Fans of the JapaneseRPGsoften look back at the Super Nintendo, PS1 and PS2 as being the standout eras for Japanese RPGs. However, there have been some true greats that have appeared on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, andXbox Onein the last ten years that can easily stand among the greatest RPGs of the past.
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Some of these games stuck defiantly stuck to traditional RPG mechanics, while others blended several genres to come up with something completely new. Whatever one’s preference, it is impossible to deny that the last ten years have gifted gamers with some of the most influential and unique JRPGs ever developed. Here’s how Metacritic ranks the top ten JRPGs of the decade.
10Grandia II (Metascore 90)
Grandia IIwas originally released on the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 and was later ported to the PlayStation 2 in 2002. The game was recently released together with the first game as part of the remastered collection on the Nintendo Switch in 2019.
It’s still heralded as one of the best Japanese RPGs of all time. It not only has a great story with fun characters, but has one of the best turn-based battle systems on consoles. It’s a more serious RPG than its predecessor and widely considered the best in the series.
9Monster Hunter: World (Metascore 90)
Released in 2018,Monster Hunter: Worldis an action RPG that was released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The series began in 2004 and originally attracted a niche audience that enjoyed its difficult brand of monster hunting.
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However,Monster Hunter: Worldfinally took the series mainstream by being the most accessible game in series. It is also the best-received game in the series, both critically and commercially, and has become one of Capcom’s flagship titles. This year,Monster Hunterreceived an expansion taking the player to an ice-covered island inMonster Hunter: Iceborne.
8Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age – Definitive Edition (Metascore 91)
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Agewas originally released on the PlayStation 4 in 2017. The game was very well-received with fans and critics for successfully blending old-school Japanese RPGs with modern gaming mechanics.
However, it was the definitive edition released on theNintendo Switchin 2019 that received the most praise. The Switch version of the game included an orchestral soundtrack, 16-bit inspired mode, an expanded story, and all of the DLC.
7NieR: Automata Game Of The Year Edition (Metascore 91)
Released in 2017 on the PlayStation 4 and PC then 2018 on the Xbox One,NieR: Automatawas a sequel one of the most underrated RPGs of all time inNieR.The first game was considered something of a diamond in the rough.
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The first game had an acceptable if not spectacular mash-up of different genres, but its amazing story and beautiful music were better than the sum of its parts.NieR: Automata,however, was developed by PlatinumGames ,who are experts in blending genres to create compelling gameplay mechanics. And that’s whyNieR: Automatafound its rightful place in the top ten JRPGs on Metacritic.
6Dark Souls II (Metascore 91)
Developed by FromSoftware,Dark Souls IIwas originally released on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC in 2014. It would later get a PlayStation 4 and Xbox One update withDark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin.
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Despite being the least popular entry in theDark Soulsseries, the second game has a higher Metacritic rating than its predecessors, which includeDemon’s Soulsand its successorDark Souls III.It’s still a great action RPG and is challenging for even the most seasonSoulsBorneplayers, and with the addition of the DLC and enemy positioningDark Souls IIis still worth a revisit.
5Xenoblade Chronicles (Metascore 92)
Xenoblade Chronicleswas released on the Nintendo Wii in 2010. It was developed by Monolith Soft, which includes most of the same team that worked on the RPG classicsXenogearsand theXenosagatrilogy.
At the time of its Japanese release, there was no confirmation on whether there would be a western release. As a result, fans launched a campaign called Operation Rainfall which helped gain a lot of publicity forXenoblade.Its eventual launch on western shores was met with critical acclaim, and it has become favorite among JRPG fans.
Furthermore, there is a Nintendo Switch Definitive Edition featuring an updated graphics engine and is scheduled to be released in 2020. It received a sequel withXenoblade Chronicles II,and a spin-off, XenobladeChronicles X.
4Fire Emblem: Awakening (Metascore 92)
Fire Emblem: Awakeningwas released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2012. It was the first game in the series to be released on the 3DS, and was developed with the intention of making it the last game in the series.
Awakeningwas so well-received that it is now hailed one of the best strategy RPGs ever developed, and it deserves its place in Metacritic’s top ten.Fire Emblemfinally became one of Nintendo’s flagship series (getting the recognition it deserves) and was followed up withFire Emblem:andFates, Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
3Bloodborne (Metascore 92)
Bloodbornewas released exclusively for the PlayStation 4 in 2015 and was developed by FromSoftware the same developers for theDark Souls series.It’s an action RPG in the same mold as theSoulsseries with a Gothic, Lovecraftian-inspired setting.
The combat inBloodborneis faster thanDark Souls,and the player attacks with two weapons. It means that there is more emphasis on dodging and speed, and a completely new approach to the combat that feels fresh to even the most hardenedSoulsveterans.
2Persona 4 Golden (Metascore 93)
Persona 4was originally released on the PlayStation 2 in 2008. The game received huge critical acclaim, winning awards fromFamitsumagazine and the Japan Game Awards 2009. It’s an RPG set in a modern-day Japanese town and places the player’s character in the middle of a murder mystery.
Social interactions and developing relationships with NPCs in a high school setting plays a key role in the game’s story and gameplay.Persona 4’s setting and gameplay made for one of the most unique RPGs of a generation, and was expanded further in the enhanced Vita version calledPersona 4 Golden.This version of the game featured expanded story elements, a new protagonist, new Personas, and additional anime cutscenes.
1Persona 5 (Metascore 93)
Persona 5was released on the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4 in 2016. The game is once again set in a modern-day Japanese town where the protagonist has transferred to a new school. And once again, developing relationships at school have an effect on the protagonist’s personal development as well as the development of the NPCs and their backstories.
Just likePersona 3andPersona 4,Persona 5is going to receive an updated and enhanced version with new characters, additional story, new cutscenes, and more.Persona 5 Royalwill be released in the second quarter of 2020.
