With the launch of the PS5, Sony's PS4 has experienced its last day as the company's main system. While the hardware will continue to receive new games for the foreseeable future, 2020 will be known as the final year of the PS4. Thanks to titles like Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us 2, the console went out with a bang, and the PS4 had a particularly strong year when it came to JRPGs.

RELATED: 10 Best Action JRPGs On The PS4

Whether looking for action, strategy, or turn-based games, the PS4 has JRPG fans covered. The year proved to be especially strong for established franchises, although a few new names also left an impression. Which are the best PS4 JRPGs released in 2020 according to Metacritic?

Updated March 5th, 2021 by Mark Sammut: While waiting for 2021 and the PS5 to steadily build up steam, JRPG fans might be better served looking back at the previous year and Sony's former console for things to play. 2020 produced plenty of memorable JRPGs, some of which went on to attract a lot of critical and commercial attention. However, the genre still remains somewhat niche; consequently, a lower Metascore does not necessarily mean a JRPG is not worth trying for fans of these types of games. 2020 also produced some re-releases that might justify double-dipping.

15 Void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium (69)

Void tRrLMVoid Terrarium ps4

Void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium is not an easy sell, primarily because it does not fit snuggly into any specific descriptor. A roguelike dungeon crawler that follows a robot, Robbie, who is basically the caregiver of the last human left standing, Toriko, Void Terrarium has a slow start but eventually transforms into something quite special.

The loop that keeps you going is the drive to make Toriko's life easier, as Robbie will look to upgrade the human's house. While failure means starting from scratch, Void Terrarium does offer an engaging progression system that makes it tempting to go for one more run.

14 Fairy Tail (71)

Natsu Dragneel using a fiery special ability in Fairy Tail

Anime games are very hit and miss, with many predictably going down the arena fighter route. If nothing else, Fairy Tail is a more ambitious endeavor, one that tries to replicate the license's adventurous tone rather than just focusing on its explosive fights. It doesn't fully succeed due to the story expecting players to be familiar with the characters, meaning the game will struggle to entertain the uninitiated.

RELATED: 10 Exclusive Anime Games On PS2, Ranked

As far as turn-based RPGs are concerned, Fairy Tail is derivative of better games in the genre, but it does most elements quite well.

13 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (73)

Dragon Ball has spawned dozens of games that retell the events of Dragon Ball Z, although few titles cover the manga's main arcs as thoroughly as Kakarot. Consequently, this makes 2020's JRPG a better option for newcomers to the series than veterans, as the story is by far the best part of the experience.

Kakarot features a surprisingly deep social link system that makes completing side-quests and interacting with Dragon Ball's characters rewarding. The open-world is also beautiful and fans should get a kick from exploring its environments. Unfortunately, the game's battles grow tiresome quickly due to the combat playing out as a basic 3D arena fighter, one that delivers style rather than substance.

12 Death end re;Quest 2 (74)

Death end re;Quest 2

Compile Heart and Idea Factory's Death end re;Quest 2 retains most of the fundamentals of its predecessor, at least when it comes to the gameplay and story structure. However, the sequel mostly tells an isolated tale that requires no familiarity with the previous game to appreciate.

Death end re;Quest 2's central narrative holds a great deal of intrigue and is presented through wonderfully executed cutscenes and visual novel sections. The rest of the game does not quite hold up as well, with the battle system lacking the depth to sustain a 30-hour campaign.

11 Ys: Memories of Celceta (75)

Ys: Memories of Celceta Ps4

Ys has been crafting fantastic action RPGs for decades, with Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana being among the best titles on the PS4. Originally released on the PS Vita in 2012, Memories of Celceta made its way to home consoles in 2020, bringing with it brilliant fast-paced combat, an average story, and outdated visuals.

Those who never owned a PS Vita or are itching to revisit this title will surely enjoy their time with Memories of Celceta, as its combat system has aged beautifully. However, the PS4 port does very little to update the original version.

10 Trials Of Mana (76)

Trials of Mana remake

After Western players spent decades waiting for Square to localize Seiken Densetsu 3, the publisher released two iterations in quick succession. 2020's Trials of Mana is a 3D remake that tries to retain the charm and '90s-feel of the original, but it does implement a few key changes. For one, the remake removes multiplayer, which was a big selling point of the original. An additional class is also introduced to the post-game to extend the campaign's longevity.

RELATED: Trials of Mana: 10 RPGs To Play If You Love The Mana Series

Trials of Mana allows players to pick three characters from an available six, with each one having their own storylines, strengths, and weaknesses. The progression system is also a ton of fun, especially once the game opens up in its second half.

9 Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin (79)

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

An intriguing mix of life simulator, 2.5D side-scroller, and action RPG, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin does a competent job in every area it tackles. After being banished to an island packed with demons, the titular goddess must divide her time between running through levels to defeat all sorts of enemies and farming rice. It is a mix that works surprisingly well to create an enjoyable daily grind.

Progression is directly tied to thoroughly clearing levels, while Sakuna also receives her share of combat upgrades. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin can be a touch repetitive, but it is generally a good time.

8 Genshin Impact (81)

genshin impact ps4

MiHoYo might be a Chinese rather than a Japanese developer, but Genshin Impact slots seamlessly into the JRPG genre. The free-to-play game took the world by storm thanks to its The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild-style visuals, gacha system, beautiful open-world, and anime characters.

In a constant state of development, Genshin Impact is blossoming into a fantastic and satisfying experience. The party-based combat provides plenty of room for experimentation, while the story and lore are gradually revealing themselves to be quite deep.

7 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV (82)

Lloyd Bannings and Elle McDowell stand ready to battle in Trails of Cold Steel 4

The final chapter in Nihon Falcom's epic franchise, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV succeeds in delivering a satisfying conclusion. Obviously, newcomers to the license should start with the first game as each entry is fantastic. Trails of Cold IV is also heavily linked to its immediate predecessor, so much so that there is no point playing the former without experiencing the latter.

RELATED: Trails of Cold Steel: Ranking The Original Class VII

Trails of Cold Steel IV's opening hours are somewhat slow-moving as the game takes a while to open up, but it eventually blossoms into an ambitious and highly enjoyable JRPG. Play the entire series.

6 Yakuza: Like a Dragon (84)

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

In a risky move, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio turned Yakuza's latest mainline entry into a turn-based RPG. Packed with nods to Dragon Quest, brilliant minigames, awesome characters, and enough weirdness to be deserving of the Yakuza name, Like a Dragon marks an exciting first chapter in a new era for the series.

The combat system is not the only thing that has changed, as Yakuza: Like a Dragon also introduces a new protagonist in Ichiban Kasuga and moves things to a different district. Naturally, Like a Dragon does not hit everything out of the park, but it gets a lot of things right and, most importantly, feels like a Yakuza game despite all of the changes it implements.

5 Nioh 2 (85)

Nioh 2 Battle

A sequel to 2017's Nioh, Team Ninja's sequel marks a natural progression for the series. A prequel, Nioh 2 swaps out William Adams for a player-created character and expands the robust combat systems that made its predecessor such a challenging experience. Soul Cores are an especially exciting new feature, as they allow a range of Yokai Skills to be utilized in battle.

Nioh 2 is a punishing but fair game, one that expects you to make use of the many tools and mechanics at your disposal.

4 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (86)

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Characters

Describing 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim as just a JRPG is not really accurate since Vanillaware's title covers a wide range of genres. A narrative-driven game revolving around students forced to pilot mecha suits to take on Kaiju, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim features 13 playable characters, real-time strategy battles, a conventional RPG progression system, and side-scrolling sections that prioritize the story and characters.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim sets out to accomplish a lot, creating a flawed but unique experience unlike any other on the PS4.

3 Final Fantasy VII Remake (87)

Final Fantasy VII Remake Battle

After a long wait, Square Enix finally released its remake of Final Fantasy VII, or at least its first chapter. The Final Fantasy VII Remake makes full use of the console's power to fully immerse you in Midgard, and the slower-paced story permits the game to explore characters who barely had any screentime in the original.

RELATED: Final Fantasy VII Remake: The 10 Best Magic Materia, Ranked

Out of all of the real-time combat systems introduced in Final Fantasy titles, the remake's variant is the most complete and enjoyable. The visuals, soundtrack, and voice acting are also excellent, and the story even holds a few surprises.

2 Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition (91)

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition

As Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is already one of the best JRPGs on the PS4, the Definitive Edition might seem somewhat unnecessary. While it does not change the game in very significant ways, this 2020 release introduces a few quality of life enhancements that improve some of the base game's weaker areas.

An orchestral soundtrack is the best change brought to the plate by the Definitive Edition, but an option to speed up the combat is also a great addition. Long-time fans of Dragon Quest will also get a kick out of visiting 16-bit recreations of worlds from previous games, while the 2D graphics mode is also cute.

1 Persona 5 Royal (95)

kasumi staring down the camera at the player with joker and morgana in the background in persona 5 royal

Persona 5 Royal takes the PS4's best JRPG and makes it considerably better. The biggest change is the introduction of an entirely new character, Kasumi, who comes with her own storyline. Kasumi is not a "bonus" character but someone who is carefully and intelligently integrated into Persona 5's narrative, including an extra school semester and a new Palace.

Kasumi is Royal's selling point, but she is hardly the re-release's only change. The gameplay, bosses, social system, and Personas have all been tweaked, creating an experience that should be able to surprise even those who played the original version.

NEXT: Persona 5 Royal vs Persona 5 Strikers: Which Game Is Better?