2023 was a gaming year unlike any in recent memory. There were so many incredible games that it was hard to count. While the massive, big-budget RPGs aren’t going to be as heavy in quantity in 2024, one genre that will get quite the resurgence is the JRPG, and there have already been two stellar ones in Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Persona 3: Reload and it’s only going to get better. Let’s check out the top 5 JRPGs on the way.
5. Unicorn Overlord
Vanillaware and Atlus are teaming up for Unicorn Overlord. This game has a unique mix of turn-based combat mixed with strategy RPG combat similar to something you’d find in Fire Emblem or Triangle Strategy. With Vanillaware’s trademark storytelling chops and ability to weave a plot together, we should find ourselves in another engrossing adventure here.
It’s visually striking, with Vanillaware’s signature, hand-drawn anime look to support the action on screen. Combat looks to be very unique, with an overworld combat map seemingly breaking into smaller melee skirmishes throughout the game. Vanillaware has yet to truly break into the mainstream, but this might be the title that gets them some well-deserved recognition. Unicorn Overlord releases on March 8th.
4. Metaphor Refantazio
Sticking with the bizarre names, Atlus is getting away from its Persona games with this one to deliver an entirely new IP. Metaphor: Refantazio takes place in a medieval-looking world and surrounds the race to become the new king after the former one gets mysteriously assassinated. Atlus is keeping this one close to the chest right now, and gameplay trailers are few and far between despite the essentially confirmed 2024 release date.
It’s a wild premise, and it will involve Atlus’s usual social sim elements along with a Persona-like combat system that emphasizes style with a real-time element mixed in as well. The combat looks highly reminiscent of Persona 5 but with a medieval twist on it. Atlus already has one of the most successful JRPG franchises of all time, so it will be interesting to see if they can add another notch to their belt with Metaphor: Refantazio. No concrete date is in place yet, but Fall 2024 is the launch window.
3. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
One of the most beloved and somewhat underappreciated JRPG series of all time is Suikoden. On April 23rd, JRPG fans everywhere are going to be treated to a spiritual successor to that series in the form of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. As the title suggests, there will be 100 playable characters, each with their own backstories and motivations, and to say the least, this game feels ambitious. Of course, the majority of these characters will likely be optional, leaving each player’s experience with the game to vary wildly. The creators of Suikoden are behind the wheel here, so you should feel confident knowing that this game is in great hands.
Fans of the Suikoden will immediately feel at home in the classic, turn-based battle system and the overall vibe Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is going for. This new age of JRPG has been a feast for those who grew up in the 90s, and ever since Octopath Traveler, this 2D, 3D, HD style of game has been plentiful and brings the spirit and look of the original Playstation Classics into the new generation with outstanding results and Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes could very well be the best of the bunch.
2. Dragon’s Dogma 2
On March 22nd, Dragon’s Dogma 2 will be releasing, and with it comes miles of improvement from the first game. It will again feature the beloved Pawn system, allowing you to create your own companions and recruit others that other players create themselves throughout your journey. The extent to which you can direct your Pawns in this sequel is far beyond what was available in the original game. The different classes in the first game have been expanded here as well, with each of the returning classes having several new abilities to play with.
Players will be taking on the role of an Arisen, who is a person whose heart was stolen by a dragon. It’s a big change of pace from your normal medieval RPG, and Capcom loaded the first game up with battles against gargantuan creatures, requiring you to literally climb onto them to attack their weak points. Expect fast-paced combat, with your Pawns playing in heavily to battles, taking orders from you while you utilize the various skills the class system has to offer.
1. Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth4
Easily the highest anticipated game on this list, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is right around the corner, releasing February 29th. A demo dropped out of nowhere during Sony’s State of Play and gave us a taste of what to look forward to when it releases later this month. The immediate shock is that Sephiroth is not only playable but also appears to be a part of the party for at least a portion of the game. Thanks to the currently available demo, we get to see how that feels, and it’s nothing short of amazing. In addition to him, we know that Zack is going to play into the story somehow, which fans of the original game will know is a wild departure, so there is that to look forward to as well.
Along with that, there will be a pseudo-open world to explore, more classic characters to join the party, and likely, more Final Fantasy 7: Remake strangeness that caused quite a bit of controversy the first time around. The battle system is also massively expanded, with attacks flowing into each other like a brutal dance and new synergy attacks between teammates being the point of emphasis. There will also be ranged attacks now for each character, making any character viable while fighting flying enemies, which was definitely an issue in the first game. The game looks jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the usage of the Dual Sense controller looks to be emphasized heavily here as well, making combat and all the events surrounding it come to life in a way you can actually feel Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth has the potential to be one of the year’s best.
These are just 5 games coming out that will likely rock the JRPG genre this year, but there are tons of others that may make their mark as well. For more information on those games and more, stay tuned to Gaming Instincts via Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for more gaming news, reviews, and everything else in the gaming world.
