Best Turn-Based JRPGs That Let You Play Your Own Way

The line between JRPGs and RPGs made in the West is getting thinner and thinner. Just look at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is a French-made turn-based RPG inspired by some of the best JRPG franchises around, like Final Fantasy and the Mario RPG games.

What Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 does well is allow players to customize their avatars through unlocked costumes, along with building their heroes with unique abilities from skill trees. Let’s look at some JRPGs with just as many customization options from aesthetics to gameplay features. This can also include non-linear stories that branch off, but either way, let’s dive in.

8

Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Sky

Turn-Based Multiplayer

Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky was the first mainline game to have a customizable hero to this degree while still being a turn-based RPG. It takes a while, but eventually players can change classes, or Vocations, and there are a lot of skills to learn from each.

Perhaps the most interesting mechanic is multiplayer, as three friends can join the player and explore their world separately or together. Combat is still turn-based with multiplayer, and players could even download extra maps for one of the biggest adventures ever released on the DS.

7

Final Fantasy 7

A Materia World

Final Fantasy 7 was groundbreaking for a variety of reasons, including its CG cutscenes, mature storytelling, and music. The battle system was turn-based, and each character could equip magical crystals to their weapons and armor called Materia.

Green Materia offered typical elemental spells like Fire, pink Materia boosted stats like HP, red Materia called forth Summons like Shiva, yellow Materia added battle commands like Steal, and blue Materia added additional effects to other Materia. For example, All combined with Cure could heal the whole party. This added so much strategy to combat, plus the game featured tons of side quests and two extra characters to add to the party: Yuffie and Vincent.

6

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Building Up Hawaii

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the second mainline game in the Yakuza series to feature turn-based combat instead of action combat. Ichiban and the rest of his party members can change classes, or Jobs, like hostesses or surfers.

The turn-based gameplay is great, but then there are a lot of extras too, including an island that has action gameplay and simulation mechanics akin to Animal Crossing. There’s even a Pokemon-like mini-game, all of which can be enjoyed or ignored.

Become The King

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the latest game from the Persona team at Atlus. It lets up on a lot of constraints that the Persona series is known for, like a strict calendar. While there are time limits to some of the main story plots, players are freer to wander around towns and dungeons.

Metaphor: ReFantazio has a class system, Archetypes, that anyone can equip and level up. Certain Archetypes can create combos with others, which adds some tactical elements on which ones to choose. Also, players can decide if they want to take out enemies with action combat, or turn-based combat if they reach a certain level, which is truly groundbreaking stuff for the genre.

4

Octopath Traveler 2

Eight Heroes United

Octopath Traveler 2 carries on the traditions set forth by the first game. Players can start as one of the eight playable characters in the game, each set on a certain part of the map. The other seven characters can be recruited along the way, but it isn’t necessary to complete the game.

It’s one of the most modern nonlinear experiences with turn-based gameplay. It should also be noted that each character has an ability that can influence NPCs. A thief may be able to steal items, whereas a convincing priest may get more information from them, which adds another level to the RPG gameplay.

3

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

The Most Open Game Yet

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the most freeing entry in the series. Players can customize their avatar and dress it up with new clothing along the way. The game is divided into big open-world zones where Pokemon run free.

Traditionally, Pokemon are fought with the Trainer’s and once they are weak enough, a Pokeball can catch them. While players can choose to carry on this tradition, they can also just throw Pokeballs and catch them instantly, which is something that fans truly enjoyed.

2

Saga Frontier 2

A Watercolor Wanderer

Like Octopath Traveler 2, the SaGa series is known for having nonlinear stories and odd leveling mechanics. Saga Frontier 2 is THE entry to play because of the art style, and it has been recently remastered. Players can choose one of two heroes from the start and get more allies along the journey.

Combat is turn-based, but players can level up stats and weapons the more they use them in battle. Characters who prefer to use swords can become a killer swordsman, for example, which adds quite a bit of complexity to battle.

1

Suikoden 3

Finding The Stars Of Destiny

The Suikoden series has a gimmick surrounding the Stars of Destiny. Players can collect over a hundred party members, most of whom are optional, and Suikoden 3 adds another layer to collecting characters. Instead of six characters individually taking turns during battle, they are paired, meaning players can take only three actions per turn.

Also, players can choose between three heroes at the story’s start and switch between their viewpoints during chapter breaks. Playing as Chris, Geddoe, or Hugo could add different contexts to situations, and more characters can have their viewpoints examined as the game goes on.