The PlayStation 4 released to great fanfare, beating the Xbox One in every department upon release and cementing itself as a must-have piece of hardware for anyone into console gaming. There are a number of reasons as to why the PlayStation 4 was such a success. One of its biggest strengths was the massive line of exclusives that the console had, serving as a huge advantage over competitors.
JRPGs ended up getting massive benefits as a result of Sony's unwavering support for third-party titles. The PlayStation 4 became the prime platform for a number of incredible JRPGs to showcase their sheer quality. Plenty of modern titles for the console displayed revamped battle systems that innovated upon turn-based and real-time combat mechanics. The following titles are particularly noteworthy for their incredible JRPG combat systems on the PS4.
10 Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
The Ys series is a criminally underrated JRPG franchise, and has remained fairly obscure in western markets for a long time. It's a shame, since the latest game in the series, Ys IX, is an excellent title. Any fan of action JRPG titles should definitely it try out.
The fast-paced combat and seamless character switching make for a fun experience that never gets tiring through the 35+ hour runtime. Its combat mechanics include unique traversal methods called Monstrum Gifts, keeping the game interesting.
9 Final Fantasy Type-0 HD
Fans were disappointed to find out that Final Fantasy Type-0 would remain a Japan-only release when it was launched for the PlayStation Portable in 2011. However, Square Enix didn't let this project simmer. They decided to release an HD version of the game for the next generation of hardware.
The result was Final Fantasy Type-0 HD. It wasn't a great remaster by any stretch of the imagination, but managed to keep fans hooked through a surprisingly well-told story and a battle system that felt incredibly satisfying. Landing Break Sights and Kill Sights in quick succession helps the player achieve a sense of accomplishment within the gameplay.
8 Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
While the first Ni No Kuni title was a great game, fans were lukewarm about one aspect of the title — its combat system. Wrath of the White Witch's battles felt lackluster and barebones, compared to some of the other titles in the same vein.
The release of Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom revealed that Level-5 had heard these complaints, and responded appropriately. The development team integrated a better combat system in Ni No Kuni II, which actually becomes the highlight of the game.
7 Kingdom Hearts III
Kingdom Hearts III might've been somewhat disappointing from a story and presentation point-of-view. However, players can't deny that the battles are still as flashy as they come.
There are valid complaints to this battle system. Some players point out that the fights are easy and their control over Sora's powers are fairly limited. Yet, players who manage to look past these grievances will definitely have a great time during the action moments.
6 Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition
Speaking of easy battle systems, one can't fail to mention this particular game. Even after being delayed to kingdom come, it managed to make a fairly solid impression after facing so many developmental woes.
The original Final Fantasy XV release might've been a decent game, albeit somewhat hollow. The Royal Edition, though, integrates a ton of new mechanics, features, and content in the game. The update makes it an excellent ride from start to end, courtesy of a high-octane combat system that makes the player feel like a powerful prince — but at the cost of difficulty.
5 Tales Of Berseria
For players who want a dark narrative about revenge and loss, Tales of Berseria should be right up their alley. The story of Velvet trying to avenge the death of her brother is a personal tale that will keep fans hooked.
Of course, it helps that Tales of Berseria features a polished combat system the developers have honed to perfection over the past few titles in the series. The Linear Motion Battle System has never looked better, and makes for some fast-paced and enjoyable combat moments.
4 Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata might fall under the loosest definition of a JRPG on this list, but that ultimately doesn't matter. The combat system alone makes this game a must-play for anyone into amazing video games, regardless of the genre it might fall under. PlatinumGames has never disappointed with their action gameplay, and Nier: Automata is no exception to this.
Nier: Automata's combat isn't the only brilliant aspect of the game. Its narrative is a welcome surprise that serves as a surprisingly deep and poignant tale about one's need to define their purpose, regardless of their origin.
3 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
The Dragon Quest series is legendary in Japan as one of the most popular JRPGs of all time. Yet, it hasn't really taken off in the West. Thankfully, the successful release of Dragon Quest XI has finally turned some heads towards this massively popular yet underrated franchise.
Echoes of an Elusive Age features a battle system that's easy to understand yet hard to master, preventing the boredom that can come with easy combat. It's perfect cherry on top of a dazzling gaming experience.
2 Final Fantasy VII Remake
There was a point where the remake of the insanely successful Final Fantasy VII was rumored to be nothing more than a myth. To finally see this game come into existence in 2020 is nothing short of incredible.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is brilliant and expanded — perhaps a bit too much, at times. It's an entertaining romp that is made all the more memorable through a fast-paced and tactical combat system that provides a healthy level of challenge to boot. All in all, it's a massive evolution from the somewhat mindless combat of Final Fantasy XV.
1 Persona 5 Royal
It's a testament to the quality of Persona 5 and the developers behind it that a re-release of an existing title somehow managed to deliver a fresh experience. Royal introduced a slew of content additions and quality of life changes in every aspect of the game, including the combat.
If the combat is Persona 5 was brilliant, Persona 5 Royal manages to crank it up a notch and deliver a combat system that is as tactically brilliant as it is visually spectacular. It's a massive step in the right direction for the series. Fans can only wonder how Persona 6 might improve upon the franchise.