JRPGs are home to some of the most unique and stylistic series of all time, ranging from 1993's Breath of Fire to modern hits like Tales of Arise. This genre oozes style, which is present in not only the character designs but the gameplay and HUD elements as well, making for a cohesively badass experience when everything comes together.There are many JRPGs out there, all having their own unique look and feel, allowing players to discover new, creative worlds for the first time and fall in love with it. Style is only a fraction of what makes JRPGs so awesome, but it's a significant aspect of it all the same.
Legend of Mana
Legend of Mana's gorgeous art direction, paired with its fantastical world and enemy design, is genuinely a sight to behold. The charming and mystical nature of the story is portrayed expertly with each character, region, and encounter, making it an obvious entry here.
The storybook presentation of Legend of Mana holds up wonderfully to this day and contains such incredible scenes, monster design, and more. Luckily, if you have yet to experience this stunning tale, the remaster released last year is an excellent way to do just that.
The World Ends with You
Flashy combat, a killer soundtrack, and a superb art direction make The World Ends with You one of the best JRPGs of its time. Exploring the Shibuya shopping district of Tokyo with an anime/urban fantasy aesthetic is pleasing every step of the way, making each character, location, and encounter stand out.
The World Ends with You's battle system engages almost every time you dive into an encounter. Your abilities come by way of Pins you collect through the various districts of Shibuya and are generally flashy and fun to use, especially when paired with the perfectly blended OST filled with rock, hip hop, electronica.
Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age
While there are many gorgeous looking Dragon Quest games, Echoes of an Elusive Age showcases the fantastic art style of Akira Toriyama in stunning 4K resolution for the first time. The monsters, villages, characters, and pretty much everything else are jolly and charmful.
Exploring the beautiful areas while listening to the iconic score of the series is surreal and an experience worth having. Whether this is your first Dragon Quest game or you're a returning series veteran, Echoes of an Elusive Age's fully realized world is awe-inspiring each time you visit.
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne occurs in modern-day Tokyo, but in a Vortex World due to a post-apocalyptic event triggered by a sinister cult trying to rebuild the world through a process called "Conception." This universe is dark and daunting but owns that style so expertly.
Fighting messed-up demons as a Demi-fiend high-school student in a destroyed Tokyo is absurd in the best ways possible. If you have yet to sink your teeth into one of Atlus' best, the HD Remaster of Nocturne is an incredible way to solve that issue.
Scarlet Nexus
One of last year's best offerings is the new action JRPG from Bandai Namco in Scarlet Nexus. Its brain punk, futuristic Japan setting is unique and refreshing, which goes hand in hand with the absurdly fun and flashy combat system.
You will juggle psychokinetic abilities and your party's unique traits to eliminate mutations and solve the overarching mystery of the plot. The visuals, enemy design, and overall brain punk aesthetic are more than enough to dive in.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Like a Dragon is the first Yakuza title that stepped outside the Beat 'em Up genre, going full steam ahead into the turn-based combat that inspired the series in the first place. This genre switch was a cause of concern for many fans, but it fit Yakuza like a glove, instantly becoming a fan favorite. And for a good reason.
Much like its predecessors, Like a Dragon offers a whacky realization of Tokyo, containing a beautiful recreation of the city while having an overabundance of charm, crazy combat encounters, and lovable characters. Ichiban is a weirdo, but one that displays the strange style of the Yakuza games on his sleeve proudly, which is why we love him so dearly.
Nier: Automata
Taking place thousands of years after the fourth ending of its prequel, Nier: Automata comes with many quality of life changes and an equally heartbreaking story. However, despite its rather dire setting, Automata's style is genuinely remarkable. And that sweet, PlatinumGames combat only makes things that much better. If that wasn't enough, the game's soundtrack is also praised for being the best of the best, which we back wholly.
Aside from its prequel, which is also excellent, there's nothing quite like it. The quick, snappy, and stylish combat opens the door for experimentation, allowing you to mix and match different playstyles while augmenting your Chips to build upon your strengths. The game also dips its toe into a handful of different genres, ranging from hack and slashes to shoot 'em ups.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door may be one of the best JRPG experiences of all time, almost making us go as far as to say it may very well be the best Mario game, but we don't want to go that far quite yet. However, the endearing world of The-Thousand Year Door is overflowing with style and wonder.
Whether it's the quirky cast of characters, the wonderful animations and transitions, or the stunning paper-crafted world, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door consistently brings nothing but joy every step of your journey.
Monster Hunter: World
Everything Monster Hunter: World attempted it knocked out of the park, crafting a wholly unique and exhilarating experience from start to finish and beyond. Removing the "zones" from previous games allowed them to flex their muscle and capitalize on something special.
Much like any Monster Hunter title, you are tasked to either hunt down and kill or capture a large variety of monsters, which only gets enhanced by the scope of World's level design. You can then use some of their materials to craft insanely cool and badass armor sets and weapons. Additionally, you can have a cat chef prepare food for you, decorate your room, and much more.
Bloodborne
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While some will argue that Bloodborne isn't a traditional JRPG, we decided to include it based on its style alone, which might be some of the best in gaming. The Gothic, Victorian-era setting of Yharnam is equally breathtaking as it is terrifying, making for an unforgettable experience.
FromSoftware has always had stunning art design, but Bloodborne offers something truly special and remains one of the most beloved games of the last generation. The grotesque monsters, jaw-dropping areas, engaging gameplay, and gripping atmosphere make it a must-play.
Final Fantasy 7: Remake
While only limiting you to the dystopian cyberpunk metropolis that is Midgar, Final Fantasy 7: Remake does a masterful job at fully realizing every nook and cranny of the original, making it feel real, lived in, and causing you to fall in love with it and the characters all over again.
With every character being gorgeous and the environments mimicking that approach, it's hard not to get sucked by the game's style. The boss fights, anime-esque cutscenes, and general attitude of the game are genuinely enjoyable from beginning to end.
Persona 5 Royal
Following the Phantom Thieves, a group of high-school vigilantes who hold adults accountable for their disgusting deeds, Persona 5 Royal may be the very definition of style. Persona 5 Royal is set in modern-day Tokyo but allows you to explore the Metaverse, a supernatural world born from the subconscious of humanity.
Whether you're inside the Metaverse or living life with your pals in Tokyo, Persona 5 Royal never relinquishes its grip or style. The smooth transitions to post-battle stats, the look of each character's Persona, and the music are perfectly placed and handled with genuine love and care.