Written by We’ve compiled a list of great JRPG games to try on your Playstation 4.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal is expected to release exclusively for PlayStation 4 on March 31, 2020, in North America and Europe. But, if you’d like to experience Persona 5 before the Royal expansion. It’s available for $19.99 USD on the PlayStation Store, which in our opinion is a great bargain. Persona 5 is a game that tells the story of a high school boy and his friends fighting against the pesky adults of today’s world.
You play as Joker, a somewhat-mute character who’s the leader of the phantom thieves, a group of kids faring against the adults, looking for justice not for yourselves but for everyone else in the world. It’s an entertaining video game that dives deep into societal norms, interactions, and emotions of the everyday. It’s also got an excellent soundtrack, that’s just the right amount of funky to keep you going.
Nioh
Like Samurai? Ninjas? Japanese History? Dark Souls? Yokai? Well, don’t we have just the game for you? Nioh is a souls-like hack and slash game that takes you into the unique fictional past of Japan. You start off as an Irish sailor named William, who’s following a sorcerer into the periods of war in Japanese history. More specifically, around the Sengoku period. A period where Japan was trying to unite together as one country under a man named Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Fictional elements aside, you get to experience bits of real pieces of Japan’s history. Fighting tough-as-nails yokai and samurai who make it their duty to ruin your entire mood when going against them. A unique mechanic within this game is the ability to change your fighting stance. Each stance varies in power and agility, and when going against particular enemies and bosses it becomes crucial to which one you choose. That’s a massive weapon-customization system that awards better the more your progress. If you want to fight like a samurai and are up for
the challenge, you may like Nioh.
Danganronpa
A little different from the typical JRPG format. Danganronpa is about high school students who wake up discovering they have no recollection of being in the school when they notice that all doors and windows leading to the outside world have been bolted shut in order to keep them in. A bear informs you that in order to leave you need to be the last alive, in a saw-like fashion you with several other students attempt to get out while avoiding unnecessary murder. It plays out in a visual-novel sort of fashion with investigation elements, the story is truly captivating and you’ll refuse to put it down. Give it a chance.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The Yakuza series is typically known for its over-the-top brawling and comedy. It’s usually a never dull moment with this series. Like a Dragon, takes a twist by replacing real-time brawling for turn-based combat. A controversial shift in the series’ gameplay style, but as a fan of the JRPG turn-based format I think it was a good turn. You play as Ichiban Kasuga but gain the assistance of a few allies you meet along the way, what makes this series truly engaging is the compelling story and the Yakuza’s thirst for political control.
Dragon Quest echoes of elusive age
Dragon Quest is an excellent entry to the franchise. The story is interesting and hooks you in the first bits. The combat is simple but complex enough to keep the gameplay interesting, there is a multitude of characters that you can add to your party, each bringing an interesting story. Give it a try if you are in the mood for an epic story and stellar gameplay.
Last modified: February 26, 2022
