Table of Contents
Here are the Best iPhone JRPGs for the year 2023. There are RPGs and there are Japanese RPGs, or JRPGs. The Japanese version of a genre that started in the West is just as focused on hit points and deep fantasy lore, but it has its own style and attitude. JRPGs often give you strange characters, often with spiky hair and no memory, and sometimes even a sword that is way too big.
But we could talk about dozens of other JRPG heroes as well. On mobile, the JRPG has found a new home. There are a lot of JRPGs for you to play on the App Store and Play Store, whether they are remakes of old games or brand-new games made just for mobile. We had to leave off a lot of iOS JRPGs from the list below, so let us know in the comments section about your personal favorites.
Best iPhone JRPGs Comparison Table
| Game Title | Genre | Mode | Price | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrono Trigger | Role-playing game | Single player | $9.99 | Download Link |
| Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition | Role-playing game | Single player | Free-$19.99 | Download Link |
| Genshin Impact | Action role-playing | Single/Multiplayer | Free | Download Link |
| Fate/Grand Order | Role-playing game | Single player | Free | Download Link |
| The Banner Saga | Tactical role-playing | Single player | $9.99 | Download Link |
| Darkest Dungeon | Role-playing game | Single player | $4.99 | Download Link |
| Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic | Role-playing game | Single player | $9.99 | Download Link |
| Stardew Valley | Simulation game | Single player | $4.99 | Download Link |
Chrono Trigger
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Time travel | Players can travel through time to different eras and alter history. |
| Multiple endings | The game has 13 different endings based on player choices. |
| Active battle system | The game uses an active time battle system where characters can perform actions in real-time. |
| Memorable soundtrack | The game’s music is composed by renowned composer Yasunori Mitsuda. |
We thought we’d start with a Square Enix game because there are going to be a lot of them on this list. This SNES classic is a time-hopping JRPG that has a large enough cult following that it probably isn’t a cult anymore. But there’s a reason.
The story is great, the world-building is great, the characters are charming, and the gameplay isn’t bad either. If you haven’t played this one yet, you should fix that terrible mistake right away. Overall, it is one of the best JRPGs for iPhone that you can download.
The Good
- Storyline is interesting, and the characters stand out.
- The ability to go back in time gives the game more depth.
- The game can be played again and again because it has more than one ending.
- The music is beautifully put together.
The Bad
- Some people might find that the game is too hard.
- Some players might think that the graphics are old.
Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Open-world exploration | Players can explore a vast open-world filled with quests and activities. |
| Real-time combat system | The game uses a real-time combat system where players can perform actions in real-time. |
| Pocket-sized version | The game has been optimized for mobile devices with simplified graphics and controls. |
| Character customization | Players can customize their characters with different outfits and abilities. |
This one is very interesting. Square Enix didn’t try to make the huge Final Fantasy XV game work on mobile, so they shrunk it. It’s still a game, but it doesn’t eat up as many resources as it used to. This is one of the best JRPGs for iPhone that you can download right now.
It’s still probably the best Final Fantasy game ever made, and the great story hasn’t changed at all. It’s kind of like a road trip, but there are monsters, plots, and a lot more going on. This is a great way to enjoy a great game.
The Good
- A version of a popular console game for your phone.
- There are many quests and things to do in an open world.
- Customizing your character gives the game more depth.
- Real-time fighting keeps the game interesting.
The Bad
- The graphics may not be as immersive as on the console because they are simpler.
Genshin Impact
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Open-world exploration | Players can explore a vast open-world filled with quests and activities. |
| Gacha system | Players can unlock new characters and weapons through a gacha system. |
| Elemental combat system | The game’s combat system is based on elements that can be combined for greater effect. |
| Co-op play | Players can team up with others in co-op play. |
One of the most popular games, Genshin Impact, is one of the best iOS JRPGs. Players will wake up to a world that is very different from when they first arrived. They will have lost all of their power along with their sisters, and they will begin their journey in Teyvat to find Seven, the god of every element in the game.
Genshin Impact has a huge open world with mountains, clear rivers, and beautiful scenery. With the Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Dendro, and Geo elements, gamers can set off elemental reactions. Genshin Impact also lets you work with different characters with different styles and ways of life.
The Good
- There are many quests and activities to do in a beautiful open world.
- With the gacha system, players can get new weapons and characters.
- The elemental combat system gives the game a lot more depth.
- Co-op play lets players work together to take on more difficult quests.
The Bad
- With the gacha system, players may have to pay real money to get characters and weapons they want.
- Some players might find it boring to play over and over again.
Fate/Grand Order
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Turn-based combat system | The game uses a turn-based combat system where players can perform actions based on a set of cards. |
| Gacha system | Players can unlock new characters through a gacha system. |
| Story-driven gameplay | The game’s main focus is on the storyline and its characters. |
| Character customization | Players can customize their characters with different skills and abilities. |
Fate/Grand Order is a JRPG with battles based on command cards. Chalde, who looks into the future of Earth in the game, says that humans are going to die out and accepts that a mysterious area in a small town in Japan is to blame.
In her sixth experiment, Chaldea is able to go back in time, so it’s time to try to figure out what happened. In Fate/Grand Order, players will try to defeat enemies with the help of heroic spirits and figure out what caused the end of human history.
The Good
- A story with a lot of interesting characters.
- The turn-based battle system makes the game more strategic.
- With the gacha system, players can get access to new characters.
- Customizing your character gives the game more depth.
The Bad
- Some players might think that the gacha system depends too much on real money.
- Some players might not find the turn-based combat as interesting.
The Banner Saga
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Choice-driven storyline | The game’s storyline is shaped by player choices, leading to different outcomes. |
| Strategic combat system | The game uses a turn-based combat system where players must carefully manage their resources. |
| Beautifully hand-drawn art | The game’s art style is inspired by Norse mythology and features hand-drawn 2D animations. |
| Memorable soundtrack | The game’s music is composed by Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey. |
The Banner Saga is a new kind of tactical RPG that puts a lot of focus on player choices. In between battles, the game is like a choose-your-own-adventure book. Your choices determine what happens to your Viking as you lead them through war, famine, and the edge of death. Here, it’s all about the story and getting into it.
The Banner Saga doesn’t have typical RPG features like looting, buying, and selling, and if you lose a battle, you can’t even load a save game. All of this is done to make you feel like you are part of the story of your as a whole, not just one person. The Banner Saga is a series of three games that are way underrated.
The Good
- The story is based on the choices you make, so you can make it your own.
- Players have to think about tactics when using the strategic combat system.
- The hand-drawn art is beautiful to look at.
The Bad
- Some people might find that the game is too hard.
Darkest Dungeon
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Rogue-like elements | The game features permadeath, randomized levels, and limited resources. |
| Psychological stress system | Characters can suffer from psychological stress that can affect their performance. |
| Unique art style | The game’s art style is inspired by 17th-century engravings and features a dark and brooding atmosphere. |
| Challenging gameplay | The game is known for its difficulty and requires players to carefully manage their resources. |
Darkest Dungeon has the reputation of being a very hard game, which is fair. Darkest Dungeon is a roguelike game in which your characters will always die. In many ways, it is the perfect game for mobile. It lets you quickly set up a party and head straight into a dungeon for some turn-based combat.
It’s all about where you stand in this game. The game is in 2D, and battles take place in a line with your party and the enemy. Who is in what position will affect some of their stats, like how likely they are to hit or get sick or hurt.
The Good
- The unique style of the art makes the atmosphere stand out.
- The game is made more interesting by the psychological stress system.
- Gameplay that is hard keeps people interested.
The Bad
- Some people may not be able to handle how hard the game is.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Story-driven gameplay | The game’s focus is on the story, which takes place thousands of years before the Star Wars films. |
| Light/dark morality system | Player choices can affect whether they align with the light or dark side of the Force. |
| Party-based combat system | Players can recruit companions to fight alongside them in turn-based combat. |
| Player choice | The game’s story can be affected by player choices. |
On mobile devices, you can play one of the best role-playing games ever made. Knights of the Old Republic came out during the best time for Star Wars games, and people still love to talk about it. You play as a character with no name who can’t remember anything and keeps seeing strange things.
As the player trains to become a Jedi and fights for either the light or dark side of the force, they must learn about their past. Since BioWare made the game, you can expect a great story, a lot of great characters, and different ways to tell the story. It’s an old game that’s still fun to play again, whether it’s your first time or your hundredth.
The Good
- Story is interesting and takes place in the Star Wars universe.
- The game is made more interesting by the light/dark morality system.
- The party-based battle system lets you play in a strategic way.
- The player’s choices change the story and make the game more personal.
The Bad
- Some players might think that the graphics are old.
- Some players might find the slow pace of turn-based combat boring.
Stardew Valley
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Farming simulator | Players can grow crops, raise animals, and develop their farm. |
| Crafting and resource management | Players must gather resources and craft items to improve their farm. |
| Social simulation | Players can build relationships with NPCs and even marry them. |
| Relaxing gameplay | The game has a slow pace and is designed to be a relaxing experience. |
Stardew Valley is a great game to play if you want to take a break from fighting and do something more peaceful and idyllic. This game brings the Harvest Moon style into the present, and players can build a farm, raise animals, make friends, and find a partner.
In this smash-hit indie game, there are a lot of secrets to find, dungeons to explore, and relationships to build. The main gameplay is made even better by a relaxing soundtrack, a great cast of characters, great writing, and amazing art. It’s a great game to play when you just want to chill out, and the iOS version is even better because it lets you use a controller.
The Good
- Gameplay that keeps players interested and hooked.
- The system for making things and managing resources gives the game more depth.
- The social simulation lets the player customize their own experience.
The Bad
- Some people might not like how slow the game moves.
FAQs
What is considered the best JRPG of all time?
If you didn’t agree with us that Chrono Trigger is the best JRPG ever made, you probably think that title belongs to Final Fantasy VII. Critics all over the world were shocked by the seventh Final Fantasy. In 1997, it was a masterpiece in both graphics and story.
What makes a good JRPG?
The characters in a good JRPG make it what it is. In some stories, the whole group is the protagonist instead of just one person.
What is the hardest JRPG ever?
- Etrian Odyssey
- The 7th Saga
- Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne
- The Last Remnant
- Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
- Natural Doctrine
- Final Fantasy 4
- YS: Oath
Do JRPGs have good stories?
Even though JRPGs are linear, most people who like them do so because they are different. The stories can be funny, sad, and weird, and they are often based on Japanese anime.