7 JRPG Hidden Gems That I Recommend To Anyone

[@wheelotime2581]

Me when i first found trails in the sky

[@Ultimatesadventures]

Still recommending it to all my friends, litterally none are and it became a meme

[@thecognitiverambler8911]

Us.

[@AlastorShadow0]

Ah you mean TitS!

[@ninototo1]

same. Totally captured my heart

[@FlooorBread]

I started in cold steel just finished the 4th game a while back. Gonna start the sky trilogy later this week

[@BlueCrimson10]

Xanadu Next is one of Falcom's overlooked earlier games, but it is as good a game as the rest of Falcom's catalogue. Hexyz Force, on the PSP, is also a great JRPG experience. It really nailed the dual protagonist experience

[@Arubar0]

Good to see people still remember Ar Tonelico

[@Kenko_4]

I remember giving Fuga a shot after the high praise you gave it way back. The gameplay loop is what hooked me. Glad to see you’re still pushing it out there for the attention it deserves.

[@Naryoril]

I didn't know they were making a 3rd Fuga game, but it's great to hear. I'll definitely get it when it comes out.

[@Zero-no5vf]

Stella Glow gets a massive recommendation from me, very good characters with killer soundtrack.

[@jogymogy3691]

Live A Live Remake is a true Gem. It's a masterpiece. The Story, the music, the beautiful graphics. Oersted surprised me and his story left me in shock and it's resolve in awe. It's just pure awesomness.

[@abysskun9518]

Speaking of Gust, do you guys think we'll ever see a new Nights of Azure?

[@TetraMaster-f8s]

This is the game we need.

[@pithu1961]

I really want to play Witchspring R (after many people recommended it including your videos), but unfortunately I've ordered the collector's edition (I love artbooks) and it was delayed until January ...

[@8BitOrbit]

Got the plat on Witchspring R can confirm its insanely good

[@rjproduction486]

I also highly recommend Stella Glow for the Nintendo 3ds. Stella Glow at first seems a generic harem jrpg. You explore the world to collect/recruit 4 elemental witch of wind, fire, earth, and water to defeat the evil witch. BUT at some point in the story it quickly became AWESOME!

[@psycake]

I would absolutely recommend CrossCode to everyone! It is a masterpiece of an Action-RPG with great leveldesign, fantastic dungeons with clever puzzles, very varied sidequests and a simple, but emotional story with one of the best silent protagonists ever. Although it is 60 hours long, it has more variety in its level- and puzzle-design in one hour than most of other JRPGs and that every hour! If you love 2D-Zelda as well as classic Ys, you OWE it to yourself to play this game! It is already a classic in my book!

[@mrp1234]

hell yeah Angie

[@lunar-exe433]

I personally would love to see a remaster of Ar Tonelico 1/2 or Mana Khemia 1/2 especially since the PSP version of the first Mana Khemia game had additional content. Not sure about the 2nd game on psp.

[@mrp1234]

LOVED WitchSpring R. I agree that it's SO packed with stuff to do, it felt much longer than it was but in a good way because it felt like you did so much in the game. and Fuga!

[@SacrificAbominat]

Fuga is actually doing very well for the Little Tail Bronx series. Tail Concerto and Solatorobo only sold about 100k copies each, but the Fuga series has passed 450K copies so far and will probably get close to matching what CC2's .hack series did for one of it's sets of games, about 700-850K copies, a couple years after the 3rd game comes out. They said they're interested in doing a physical release if there's enough demand for it, but the main reason why it's digital only is because they're self publishing it and don't have Bandai helping with physically distributing it. Maybe they can convince Bandai or another publisher to help them do a limited run physical release of a collection of all 3 games. I'm so happy to see CC2 making original IP games again as there was a good decade where they were typecasted as an anime game developer. Maybe people will start recognizing them for how awesome their original IPs are again at some point in the near future. While I highly doubt any of their original games or series are going to hit Naruto Storm 4's 12 million copies or DBZ Kakarot's 8 million copies sold I at least hope they see more success as they continue with their self publishing. Maybe Fuga will get a second wind when Cecile and Tokyo Ogre Gate come out. I'm also hoping they bring .hack back in some form as well. Fuga has some not so subtle .hack like references throughout it, so I get the feeling they're teasing .hack's return with it as well. I also hope Bandai stops being stubborn and just lets CC2 remake Tail Concerto, Solatorobo, and .hack IMOQ. The first two would be really easy to remake, they could even reuse assets from Fuga to some extent, and could be put into a collection called Little Tail Stories. .hack IMOQ could at the very least get the remaster treatment G.U. got. Though CC2 are pushing for a full remake of it as it's very dated. I'll be happy either way though I will probably still go back and play the original games if the remake's gameplay is more like G.U. as I love the early prototype Xenoblade feel of IMOQ over G.U.'s more hack and slash gameplay. As for the other games you mentioned I am thinking about getting into Ar Tonelico and it's successor Ar No Surge at some point though I'm not that big on dating sim like games personally. The music is very strange but godly for that series IMO. I've got physical copies of Both Baten Kaitos games and the remaster, but I just haven't gotten to playing through them yet. Other than the first one the rest have been on my Steam wishlist for a while, and I'll see if I can buy them someday.

[@ロロロシメシロ]

My hidden masterpiece is Falcom "zwei'' series. In particular, "zwei II'' appears once on PC and is too hidden.

[@alexey635able]

I absolutely, one hundred percent disagree that bloomtown is a “gem” in any way, shape or form. Time management is broken (no deadlines, can grind for stats endlessly during dailty life segment), combat is random (low hit rate, random “one more” system, bosses immune to most strategies), story is written by chatgpt and nearly every other game mechanic is severely underdeveloped. You couldn’t even *manualy save* until recently!

[@ninototo1]

Agreed

[@eliotwildermann]

Ar tonelico is a throwback 😊

[@lleonardi]

nice that someone still remember ar tonelico. this is one of the greatest game ever made.

[@craftnight2693]

I still remember watching your previous videos about Ar Tonelico. Now I dont regret listening and am no IN LOVE with the fame ❤

[@FE14CamillaSimp]

Agree with Witch Spring R, but Witch Spring 3 Refine is a more underrated, unpopular WS game. It's also a remake of the mobile version

[@oddjars]

I recently beat Labyrinth of Refrain and started playing through Galleria. These games are fantastic despite how niche they are. The writing is top notch. Some of the best gaming experiences I've had this year came from the most unexpected places.

[@Senseimon]

I still love ar tonelico, especially the OSTs, they are still in my playlist even after almost 2 decades

[@Nikita_Akashya]

Another hidden gem I recommend to everyone is Project X Zone for the 3DS and Sakura Wars, so long my love for the Wii. I feel like nobody ever talks about these games or has heard of them but they are really great. Especially because the first PxZ got me into Valkyria Chronicles. VC3 is one of the best strategy games ever and I want it localized so badly so I can play it and relive the greatness that is Kurt Irving. That man is a legend and nobody knows who he is and it makes me really sad.

[@tonyzamudio5505]

That’s a big reason I haven’t dipped into fuga. It’s cuz it doesn’t have a physical release and I already have a backlog.

[@MicksUp]

i'm playing Final Fantasy pixel remaster games 1 to 6 these days (only played original 1 and 6 before), and i'm loving them a lot i'm trying to get a few games these days as i've saved quite a bit for the last months, and baten kaitos 1 and 2 is definitely one of them

[@PloysMaw]

Great picks. I can't wait too see a lot of older Gust titles come to modern systems, as for Witch Spring R I've had my eye on it for a while and I ordered a copy only a couple of weeks back, I'm really looking forward to giving it a go. It frustrates me to no end that the last game mentioned doesn't get the recognition it deserves; such a great game that JRPG fans should try. A demo is available which makes things easier.

[@RwnEsper]

The lack of a physical for Fuga really hamstrung it, IMO. RPG players tend to be physical collectors too, in my experience.

[@jrpggamer93]

Great video brother !! Have a good thanks giving !

[@johnciano3524]

Absolutely loved live a live!!

[@Tiiliuu1]

I played Noora and the Time Studio after I saw your video on it and its easily one of my favorite JRPGs ever! It was basically made for me. Especially as a Fin since the names and terms are often in funny finnish terms.

[@kingdomhearts9714]

If I can get a recommendation for you Kiseki there is an indi game call 8-bit adventures 2. The game is surprisingly heavy on story (a bit too much for me). It has a pretty interesting universe, characters, plot, and a decent battle system that reminds me a lot of Final Fantasy X. I did play Bloomtown and it was alright for me. I just wish the main plot was more interesting.

[@ironuru526]

Finally someone who recognize how good the Ar Tonelico games are, AT was one of the first games i played in PS2 and i loved it, so much that Ar Tonelico Qoga was the main reason i bought the PS3. It would be great that (at least) the main trilogy get a remaster to modern consoles Also, Misha`s the best heroine

[@whycantwebefriends9178]

Cant recommend The Legend of Nayuta enough :)

[@martinomagic9230]

My hidden gem recommendation is "Reverse Collapse Code Name Bakery", a game as good as its title is long! This SRPG is in style a lot like Utawarerumono in set up with a visual novel style story and tactics game play but in a sci-fi setting. Now the story is nowhere near as long and in depth as Utawarerumono, but it is still very interesting with lots of twists and turns. But where this game shines most is its gameplay, as it reminds of tactics meets Metal Gear Solid. You have your characters that have defined roles with some customization, but you also have a batman like tool belt where you get various useful tactical gear to help you complete your missions that you can customize yourself. Pretty much all the stages feel completely unique even when they have you revisit some areas, there might be some overlap like this is a stealth mission ect. However, this does not take away with the amazing setup of the games systems to make all stages fairly challenging with surprises along the way. Also, this game has plenty of useful quality of life features you find in modern SRPGs so it doesn't make you feel like banging your head against a wall. I may hate on a lot of games but when I find one that stands above the rest to gush about it, you know it is a banger.

[@ssjdennis6058]

Live A Live is a hidden gem?! I can second that it's a great game. The short(er) stories are great to play when you have a night off.

[@calvinmatthews1527]

For me it's Rise of the Third Power. Gripping story, likeable characters, solid gameplay, & decent length. Truly a shame it didn't that much attention.

[@Suikojunkie]

Indeed and the quality gap with games like chained echoes and sea of stars, other jrpg inspired games, isn’t even big. The music is also fantastic.

[@maurernorbert7031]

you are right about fuga. I didn't buy the 1st because digital only, didn't the 2nd because I'd like to have both in the same box. Didn't even know there is a 3rd one... But a combined 1-2(3 now that I know there is a 3rd) physical cartridge for the switch would be a definite buy.

[@Senzu15]

Very good list! Thank you!

[@kaguyahnk]

Question, do you plan to make a spoiler review of Ys X? Just finished the game and would love to hear your thoughts about the story. Loved that final boss :)

[@thegreatnovo]

I've been holding out from buying both Fuga games praying they will get a physical release.

[@Nescium]

I finished Ar Tonelico on ps2 a couple of months ago. It changed my life

[@enzomercier2789]

Man, you've got to try WitchSpring 3 (Re:fine if you feel like paying a 15 bucks mark-up for slightly better graphisms and controller support for the Switch version, otherwise you can get it on mobile for under 5 bucks). It's clearly not as fully realised as WitchSpring R, since this is a mobile game through and through, even the Re:Fine version which is more of a port than anything else unlike R which is a full-blown remake made specifically for consoles and PC. But what it is is a story as pleasent as R (although shorter), with multiple endings this time, and a still decent enough gameplay. It is not an absolute gem like R is, but it remains pretty good IMO for anyone looking for more WitchSpring.

[@ThomB1031]

Agree that #7 would benefit from a physical release. Hope it happens.

[@nickwick35]

Fuga would sell like hot cakes if a physical triple pack came out on Switch!

[@DemiLuna1]

My hidden gem would be Astlibra Revision and it's dlc, about 90-100 hours of amazing story, music and great side scrolling action combat for about 30 bucks, can't go wrong with it.

[@rodrigorocha2935]

Always good to see a Baten Kaitos mentioned. But I am a bigger fan of the second game, combat is far better, it is fast and dynamic, although the game gets part of its charm due the revisited locations if you have played the original first.

[@xMYx507]

The problem with Ar Tonelico is that on the third entry they made fan service a bit too much and flopped a bit in the gameplay. So I think they backed out in making the 4th.

[@winterwraith1934]

Ah, Fuga. I should get it to support the creators, but I was pretty ticked off when at some point shortly after release they said in an interview they would never publish it physically. Having both Tail Concerto and Solatorobo physically it’s a bummer not to have the third entry taking place in this universe physically as well, I truly despise digital-only releases. But I do think it seems like a great little game, so I’ll pick it up when on sale and keep my fingers crossed for a physical at some point; I’d definitely double dip…

[@TheHorribleCreature]

That Nora game looks super cute.

[@anguset]

Cyberconnect2 have way too much heart to be stuck as a workhorse for Bandai Namco. Fun fact, the Fuga games tie directly into their previous games, Tail Concerto and Solatorobo - games that CC2 can't touch because they're under Bamco's iron grip, never to be released again since they were similarly critical successes but financial flops.

[@OmegaBladeAlpha]

Yooooo Ar Tonelico hype!

[@astrades2601]

Great, i completed 2 games from this list and 1 more i have in my collection :D Fuga is truly an emotional gem with awesome presentation and interesting gameplay, which i bought on its release. Live a Live is overall good game and interesting piece of gaming history, but it wasn't a masterpiece for me. And Baten Kaitos games are still waiting for their turn.

[@deathstick7715]

I pre ordered chained echoes collectors edition from 1st press games on December 4th 2022 I still haven't received it does anyone have any info on it thanks

[@dennisdavidov782]

Another lesser-known game worth plaing is Terra Memoria.

[@chrisdillon8376]

Does Bloomtown have any connection to Chained Echoes? Art looks the exact same

[@sanjithechef]

I just got witchspring r yesterday!!!

[@enzomercier2789]

Enjoy man, wish I could experience it all over again. Hopefully we get the post-game update soon enough, or a Witchspring 2R annonced?

[@NuageMH]

11:30 and also because of its artistic direction

[@a_sweetroll1627]

Some of these games cannot be acquired anymore legally if not insanely difficult.

[@GalaxyJakeYT]

Ni No Kuni 1 was this for me

[@jamesrule1338]

Witch Spring R is pretty solid.

[@SheldonKreger]

Any hidden action JRPGs you'd recommend?

[@Skimmer951]

I will sing fu ga to the high heavens and I am so sad its not seen enough.

[@macona8444]

I won't play Baten Kaitos until I can mod out the Crocs

[@BronxDragon]

Besides Pieberries shit romance and the Ganon hijack bit I did enjoy that game. But yeah Fuga does not get enough love. I think a combination of the furry characters and being a pure digital game hurt it in the long run.

[@Sigglypuff]

One i never see mentioned is Astlibra. Love that game. 2d Metroidvania sidescroller with a combat flow similar to Ys. High recommendation to anyone.

[@BlueCrimson10]

I highly recommend it too

[@NuageMH]

highly recommend it aswell, picked it up randomly because I heard it was developped for like 13 years I think ? And ended up being one of my favourite jrpg of all time

[@Sigglypuff]

@@NuageMH Same man. Was insane how good it was. Music is also very ys like too which makes it even better.

[@Lamasis2]

I wish Witch Spring R would have an european physical release.

[@carlogustavovalenzuelazepe5774]

I really enjoyed ar tonelico and witchspring

[@pennypeach7616]

Zanki Zero is incredible.

[@RomanJr316]

I would LOVE to play both FUGA games but I don’t spend money on digital games. It sucks that I’m missing out but I just don’t want to support digital only games

[@magi-yoshi41]

I'm surprised I've heard of two of these (and have pkayed one of them), Baten Kaitos I think I haven't tried because I feel averse to card battle systems, Live A Live I have played, just yet to finish

[@Kyragos]

I agree about Ar Tonelico. The first and second ones are pretty good and original enough to be worth a try. The third one is disappointing though, with a quite bland battle gameplay. Its spinoff, Ar nosurge, is worth a try too, and has actually one of the best breaking of the fourth wall I've seen. There is also Ciel norsurge, but it never got localised. Overall, all of them have great OST, especially their songs (expected, given the premise), original ideas and interesting, developed female characters.

[@MeruKami]

Unfortunally Ciel Nosurge is the prologue of Ar Nosurge, It's really terrible because you can't completely understand Ar Nosurge and the lore without having done it in addition to missing a crazy story that marks anyone who plays it for life because it's so crazy and unique and also the characters are developed in Ciel Nosurge (notably Ion and Nay who are incredible important characters and in my top of my video game characters even if in truth all the characters are memorable) Plus the location of Ar Nosurge is crap If you have a PSVITA know that soon there is a translation made by fans which will be released entirely translated into English (the version OFFLINE)

[@zennvirus7980]

Ah, Ar tonelico/Exa Pico... the game series most in need of a remaster. AT1 was a total surprise way back when, with its interesting mechanics, the depth (pun intended) of the Cosmosphere system, and its True Ending route. Just Ryza the whole thing and make the inner parts of the Tower more architecturally logical and we're good. AT2 had its issues, including that legendary game-crashing bug, but overall, it was a great sequel. And Jaqli is best Reyvateil ever. Same as above with the TLC. AT3 could've been better, if they had given you at least the battle system of AT2, properly refined instead of it's pseudo-Tales imitation... and not gone that hard on the fan-service... still a nice game. Ciel Nosurge should be given its proper RPG parts, not just the VN/daily life sim, whose randomness made it a chore to play. To say nothing about AN OFFICIAL ENGLISH TRANSLATION. Ar Nosurge was ok, and brought back that sorely missed Ar Tonelico feel (in surprising ways, if you played it you'll know). It only needs the Atelier Ryza remaster of all its assets and we are cool. Oh, and give Akira Tsuchiya, the creator of this unique series, total command again.

[@leeju8129]

I love witch spring R its my favorite jrpg

[@beautifuldoubt6257]

i swear I thought I was like the only one who loved Baten kaitos. every since I was ayung spud on the gamecube. It was infuriating tbh

[@RTaro-qs7rr]

I loved Ar Tonelico... but the sexual innuendo was a bit too much for me.

[@makikuma91]

Might sound weird, but I avoided Live a Live because it has multiple short stories. I feel I would get attached to a character only for having them taken from me in a while just to be replaced by that western setting dude, wich I'm really not into. Maybe someday...

[@mewichigo3410]

I understand how you feel because I felt the same way, but how can I put this without spoiling at all... you do get a chance to play as your favorite characters again. I'm afraid to say more lol. Definitely a really fun game and pretty short (took me 20 hours to finish) so it's a good palette cleanser between long games.

[@makikuma91]

@mewichigo3410 Yeah, I try it eventually. You made it tasty for me. Thanks.

[@heretic124]

I was interested in Fuga but I can't get over the artstyle. I hate chibi and I dislike furries. They for some reason combined both.

[@suffering9668]

Bloomtown is not a JRPG its inspired partially by jrpgs but that's it calling it a ''hiden jrpg gem'' is a stretch

[@Entropic_Alloy]

Just gonna point this out, Witchspring is a Korean game.

[@SeveredLegs]

I tried Baten Kaitos Origins (which can be anagrammed into "Abortionist Sea King") and HATED the combat after playing the original. Couldn't get past it. And all of the music, while certainly decent, just sound like slightly worse versions of stuff from the original as well.

[@Haarwyvern]

I've just start Ar Tonelico but except that amazing chara-design and soundtracks the game feels pretty uninteresting. I don't like the character dialogue, they look like a romance ecchi from early 2000, the scenario is your typical random rpg scénario same for character (as of now, pls the co leader of the antagonist..) and the gameplay is kind of mixed bag between too much things that you don't even need because it's too easy. I don't know if I will continue but I'm pretty disappointed I was really hype by this game :(

[@mooserocka522]

Baiten kaitos was only forgotten because they released it without the English dub. If they had not done that it would have been great. I know so many more than 25 people I know that hate playing games not dubbed . That alone turned them off right away . I don’t care but if you already have a dub they needed to make that N option to pick that alone is what destroyed the launch

[@mooserocka522]

@ or they just like dubs ? I understand sometimes we don’t like listening to Japanese voice . It throws off immersion I just turn it on mute and read it . Others really like the dub that is why it failed

[@hunterh1998]

I recently played Witchspring 2&3 Games on mobile and then immediately bought Witchspring R after, they are such good games (even with translation errors lol) can’t wait to play R when I get home from visiting family

[@enzomercier2789]

Enjoy it man, I just did WS3 after playing WSR, it was good but WSR is just on an other level, WS3 is a really good mobile game but WSR is a fantastic PC game