Look, RPGs are famous for being huge time commitments. I usually sink at least 50 hours into a game just to finish it, and Japanese RPGs, or JRPGs, are no different. But what really makes RPGs and JRPGs so addictive, for me anyway, is that a lot of Western RPGs let you make choices that actually matter. That always makes me want to replay and see what happens if I’d done things differently – it’s a total timesink, but a fun one!
Okay, so most Japanese RPGs I’ve played are pretty straightforward – you follow the story and that’s usually it. Once you beat it, you’ve pretty much seen it, you know? But honestly, that changes when you start diving into all the optional stuff – the side quests, the hidden areas, everything. That’s when the game really opens up and you start getting more out of it.
Here are some JRPGs that offer over 100 hours of gameplay if you stick to the main story and side quests. This doesn’t include aiming for 100% completion or hunting for every achievement, as those things often involve repetitive tasks and can significantly extend the playtime.
I used HowLongToBeat to determine playtime, focusing on the main story and any optional extras, but not including data for full completionists.
10. Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition
Three in One
Similar to this version of Fire Emblem Fates, this will be a unique release. Fire Emblem Fates comes in three separate versions – Birthright, Conquest, and Revelation – and unlike Pokémon games, these aren’t just minor variations. Each version has a completely different story and way of playing.
So, when Fire Emblem Fates first came out, they released two versions at the same time: Birthright and Conquest. In Birthright, you play as someone who supports Hoshido, and honestly, it’s a bit easier to get into. Conquest has you fighting for Nohr, and it’s definitely a tougher experience. Later on, they added a third story as DLC called Revelation, which let you pick a neutral side and see the war from a different angle. It was cool to finally have a way to play without fully committing to either side!
I added this version of Fire Emblem Fates because it lets you experience all three story paths in one game, significantly extending how long you can play. Each path takes about 40 hours to complete, but playing through all three will easily give you over 120 hours of gameplay. It’s a fantastic, comprehensive experience for Fire Emblem fans.
9. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
Ultimate Quests
To be precise, I wouldn’t strictly call Monster Hunter a Japanese Role-Playing Game. However, considering its huge amount of content – over 100 hours – and its RPG features, I’ve included it on this list.
Monster Hunter is built around a very engaging cycle: you hunt monsters repeatedly, hoping to get the materials needed to upgrade your gear. This lets you take on even tougher challenges, and keeps you playing for a long time.
If you stick to the core storyline of Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, you can expect to spend around 80 hours playing. Completing every quest, though, will easily add another 100 hours, bringing the total playtime to around 180 hours. With nearly 1300 quests available, this game offers a huge amount of content and could easily fill up your gaming backlog.
8. Rune Factory 4
Every Farm Simulation Is a Time Sink
It almost feels unfair to include a game like this, because when you’re enjoying farming, crafting, building relationships, and exploring dungeons, you don’t really pay attention to the hours going by! But here it is anyway. Of all the games in the Rune Factory series, Rune Factory 4 consistently offers the longest playtime.
Even without trying to achieve everything – like mastering all skills or completing every collection – you’ll still get tons of enjoyment just by finishing the main storylines, getting married, and helping out the town. That’s the kind of experience you only find in a farming game with RPG features.
It’s interesting that Rune Factory 4 Special reportedly takes less time to complete than the original game, likely due to the Newlywed Mode which lets you start already married – though that’s just my guess. Either way, you really can’t go wrong with playing any version of this fantastic game.
7. Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice
Longest Post-Game, But Not the Best Overall Game
Each Disgaea game generally attracts two types of players: those who enjoy the story and those who are dedicated to mastering the game. Players who focus on the story enjoy the funny plot and characters, and then typically move on to a new game after finishing it.
Dedicated players often strive to reach the absolute highest levels, deal massive damage, and perfectly optimize their characters – a process that can take well over 200 hours in most Disgaea games. But if you want to enjoy the extra content after finishing the main story without getting stuck in endless grinding, Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice is a great choice.
The third game in the series has the most things to do after you finish the main story, and it doesn’t force you to repeat battles endlessly to get better items. While many consider it the least impressive game overall, it offers the longest playtime. You can explore extra story chapters, a challenging area called the Land of Carnage, and a special mode featuring Raspberyl, if you have the downloadable content or played it on the PS Vita.
6. Record of Agarest War
For the Record, I Don’t Recommend This Game
Just to be clear, this list focuses on JRPGs you can play for over 100 hours. However, length doesn’t always equal quality. For example, Record of Agarest War offers around 125 hours of gameplay, but I wouldn’t recommend it due to its repetitive nature. Of course, that’s just my opinion!
If you like strategy RPGs with stories that jump forward in time, Record of Agarest War could be a good fit. It’s not a terrible game and has some neat ideas, such as how your choice of partner affects your character’s descendants. However, be prepared for a lot of repetitive gameplay and grinding in battles.
Even if some parts aren’t perfect, there’s still plenty to like about this game, particularly if you’re aiming for the real ending – and we recommend using a guide to help! Getting to the Boundary Zone depends on unlocking that ending, so it’s a good idea to practice your crafting and social skills beforehand.
5. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
The Gacha System Alone Will Take 100 Hours
The Xenoblade Chronicles games are all incredibly large, even if you only follow the main storyline. However, if you decide to complete every side quest, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time with Rex in Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
The original Xenoblade Chronicles game can take over 100 hours to complete, but many of its optional quests are quite simple, particularly those involving the Nopon characters in Frontier Village. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3 stand out because their side quests are more meaningful, diverse, and really draw players in. Xenoblade Chronicles X also features engaging side content, but it’s a very different experience overall.
In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, you get new characters through a system where you spend in-game resources randomly. It’s similar to the ‘gacha’ mechanics found in some games, but thankfully doesn’t require any real-money purchases. You do have to spend time collecting those resources, though. What makes this system work is that each new character has their own story that connects to the game’s overall world, making them feel like a natural part of the experience.
I finished absolutely everything in Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition, and honestly, it was more trouble than it was worth. I’m now playing through Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and I can say that even though it’s a huge time commitment, it’s definitely worth exploring all the Blades and discovering the secrets of Alrest.
4. Persona 3 FES
The Post-Game Is Bundled
I was surprised to find that Persona 3 Reload is actually shorter than Persona 3 FES. I initially assumed this was because the new version was more streamlined and efficient, as finishing the main story and extra content in Reload takes under 100 hours, while FES often takes well over 100. However, I discovered that wasn’t the reason, and there’s a clear explanation for the difference.
Persona 3 FES is an upgraded version of the original Persona 3, featuring improvements and an extra story chapter where you control the character Aigis. This same Aigis chapter is also available in Persona 3 Reload, titled Episode: Aigis: The Answer, and adds about 30 hours of gameplay. Because it’s downloadable content, its playtime isn’t included in the main game’s total.
We included Persona 3 FES because the extra story content is built right into the game, but you should definitely still play Reload as well. If you want to fully experience everything – from studying and working part-time jobs to building relationships, fusing Personas, exploring Tartarus, and battling Shadows during the Dark Hour – plan to spend over 100 hours playing. And we won’t even get into the fact that Persona 3 Portable lets you play as a female character with unique relationship storylines.
3. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV
Erebonia Arc Finale
This final game in the Erebonia series is the most extensive one yet, offering over 100 hours of content if you complete everything. Even just playing the main story will take over 60 hours, which is typical for a Japanese role-playing game.
To level up and earn a higher rank through quests, you’ll have to spend a significant amount of time playing. Plus, if you like to explore all the details, you’ll also need to regularly check in with every character after important story moments to see if they have anything new to say.
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With The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV bringing the story of Erebonia to a close, it also sets up key events for the next game in the series. Completing everything and unlocking the platinum trophy will likely take around 150 hours and require at least two full playthroughs.
2. Persona 5 Royal
The Highest Rated JRPG
When you’re talking about lengthy JRPGs, Persona 5 always comes up. Most games on this list take over 100 hours to finish only if you do all the optional side content, which is normal. But with Persona 5 Royal, you’ll spend more than 100 hours just to get through the main story.
It’s true that a lot of the extra things you can do in Persona 5 Royal are connected to moving the story forward. To progress in the game, you’ll naturally spend time building relationships (Social Links), improving your character’s skills (Social Stats), creating new Personas, exploring Mementos, and enjoying other side activities.
Despite its length, the story in Persona 5 Royal is truly epic and remains incredibly relevant today, especially in how it portrays the impact of social media on our thinking. That’s why Persona 5 consistently ranks as the top-rated Japanese role-playing game, even with its long playtime and focus on narrative.
1. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Best Side Quests Ever
I may have mentioned some things about the Xenoblade Chronicles series when discussing the second game. Still, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is worth highlighting because it didn’t get the recognition it deserved.
I think Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is one of the greatest JRPGs ever made. It excels in everything you want from a game – a compelling story, memorable characters, a beautiful world, engaging combat, satisfying progression, fun exploration, and plenty of optional content.
The side quests in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 are remarkably well-made, each one meaningfully connected to either a character’s story or the overall plot. Even seemingly simple tasks, like collecting items or defeating enemies, feel impactful and enrich the world of Aionios. They’re so well-integrated that they often don’t feel like optional extras at all.
If I could ask JRPG fans one thing, it would be to try the Xenoblade Chronicles series. These games are technically impressive on Nintendo consoles, and they really excel at creating immersive worlds with interesting characters who feel both relatable and flawed.
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2025-12-29 19:44