Summary
With the power of a PC runningSteamat home, or a Steam Deck for on-the-go play, you have access to one of the largest libraries of games in the world at your fingertips.For those of you looking to get into or try out JRPGs, Steam is one of the best places you’re able to look to find a new game to sink your time into.
JRPGs are a niche within the RPG genre as a whole, and tend to be more involved and number oriented than their western counterparts. They can feature any number of battle systems, from turn-based, to action, and even tactical play, but all usually have some combination of complex stats, social sim dynamics, and an anime-like aesthetic.
Final Fantasy 14 is one of the most beginner-friendly JRPGs out there, with every update streamlining its new player experience more and more as the years go by. It has an incredible (and long) story to follow,a fun skill-based combat system, and some of the best music in gaming today.
Keep in mind that Final Fantasy 14 is an MMO, however, so if playing with other people doesn’t interest you, and you’re looking for a single-player experience, this game might not be for you. On the other hand, after recent updates, the game’s main story is, for the most part, playable solo by using the trust system within the game.
7The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel
A Thrilling Tale Of Peace And War
Part of the long-running Legend of Heroes series,Trails of Cold Steelhas you enrolled in Thors Military Academy, found in the Erebonian Emprie on the continent of Zemuria. While enrolled, you will face the prospect of a looming civil war and do your part with your classmates to forestall the impending conflict.
The game features a turn-based battle system that improves iteratively with each successive title in the series, adding new features and commands for you to use. Every game in the series is available on Steam as well, so all four Cold Steel Titles, as well as the previous games, are playable for the complete story and complex world building the games feature.
In Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the former yakuza Ichiban Kasuga sees himself leaving the streets of Yokohama, Japan, and heading towards the tropical paradise of Hawaii. Here, he will run into friends old and new and become embroiled in another wacky, but emotional journey.
The series, formerly known in the West as Yakuza, saw a shift from a beat-em-up style combat system, to a traditional JRPG turn-based system. The shift has given this older series a breath of fresh air and makes it an incredibly fun game to play either on PC or on your Steam Deck.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a remake of the beloved JRPG classic Star Ocean The Second Story from the days of the PlayStation 1. Featuring a real-time action combat system, the game is a great game to play for fans of that style.
The game features dual protagonists in Claude C. Kenny and Rena,and also has many recruitable party members. The private action system also allows you to get to know your party members outside the main story and scratches the itch for a social sim element. A great classic reimagined for the modern day.
Final Fantasy 10 is a fan favorite for many reasons. While not as flashy as newer entries, it boasts a wonderfully told story and is very newcomer-friendly, opting not to use the series' well-known active time battle system and using a pure turn-based system instead.
The battle system offers incredible flexibility and breathing room, allowing you to take your time and think your actions through carefully, as enemies don’t get to move until their turn comes. The game also features many fun minigames, such as Blitzball, to delve into when not adventuring.
Dragon Quest 11, part of the very long-running Dragon Quest series, is the quintessential JRPG. It boasts a simple yet fun and deep turn-based combat system and a host of colorful characters to meet.
The game runs extremely well on PC, making the already beautiful environments look even more spectacular. Dragon Quest 11 is also Steam Deck compatible, making completing this long JRPG an easier task when done on the go.
Tales of Arise tells the story of two planets at odds with each other. Dahna, a medieval world, was conquered by the planet Rena over three centuries before the start of the game, leading to its people being enslaved and divided. You will spend your time liberating this oppressed land while learning more about the circumstances of 300 years ago.
The game features a quick to understand action combat system, with a lot of focus put on evading and countering, as opposed to older entries in the series. It also features dual protagonists, Alphen and Shionne, a Dhanan and Renan respectively, leading to great character moments between the two.
Atlus’s beloved Persona series is no longer constrained to being PlayStation exclusives, and the best place to play them is arguably Steam.Persona 3 Reloadlooks gorgeous, using the power of a PC to give it smooth frame-rates even when graphic settings are maxed.
Persona 3 Reload is also a great entry for not only first time Persona players, but also beginners to the JRPG genre as a whole. With all the quality of life updates the remake received, it is super easy to get into and play. It is now, arguably, the best the Persona series has to offer at the time of writing.
