JRPGsare the perfect unification of gameplay and story. Their extensive worlds and deep storylines make them some of the most immersive games, and adding on RPG elements lets you connect with their characters even further.
Luckily, there is no shortage of amazing JRPGs with great stories, so you should have no problem finding your favorite. Below, we’ll attempt to rank some of the greatest JRPGs based on their stories, according to how emotional they are, their depth and lore, and their lasting impact.
Chrono Trigger is a time-traveling adventure that brings its cast of wonderful characters to different timelines, from the prehistoric age to a post-apocalyptic future. Chrono Trigger’s story may not be the deepest or most emotional, but its multiple endings are sure to leave a lasting impact, and many consider it one of the most memorable games they’ve ever played.
What makes Chrono Trigger special is its overflowing charm. The love and passion poured into this game are unmatched, and it makes the whole experience more emotional, even if the story itself is not. Still, it’s one of the greatest stories told in a JRPG.
While maybe not as deep as some of the other games on this list, Persona 3 Reload definitely delivers with its emotional and impactful story. You play as a high schooler who joins SEES, a group of students who are investigating mysterious occurrences around their town.
The game touches on themes like depression, life and death, and choice and responsibility. Each of the characters you interact with in the game mirrors these themes in some way, and it creates an overall incredibly cohesive and atmospheric story.
Dragon Quest 5 begins with the hero and protagonist of the game being born, then continues as it shows the hero growing into a teenager and eventually an adult with a family. The scope of Dragon Quest 5 is unmatched, as you’re able to see your hero’s journey from the very beginning. You’re also able to choose a marriage partner and have a child.
These details make the story all the more emotional, as you inevitably grow more attached to the player character, more so than in other silent protagonists.
If you’ve played enough JRPGs, you’re probably familiar with the trope where the beginning of the game has you finding a lost cat, while by the end, you’re trying to kill god. This trope definitely applies to Xenogears, but in the best way possible. Its religious influences and subject matter are proudly displayed and are a core part of the game’s themes and story.
While the gameplay may not have aged as well, and there’s the unfortunate fact that the game’s second half was left unfinished in the gameplay department, Xenogears is still worth playing, if even just for the story. It’s also interesting to see the progression of ideas and themes into later games in the Xeno series, like Xenosaga and the Xenoblade games.
Final Fantasy 6 marks the shift of the series from fairly standard class-based JRPGs to sprawling, character-driven narratives. While Final Fantasy 4 was the first to feature a deeper emphasis on characters and story, Final Fantasy 6 is the one where it all comes together perfectly.
The story is fully fleshed out rather than being a vehicle for the gameplay, and the game’s ensemble class is full of logical and relatable characters as they go through emotional journeys. It’s not often that a game with so many characters tells such a tight and interconnected story, but that’s exactly what Final Fantasy 6 is.
Fextralife Wiki
For a game about androids fighting machines, Nier: Automata has a surprisingly human story about war, free will, and the meaning of life. The game follows androids 2B and 9S as they fight against alien machine lifeforms that are threatening the last remnants of humanity.
The game’s story is divided into several routes; finishing only the first route is only a fraction of the whole story. Nier: Automata’s story is incredibly deep and emotional, and many of its story beats are sure to leave a lasting impact.
In terms of depth, Final Fantasy Tactics has no equal. It’s a political drama that follows Ramza Beoulve as he navigates a country in the aftermath of a war and the beginnings of a new one, as two dukes attempt to seize control of the throne.
Final Fantasy Tactics has some of the best characters in the entire franchise, and that’s saying something considering we were just gushing about Final Fantasy 6. The game’s characters are all believable and feel like real people, so the character-driven political intrigue never lacks depth or suspense.
Where previous games in this list excelled in one or two categories, Final Fantasy 10 hits all three: deep lore, emotional characters, and some of the most impactful lines and scenes in any game. The story follows Tidus, a professional Blitzball (underwater soccer/football) player who is suddenly whisked away to a mysterious fantasy world.
There, he has to protect Yuna, a summoner on a journey to stop a being who threatens the entire world. Each character has actual growth and development, especially Tidus, who starts the game as a childish and naive person, but ends up becoming a reliable guardian for Yuna. Plus, Final Fantasy 10 still has one of the best love stories in the entire series, adding even more emotional impact.
