Summary
There was a time when many people felt like the JRPG genre was dying out, withmore modern takes on role-playingreplacing what many people saw to be outdated design choices that plagued the majority of these titles. However, in the modern era, JRPGs have finally evolved to become as engaging and fast-paced as ever, letting players enjoy some amazing games that ooze style and feel incredibly fast-paced, including games with turn-based combat systems.
A great way thatmany JRPGs hook playersis by adding elements from other genres into the mix, letting players enjoy the best of both worlds as they experience an epic story while also engaging in various social mechanics. Dating sims are especially prevalent in some JRPGs, encouraging players to form bonds with potential romantic interests.
It’s a shame that more people don’t talk aboutThousand Armsall that much.The title is oozing with charm, released around a time when the PS1 was graced with numerous JRPGs that were all pretty engrossing to play in their own right. It helped that the humorous dialogue meant that players were bound to love the title’s characters during its more lighthearted moments.
The game’s dating sim elements are also tied into the weapon upgrade system. Every single time the intimacy level with a potential partner rises, Meis' abilities as a spirit blacksmith let him imbue his weapon with more powers. The idea of getting stronger by getting closer to the many potential partners in this game is a unique concept that really letsThousand Armsstand out as a unique JRPG during a time when the games in this genre used to blend together with how similar they all were.
Another great RPG for the PS1 that was woefully overlooked by many isAzure Dreams.Sure, there are some aspects of the game that aren’t very engaging, but the idea of exploring a tower while developing a town at the same time is something that many fans would eat up right now, andthis game came out in the 90s!
Not only can players fund the development of several structures in the town of Monsbaiya, but this can also lead to several romantic pursuits opening up as a result. There are several characters that the player can potentially end up with, and most of these characters are engaging enough that players won’t mind spending some quality time with them.
There’s no denying thatConception 2has its fair share of issues. The plot can be laughable at times, and the combat isn’t special in the slightest. However, players seeking out a hit of dopamine will love how simple yet engaging this title can be, with its dating sim elements letting players interact with numerous colorful personalities who are pretty engaging in their own right.
Some ofConception 2’s plot points can feel like fan fiction at times, with the whole concept of ‘classmating’ to create Star Childs being so cringe-inducing that even the most hardcore JRPG fan can’t help but feel weird. Still, players looking for a combination ofrole-playing goodness with dating sim elementswill findConception 2to be right up their alley.
The Legend of Heroesseries is one of the best JRPG franchises that players can get into if they want to enjoy a celebration of pretty much every trope present in the genre. At a glance, these games can seem generic, which is understandable — after all, the whole point ofThe Legend of Heroesis not to push the envelope in any way. However, what it succeeds at is letting players enjoy the best of everything this genre has to offer, featuring fun characters, epic storylines, excellent worldbuilding, and strategic combat that really makes players think twice about their actions in battle.
The third game in the series is considered by many to be the best one of the lot, featuring a more mature Rean and a new cast of characters. Just like the other games intheTrails of Cold Steelarc, this title also has dating mechanics that players can engage with, although it can be a bit shallow for some. The fact that there’s no penalty for dropping the L-bomb multiple times with different partners can be a bit immersion-breaking… but, in all fairness,Trails of Cold Steelwas never really focused on the main character’s romance anyway.
One of thegreatest modern JRPGs of all time,Persona 5is a game that needs no introduction. It won’t be a stretch to say that this series has become incredibly mainstream because of the success of this title. The focus on an eye-popping art style helped the title out quite a bit, with the streamlined gameplay mechanics being quite welcome too.
Just like all thePersonagames that followed the third title, players can form bonds with various characters in the game world. Pretty much every female Confidant is a potential partner in the game, but trying to woo multiple people at once can prove to be a sordid affair indeed. Joker will get his just desserts on Valentine’s Day when all his partners bust him at the same time and decide to show him what’s what.
