When it comes to game design, approach, and choice-based gameplay, Japanese RPGs couldn't be more different from their Western counterpart. Yet, despite their linearity, fans of JRPGs are usually drawn to the games because of their differences. The stories can be wonderfully weird, heartfelt, and heavily inspired by Japanese anime.
As a result, the characters and their development are often a huge draw to fans of the genre and the main reason why they get so invested in a 30-80 hour adventure. Good character development doesn't just end with the protagonist but extends to the supporting cast and NPCs too. Let's take a look at some of the best games in the genre with great character development.
Updated April 12, 2022, by Michael Llewellyn: To non-fans, the JRPG is often considered a niche genre inspired by anime. While this is true to some degree, taking inspiration from anime is not a bad thing, especially when it comes to creating incredible worlds and great characters. The beauty of JRPGs is that we get to spend more time with these characters in adventures that can last up to 100 hours or more. There are so many great JRPGs with amazing characters this list was updated with more games that offer the same kind of character development and stories that fans of the genre crave.
13 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- Released: 2020
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platforms: PC, PS4, and PS5
With the hype, the huge budget, and the focus on Cloud's rivalry with Sephiroth it's easy to forget just how good the entire cast of Final Fantasy 7 is. In the original game, Cloud becomes a stronger character because of the support and friendships he developed in the game's story.
The Final Fantasy 7 remake also highlights this beautifully. However, it goes one step further not only by making the main cast more likable but by giving minor characters like Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie their time in the spotlight too. The same can also be said for the cast of Final Fantasy 7's villains that also get their chance to shine in the remake. The Intermission DLC featuring Yuffie as the main character provided more substance as we play through the eyes of a plucky and somewhat naive young girl coming to terms with loss and devastation.
12 Scarlet Nexus
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Bandai Namco
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5 and PS4
Released in June 2021, Scarlet Nexus is a spectacular JRPG that deserves a mention. It’s a game developed by key members of the Tales team at Namco Bandai and their aptitude for telling a great character-driven story shines through in this adventure.
This is combined with the very real Persona 5 influences when it comes to bonding with other characters in the game. To strengthen the bonds between the protagonists and their companions, it’s required to undertake special character-driven quests that flesh out the already deep storyline in Scarlet Nexus.
11 Tales Of Arise
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Bandai Namco Studio
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
As one of the best JRPGs in 2021, Tales of Arise was both a return to form and a modernization of the series going forward. In addition to great world-building and lore, Tales of Arise has an excellent cast of characters especially its dual protagonists Alphen and Shionne.
The Tales series is well known for its focus on prejudice and racial divides that echo the realities of the real world and Tales of Arise is no different. The beauty of this game is character development and how the main cast evolves as they mature to get a better understanding of the world. Arise is a story of acceptance and growth and it's one of the best JRPGs in years.
10 Star Ocean Second Story/Evolution
- Released: 1999 and 2009
- Developer: Tri-Ace
- Platforms: PS1 and PSP
Originally released in 1999, Star Ocean: Second Story was one of the earliest JRPGs to offer dualling protagonists. Both characters have equally compelling storylines and insight from each character's perspective gives the narrative more depth.
Second Story was remastered and released on the PSP ten years after its original release in the West. The remaster includes 13 new endings increasing the possibility of 100 endings. This kind of depth was unparalleled at the time of its release and it's still impressive today.
9 Xenoblade Chronicles
- Released: 2012 and 2020
- Developer: Monolith
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Switch
Released over a decade ago on the Wii, Xenoblade Chronicles is a modern classic from the makers of the much loved Xenogears and Xenosaga trilogy on the PS1 and PS2, respectively. Although it wasn’t as complex as its predecessors, Xenoblade Chronicles showed just how good the genre can be at telling great character stories.
The protagonist Shulk has an amazing journey of his own but it’s the characters that surround him that make the story what it is. Motivations are very rarely black and white, and the game’s story constantly finds ways to surprise even the most hardened JRPG fan.
8 Final Fantasy 6
- Released: 1994
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platforms: SNES, PS1, PC, and GBA
First released on the SNES back in 1996, Final Fantasy 6 is a title that was far ahead of its time. That’s not just because it pushed the Super Nintendo to its graphical limits but because of how endearing the characters are.
Instead of the game focusing on one main protagonist and his or her companions, Final Fantasy 6 features an ensemble cast, each of which feels important. Even though the story revolves around Terra, each of the fourteen characters in the game has their part to play. The character development in Final Fantasy 6 is arguably the best in the series.
7 Tales Of The Abyss
- Released: 2005
- Developers: Bandai Namco, Tales Studio
- Platforms: PS2 and Nintendo 3DS
After becoming a hit on the Nintendo GameCube with Tales of Symphonia, the Tales Studio followed up with Tales of the Abyss in 2005 for the PS2. It’s a game that’s often regarded as one of the best in the series thanks to its character development.
Tales of the Abyss has a great cast of heroes and villains that help bring its world to life. Furthermore, the protagonist's journey from an unlikeable spoiled rich kid to a repentant hero that puts others first is masterfully told.
6 The Nier Series
- Released: 2010, 2017, and 2020
- Developers: Cavia, Toy Logic and PlatinumGames
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
It was the sequel, Nier: Automata, that achieved mainstream success with its amazing storyline, energetic combat system, and unique characters. However, for people who want two great games with original stories and endearing protagonists, they should play Automata's predecessor too.
For a game to be able to get its players emotionally involved with its story, it has to have strong character development, and both Nier titles have this is in spades. The Nier games are stories about humanity, sacrifice, self-discovery, and loss.
5 Suikoden 3
- Released: 2002
- Developers: Konami
- Platform: PS2
Released in 2002, Suikoden 3 was the first entry in the franchise to hit the PlayStation 2 and the first time to use 3D character models and environments. As a result, Suikoden 3 doesn’t look as timeless as its 2D predecessors but its great story and characters were way ahead of its time.
Suikoden 3's story is told using the Trinity Sight system. It was a mechanic that was unique at its time and told the narrative through the eyes of its three main protagonists as their stories came together to form a whole.
4 Persona 5
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- Released: 2017
- Developer: Atlus
- Platforms: PS3 and PS4
Released in 2017, Persona 5 is a traditional JRPG set in modern-day Japan. As with its predecessors, you step into the shoes of a new high school student trying to fit and navigate cliques and form new friendships.
Of course, there’s a supernatural mystery to unravel as you proceed through the game’s storyline, but it’s the bonds of friendship that need to be formed that make this adventure such an interesting one. These bonds then directly tie into the characters' actions on the battlefield.
3 The Yakuza Series
- Released: 2005
- Developers: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, Sega
- Platforms: PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
First released on the PS2 in 2005, Yakuza combined traditional exploration, NPCs, and elements of Sega’s Shenmue series into one of the most unique action RPGs of all time. The first seven games, which include the prequel Yakuza 0, center around a former member of the Yakuza called Kiryu Kazama.
Each game stands on its own perfectly well with outstanding character development and amazing protagonists. However, when played as a whole, you get to see Kiryu's growth and his path of redemption. Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the most recent main entry, switches things around by converting to turn-based combat and introducing a new protagonist.
2 The Xenosaga Trilogy
- Released: 2002
- Developer: Monolith Soft
- Platform: Ps2
Developed by the same team that created the iconic Xenogears for the PS1, the Xenosaga trilogy is arguably more ambitious than its predecessor. It’s science fiction space opera that’s fairly linear as a whole but its universe and amazing characters will draw you in.
Each character in the series gets their chance to shine, with memorable standouts being Junior and Albedo. The Xenosaga trilogy is incredibly complex and ambitious, and its characters are equally so.
1 The Trails Series
- Released: Trails in The Sky - 2006 and Trails of Cold Steel - 2015
- Developer: Falcom
- Platforms: PSP, PS Vita, PS3, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC
When it comes to ambitious storytelling and world-building no series can quite match The Legend of Heroes’ Trails saga that extends over several games. Western JRPG fans got the Trails in the Sky trilogy and the four games in the Trails of Cold Steel series.
These are seven very long character-driven games to dive into. However, they aren’t just vast games with interesting worlds, they are filled with characters that you will care about. The games also cleverly wove the character stories into the storyline without forcing you to undertake character quests like the Persona series. This means that the character development feels organic and natural rather than forced.