NON XBOX JRPGS
The Legend of Heroes: Trails
Simply put, my favorite JRPG series, quite possibly my favorite gaming series even. This is an epic, expansive sweeping story taking place over 11 games and growing, with a plot that was planned ahead over many multiple arcs and has unprecedented worldbuilding. You’ll experience the best music in the genre, an extremely satisfying and addictive turn based combat system that’s constantly being refined, characters you’ll grow attached to over the course of multiple games, “Avengers” level story moments, very well written in game novels (that are also part of the worldbuilding), and so, so much more.
The play order is Trails in the Sky 1-3 - Trails from Zero - Trails to Azure - Trails of Cold Steel 1-4 - Trails into Reverie - Kuro no Kiseki 1&2 (there is no official Western title for these yet)
Sky is only available on PC in the West
Zero and Azure will be on Switch/PS/PC this September and Spring respectively
Cold Steel 1&2 are available on PS and PC
Cold Steel 3&4, Reverie are available on PC, Switch, PS, Stadia, Amazon Luna
Kuro no Kiseki is available on PS and PC (Falcom is currently internally testing if it’s possible on Switch)
With the silly amount of platforms that aren’t Xbox supported by CS3 onwards, we can only hope Xbox is planning to become a supported platform
Ys
Falcom’s other JRPG series, and by far their longest running. These are action RPGs focused on the adventures of Adol Christin, who appears in every entry except for Ys Origin (prequel set hundreds of years before his birth). The story, unlike Trails, are not too connected besides the recurring protagonist. These are some of the finest ARPGs on the market. Once again, Falcom’s brilliant soundtrack shines through, the rewards from thorough exploration so much fun to find, and the boss fights are exceptionally thrilling.
Most of the series can only be played on PC, but newer entries, such as Ys VIII and Ys IX, can be played on PC, Switch, Stadia, Luna, and PS. Ys VIII is the best place to start, it is the title that really earned Ys a name in the West. Explore a seemingly abandoned island with your fellow castaways and discover the truth of what this island really is.
Same deal with Trails’ platforms and again I hope to see Ys games on Xbox.
Disgaea
Grind to level 999,999,999 and beyond in NIS’s hit franchise Disgaea. Features fun storylines that fans of comedy anime will enjoy, and a Tactical RPG based system with loads and loads (AND LOADS) of customization and different classes to set up. The whole series is available on Switch, PC, and Playstation. Disgaea 4 PC is also available on the Microsoft Store on PC, with Xbox achievements! It was once a PC Game Pass game but has long left the service. Hopefully it comes back with the rest of the series this time, and actually hits the Xbox console.
Atelier
Cute characters and relaxing yet complex alchemy crafting systems. Atelier typically does not have high stakes in the storylines, instead focusing on character interactions and the protagonist’s growth as an alchemist. The crafting systems can be incredibly in depth and eventually allow you to craft obscenely overpowered gear which is quite fun to do. Vast majority of the series is available on Switch, PC, and PS. With Koei Tecmo recently becoming a Game Pass supporter, hopefully their Atelier lineup is on the way?
Xenoblade
Nintendo’s flagship JRPG series. Boasting verticality unlike any other JRPG, in depth MMO style combat that is very fun to master, some of the best pacing in all of JRPG storylines, rewarding exploration, and more. The whole series can be enjoyed on Switch (with the exception of Xenoblade X)
Hyperdimension Neptunia NOW MAKING AN XBOX DEBUT
Video game consoles personified as moe anime girls, and get up to typical moe hijinks. Turn based battle system, but with free movement that allows you to position your characters to set up big hitting combos or stay at a range to support or throw ranged attacks. This series has a rather big cult following even in the West, so I thought it deserved a mention. Yes, Xbox is among those anime girls. The blonde one is Xbox. Personally, I didn’t have much fun with the little bit I played, but again, big following. Available on PS and PC, with a few entries ported to Switch. Massive doubt on anything from this ever hitting Xbox.
New Update: This series is making an Xbox debut!
Mary Skelter
I am including this as a personal recommendation. From the makers of Neptunia comes the much more dark and grueling Mary Skelter series. Classic fairy tale characters are are born into a world consumed (literally) by a monstrous being known as the “Jail”. Escape from the “Jail” in this DRPG series sprawling 3 games and fight genuinely disturbing looking monsters known as “Nightmares”. The only console you can play the whole series on in English is currently the Switch, though there were some entries on PC and PS. Definitely not coming to Xbox.
Shin Megami Tensei
The “father” of Persona, Soul Hackers, and any other Megaten spinoff. Features a world much more oppressive than those found in Persona, etc. Much more intensive, punishing, and hardcore battles, and a soundtrack that’ll put hair on your chest… The newest entry, SMT V, is currently exclusive to the Switch. There is also a remaster of SMT3: Nocturne available on PC, Switch, and PS. My personal favorite entry is SMT4, exclusive to 3DS. It’s unknown if SMTV will leave Switch, but if it does, it should come to Xbox if Atlus is truly on board now.
Live A Live
A remake of Square Enix’s long lost and unlocalized SNES RPG, remade in their beautiful HD2D artstyle. Experience 8 different “short story” JRPGs that converge into one epic final chapter. This is one of my most favorite games of the year so far and I can’t recommend it enough. Exclusive to Switch, though hopefully we see it on Game Pass eventually like Octopath.
Super Robot Wars
Dozens of your favorite classic mecha anime come together in the long running series Tactical RPG series Super Robot Wars. Entries feature Gundam (countless iterations), Gurren Lagann, Getter Robo, Sakura Wars, Magic Knight Rayearth, basically any mecha anime you can think of. This series is not released in the West due to licensing issues, however, Asia-English releases exist for the newer entries and can be played on Switch, PC, and PS. This is a Bandai Namco produced project so I would love to see it come to Xbox even despite that the series is never actually released in the West.
Mana Series
Sqaure Enix’s long running action RPG series. I actually haven’t played them but I know they are a decently big request for Xbox. The classic releases can be enjoyed on Collection of Mana, exclusive to Switch, while Secret of Mana and Trials of Mana have been remade from the ground up (though I hear Secret of Mana remake is better off avoided).
Granblue Fantasy Relink
An upcoming big budget JRPG from Cygames, who is heavily experienced in mobile game development but is a newcomer to console game development. Has been in development for a very long time and was originally a Platinum Games project until they were seemingly removed and development seemed to have restarted. The previews have all looked great graphical wise, hopefully doesn’t get delayed again, and with Cygames bringing new big budget JRPGs to the table, Xbox should jump at the chance to get them on board with Xbox releases nice and early.
Utawarerumono
Another “personal recommendation”. This game was the inspiration for Digimon Survive, and like it, is heavily a Visual Novel with Tactical RPG segments. Fight in a feudal Japan-like setting against vicious warlords with your furry eared companions. Features excellent worldbuilding, a soundtrack that hypes you up, and touching moments that make this series land on top places in people’s favorite Visual Novel lists.
A new entry called Monochrome Mobius will be released this October, and is a much more traditional JRPG with turn based combat and actual exploration rather than Visual Novel segments.
Available on PS and PC. Doubt this one ever sees Xbox.
Triangle Strategy
The first HD2D Tactical RPG. Features a storyline with many branching paths and that HD2D artstyle that never gets old. With it going on to be one of the highest rated and best selling Tactial RPGs in recent years I thought it should be mentioned. Like Live A Live this is also currently a Switch exclusive. Again, would be great to see it join Octopath on Xbox.
Final Fantasy XVI
The newest game in the Final Fantasy series, exclusive to PS5. I don’t follow this game too much (because I can’t play it) so I don’t actually have much to say.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
One of the most controversial games in Xbox communities, due to Sony’s long running stance to prevent this game from releasing on Xbox. Experience the Midgar portion of FFVII, now as it’s own game and as an Action RPG. There will be 3 entries total in the FFVII Remake saga and they will all launch exclusive to PS5 with PC releases later.