New to JRPGs any recommendations?

[RandV80]

The Dragon Quest series is amazing and very popular in its native Japan (moreso than Final Fantasy). Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is probably the best JRPG I ever played... on the PS2. Some other games that rank just as high are the Tales of... series (i.e. Tales of the Abyss), the Persona series (i.e. Persona 4, great game) and on a classier note you have Shadow Hearts, Suikoden, Star Ocean and Wild Arms.

I'll second this. If you want to try one that has all the classic elements of a JRPG mixed in with the niceties of modern gaming, give Dragon Quest VIII for PS2 a try if you can. A lot of copies of the game were made so it shouldn't be too hard to find. Their may be better JRPG's out there but this one does the best job of blending the old with the new.

 

[snekadid]

A JRPG I enjoyed on xbox 360 and is under-rated is Enchanted Arms, the story isn't bad and the combat is a weird combination of grid based and traditional JRPG turn based. Lost odyssey is also a great 360 JRGP, and I also recommend both Persona titles. I would only recommend Nocturne if your masochistic, it was mildly enjoyable but grindy with no guaranteed level range that could promise a win in certain boss battles.

 

[Chemical Alia]

I recommend Paper Mario, it's basically the only good one. Except for maybe Paper Mario 2.

 

[Lokoloshe]

Being rather new to JRPGs myself, my favourite so far is probably Valkyria Chronicles. Unfortunately that's only for PS3, so if you don't have one you're out of luck there.

Valkyria Chronicles 2 for PSP is available on PSN. Didn't enjoy it as much as the first one but it's still worth a look.

On a side note and even though it's not supported for Vita play you can download it thru a PS3 and transfer it and it will work.

 

[Launcelot111]

I suppose that I should add that my primary console is the 360, but i also have a DSi and an original PSP

Under these conditions, the first thing I would recommend is Persona 3 Portable for the PSP. The gameplay can get very tough, even under easy settings, but the story, characters, music, and general aesthetics are second to none.

For Xbox, Tales of Vesperia has a very fun combat system, which is real time with fighting-game style combo moves. The story is toned down for Tales standards (only slightly preposterous), but the characters are fun and they go on lots of good side quests.

For the DS, there are a lot of options. Devil Survivor and The World Ends With You each offer a look at teens stuck in weird modern fantasy Tokyo. Devil Survivor is a lot like Fire Emblem but with smaller armies, while The World Ends With You has a very distinctive art style and an interesting combat system that's completely controlled by stylus motions.

Disgaea (for DS or PSP), Golden Sun (DS), and any classic like the Final Fantasy games (PSN) or Chrono Trigger (DS) are solid choices as well. P3P might be my favorite game ever, but any of these are great choices.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

If you're not into turn-based battles and just want full action combat like most WRPGs provide, then you can't go far wrong with Kingdom Hearts. That's if you have a PS2 or a PS3 (KH1.5 HD Remix). If you don't, then...I don't know any Xbox 360 JRPGs, but there's Ys Origin on Steam, and that's pretty fun.

 

[Maeshone]

Being rather new to JRPGs myself, my favourite so far is probably Valkyria Chronicles. Unfortunately that's only for PS3, so if you don't have one you're out of luck there.

Valkyria Chronicles 2 for PSP is available on PSN. Didn't enjoy it as much as the first one but it's still worth a look.

On a side note and even though it's not supported for Vita play you can download it thru a PS3 and transfer it and it will work.

I do have a PSP lying around that I don't use for much anymore other than the occasional runthrough of Birth By Sleep or playing som Dissidia, but I did find a shop that sells Valkyria Chronicles 2 pretty darn cheap, so I have been toying with the idea of buying that. How would you rate it compared to the original?

 

[DBLT4P]

As many have mentioned:

Skies of Arcadia - Classic

Tales of Symphonia - My favorite of the tales games

Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced - I freakin loved this game, probably both my favorite SRPG and my favorite final fantasy

Disgaea - is hilarious its like the freakazoid of JRPGs

Golden Sun (both GBA ones) - I'm surprised no one has mentioned these, some of the better turn based combat I have encountered, lots of depth, and some good puzzels too

Fire Emblem - I have thought for a long time that the three GBA ones are, have been, and will always be the best of the series, the first of them (the one with Roy in it) was never released in english or the US, but I can link you to a good translation patch for an emulator. All of these GBA games are probably most easily found for emulators, for free at that.

Chrono Trigger - duh...

Dark cloud and rogue galaxy are both good too

 

[Hades]

The tales games. Doesn't matter which one, any you can get your hands on.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

Odin Sphere: Gorgeous artwork and side scroller
Available on PSN

YES. Odin Sphere. Amazing game. Thank you for mentioning it, I don't see it pop up enough.

I also agree with Odin Sphere. A must have for RPG fans.

I would "cautiously" recommend the Xenosaga series if you have the patience for slow starting games and dialogue that is both confusing and nonsensical. Nonetheless, it's a great sci-fi JRPG if you're into that with great characters, an awesome narrative, an evolving battle system and lots of secrets and extras.

In terms of "classical" JRPGs, Final Fantasy X is another great title. For many of the reasons why Xenosaga is so great, minus the slow start and confusing dialogue, done in a fantasy setting.

Another Shin Megami Tensei title I would recommend is Devil Summoner 2. This game is great for the familiar yet different SMT combat system and "monster crafting" this is involved in this game.

 

[sextus the crazy]

I've played a lot of Western RPGS, (Skyrim, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Fallout 3 etc) but I would like to try a JRPG, the closest thing to a JRPG that I've played was Fire Emblem on the GBA. Does anyone have any suggestions for an easy to get into JRPG?

Have you tried the rest of the fire emblem series. Because you should. Path of Radiance, and Awakening especially.

For the necessary Final Fantasies, try FFIV & FFVI, the rest depend on interest. Also, the Final Fantasy Tactics series if you like tactics games.

Persona and the Shin Megami Tensei series are fun, but challenging, and generally require strategy guides if you want to get through the game without frustration.

Also, Pokemon. If that's your thing.

 

[Elvis Starburst]

The Persona series (Ps2, PSP, Vita, basically just Sony)
Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)
The Last Story (Wii)
The Tales series (Many consoles like Ps2, Gamecube, 360, Ps3, etc) [I highly recommend Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Graces]
Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS)
Etrian Odyssey 4 (3DS)
Does Monster Hunter count? (Wii, 3DS, PSP) [MH Tri Ultimate is the best one on these platforms in my opinion]
Golden Sun (GBA)

That's all I've got so far XD Hope that helps!

 

[MacChris1991]

OK here goes...

Xbox/ Xbox 360; Tales of Vesperia, Lost Odyssey, FF13 & ff13-2 ( Not the greatest of JRPGs but the combat system is simple enough and will get you into the right head space), and the first two maybe three Ateleir games

PS3; Tales of Graces, Nino Khuni Wrath of the White Witch, Star Ocean: the last hope, any FF title you can grab online along with any of Star Ocean/Dragon Quest/Tales of titles, Persona games 1 to 3 (also good on the PSP), Chrono Trigger (again online), Xenogears

PSVITA; PERSONA 4 THE GOLDEN, PERSONA 4 THE GOLDEN, PERSONA 4 THE GOLDEN, PERSONA 4 THE GOLDEN, PERSONA 4 THE GOLDEN

Wii; Forget the Wii. The few JRPGS it has are (with one clear exception, Xenoblade) bland, gimmicky and overall just inferior to the games on any other platform. Just skip it and save yourself from the disappointment that is this system.

PS/ PS2; (To many to list here are a few personal favorites and games with either upcoming sequels or are just really good) Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2, Dragon Quest 8, Tales of the Abyss, Tales of Legendia, XenoSaga Trilogy, Final Fantaies 6, 7, 9, and 12, the Wild Arms Series, Legend of Dragoon, Ateleir Iris and the Mana Khemia games, and the Suikoden games (though these are a little on the harder side with a lot of grind)

Game Cube; Tales of Symphonia, FF Crystal Chronicles, Fire Emblem Path of Radiance

 

[lRookiel]

Does Dark souls class as a JRPG?

Because I'd recommend it any day :3

 

[deserteagleeye]

Since everyone else seems to have never heard of it...
Sakura Wars: Farewell my love for the PS2.

other great games:
Shadow Hearts 1-3
Any of the new or remade Shin Megami Tensei games like Persona 3-4.
Valkyria Chronicles
Any of the "Tales of" games

 

[YCRanger]

Xenogears. Just, Xenogears. Just play it.

 

[Karthesios]

Star Ocean: The Second Story (one of the most addicting real-time battle systems I've ever played)
Legend of Legaia (neat take on turn-based combat that integrates pseudo-fighting game mechanics)

Resonance of Fate (has something of a learning curve to it but a lot of fun when you figure it out)
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (old school-style JRPG with beautiful art design and cel shading)

 

[Grampy_bone]

For the 360, get Tales of Vesperia.

For the PSP, find Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions.

For the DS, get Chrono Trigger. Also, every signal Dragon Quest remake. 4,5, and 6, plus the newest game Dragon Quest 9. Final Fantasy 4 for the DS is also pretty good.

For DS games that aren't remakes I'll recommend Golden Sun Dark Dawn, Infinite Space, Radiant Historia, and Sands of Destruction.

 

[Lokoloshe]

I do have a PSP lying around that I don't use for much anymore other than the occasional runthrough of Birth By Sleep or playing som Dissidia, but I did find a shop that sells Valkyria Chronicles 2 pretty darn cheap, so I have been toying with the idea of buying that. How would you rate it compared to the original?

Well in comparison to the original, VC2 has a more robust class system where there is a simple advancement mechanic for different classes. However, it designed to be kind of a grind since the resources you need to advance what you want are given somewhat randomly during missions (To be fair, on a normal play-through you can just deal with what you get). The combat is still based on the same rock, paper, scissors system with a couple new classes and mechanics thrown in.

The story while good feels like its lacking the flow of the 1st one because of how the progression is structured. You have to beat a certain number of missions in a month before unlocking the next story one, and particularly during the latter part of the game it goes counter with the sense of urgency that the story is trying to communicate. On the other hand by repeatedly taking individuals out on missions you will slowly get their own stories told, ending in a unique side mission for each, some of which are quite enjoyable on their own.

If I had to give a number rating, the original is a solid 9 while the second would be an 8 in my book.