A quick crash course on JRPGs



Are you a newcomer to the JRPG genre or just wanna try out some games to get into it? Look no further :D

First of all, I can't say that there is a single way to get into them, since there are thousands of games because this is a genre that spans over four decades - yes, Dragon Quest is almost 40. Are you a classic gamer or you're more of a modern one? That's the first thing you should be aware of.

It doesn't mean that there aren't friendlier JRPGs than others, but it depends on your preferences. Whatever floats your boat. I'll try to give out some basic recommendations that almost anyone can enjoy:

- Pokémon: you probably played them when you were a kid, but this series is a good entry point since they're pretty easy and you can learn the basics of buffing and debuffing. And you have cute and fierce monsters! Any game is fine to hop on.

- Final Fantasy: this is tricky because most titles aren't alike, but if you wanna try a timeless classic....play IV or VII, they're classics for a reason.

- Persona 5 Royal: this is a masterpiece in my book and very enjoyable. Don't be daunted by the length because when you finish it you'll be left begging for more. I finished P5R in a month and then I spent over four months playing the whole series. YES, IT'S THAT GOOD.

- Chrono Trigger: one of the best RPG ever made. The combat system is easy to understand and fun to play. Also, it's only over 20 hours for a first playthrough, not overstaying its welcome. Moreover, you can play it over and over because it has over 10 endings!

- Fire Emblem Three Houses: another great entry on a legendary series. It's very newcomer friendly and there is a lot of fun gameplay. If you liked Persona 5, give this one a spin because it sports a similar calendar system with deadlines and such. There are different routes and you can meet a lot of interesting characters.

- Dragon Quest V: this is a real timeless classic. If you're looking for a fun and whimsy yet emotional adventure this one is for you. The story spawns multiple generations (with the same protag), you have monster taming and three different brides! It looks great, isn't it?


You can play most of these on Switch, so if you own one you're good to go. The only outlier is Chrono Trigger which is stuck on mobile/PC, let's hope for a remaster...