The 20 Best JRPGs Of The PS3 Era
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The 20 Best JRPGs Of The PS3 Era
While the PlayStation 3 may not have the most expansive collection of JRPGs, the console's best games are fantastic. While Sony's 7th generation console could not match its immediate two predecessors in terms of JRPGs, the PlayStation 3 is still home to some brilliant titles. Along with returning franchises like Final Fantasy and Tales, this era saw the release of many one-off games that sought to blend the familiar with something slightly more unusual. 2007's interesting albeit deeply flawed Folklore arguably set the tone for what proved to be a fascinating but not altogether satisfying period for JRPG fans. Which are the best JRPGs on Sony's console? Updated March 23rd, 2021 by Mark Sammut: As the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S slowly amass libraries, there will be periods when there is just nothing new to play on these consoles, particularly when it comes to certain genres. Luckily, there is always the option to revisit old generations and experience titles that were originally missed. While the PS3's JRPG roster is arguably not as strong as its two predecessors, Sony's system still produced plenty of delightful games that should satisfy both newcomers and veterans of the genre. Some of these JRPG also did not get too much attention upon their initial release. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY Enchanted Arms
Enchanted Arms is a deeply flawed game that comes with one major positive: a create-'em-all system featuring golems. With dozens upon dozens of creatures waiting to join your ranks, Enchanted Arms provides just enough rewards to be entertaining. The turn-based combat uses a grid system that allows room for experimentation and strategies, even if the battles themselves can be rather dull. Enchanted Arms' plot is nothing special and features mostly bad voice acting, but the progression loop is enjoyable. Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory
The Neptunia games tend to be polarizing, but they do offer something of a respite from the genre's usually overly serious tone. While Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory is slightly darker than most of the franchise's other entries, it still contains plenty of humor, gaming references, and over-the-top shenanigans. The characters are also pretty endearing, particularly the four main Goddesses. The combat system is fast-paced, deceptively deep, and satisfyingly flashy. Unfortunately, the repetitive and bland dungeons leave a lot to be desired. Trinity Universe
A crossover between the Atelier and Disgaea franchises, Trinity Universe is mainly for those who have always yearned to see Pamela interact with Etna. Viewed on its own, Trinity Universe is a serviceable turn-based JRPG that has a cool setting, plenty of content, and likable protagonists. Trinity Universe does move at a rather glacial pace, so some patience is required. While Cross Edge features a larger roster of characters from other franchises, Trinity Universe is overall the better game. The Guided Fate Paradox
Released towards the end of the PS3's life, The Guided Fate Paradox flew by largely unnoticed, which is a shame. Created by Nippon Ichi Software, The Guided Fate Paradox features similar grid-based gameplay to the Disgaea license; however, its roguelike structure separates it from the studio's more popular property. A lighthearted and frequently funny story gives way to a dungeon crawler that can be crushingly difficult. Battles are genuinely challenging and require a complete understanding of the game's deep mechanics and tools. Ar Nosurge Ode to an Unborn Star
Released after the launch of the PS4, Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star never had much of a fighting chance to leave a big impact. A story-driven game with visual novel elements, Ar Nosurge places its focus squarely on its characters, all of which are fully developed. Battles take the form of turn-based combat, albeit with a unique twist that sees the party going up against waves of enemies. While a niche product, Ar Nosurge's excellent soundtrack, memorable characters, and solid gameplay make it worth recommending to JRPG fans. White Knight Chronicles II
A lesser entry in , White Knight Chronicles' ambition that does not quite translate to a fully satisfying product. Featuring a battle system that blends real-time combat with strategic planning, White Knight Chronicles is perpetually on the verge of greatness without ever reaching that point. White Knight Chronicles II is a retread of its predecessor with slightly improved gameplay and a few additional chapters. While quite underwhelming as a sequel, it is still the only game of the two worth playing. Folklore
Debuting less than a year following the Ps3's launch, Folklore was one of the console's better exclusives during its early days. Along with having two protagonists, Folklore splits its game time between an Irish town and the fantastical Netherworld. Both areas are fully realized and juxtaposition well together, with the Netherworld’s areas being especially imaginative. Folklore features a Pokemon-esque catching system that works well for what it is, even if it is somewhat let down by a repetitive combat system. Final Fantasy XIII
The PS3 did not bring out the best in Square Enix’s franchise, producing a trilogy of games that are nothing if not polarizing. While the sequels do improve in certain areas, XIII is still the most complete adventure in . With a deceptively deep combat system that is not immediately satisfying and linear levels that take too long to implement any player freedom, Final Fantasy XIII’s success hinges on its world-building and characters. Like the rest of the game, both of those elements tend to be either loved or hated. Nier
Yoko Taro’s wonderfully strange Drakengard spawned , a spin-off that has been somewhat overshadowed by its sequel, . Nier's story lures players into a false sense of security through a first act that does not hold too many surprises before the game reveals itself to be so much more than your typical JRPG. Bolstering a fantastic cast of flawed characters who feel real despite the dark insanity that permeates the overall story, Nier is worth playing for everything besides its combat and visuals. Atelier Escha & Logy Alchemists of the Dusk Sky
Eternal Sonata
Eternal Sonata's setting is its most unique feature, as the JRPG takes place within Chopin's dream world. As such, music plays a significant role throughout the relatively short adventure, one that boasts a fun cast of twelve playable characters. Unfortunately, while the setting is interesting, the actual story seems satisfied to regurgitate genre tropes. Eternal Sonata's combat system blends traditional turn-based combat with real-life action, as characters can be strategically positioned on the battlefield to gain a tactical advantage over the enemies. Star Ocean The Last Hope
Star Ocean The Last Hope refines its predecessor's real-time battle system by adding a couple of noteworthy new features, primarily "Blindside" which effectively acts as a cool dodge mechanic. Visually, The Last Hope looked decent for the time and boasts some impressive terrains. Furthermore, the bosses are generally thrilling and often quite challenging. While the gameplay is often brilliant, The Last Hope is marred with below-average voice acting, annoying characters, and a forgettable storyline. Come for the sweet combat, tolerate everything else. Fairy Fencer F
When it comes to Compile Hearts' games, there is no middle ground. People tend to either love or hate them. Out of all the studio's PlayStation 3 outings, Fairy Fencer F is arguably the most welcoming to newcomers. While the expanded version (Advent Dark Force) offers the best way to experience this JRPG, the PS3 original is by no means terrible. The story is hardly going to win any awards, but the characters themselves are likable enough. The combat is fast-paced and a ton of fun. Disgaea D2 A Brighter Darkness
As a direct sequel to 2003's Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, A Brighter Darkness represents everything that is great about the strategy-JRPG franchise. Unsurprisingly, humor is pushed to the forefront but the jokes are never at the expense of the characters or story, which are both engaging enough to justify a playthrough. The gameplay is top-notch and introduces a few interesting components, including an ability to stack monsters on top of each other and a Cheat Shop that allows players to decide whether to prioritize experience gain or other attributes. Disgaea 5 improves on D2 in nearly every way, but A Brighter Darkness is still pretty good. Resonance Of Fate
Focusing on guns and set in a post-apocalyptic futuristic world, Resonance of Fate is nothing if not one of a kind, at least in the realm of JRPGs. While still turn-based, the battle system blends elements of real-time combat to create a more dynamic experience, albeit one that comes with a steep learning curve. The combat is not going to be for everyone, but Resonance of Fate's setting and narrative – which centers around a group of hunters willing to accept almost any type of mission – more than make up for the gameplay's growing pains. Tales Of Xillia
The offering is Tales of Vesperia; unfortunately, good luck finding a copy if you only own a PlayStation 3. Out of the rest, Tales of Xillia comes in as a close second. Tales of Graces f's combat tends to be highly regarded among fans, but Xillia's Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System is nearly just as fantastic. The latter also comes with the added benefit of featuring an actually likable cast and a storyline that goes to some pretty weird places. The progression system allows for a degree of player control, while the characters' conversations are consistently entertaining. Valkyria Chronicles
Along with being the most underappreciated – at the time – JRPG on Sony's console, Valkyria Chronicles is nothing short of a masterpiece. All of the previous entries would have struggled to make the cut for such a list if they were released during any other generation, but the same cannot be said about Sega's tactical-RPG. Taking place in an alternate reality based on the 1930s, Valkyria Chronicles tells a mature tale that never shies away from depicting the human cost of war. While the conflict is between two fictional superpowers, the entire game feels grounded in the real world. The cel-shaded graphics are stunning too. Persona 5
Even though is primarily associated with the PlayStation 4, Atlus also published the JRPG on the PlayStation 3. Surprisingly, the differences between the two versions are relatively minimal, mostly coming down to a resolution jump. Persona 5's turn-based combat is quite derivative but benefits from a bombastic and stylish presentation, which extends to the rest of the title. than a traditional JRPG, but the two elements combine relatively well to create a thoroughly enjoyable overall package. Ni No Kuni Wrath Of The White Witch
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch united the talents of Level-5, a studio known for producing charming JRPGs, with the animation giants Studio Ghibli. The end result? A visual and narrative masterpiece! The type of game that comes around once a generation. The PlayStation 3 has a lot of good but not remarkable JRPGs, with some even managing to land lower on this list. Wrath of the White Witch may take inspiration from some other games, including a monster-catching system similar to Pokémon, but the final product is truly singular. The only negative is that the story and combat system are designed to be suitable for players of all ages; luckily, that does not lessen the impact of the narrative's emotional beats or the gameplay's agreeableness. The Legend Of Heroes Trails Of Cold Steel I & II
Two for the price of one! Trails of Cold Steel incorporates the epicness of a Final Fantasy, the social component of a Persona, and the mature storytelling of a Lost Odyssey. The sequel is slightly better due to not revolving so much of the narrative around a central hub; that said, 2013's original should be deemed a must-play for anyone remotely fond of the genre. The turn-based combat hits the perfect middle-ground between familiarity and innovation, with the latter largely coming through a fun link system that injects an element of strategy to battles. Completing both campaigns is liable to require around 120 hours, but every minute is well spent.