A Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) can mean different things to different people. For some, it's merely any role-playing game created by a Japanese developer, labeling games like Dark Souls a JRPG. For others though, a JRPG is a specific genre that is defined by games like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, adhering to traditions like a strong focus on story and character development, and fantasy elements like magic, squad customization, and leveling systems.

RELATED: The Best JRPGs You Can Play On The Switch (According To Metacritic)

The PS4 has a very good selection of JRPGs, even if it perhaps did not reach the same heights as the PS1 or PS2. Which PS4 JRPGs will be remembered as the hardware's crowning achievements in the genre?

Metacritic-reviewed games made for, or remastered and released on, PS4 are under consideration. For example, Metacritic has a review for Final Fantasy 9 on PS4 but not the original Final Fantasy 7, so the latter won't be included.

Updated August 28, 2023 by Mark Sammut: While its heyday as Sony’s primary console came to an end in 2020, the PS4 did not exactly fade into the night. Even nearly three years after the PS5’s debut, its predecessor continues to receive new games across a wide plethora of genres, including AA JRPGs. That said, at this point, developers have started to move away from the outdated platform in order to focus exclusively on the current-gen systems, a step that is arguably overdue. Still, PS4-only owners have plenty of great JRPGs they can try.

26 Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (Score: 78)

A player casting a spell in Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

Developer

Capcom

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check It Out Here!

Dragon’s Dogma seemed to immediately debut as a cult classic, a fate that befell plenty of RPGs that launched around the same time as Skyrim and, to a lesser extent, Dark Souls. Although not devoid of flaws, Capcom’s project offered enough positives to distinguish itself from the rest of the genre’s early 2010s releases. Set in a small but engaging open-world, Dragon’s Dogma’s main selling point was and still is its flexible battle system that presents players with plenty of wiggle room to play around with builds. Combat is the game’s main focus, and while decent from the start, it blossoms into something special after a couple of hours. That said, the campaign has a fairly slow and directionless start that can be off-putting.

Dark Aisen is the enhanced version of Dragon’s Dogma that includes a new late-game section notorious for its difficulty spike, although it is still a great addition to the overall package. The PS4 release primarily provides a smoother gameplay experience than its PS3 predecessor, which is not an insignificant improvement for a game that revolves so heavily around combat.

25 Dragon's Crown Pro (Score: 79)

Dragon's Crown Pro gameplay screenshot

Developers

Vanillaware, Atlus

Subgenre

Beat 'Em Up

Amazon Link

N/A

Vanillaware has built a reputation for crafting addictive games that blend different genres together. The developer’s resume is filled with masterpieces, and a strong argument could be made that 2013’s Dragon’s Crown sits at the very top of the pile. A side-scrolling beat ‘em up mixed with satisfying role-playing progression and class systems, the seventh-generation release garnered near-universal praise upon its debut, and it holds up beautifully after all these years. Unsurprisingly, the game was eventually remastered for the PS4, and while this iteration contains almost no new content, the core experience is nevertheless fantastic.

Someone’s mileage with Dragon’s Crown Pro will likely come down to their history with the vanilla version; if they played it to death and do not really feel an intense desire to play through everything again, they probably won’t get too much out of the upgraded iteration. Conversely, newcomers looking for a unique JRPG overflowing with style might find themselves consumed by Vanillaware’s glorious title. Gameplay-wise, Dragon’s Crown plays out like a modern beat ‘em up, albeit one that offers way more build options than the genre’s typical representative. The campaign revolves around dungeon expeditions where players must battle their way through hordes of enemies to acquire loot and experience.

24 NEO: The World Ends With You (Score: 80)

Rindo from Neo: The World Ends With You

Developers

Square Enix Creative Business Unit I, h.a.n.d.

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

People had been waiting for a sequel to The World Ends With You for over a decade, and NEO: The World Ends With You mostly lived up to expectations. Even if it didn't quite manage to reach the same lofty highs as its predecessor, NEO still tells an engrossing story while offering infectious music and memorable characters.

The PS4 JRPG offers a great deal of customization through pins players can unlock and equip to their characters to use in battles, extending the longevity of a combat system that is otherwise fun but shallow.

23 Ys 9: Monstrum Nox (Score: 80)

Ys 9 Monstrum Nox

Developer

Nihon Falcom

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

When it comes to JRPGs for PS4, Ys fans have been treated well. Ys 9: Monstrum Nox retains the core mechanics of its immediate predecessor, the brilliant Lacrimosa of Dana. This time around, the setting is Balduq, a city known for its prison. Naturally, Adol finds himself behind bars, where he is freed by a strange woman and told the join the Monstrums, who are basically vigilantes.

Monstrum Nox's combat is a delight; fast-paced, precise, and smooth, it showcases why Ys is considered one of the greatest action JRPG franchises ever.

22 Scarlet Nexus (Score: 80)

scarlet-nexus-xbox-game-pass

Developers

Bandai Namco Studios, Tose

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

One of the nicest surprises of 2021, Bandai Namco's Scarlet Nexus is a contender for the year's best new IP. Taking place in a world overrun with threats known as Others, players take control of a new OSF member as they try to keep the peace. With separate stories for the two playable characters, Scarlet Nexus offers an incredible amount of content, with the main story requiring roughly 40+ hours to fully experience.

RELATED: Pro Tips For Scarlet Nexus You Need To Know

Scarlet Nexus' combat system is also a highlight. Immediately accessible but containing a surprising amount of depth, battles never get boring despite the campaign's length.

21 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails To Azure (Score: 81)

Trails to Azure Tio attacking an enemy

Developer

Nihon Falcom

Subgenre

Turn-Based

Amazon Link

N/A

It took a long while but The Legend of Heroes' Crossbell arc is finally available in Western nations. Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure originally debuted on the PSP exclusively in Japan, and while their PS4 ports do highlight the games' ages in many ways, they also prove that these JRPGs are generally timeless. Both titles follow the Special Support Section, an agency that takes on cases within Crossbell. Along with an overarching plot that is quite grand and ambitious, the games are also divided into mini-stories that are largely confined to each chapter. This creative decision allows the games to have an episodic feel, which fits since they revolve around detectives.

Generally speaking, The Legend of Heroes is a contender for the best PS4 JRPG franchise since its entries maintain such a consistently high standard. Collectively, they bring to life an incredible and complex world that has very few peers in the gaming landscape.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero has an 80 Metacritic score.

20 Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition (Score: 81)

Tales of Vesperia Yuri, Estelle

Developer

Namco Tales Studio

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

Players interested in diving into Namco Bandai’s franchise have more than two decades' worth of games at their disposal. From the ones available on the PS4, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition stands out as the cream of the crop for those looking for a more traditional entry in the series.

Originally released in 2008, Tales of Vesperia has aged beautifully, partially due to its stylistic visuals. The combat is simplistic compared to subsequent entries in the franchise, but Vesperia shines in the story and character departments. The protagonist, Yuri, is especially fantastic.

Tales of Berseria has a 79 Metacritic score, but it has been left off the list since Bandai Namco's license already has two entries.

19 Genshin Impact (Score: 81)

genshin impact male traveler aether gliding anemo particles windblume event

Developer

miHoYo

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

N/A

MiHoYo's free-to-play JRPG took the world by storm when launched in 2020. Set in Teyvat, Genshin Impact places players in the shoes of the Traveler, a being from another world who sets out to find their sibling.

Genshin Impact is a massive game that just keeps on expanding in size. The combat is immediately enjoyable and offers depth through team compositions as players seek to pull characters from the game's gacha system.

18 Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy (Score: 81)

Atelier Ryza 2 battle

Developer

Gust

Subgenre

Turn-Based

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

There are a bunch of Atelier JRPGs for the PS4, and they are consistently pleasant experiences. Released worldwide in 2021, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy doesn't shake the formula in any significant way; however, it fine-tunes the elements that worked in previous entries while throwing in a few neat twists.

RELATED: Things That Make Atelier A Must-Try JRPG Series

Ultimately, Atelier Ryza 2's gameplay loop boils down to the same formula as most of the rest of the series: Ryza must collect ingredients for her alchemy. There is a decent narrative as well.

Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland has a 78 Metacritic score, but it has been left off this list since the franchise already has two entries.

17 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 (Score: 82)

The Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel III battle scene

Developer

Nihon Falcom

Subgenre

Turn-Based

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

Although originating in the late ‘80s, Nihon Falcom’s franchise really gained steam with 2004’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. In 2013, the series launched the “Trails of Cold Steel” arc, a four-part saga that encompasses some of the most intricate world-building in the JRPG genre.

The highest-rated of the bunch, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 features plenty of quality-of-life improvements, particularly when it comes to its turn-based battles. As each entry builds upon the last, Trails of Cold Steel 3 can’t be recommended as a standalone game; thankfully, the series has produced nothing but great titles.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 1, 2, and 4 have 80, 78, and 81 Metacritic scores respectively, but they have been left off the list since all four games essentially form a single story.

16 Tales Of Arise (Score: 82)

Tales of Arise

Developer

Bandai Namco Studios

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

N/A

With Tales of Zestiria, Berseria, Vesperia, and 2021's Arise, PS4 owners looking for a solid action JRPG can't really go wrong. Tales of Arise feels like a substantial step forward for the series, at least from a technical point of view. Although not quite on the level of a Final Fantasy, Tales of Arise is visually pleasing, with the designs of the main characters being especially strong.

The narrative also tackles mature themes like discrimination and has a darker tone than most entries in the decorated JRPG franchise. The combat is naturally incredible.

15 Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist Of The Mysterious Dream (Score: 82)

Two characters looking at a massive landmark in Atelier Sophie 2

Developer

Gust

Subgenre

Turn-Based

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

The latest entry in Gust's alchemy-centric franchise offers a few more small improvements over its immediate predecessor, something that has become a fixture of the series. Atelier Sophie 2 sets up its story in quite an exciting way as the eponymous protagonist and Plachta are teleported to a new world and separated; however, the game quickly establishes the low-key and relaxed slice of life tone that fans have come to expect from the JRPG license.

Atelier Sophie 2 has the strongest battle and crafting systems in the franchise so far, both of which build upon the extremely solid foundations of the original Sophie and Ryza 2. The world is also quite expansive and, at times, gorgeous.

14 Persona 5 Strikers

persona-5-strikers-heroes

Developers

Omega Force, P-Studio

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

Persona 5 Strikers just barely qualifies as a JRPG since the game's combat system is inspired by Musou titles; however, the spin-off has enough role-playing elements to justify a recommendation. Fans of Persona 5 who simply want to spend more time with the Phantom Thieves can get their wish by playing Strikers, which takes place after the events of the original game.

Even if it does not quite reach the heights of the main entry, the spin-off still tells a decent and lengthy storyline. This time, the Thieves find themselves going on a trip across Japan where they have to periodically stop to change someone's heart, a process done by entering that person's Jail. Strikers' hack and slash combat is flashy and satisfying. While not especially deep, each character has their own nuances, which helps extend the gameplay's longevity.

13 NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… (Score: 83)

NieR Replicant block Shade attack

Developer

Cavia

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

While NieR: Automata is an action game with RPG elements, NieR Replicant is a JRPG through and through, albeit one with real-time combat. A remaster of the 2010 game, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… tweaks the combat and some side-quests just enough to sharpen the original’s rough edges without molding the experience into something new.

RELATED: NieR Replicant Vs NieR Automata: Which Is The Better Game In The Series

NieR’s first half plays out like a bog-standard JRPG, particularly when it comes to the desolate world’s presentation and the mind-numbing side-quests. However, this pays off in a big way later down the line.

12 Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Score: 84)

yakuza like a dragon party

Developer

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Subgenre

Turn-Based

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

In a surprising move, Sega’s Yakuza franchise moved away from its beat-’em-up roots for its seventh main entry, opting for a turn-based battle system instead. Yakuza: Like a Dragon marks a fresh start for the beloved property, as the RPG also offers a new protagonist and setting.

As tends to be the case with this series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s combat system plays second-fiddle to the game’s excellent story, memorable characters, and unique sense of humor. Aping Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s turn-based system respectfully mimics the JRPG genre’s veterans while still injecting its own personality. Hopefully, this entry is only the first chapter in a new era of Yakuza.

11 Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom (Score: 84)

Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

Developer

Level-5

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

A sequel to the JRPG classic, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is a beautifully animated game that brings to life anime visuals evocative of Hayao Miyazaki films.

Many gamers love Ni No Kuni 2 for how it sticks to traditional JRPG elements while also pushing the envelope and attempting to breathe new life into some of those concepts. Cute, addictive, and expertly crafted, this game serves as a great starting point for gamers new to JRPGs even though it's a sequel because it's a new story in the franchise.

10 Valkyria Chronicles 4 (Score: 85)

Valkyria Chronicles 4

Developer

Sega

Subgenre

Tactical

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

There is no other franchise quite like Valkyria Chronicles, and that extends beyond the narrow confines of the JRPG genre. After two somewhat disappointing sequels and a baffling spin-off, Sega’s series returned to form with its fourth entry. Influenced heavily by World War II, Valkyria Chronicles 4 effortlessly blends tactical nuance, third-person shooter gameplay, and a deep storyline loaded with heart.

Although some familiarity with the previous entries does not hurt, Valkyria Chronicles 4 works well as an entry point into the series.

9 Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana (Score: 85)

Ys VIII

Developer

Nihon Falcom

Subgenre

Action

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

Ys is a long-running franchise, but nobody should let that discourage them from picking up this game. While some story details may require some internet research, this is still a fun and highly entertaining game that boasts an incredible combat system that won it an award.

RELATED: Longest PS4 JRPGs (& How Long They Take To Beat)

For most, Ys 8 serves as the pinnacle of Nihon Falcom's franchise where the developer arguably perfected their formula while delivering an accessible experience, something that was an issue with previous entries.

8 Final Fantasy 9 (Score: 85)

Final Fantasy IX

Developer

Gust

Subgenre

Turn-Based

Amazon Link

N/A

A titan from the PlayStation 1 era, Final Fantasy 9 is a cherished game from the franchise due to its movement away from traditional Final Fantasy elements by avoiding dark adult themes and focusing more on a charming adventure and a touching love story.

This game has received several remasters and rereleases, which improves its accessibility even though Final Fantasy 9 is a twenty-year-old game. Already having strong graphics for a PS1 game, the now updated graphics improve the player experience and create a more enjoyable playthrough.

Final Fantasy 8 Remastered and Final Fantasy 10/10-2 HD Remaster have 80 and 84 Metacritic scores respectively, but they have been left off this list as Square Enix's series is well-covered. Final Fantasy 9 represents the franchise's classic era.

7 Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age (Score: 86)

Cover for Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age

Developer

Square Enix

Subgenre

Open-World

Amazon Link

Check it out here!

A Final Fantasy game that truly pushed the boundaries of the franchise, Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age is mainly known for its revamping of the franchise's battle system. By moving away from gameplay interrupting turn-based combat, this game was the first to seamlessly incorporate combat into standard player movement, allowing gamers to freely move while fighting or completely avoid enemies altogether.

The game also received praise for further pushing the boundaries of Final Fantasy norms and introducing the idea of an open-world setting and class system. All in all, Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age is cherished as a JRPG for sticking to genre expectations while also pushing innovative ideas.