil May Cry or NieR. You’ll control psychokinetic abilities to launch objects, string together attacks, and team up with allies. As you progress, mastering these powers becomes rewarding and allows for imaginative combat strategies.

Yuito and Kasane’s stories follow similar paths, but the real highlights are the bond episodes. These moments let you build relationships that unlock combat benefits – it’s like the Social Links from the Persona series, but without worrying about schedules or making conversation choices.

7. NEO: The World Ends with You

Run it Back in Shibuya

It’s a shame that NEO: The World Ends With You didn’t get much attention, especially considering Square Enix’s poor marketing played a role.

NEO: The World Ends with You is like a fresh start for the series. While playing the first game on the Nintendo DS can add extra emotional weight when you see familiar faces, it’s not required. The game smoothly reintroduces the core ideas, the Reapers’ Game, and the battle system.

The game’s pin-based powers let you create fast-paced combos and carefully plan your strategy for each fight. If you’re looking for a stylish game with a fresh setting and something different, NEO: The World Ends With You is definitely worth checking out. However, for the best experience, it’s helpful to watch a summary of the first game’s story if you haven’t played it.

6. Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Freedom To Approach

Honestly, it’s not often in JRPGs that I feel like my decisions really matter, changing how the story goes or even how I play. But Star Ocean: The Second Story R? That game actually nails it. My choices felt genuinely impactful, more so than in a lot of other JRPGs I’ve played.

This game lets you completely choose who joins you on your journey. What’s really interesting is the romance system – not only can you pursue relationships with different characters, but those characters might also develop feelings for each other if you don’t romance them yourself.

Beyond making choices that affect the story, the game features fast-paced combat that combines action with strategic elements like movement, dodging, blocking, and combining skills. Plus, it has a beautiful, retro-inspired art style that’s as visually impressive as the user interfaces in the Persona series.

5. Sakura Wars

Care For a Round of Koi-Koi?

The 2019 Sakura Wars game was a complete restart for the series, introducing a brand new group of characters. It felt like I was the only person I knew who had even heard of it, which really highlights how overlooked it was – and still is, honestly, like a few other games out there.

This game combines dating sim elements with fast-paced, action-packed battles against waves of enemies. While the story is good, it’s the characters that really stand out. You play as Kamiyama and can build relationships with five different girls, each leading to a unique ending.

Interacting with these characters, through the LIPS system, is really fun and feels like watching a lighthearted romantic comedy anime. There’s also an incentive to play the game again to see each character’s unique ending. However, unlocking everything – especially the Platinum Trophy – requires replaying the last mission many times, which can get repetitive.

4. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

A Teacher’s Life For Me

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is often compared to the Persona series, but it offers a distinctly different experience. It’s also widely considered one of the best role-playing games available on the Nintendo Switch.

The game is heavily focused on social interaction – between fights, you’ll be teaching, exploring the monastery, participating in activities, and forming bonds with characters and students from different groups. It even has a calendar and time management system that fans of the Persona series might recognize.

Honestly, what I really love about this game is how easy it is to get into, even if you’ve never played anything like it before! It’s not usually my kind of game with the grid-based battles, but this one just clicks. And trust me, you can lose so many hours to it. The fact that you pick a house and follow their leader’s story means every time you start a new game, it feels totally different – it’s super replayable!

3. Octopath Traveler 2

A Journey You Won’t Forget

If you enjoy the story choices and paths in games like Persona, you’ve probably heard good things about Octopath Traveler 2. It’s considered the game where Square Enix really nailed their unique 2D-HD art style and gameplay formula.

This game doesn’t emphasize social interactions like scheduling or building friendships with characters. Instead, it focuses on a story told through eight different characters whose paths connect and ultimately come together. While the first game had a similar approach, this sequel does it much more smoothly and features more frequent interactions between the characters.

It might take a little while to fully understand the story because it connects all the characters together. However, once it gets going, the game is a classic JRPG with engaging, turn-based battles and lovely, detailed pixel art.

2. Trails In The Sky: 1st Chapter

A Cult Classic’s Makeover

The 2025 remake of Trails in the Sky has become a favorite among JRPG fans. It’s considered one of the best modern titles in the genre, thanks to a wonderful update that makes it easy to pick up and enjoy, even if you’re new to the series.

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My colleague Murillo, who also loves Japanese role-playing games, wrote a great review that convinced me to buy a copy for my PS5. If you enjoy games with well-developed characters and immersive worlds, like Persona, you’ll find a lot to love here. Just be aware that it’s a bit slower-paced, and it takes time to fully grasp the unique combat system.

The actors have fantastic chemistry, and the story builds to a really exciting point that leaves you eager for the sequel. The game also includes a lot of great quality-of-life improvements, like a fast-forward feature, three different music options, and the ability to choose between dual voiceovers, all of which make the game much more fun to play.

1. Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Because Ichiban’s Number One!

To really understand the appeal of this game, picture classic JRPG characters – maybe young heroes – but imagine they’re just regular adults dealing with the challenges of a midlife crisis. That’s a big part of what makes Yakuza: Like a Dragon and its characters so enjoyable.

Ichiban is a remarkably lovable and intentionally silly video game hero. His incredibly cheerful and optimistic personality is so infectious, you might even find yourself preferring him to the main characters in the Persona series.

This game feels just like the other Yakuza titles at its core, but it really boosts the fun with tons of side activities and even more humor. You’ll find new mini-games like Dragon Kart and Can collecting, plus the classic Karaoke everyone loves!

The enjoyable turn-based battles are even better in Infinite Wealth, and remain a highlight here. Quick-time events and using the environment during attacks make each fight, particularly against bosses, feel dynamic and engaging.

You don’t need to have played any of the older Yakuza games to enjoy this one – it’s a fantastic place to start. Though, if you do dive into Kiryu’s story from the beginning, be warned: it’s incredibly impactful and might even leave you feeling a bit lost once it’s over, searching for something new to fill the time, similar to how some players feel after finishing a game like Persona.

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2025-12-22 02:42