The Best Turn-Based JRPGs With Deep Character Customization, Ranked

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Summary

  • JRPGs offer deep character customization and immersive storytelling.
  • Disgaea 5’s serious tone focuses on revenge and character customization.
  • Octopath Traveler 2 features 8 characters with unique purposes and great side quests.

Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) provide an abundance of activities for players to engage with, along with captivating realms to traverse. Some games feature protagonists who aren’t traditional heroes, while others maintain distinct boundaries between good and evil. Regardless of the type, JRPGs are consistently engaging and often extend over multiple decades within a single series.

In contrast to some JRPGs that emphasize their narrative and character development, others prioritize their gameplay mechanics and charming playable characters. These games often offer extensive options for character customization, giving players a significant role in shaping the game world. Here are some top-tier JRPGs that boast deep character personalization.

6. Disgaea 5: Alliance Of Darkness

Character Customization Isn’t As Deep, But It Still Feels Complete

  • The game features a more serious tone than its predecessors
  • Killia is the main protagonist of the story

The Disgaea series, currently celebrating over two decades in the gaming world as this article is written, underscores its enduring appeal and fanbase adoration. In particular, Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance delves deeper into the theme of revenge, giving it a more serious tone compared to other games in the franchise, with Killia, the main character, being its central figure.

This game offers a decent level of character customization, although it’s not the most intricate or profound on the list. It’s placed at the top because of this. In future versions like Disgaea 7, there are numerous enhancements that players can utilize to make their gaming experience more engaging.

5. The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC

The Addition Of Chain Crafts Revamps The Experience

  • Platform(s): GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, PSP, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Android
  • Released: March 9, 2006
  • Developer(s): Nihon Falcom
  • Genre(s): JRPG
  • Good character customization options
  • Chain crafts are a great way to deal with enemies

Launched in 2006, “The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC” is a fantastic addition to an even more impressive series. The game unfolds right after the occurrences depicted in “The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky,” continuing the narrative left hanging by its predecessor.

In this latest version of the game, although it maintains a similar playstyle as its previous edition, it introduces fresh elements, including chain crafts – a thrilling feature that allows up to four characters from your team to launch coordinated attacks at once. Customization options for characters are available, and while they might not be particularly impressive, they provide enough variety to keep players engaged.

4. Etrian Odyssey Nexus

A Great Dungeon Crawler With Good RPG Elements

  • The last installment in its franchise to be released on the Nintendo 3DS
  • A dungeon crawler with tons of customization options

Etrian Odyssey Nexus stands out for more than one reason. It’s not just a role-playing game (RPG) with a dungeon-crawling theme, but it also holds significance as the sixth and last major series entry to be launched on the Nintendo 3DS console.

Title “Etrian Odyssey Nexus” boasts an intricate and comprehensive character customization system, enabling players to modify nearly every element of their character for a more engrossing gaming experience. Additionally, its turn-based combat mechanics are top-notch, requiring players to meticulously strategize each move they make in order to come out triumphant in any confrontation. This game certainly deserves a spot among the JRPGs that should be transferred onto the Nintendo Switch 2.

3. Octopath Traveler 2

A Solid Sequel To An Outstanding Game

  • Great side quests and main narrative
  • The game focuses on eight different characters, each with their own purpose

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say that Octopath Traveler 2 is hands down one of the top JRPGs from the last decade. What sets it apart is its comprehensive character class system and the freedom it offers players to shape their characters’ journeys. I’m not just a passive observer here; I’m actively guiding my characters, watching them grow and evolve as I progress through the game. It’s an immersive experience that few other games can match.

Just like its forerunner, Octopath Traveler 2 enables players to manage eight distinct characters, all with unique roles, as they traverse the realm. Additionally, it offers numerous engaging side missions and boasts a captivating storyline that is both engrossing and thought-provoking.

2. Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Skies

An Action-Packed Story That Is Complemented By The Game Mechanics Present

  • The action is split between the Nintendo DS’ two screens
  • One of the best mainline Dragon Quest games out there

As a devoted fan, I find myself immersed in the tale of Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, where I embody a celestial being hailing from a divine race. A calamity befalls our home, causing enchanted fruits to rain down on the mortal world. Now it’s up to me to restore order and balance, one star-kissed adventure at a time.

Just like many Nintendo DS games, “Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies” uses its dual screens to deliver a richer gaming experience. It offers extensive character customization options, giving players ample room to shape their in-game persona. Although it might not top the charts when compared to all mainline “Dragon Quest” games, it certainly holds a notable place and is often ranked among the top 5.

1. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Excellent Combat System And Great Character Customization

  • Byleth can either be male or female depending on players’ preferences
  • Players can change their characters’ class

As a devoted fan, let me tell you that Fire Emblem: Three Houses is nothing short of extraordinary. In this captivating tale, I find myself in the shoes of Byleth, a former mercenary now turned teacher at Garreg Mach Monastery’s esteemed Officers Academy. Each day presents new challenges as I guide my students, who hail from three distinctive houses, towards mastering the art of war and forging their own destinies.

As a gamer diving headfirst into this title, I’ve found that it might not boast the extensive character customization options of some other games out there. However, what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality – giving us gamers the flexibility to switch our characters’ classes and style them with a plethora of choices. Couple that with its top-notch turn-based combat system, gripping narrative, and immersive world, and you’ve got a game that continues to captivate players even today. As I delve deeper into the game, I can feel the challenge ramping up, so I know I’ll need to do some homework on the most effective classes for the endgame to stay ahead of the game.

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2025-02-22 01:54