When one talks about JRPGs, the first thing that comes to mind is an epic, sprawling tale full to the brim with mind-bending analogies, incomprehensible threats, and some of the most convoluted narratives of all time. In fact, a big draw of what makes JRPGs so special is the fact that their plots are absolutely insane and end up being worth following just so that players can join the pieces together of what's even happening.
Of course, there are some JRPGs where players don't really need to focus on the story all that much. If anything, players can completely ignore these tales in favor of the game's other strengths that may lie in its combat systems, exploration, side content, or anything else along the same lines. Keeping this in mind, here are JRPGs where players don't really need to follow or pay close attention to the story in order to have some fun!
Updated July 10, 2021 by Ritwik Mitra: JRPGs are notorious for featuring grand tales that most players simply have to absorb in order to understand the context of their actions. However, this isn't necessarily the case for every game in the genre — if anything, there are several games in the genre that prioritize its gameplay systems, side content, and other things over the main story, which can become optional at times. Here are some of the best games that fit within this particular context.
10 Yakuza: Like A Dragon
The Yakuza series was a beat-em-up for the longest time before Like a Dragon brought with it a revolution for the franchise in the form of turn-based combat. The end result was an absolute blast, with Like a Dragon carrying forward the intensity of the main story with it.
Of course, players don't really need to follow the main story at all. There are a vast number of side activities present in the game that can take hours upon hours to complete, to the point where most people would just put the main story on the backburner... even though said story is just as captivating as the other tales in the Yakuza series.
9 Final Fantasy XII
One of the deepest games in the series that's full to the brim with content, Final Fantasy XII is an excellent chapter in a popular and well-established series. The combination of excellent characters, a brilliant story, and some innovative combat makes this game quite an excellent draw indeed.
The Zodiac Age ends up adding even more content to the game. Given the game's complex Gambit system, numerous hunts, and other side content, players can easily ignore the main story as they try to master the gameplay systems and complete all the optional quests in the game.
8 Dragon Quest Builders 2
The Dragon Quest series is easily one of the most iconic JRPG franchises of all time. Its spin-off series serves as a great way for players into crafting gameplay to get into this amazing title.
The story of Dragon Quest Builders 2 might be more in-depth than its predecessor, but its crafting mechanics are so in-depth that players can easily get lost in it for hours. It's the closest that any game has come to feeling like a JRPG Minecraft, and Dragon Quest Builders 2 is all the better for it.
7 Rune Factory 4
The Rune Factory series serves as a spin-off of Harvest Moon, full to the brim with dungeon exploration, classic JRPG combat, and farming gameplay that is quite addictive indeed. In fact, one might say that the latter is easily the biggest draw of the overall experience.
As a result, Rune Factory 4 — the latest game in the series — ends up being a great way for players to engage in complex yet addictive systems without having to pay too much attention to the story. It's an excellent game for people who love the Harvest Moon or Story of Seasons titles but want them to be slightly more action-packed.
One can't wait to see what Rune Factory 5 will bring to the table... provided that it's released soon enough, that is.
6 Final Fantasy VI
A game considered by many to be the greatest Final Fantasy title of all time, Final Fantasy VI features a massive cast of characters, brilliant combat, and a story that becomes extremely nonlinear after the player reaches the World of Ruin.
In fact, the game gets so ridiculously open-ended that players can just directly storm Kefka's Castle if they wish from the get-go. Of course, most players would get absolutely pummelled at low levels... but with proper strategies, equipment, buffs, and everything else along the same lines, Final Fantasy VI can actually be completed in record time.
5 Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy
The Atelier series is easily the most underrated JRPG franchise on this list. Each game in the franchise features excellent combat and deep alchemy systems that will keep devoted players busy for ages.
This is especially true of the latest game in the series, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy. While there most definitely is a plot in this game, the alchemy system itself is so engaging and complex that players can get lost in it for the better half of this excellent experience.
4 Monster Hunter: World
While it might be a stretch to call Monster Hunter: World a JRPG, its systems definitely make it worthy of such a classification. The long-running series has been a fan-favorite of many, and Monster Hunter: World served as a great way for new players to get into this challenging series.
The focus of Monster Hunter: World has never been about the story. Rather, it's about the lush word, dangerous creatures, addictive crafting, and some truly stellar combat as well. Hunting down monsters in order to craft more powerful equipment is a loop that doesn't get tiring anytime soon.
3 Phantasy Star Online 2
Given the fact that Phantasy Star Online 2 is an MMORPG, it's only a given that the main story is not the focus of this title. Rather it's the experiences that people can enjoy with friends that make the game so engaging.
With the release of a recent content update, there's no better time to enjoy Phantasy Star Online 2 than right now. The fact that this game packs in everything that makes single-player JRPGs great and seamlessly integrates it with the systems present in MMOs deserve a commendation of its own.
2 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
It's genuinely amazing to see what a major impact Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has had in the MMO landscape, given its disastrous launch. Square Enix pulled out all the stops to ensure that Final Fantasy XIV wouldn't be a permanent blight on the legacy of the Final Fantasy series.
The end result is an excellent MMORPG that has quickly become one of the greatest and most content-laden games of all time. Mucking around with friends and ignoring the main storyline has never felt better than in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
1 Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is rightfully considered by many to be the grandaddy of JRPGs that still serves as a legendary title to this day. The nonlinear narrative, endearing art style, memorable characters, and engaging combat of this title make for a stellar experience that most people still hold in high regard to this day.
The fact that Chrono Trigger allows the player to fight Lavos at pretty much any time in the story and decimate this beast is a testament to just how open-ended the game's narrative structure really was. Of course, such a task was a tall order during a normal playthrough of the game and was mostly reserved for New Game +... but it's still a neat little addition regardless.