One main complaint against turn-based JRPGs is how repetitive and similar they are. Detractors say it is all just waiting around to press the attack command and then walking to the next battle. Fans of the genre know this to be a dismissive and trivial description.
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The games below especially prove the value of the genre with how they take the turn-based nature of JRPGs and do something completely original and unexpected. They do not make this list necessarily because they are great games or their battle systems are well done, but for the most part, these are all JRPGs players should check out whether they are fans of the genre or not.
7Legend Of Legaia
The PS1 had a ton of JRPGs for players to enjoy.There were so many that some great ones fell through the cracks. It is not easy to find someone who enjoyedLegend of Legaia, but if they did they will sing the praises of the game’s unique combat system.
Instead of a simple attack command, players input a series of punches and kicks into a bar to string together combos. Either the player does the attack or they initiate special arts that have their own unique animations. The story inLegend of Legaiais no slouch, either. It details the protagonists' journey to combat a mysterious mist that covers the world and makes it nearly uninhabitable.
6Valkyria Chronicles
Valkyria Chroniclesis turn-based but includes real-time elements to ensure players are constantly on their toes. The game takes theturn-based strategy genre, made popular by games likeFinal Fantasy Tactics, and adds freer movement. If players move into the enemy’s vision, the enemy starts firing upon the unit. Instead of the traditional job system, each character has a class that more closely mirrors the different types of soldiers one would expect to see on a battlefield in a World War.
5Xenogears
Xenogearsis not only one of the most emotionally chargedJRPGs on the PS1. It also has a unique combat system that mixes on-ground combat with the ability to jump into a mech. While on the ground players' attacks are determined by stringing together abilities and combos, while in a mech stats and moves completely change.
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When not in battles or exploring the world, players are treated to anime cutscenes that push forward the story. While the game never saw a proper sequel, games likeXenosagaandXenoblade Chroniclesserve as spiritual successors.
4Paper Mario The Origami King
Super Mario RPGis a unique enough JRPGfor its focus on timing hits and blocks for stronger attacking and defense. Future RPGs starring the character did, even more, to shake up what people expect from the genre. Most of the RPGs starring the plumber either fall under thePaper MarioorMario + Luigiseries.
Paper Mario: The Origami Kingretains all the humor and quality writing for which thePaper Mariogames are known while also adding a totally new battle system. Battles play out as puzzles where Mario stands in the middle of a dial and must properly align all the enemies to enact the best attacks. As weird as this may sound, many JRPGs include an element of puzzle-solving.
3Final Fantasy X
The tenth numbered entry in this series returns to a true turn-based combat system after the series had so long relied on the active-time-battle system. What makesFinal Fantasy Xunique is the ability to switch out characters in the middle of the same battle.
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This, mixed with the Sphere Grid progression system, gives the PS2 RPG a unique vibe no other game has replicated. Players also see the turn order clearly laid out on the side of the screen so it allows proper planning for the battle, something vital to besting the hardest foes.
2Final Fantasy VII Remake
How does a developer update a beloved classic?Whatever the answer is, Square did that and more withFinal Fantasy VII Remake. Building upon the direction the series had been going in recent years, the battle system is a combination of the ATB system and real-time combat.
Characters are constantly attacking on a regular basis but have to wait until the gauge fills up in order to initiate an ability or use an item. This allows for proper control over the characters while ensuring the battles themselves look absolutely gorgeous.
1Pokemon Red + Blue
It is difficult to remember that thePokemonserieshas a unique battle system because of its absurd popularity and longevity. Part of the reason it became a phenomenon is that nothing like it existed before 1996 and no game has done it as well since.
Players step into the shoes of a Pokemon trainer but they themselves are not fighting in battle. They instead use their collection of the titular monsters to battle other teams until players collect all the Pokemon and prove themselves as the best trainer of all. The format has slowly evolved through the years with each sequel,but the DNA from the 1996 original releasesis still highly evident in the newer titles.
