Tag Archives: JRPG

The JRPG that began it all, establishing the tropes and structure of the genre, the first Dragon Quest has just received a substantial new coat of paint with this HD remake that presents a by-the-books, but very charming story with an intriguing combat system that is fun precisely because of its apparent unfairness. We play as the descendant of the …

Sometimes good ideas are not enough. Pokémon Legends: Arceus, for example, feels like a promising proof of concept for what could be a terrific finished game one day, as it indeed shakes up the stagnated Pokémon formula, presenting many fascinating ideas without any type of polish, failing to make great use of any of them. Arceus’ story is an Isekai, …

I Am Setsuna is a simple JRPG that tries to discuss themes such as death and alterity but fails to do these complex subjects justice, being dragged down by a shallow cast of characters, dull writing, and a painfully unexplored combat system. The plot revolves around a tragic pilgrimage. Setsuna, a young girl who has just turned 18, is chosen …

Tales of the Abyss is an excellent RPG that tells an engaging story full of complex characters and fascinating discussions about identity and free will. The core of its combat system may be too simple for its own good, but the quality of the narrative more than makes up for that. The protagonist is a young man named Luke, the …

With a fascinating story that, unfortunately, far overstays its welcome, Bravely Default is a good JRPG that tries to revitalize its classic genre by offering a less frustrating gameplay experience. The game opens with a great tragedy in the world of Luxendarc. After a terrible earthquake, the small village of Norende disappears from the map, giving way to a gigantic …

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is a competent but ultimately safe JRPG, failing to explore the few new things it brings to the table. It’s a simple JRPG that offers a bland story that never makes up for the by-the-books gameplay of the franchise. The plot follows an unnamed hero – he serves as our male avatar …

Fragments of the Forgotten Past is an excellent entry in the Dragon Quest franchise (maybe even the best), offering a multitude of complex, touching, and tragic short stories. It certainly can be accused of overstaying its welcome, and its gameplay is too easy for its own good, but Dragon Quest VII still manages to shine by the force of its …

The Last Remnant is pure, crystalline perfection. Every facet of the game, every element, every design decision, they all work in unison to create the most excruciating experience possible. If you are looking for something that can annoy and infuriate you in equal measure, there’s no other option around that is so flawlessly, impeccably constructed to fulfill and even surpass …

Shin Megami Tensei IV is an RPG with great narrative ambitions – trying to discuss the purpose of religions and forms of society – that presents a complex – albeit unbalanced – battle system. Its narrative, however, is very erratic and often puts the focus on its least interesting elements. The game’s protagonist, called Flynn, works as an avatar for …

This review contains some small spoilers. The Tales of series is marked by its character-driven stories, where their quirks and relationships receive much more attention than the actual plot itself. This is Tales of Arise saving grace, as it boasts a touching love story and a great cast of characters that do a lot of the heavy lifting that the …