The best JRPGs of 2025

2025 wasn't just a good year for JRPGs. It was a year where the genre stretched in every direction at once without losing sight of where it came from. Sure, it helps that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated many “Best Of” annual lists and cleaned up at the Game Awards. Aside from this new all-time great, some of the year’s best JRPGs included the classic trope of heroes fighting a god, while others explored farming elements, tactical combat, and so much more.

The nature of a JRPGs (and the applicability of the term) is an open debate, but as of now, “JRPG” is still a term that serves its purpose: It represents a set of design and storytelling conventions that have been developed throughout the history of the genre, whether the games themselves have been made in Japan, America, or France. The subgenre’s history has been largely defined by older console generations. Super Nintendo gave us Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6, PlayStation not only showed us a new generation of Final Fantasy titles but unique experiences like The Legend of Dragoon. Even the Sega Saturn helped the genre flourish with releases like Lunar: Silver Star Story.

2025’s slate of JRPGs proves that current generations have as much potential to deliver similarly life-changing gaming experiences. This year, we have seen franchises explore new formats or finally reach the level of quality they’ve always deserved. We got classics that have been brought back in luxurious formats that not only update visuals but preserve their history. Bold but unexpected projects showed us that there is heart and vision driving developers to create unique games.

As the genre builds even more momentum heading into 2026, let’s celebrate the best JRPGs of 2025, selected not only for their overall quality, but also for how they showcase the genre's versatility.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter delivers an invigorating remake by updating visuals and combat systems from the original in a way that feels modern and entertaining for a new audience, all without abandoning its traditional JRPG elements. An engaging come-of-age story, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter follows Estelle Bright on her journey to climb the Bracer Guild ranks, a paramilitary organization focused on protecting civilians. Along the way, as part of her training, she meets the common people who, as a Bracer, she vows to protect. Her path takes turns impossible to imagine at the beginning, while many of the game's biggest surprises ultimately make for some of the funniest episodes in the series.

Although the conflicts escalate and the world is at stake, with Estelle and her companions' position as the only ones who can save it, the scope of it all remains grounded in the political, economic, and social reality of Liberl, one of Zemuria countries. Meanwhile, the cities you visit are rich in detail and filled with characters breathing life. Talk to the Weapon Shop seller to learn about the neighborhood, or pay attention to silent characters on the map, and you’ll see stories being quietly told in the little moments and details. Slowly, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter demonstrates the care developer Nihon Falcom took as it looked at the world it created 21 years ago. And once again, the first game in the series sets the bar for what JRPGs can do in terms of storytelling.

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

No other game in this list better represents the idea of a unique vision than The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy. The blend of visual novel, tactical combat, and character progression is not new, but the overall experience created by Too Kyo Games is nothing like what’s come before it. Kids are (forcibly) enrolled in a school where they must serve as the last defense against the macabre Invaders attacking the Tokyo Residential Complex. By using the supernatural power of Hemoanima, which requires them to stab a knife into their chest, they fight off the Invaders. If they survive for 100 days, they can go back to their normal lives.

Learning about the school and the dangers of the outside is only part of the first 30 hours, which are, as we said in our review, basically the game's prologue. The narrative branches out toward 100 possible endings, but “players don't have to clear all 100 routes — once they reach an ending they're satisfied with, that can be the end” explained Kazukata Kodaka in an interview with Inverse. Creating a game like this is an act of courage, because it requires the creatives behind it to believe in their vision even if it’s not for everyone. The Hundred Line is a peculiar experience, but it couldn't be different considering it is a project made by Kazutaka Kodaka (creator of the Danganronpa series) and Kotaro Uchikoshi (creator of the AI: The Somnium Files series). Their works have always used the conventional language of certain genres with a touch of their own personality, and that's exactly what you will find in The Hundred Line.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a beautifully melancholic adventure with characters whose only option is to maintain hope in the face of what seems an inescapable destiny. The mystery behind the sad world where Gustave and his companions live hooks you from the start. Although Clair Obscur has a strong narrative and exciting turn-based combat, where timing dictates the impact of a combo and the perfect defense, its merit lies in the Sandfall Interactive's capacity to leverage JRPG elements to create a cinematic experience. Playing Clair Obscur doesn't feel like playing a Dragon Quest or Atelier game, especially when it has the same cinematic quality as something like God of War (2018), proving the genre can encompass much more than the traditional 90-hour long games.

To say that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is only a great JRPG released this year is an understatement. It made turn-based JRPG combat mainstream again, introducing the classic framework to new audiences that have probably been kept away from the genre until now. Clair Obscur is a cultural phenomenon, and from now on, the Expeditioners' motto “For those who come after” is the 2025 equivalent of Dark Souls‘ “Praise the Sun.”

Digimon Story: Time Stranger

Digimon Story: Time Stranger is not only the best Digimon game of all time, but one of the best RPGs of 2025. There are plenty of solid games in the series, but they often lack in one area or another. This time, Bandai Namco and Media.Vision took their time to create a Digimon game that truly embodies the franchise's spirit with the quality it deserves. Serving as a perfect entry point for new players, Time Stranger tells the story of an ADAMA's agent who must investigate digital anomalies, a.k.a. Digimon. Keeping the monster-taming core, but expanding it a bit by making the protagonist a key component for combat strategies, Time Stranger updates the franchise’s typical gameplay loops while maintaining the core identity of Digimon.

The attention to detail in Digimon Story: Time Stranger is second to none. You won’t find any half-baked hydro attacks or generic fire explosions. Despite the massive number of Digimon available in the game, each one has a signature move with a stylish animation, giving each turn the oomph battles need. Besides, the various environments are gorgeous, with their own storytelling that, through the types of Digimon living in each area, their activities, and interactions, one can understand the culture of the place, showcasing what it really means to visit the DigiWorld.

Octopath Traveler 0

Octopath Traveler 0 is not the Octopath Traveler game I wanted it to be, but it is still one of the year’s JRPG gems. It adapts the story and other elements from the mobile game Champions of the Continent and removes the gacha system to create a remarkable experience. The combat is fun (yet quite challenging), and its large roster of recruitable characters allows for interesting combinations. It doesn't have the eight routes that made the series famous, but this time it takes you through different stories from the perspective of a character you create, who sets off a long — around 100 hours — journey.

Divided into many arcs, each with a different tone and mood from the other, Octopath Traveler 0 showcases the exquisite writing the series is known for. There's comedy and drama presented in equal measure, and the various storylines have a great deal of nuance to them. You might chase a villainous writer who cruelly murders people to serve as inspiration for his work one minute, and in the next, you’re following a mafia family trying to save their city from the influence of a witch's wealth.

Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake

While other titles on this list push toward unexplored ground while chasing the novelty of new experiences, Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake showcases the power of tradition. The turn-based combat and the straightforward plot remain intact. However, completing the remake of the Erdrick trilogy, the fairy-tale vibe of these two games is amplified by smooth HD-2D visuals that give life to the simple representations of this magical world in the original games.

Quality-of-life updates and additions to the narrative improve what was already a fantastic experience. For long-time fans in particular, these two games are a delightful way to once again experience the titles that established so many JRPG conventions still kept by the series. Released for every major platform, the remake of the first Dragon Quest games reaches new audiences on a scale that other titles in the series have never seen, making 2025 a new beginning for the traditional JRPG series.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is another remake project that marks 2025 as a period in the industry where it returns to foundational titles that truly defined the JRPG subgenre. However, unlike other remakes in this list, The Ivalice Chronicles' upgrades to the original, although welcome, aren't the reason for its relevance. Final Fantasy Tactics have always been an important game.

Final Fantasy Tactics‘s political-focused fantasy narrative stands out among other games in this genre (and even in the Final Fantasy series), making protagonist Ramza and his childhood friend-turned-villain Delita into icons in the collective consciousness. With the voiced dialogue introduced in The Ivalice Chronicles, scenes gain more dramatic weight. Combat can be brutal, but by learning how to take the most out of each job, it creates the perfect power fantasy you'd want to find in a game like this. What already felt like a perfect tactical combat received a vast improvement with the remake, which lets you speed up battles, a subtle change that modernizes an already great JRPG experience.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

Rune Factory has always been one of the series that deserves more attention from gamers. The cozy vibes in previous games is enchanting, and now with Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, we have the best game in the series for both old and new potential fans. With an Eastern-themed setting, Guardians of Azuma doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel, but it polishes all the core concepts that define the series and make it work.

The farming is fun and the quality-of-life implements make the daily tasks a smooth process. The diverse cast of characters offers amusing dialogue, making the search for a possible romantic partner an entertaining endeavor. But above all else, Guardians of Azuma is a clear step forward in the series in terms of overall quality. It runs smoothly, and the colors look warm and beautiful, showing developer Marvelous learned from the mistakes of Rune Factory 5. In a year with many JRPG options, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma scratches the itch of those seeking a wholesome adventure with the right amount of tension and wholesomeness.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Level-5 is the kind of studio you should always pay attention to when they release a new game. This year, this rule didn't change as they released Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. Keeping the promise of letting you live the fantasy of multiple “lives” (which in the game are professions you unlock and level up), Fantasy Life i delivers a cute magical tale where the archeologist Edward and your character investigate the events that might have led to the end of a civilization — all while riding a Bone Dragon that takes them through time portals.

While the main story is not all that strong, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time makes the perfect sandbox for you to create your own narrative. With mechanics that simulate a MMO-like experience, it lets you explore caves with friends, grow your farm, and chase rare craftables. Despite all the adventures you can have within it, Fantasy Life i is the coziest JRPG released this year. Its general vibe, cute chibi characters, and silky visuals bring the comfort of a first sip of a warm drink at the end of the day.

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land

The Atelier series has been thriving lately, after releasing the three Ryza games and a well-received sequel to Atelier Sophie. The success of these recent titles gave developer Gust the confidence to try something new for the series with Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land.

With a more serious tone than in previous games, Atelier Yumia explores the fear of the unknown and the dangers of dogmas. The tale in itself is not what makes Yumia special, but the way it is told. Instead of following the traditional design the series has been using for so long, Atelier Yumia presents an open-world experience where, while having pre-established objectives, you can decide to explore the vast map of the game before progressing. The exploration tools available in the game make chasing ingredients to perform alchemy feel fresh. Although another great Atelier game was released this year (Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian), Yumia represents the courage to push limits to find the best way to tell a story.