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Want to know which PC JRPGs are the best? JRPGs are very different from western RPGs, and the genre has changed a lot since the first Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games came out for the NES. JRPGs, or Japanese role-playing games, have been very popular for a long time.
Check out some of the best JRPG games for PC that are good at playing with our emotions and making us feel like we’re fighting in a big adventure. Most JRPGs are story-driven, adventurous, and focused on exploring. Here is our list of the top PC JRPGs.
Best JRPGs on PC Comparison Table
| Game Title | Genre | Mode | Prices | Download link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genshin Impact | Action RPG | Single-player, Multiplayer | Free-to-play, in-game purchases | Download Link |
| Persona 4 Golden | JRPG | Single-player | $19.99 | Download Link |
| Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster | JRPG | Single-player | $49.99 | Download Link |
| Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age | JRPG | Single-player | $59.99 | Download Link |
| Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age | JRPG | Single-player | $49.99 | Download Link |
| Nier: Automata | Action RPG | Single-player | $39.99 | Download Link |
| Nioh: Complete Edition | Action RPG | Single-player, Multiplayer | $49.99 | Download Link |
| Chrono Cross | RPG | Single-player | $9.99 | Download Link |
Genshin Impact
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, or Windows 10 64-bit | OS: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, or Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor: Intel Core i5 or equivalent | Processor: Intel Core i7 or equivalent |
| Memory: 8 GB RAM | Memory: 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 1030 and higher | Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 6 GB and higher |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
Genshin Impact is probably the PC game that will be most like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It has a huge open world to explore and different dungeons and quests to finish. The game has gotten a lot bigger over time.
With each new update adding new features like gardening, houses, and hangout quests for characters, as well as a lot of new Genshin Impact characters. This free game uses a gacha system to unlock new characters, so you might want a bunch of Genshin Impact codes to get free primogems to spend on wishes.
The Good
- Graphics that are a feast for the eyes and an open-world setting that pulls you in
- There are many different playable characters, each with their own skills and play styles.
- A deep and engaging storyline
- Updates to the game’s content keep it fresh and fun.
The Bad
- Can be hard on systems with less power.
- Some players have said that the gacha system for getting new characters in the game is bad.
Persona 4 Golden
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 8.1 | OS: Windows 10 |
| Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or AMD Phenom II X2 550 | Processor: Intel Core i5-650 or AMD Phenom X4 940 |
| Memory: 2 GB RAM | Memory: 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 or AMD Radeon HD 5770 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or AMD Radeon HD 6870 |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
This RPG from the PS2 era has a bit of a cult following, which is mostly because it has a darker tone than most other JRPGs. Your character moves to a small country town right before a series of murders start. The bodies are all found near mysterious telephone poles.
Compared to the other Persona games, this one isn’t as dark, but it does deal with adult themes and characters who aren’t typical for the genre in many ways. By hanging out with friends outside of dungeons, you can strengthen your character’s relationship with them, which can give them bonuses in and out of battle.
The Good
- A great story with well-written characters that will stay with you.
- Social mechanics that are fun and let you get to know the characters
- Dungeon crawling gameplay that is fun and addicting. Better graphics and performance than the first PS Vita release.
The Bad
- Sometimes, battles can feel a bit boring.
- Some players might find that the social sim parts take too much time.
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 10 64-bit | OS: Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor: Intel Core i3-2100 or AMD Phenom II X4 965 | Processor: Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 |
| Memory: 4 GB RAM | Memory: 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or AMD Radeon HD 5870 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon R9 280 |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
Most people like the Persona series, but these gamers don’t usually feel the same way about the Shin Megami Tensei series. It’s too bad, because the main series has some great games that stand out on their own.
The third game on this list is known for being one of the hardest JRPGs out there. Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is a great JRPG that can be played on Steam. Players will have to use all their wits to stay alive in this game.
The Good
- A unique post-apocalyptic setting for a deep and challenging RPG.
- Demons and battles that are memorable and well-designed
- The music and atmosphere are great.
- The original PS2 release has new graphics and better performance.
The Bad
- Some players might think that the game is too hard.
- At times, the game moves very slowly.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 7 SP1/ Windows 8.1 / Windows 10 64-bit | OS: Windows 7 SP1/ Windows 8.1 / Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor: AMD A10-5800K or Intel Core i3-540 | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 1700 or Intel Core i7-7700 |
| Memory: 4 GB RAM | Memory: 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R7 370 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
The Dragon Quest series might be one of the most famous and well-known JRPG series of all time, but that doesn’t change the fact that it hasn’t exactly taken off in the West. But Dragon Quest XI’s huge popularity, which has come from a huge hype train and multiple re-releases, could finally mark a turning point in the series.
There’s no better way to start the Dragon Quest series than with this game, which is very easy to understand and has a combat system that fans of classic turn-based JRPGs will feel right at home with. Overall, it is one of the best JRPGs on PC that you can download.
The Good
- A well-written story with characters you like.
- The graphics are beautiful and colorful, and the art style is charming.
- There’s a big open world to explore with lots of secrets to find.
- Classic, fun, and strategic turn-based battles
The Bad
- Some people may find the game too easy or not challenging enough.
- The PC port has a few small technical problems.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit / Windows 8.1 64-bit / Windows 10 64-bit | OS: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit / Windows 8.1 64-bit / Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor: AMD FX-4350 / Intel Core i3-5100 | Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 / Intel Core i5-4460 |
| Memory: 4 GB RAM | Memory: 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 / AMD Radeon HD 6790 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon RX 480 |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
Obviously, this is the best Final Fantasy. What are you saying? Vaan is a child who tries too hard and is annoying, and the story doesn’t make sense. Have you met Tidus from Final Fantasy 10? I’ve never really played Final Fantasy for the story. I’m in it for the show, and we love the world of Final Fantasy 12 and the strange group of heroes you put together.
That’s the main reason we stuck with it long enough to use the gambit system the right way, and boy, is it a beauty. We love role-playing games where you can make any character do anything you want. We can give Vaan a greatsword and watch him get beat up on the front lines of every fight for the rest of his life.
The Good
- A deep and complex story set in a world that feels real and full.
- A unique gambit system that makes battles interesting and strategic
- The original PS2 release has new graphics and better performance.
- The ability to make your characters look and act the way you want them to.
The Bad
- Some players may find the story too complicated or hard to follow.
- There were some technical problems with the PC port.
Nier: Automata
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 7 /8.1 /10 64bit | OS: Windows 8.1 /10 64bit |
| Processor: Intel Core i3 2100 or AMD A8-6500 | Processor: Intel Core i5 4670 or AMD A10-7850K |
| Memory: 4 GB RAM | Memory: 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 VRAM 2GB or AMD Radeon R9 270X VRAM 2GB | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 VRAM 4GB or AMD Radeon R9 380X VRAM 4GB |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
In sci-fi, there are sad robots and horny robots, but it’s rare for a robot to be both horny and sad, and it’s even rarer for those two emotions to be the driving force behind a story that’s as weird as it is deep. Nier: Automata is sad, moving, and weird in a way that’s hard to do in a game, especially an action-RPG that’s mostly about flashy sword combos.
Automata keeps going back to the idea of peeling back the layers of a story, letting you see it from different points of view before the big reveal that makes it all make sense. The combat system looks and plays like a much simpler version of Bayonetta, but it has enough upgradeable weapons and abilities to satisfy the RPG side of the equation.
The Good
- A different and interesting story that makes you feel and think.
- Combat that is quick and easy to use and feels great to play
- The game has a great soundtrack that fits the mood of the game perfectly.
- There are several endings, so the game can be played many times.
The Bad
- Some people may find the difficulty of the game to be inconsistent or frustrating.
- There were some technical problems with the PC port.
Nioh: Complete Edition
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit) | OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit) |
| Processor: Intel Core i5 3550 or over | Processor: Intel Core i7 4770K or over |
| Memory: 6 GB RAM | Memory: 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 VRAM 3GB or over / AMD Radeon R9 280 VRAM 3GB or over | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 VRAM 6GB or over / AMD Radeon RX 580 VRAM 8GB or over |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
Nioh takes place in a fantasy version of Japan in the 1600s. You play as an Irish samurai named William who is on the hunt for a bad guy all over the country. Demons and monsters are on the loose, making it hard to unite Japan. William finds himself playing a key role in the changing politics of Japan.
Nioh is a hack-and-slash game where you fight demons and monsters. The game’s story and gameplay are based on real historical events. Even though it’s hard to believe, that historical context might get people interested in history.
The Good
- Combat that is hard and fun, and that rewards skill and strategy
- Story that is both historical and supernatural, which makes it interesting.
- Graphics and environments that make you feel like you’re really in the game
- There are different ways to play, such as PvP and co-op.
The Bad
- Can be hard to master for people who aren’t used to the genre
- Some players might think that the game’s levels are the same over and over.
Chrono Cross
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10 | OS: Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10 |
| Processor: Intel Core i3 2.0 GHz or faster | Processor: Intel Core i5 2.8 GHz or faster |
| Memory: 2 GB RAM | Memory: 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 8800GT / ATI Radeon HD 4770 VRAM 512MB or later | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 / Radeon HD 6850 VRAM 768MB or later |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
Unfortunately, Chrono Cross gets a lot of undeserved hate because so many people compare it to Chrono Trigger. If you look at it on its own, it stands up. It has a strong group of main characters and dozens of fun and different party members that you can use in battle.
The battles are a nice change of pace, and the stamina point and element systems give them a bit more strategy than other turn-based games. It also has one of the best music tracks ever made for a JRPG. This classic JRPG will soon be available on the Nintendo Switch, so even more people will be able to play it.
The Good
- A well-written, interesting story about parallel universes and going back in time.
- Unique battle system that lets you make strategic choices and change your character.
- The game has beautiful environments and a great soundtrack that add to the atmosphere.
- There are many ways to finish the game and side quests that give it a lot of replay value.
The Bad
- Some people might think the game moves too slowly at times.
FAQs
What is the greatest JRPG ever?
Chrono Trigger is the best JRPG ever made, and no other game will ever beat it. So, there it is. It’s not surprising, since it was made by a great team that included the people who made Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, as well as Akira Toriyama, who made Dragon Ball.
Is Genshin a JRPG?
Fans have fallen in love with Genshin Impact, which has led to a number of heartfelt and in-depth tributes. Ohodavi also shows how far the gaming industry has come in the last few decades by making the game a 2D turn-based JRPG.
What game won best RPG?
At the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards 2022, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 won the award for “best RPG.” There were also nominations for several other first-party Nintendo games. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet won “best scenario” and “best character,” while Splatoon 3 won “best action game.”
Why are JRPGs so addictive?
So, they are great. JRPGs are better than any other type of video game at playing with your emotions and making you feel like you’re fighting your way through big adventures. Most of the time, they are about stories and exploring. They sometimes tell big, broad stories about angry gods and bad empires.