Japanese role-playing games were once known for harboring major differences from western RPGs, but modern-day releases have sought to revitalize its umbrella term. The advancement of video game consoles has given JRPGs the chance to distance themselves from the features once associated with them, but the genre's unique approach to its world-building still remains.
JRPGs are heavily influenced by the fantasy genre, so the worlds created for its games are often full of limitless wonder and awe. The best games of this genre will usually feature an immersive world for a player to get lost, but some employ its settings much more efficiently than others.
8 Xenoblade Chronicle 2
The sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles sees Rex, a young orphan, being transported away from his once peaceful life as a treasure hunter into a world of action. While investigating the interior of an ancient ship, Rex stumbles upon Aegis, a legendary blade that houses magical properties. He reaches for the blade, but Jin prevents him from touching it by stabbing him.
Rex awakens in a mysterious land alongside Pyra, a young woman who longs for peace between the Blades and the Drivers. The pair set off together on an incredible journey throughout a series of vibrant lands. Most of the game's charm is owed to Alrest's charming design. It is an immersive world full of breathtaking landscapes and jaw-dropping creatures. These two elements work together to remind the player of how small they are in comparison to the all-encompassing world they find themselves in.
7 Vagrant Story
Vagrant Story follows the character of Ashley Riot, a young man who is largely regarded as one of the strongest Riskbreakers in the world. When tasked with investigating the ruined city of Leá Monde to uncover the connection between a cult and a parliament official, Ashley discovers a frightening underground world that threatens everything he holds dear.
The world-building featured in Vagrant Story highlights the corrupt power that dominates the New Valendian Kingdom, a thriving metropolis helmed by a mysterious ruler. Its design conveys a homely atmosphere, but the corrupted politicians pulling the strings completely negate its tranquil nature.
6 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
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The original Final Fantasy 7 saw Cloud and his companions spending a brief portion of time in Midgar, but the Remake chose to expand the city by setting the entire narrative behind its walls. It gave Midgar an immense upgrade, allowing the player a much deeper look into the inner workings of the city.
Set primarily in Midgar's undercity, Final Fantasy 7 Remake permits the player to roam to lesser talked about slums of the city and witness the poverty that Shinra leaves in its path. It provides an eye-opening look into the treacherous ways of Shinra, which serves to cement the company as a power that needs to be destroyed.
5 Persona 5
Persona 5 documents the story of a young high school student named Joker, who gets wrongfully accused of committing assault. After witnessing a young woman being harassed, Joker steps in to try and save her, but the assailant manages to convince the authorities that Joker was the cause of the attack.
Persona 5 is set in a fictional version of Tokyo wherein the player can explore the iconic locations of Shinjuku, Akihabara, and Shibuya. The unique art style of this game series presents is unusual, but its dark color palette suggests that there is a sinister presence lurking in its world.
4 The World Ends With You
The World Ends With You documents the eerie tale of Neku Sakuraba as he attempts to come to terms with his death. With no memory of how he died, Neku is forced to wander a distorted world of Shibuya in the hope of uncovering the answers he seeks.
Though The World Ends With You should portray Shibuya as a haunting afterlife full of frightening creatures, it instead presents it as an unusually welcoming city full of life. This strange depiction allows the player to immerse themselves in the thriving city without worrying about its purpose as an afterlife. Its inviting nature works to lower the player's guard, making the climactic events of the game far more terrifying.
3 NieR: Automata
Set 1,000 years after the extinction of humanity, NieR: Automata follows the story of a pair of androids named 2B and 9S who have been tasked with preserving Earth by protecting it from the machine lifeforms who threaten it.
The post-apocalyptic world of Nier aims to showcase the consequences of humanity's world-ending actions. It is a barren wasteland on which only little life remains, so exploring its reaches can often feel depressing due to the destruction encountered behind every corner.
2 Final Fantasy 10
After being forcefully transported from his hometown to an unfamiliar land, Tidus finds himself on a quest to vanquish the evil powers that govern his newfound existence. The land of Spira is plagued by a monster known as Sin, a frighteningly large whale-like creature capable of decimating entire cities in one fell swoop.
On his journey to defeat this terrifying beast, Tidus will find himself exploring a unique selection of landscapes and locations. Beginning his adventure on a small tropical island, the young Blitzball star ventures to a selection of differing lands that, when combined, all work to showcase that Spira is a thriving land full of charm and history.
1 Kingdom Hearts
The original Kingdom Hearts marked the beginning of the Keyblade's chosen one's journey across an expansive universe. The opening sees Sora's home planet being destroyed by the forces of darkness, an event that leads Sora on a magical journey to reunite with his friends.
Throughout his journey, Sora will venture into a variety of Disney-themed worlds. The implementation of these Disney properties into the game's plot allows the player to experience a vast array of different stories while following one single adventure. The world of Kingdom Hearts aims to immerse the player in its narrative and, thanks to its familiar settings, does an incredible job.