The Best JRPGs of EVERY YEAR! (No Remakes/Remasters)

[@浪人-l7q]

(1987-1990) 0:07 - Final Fantasy 0:49 - Phantasy Star 1:29 - Dragon Warrior 2:00 - Ys (1991) 2:52 - Final Fantasy IV (1992) 3:39 - Dragon Quest IV (1993) 4:11 - Secret of Mana 4:43 - Shining Force (1994) 5:37 - Breath of Fire 6:11 - Final Fantasy VI (1995) 6:58 - Chrono Trigger 7:34 - Phantasy Star IV (1996) 8:23 - Super Mario RPG 9:07 - Suikoden (1997) 9:48 - Wilds Arms 10:13 - Final Fantasy VII (1998) 10:45 - Pokemon Red/Blue 11:14 - Final Fantasy Tactics 11:50 - Parasite Eve 12:23 - Xenogears (1999) 13:09 - Star Ocean - The Second Story 13:52 - Suikoden 2 (2000) 14:47 - Breath of Fire IV 15:22 - Grandia 2 16:06 - The Legend of Dragoon 16:41 - Valkyrie Profile 17:30 - Final Fantasy IX 18:05 - Chrono Cross (2001) 18:43 - Final Fantasy X 19:14 - Shadow Hearts (2002) 19:50 - Suikoden 3 (2003) 20:33 - Disgaea 21:17 - Xenosaga - Episode I 22:06 - Fire Emblem - The Blazing Blade (2004) 22:46 - Shadow Hearts - Covenant 23:28 - Baten Kaitos 24:14 - Shin Megami Tensei - Nocturne (2005) 24:53 - Radiata Stories 25:31 - Dragon Quest VIII 26:05 - Fire Emblem - The Sacred Stones 26:34 - Fire Emblem - Path of Radiance (2006) 27:25 - Kingdom Hearts 2 27:55 - Final Fantasy XII 28:32 - Xenosaga - Episode III 29:08 - Tales of Legendia 29:40 - Valkyrie Profile 2 30:19 - Suikoden V (2007) 31:00 - Eternal Sonata 31:43 - Persona 3 31:10 - Odin Sphere 32:49 - Growlanser - Heritage of War 33:24 - .hack//G.U. (2008) 34:12 - Persona 4 34:46 - Tales of Vesperia 35:21 - Valkyria Chronicles 36:04 - Lost Odyssey (2009) 36:44 - Shin Megami Tensei 3: Devil Survivor (2010) 37:35 - Ys Seven 38:12 - Nier (2011) 39:00 - Radiant Historia (2012) 39:47 - Last Story 40:29 - Xenoblade Chronicles (2013) 41:06 - Shin Megami Tensei IV 41:40 - Tales of Xillia (2014) 42:26 - Tales of Xillia 2 43:04 - Bloodborne 43:40 - The Legend of Heroes - Trails in the Sky: Second Chapter (2016) 44:18 - The Legend of Heroes - Trails of Cold Steel II 44:55 - Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse (2017) 45:39 - Tales of Berseria 46:15 - Nier: Automata 46:49 - Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana 47:30 - Persona 5 (2018) 48:09 - Octopath Traveler 48:46 - Dragon Quest XI (2019) 49:16 - Fire Emblem - Three Houses 49:50 - Code Vein (2020) 50:28 - Yakuza: Like a Dragon 51:00 - The Legend of Heroes - Trails of Cold Steel IV (2021) 51:51 - Tales of Arise 52:45 - Shin Megami Tensei V 53:46 - Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (2022) 54:44 - Star Ocean - The Divine Force 55:43 - Xenoblade Chronicles 3 56:38 - Triangle Strategy (2023) 58:02 - Octopath Traveler II 58:59 - The Legend of Heroes - Trails into Reverie (2024) 1:00:09 - Unicorn Overlord 1:01:39 - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

[@kevinfromsales9445]

Thanks!

[@raprepriproprupyup3220]

Awesome list idea. 97-2008 is going to be super interesting. So many amazing games each year.

[@kerob-sx6kx]

Im surprised there is no mention of the bravely series and golden sun

[@mjanime786]

Radiata Stories definitely needs a sequel. Its a disgrace we never got one what an amazing game

[@davidzouaoui4993]

could we really consider that Bloodborne is a JRPG ? it seems to me more like an action game

[@Cyzure]

Surprised no Metaphor Refantazio

[@CarlosVargas-fg5rt]

I agree.

[@AlastorShadow0]

I don't think he played it.

[@Zephhi]

I 100% Metaphor and honestly I'm still not batting for it. Calendar system brings it down and it wasn't as exciting as P5 imo

[@Cyzure]

@@Zephhi I loved the calendar system personally, the game was very straightforward and even without a guide was able to do everything while still having 3 weeks left, it's very very forgiving

[@mjdf122]

Best RPGs with Erick I’ve seen and have all from 1980-Now I have every console and tons of games majority of RPGs many memories throughout the decades what a life of gaming

[@bakuiel1901]

Most of my experiences with the early years and you nailed that list spot on

[@Reversebuilder]

What a lovely time capsule into JRPGs!

[@threeswordssama]

Phantasy Star IV is what got me hooked on RPGs in the 90s

[@denisfolcik1373]

Same here. Game still holds up now, outside of graphics and abilities not actually saying what they do.

[@mona8230]

This made me feel so old, great video though!

[@CarlosVargas-fg5rt]

Metaphor: Re Fantazio not here. WTF!!!

[@oltozev7926]

2007_2008 It's a shame not to put :the world ends with you I know it’s not the greatest thing ever But still a must play game The best ost ever ,hard to learn unique action combat, A story that will make you feel all kinds of emotions and unforgettable characters. A square masterpiece.

[@denisfolcik1373]

Does anyone else remember Shadow Madness on PS1? It 100% could be nostalgia making me remember it as a good game, but never got to finish it because of the last disc being scratched of the copy I had, but remember loving it. Erik left it off of his review of all PS1 JRPGs awhile back so almost thought I made the game up in my head. At this point I don't remember much outside of the main character, having a robot companion, and being on like a spaceship or submarine at some point when you had to switch the discs over.

[@Eksistenssi]

ever heard of a game called Panzer dragoon saga?

[@paulkinder8440]

I remember it well, after Dragon Force it was the 2nd jrpg I played on the Saturn.

[@joshbessey9647]

Can the genesis render seamless scrolling?

[@fattucus1361]

Sorry Skies of Arcadia, maybe you'll make it on some other list

[@steveperry2321]

I disagree with several you listed but all in all solid list. Final fantasy 4 was what started my jrpg journey. Disgaea let me grind and experiment in the the game endlessly. Suikoden franchise was definitely a huge breath of fresh air for me. 3 being my favorite all in all.

[@FcbCokes]

I was so excited when he mentioned Legend of the Dragoon. First JRPG I ever played.

[@tyfp3854]

what do you mean threre's no olny in japan!? i can't say jrpg video game nerd without it!

[@nichoudha]

Good video, a bit disappointed with Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss not being on the list. Also, ew, Chrono Cross.

[@Phun4]

What’s the 3 game on thumbnail

[@Cyzure]

Trails in The Sky, 3 Houses, Radiant Historia

[@Corrado_Riel_D]

GREAT content. Thank you. I played most of the titles, and finished most of the n.o1. Maybe I will fill the gaps! (Bloodborne as a JRPG?)

[@brandobvf]

bro what are you recording gameplay on

[@TheLegendofLeo]

Probably an issue within the editor. These clips were fine in previous videos.

[@joshkarn1951]

Interesting watch. I played a couple of the old JRPGs on the list as a kid/teen but they didnt hook me to finish. Persona 5 was what got me into the genre despite me thinking it was a 3/5. Ive played some of this list while having others in the backlog for this year. Persona 4 Golden is probably my favorite, then Three Houses, and then the Cold steel games(3+4+R then 1+2 since i cant separate the mini arcs lol)

[@EdiTheDon]

Namco's Tales of Phantasia wasn't bad as a start to the Tales series.

[@ralphsunico]

Xenogears needs a remake.

[@jfc5643]

could you put these list here ?

[@subzerino2935]

I'm a simple man, I see Estelle I click

[@droford-t2v]

Issue for xenogears is the story on the 2nd CD. Its too rush😂😂...

[@zeusapollo6504]

Agree with FF IV and Shining Force 1. FF IV for me is still the best JRPG ever made in a fairy tale sense and protagonist PoV cause it has that redempetion arc and it worked, good fast paced ATB combat that feels very much like a turn based sequence and excellent OST. Shining Force 1, was the entire reasion why i bought a Sega Genesis(megadrive in my country) and it was at a time where Sega does what Nintendo didn't and that was releasing japanese strategy rpgs in english in NA and Europe. Not some decades later, but at the same time. The first Fire Emblem games never released outside of Japan in the early 90ies. Sega therefore was better than Nintendo.

[@ominaeownsyu]

Who is the character on the right of the thumbnail...I don't recognize her from anything lol

[@actionjackson6943]

Raynie from Radiant Historia 3DS

[@ominaeownsyu]

​@@actionjackson6943I appreciate it lol I have a 3ds so I might give it a shot

[@mjdf122]

1996 should be Lufia II Rise of the Sinistrals not Super Mario RPG I’ve seen and have all from 1980-Now

[@mickmars8319]

Lunar still lost in history...

[@blackmanlistening7909]

it made me a turn based fan

[@mickmars8319]

@blackmanlistening7909 it had the disadvantage of being released on the Saturn, but some people should have played it on the PSX.

[@droford-t2v]

Atleast they are making a remastered version of lunar SS and Lunar EB. Only lunar 3 is still lost and seems forgotten

[@victorvancouver9104]

Damn, no Shenmue and no Final Fantasy XV ...

[@MobiusRie]

most of my experiences is in the list that you put my fav jrpgs smt and trails- -- etc wtf no put metaphor as best jrpg

[@arkgaharandan5881]

really 2015 did not have any jrpg and you had to go for souls?

[@FirstLast_Nba]

FF6 is still the King of JRPGs, The opening, the story, Kafka, the Train, each and every character in the game was the personal responsibility of a different member of the programming staff that gave each character a very unique personality and charisma. And at the end of the game you were shown all the characters including the ones you missed!!!

[@blackmanlistening7909]

Kafka.lol that guy is crazy!

[@davidzouaoui4993]

too much of tales of, not a lot of originality. How is it possible that LOST ODYSSEY on Xbox360, Dragon Force, Panzer Dragoon saga on saturn are not simply mentioned ?

[@jamez62982]

Lost Odyssey is mentioned, totally agree on Panzer Dragoon Saga though...

[@tchitchouan]

Bloodborne isn't a jrpg ???

[@fhanas4338]

Don't know if its just lack of awareness or what, but what's with all the JRPG content creators using AI art in their thumbnails lmfao

[@oxidonitroso88]

i don't like my goat ff8 was left behind

[@pheagolol]

Because it was ass

[@raprepriproprupyup3220]

Nah. FF8 is the best FF. FF8 FF9 FF10 FF 7 FF 12 FF 6 - Let the hate begin. Biggest band wagon movement of the world. Funny how it only became the greatest ff in a smear campaign against 7. But everyone alive and gaming at the time can easily attest to which game was considered better. I’m not even a 7 fanboy. But 7 was considered the greatest game for a long time. Wrongly, of course, as 8 is far superior to both.

[@pheagolol]

@@raprepriproprupyup3220 story was nonsense, drawing magic sucked, enemies leveling with you sucked, queen of cards side quest sucked. gonna assume it was your first FF game considering how much favoritism you're showing it.

[@raprepriproprupyup3220]

Nah. Started at FF1 and continued. Stopped at 8. Didn’t even want to play 9 because of the kiddy design. But glad I changed my mind. Personally loved the draw/junction system. Admittedly the queen side quest sucked, but the card game is easily the best mini game. Enemies scaling was hit or miss. But I also really enjoyed how 2’s stat system worked. Most people don’t like it. I love it. To each their own. But nice assumptions man. Plenty of people think 8 is the best. But it has always admittedly had a pretty divisive crowd. Kind of makes sense that that would mean that those horrible systems that make people hate it might just be the very systems people enjoy it for. Oh and while FF has great sound tracks across the board I personally like 8-9-10 the best. 7 had a few stand out, but overall score wasn’t as top and 12 was kind of boring. As I enjoy all the games… music definitely ends up playing a big factor on anything I’m spending well over 100 hours on

[@oxidonitroso88]

@@pheagolol ff8 was amazing. you are just hating, models were amazing at their time. music was amazing, characters were great

[@levpuvlishin9330]

Neat)

[@Cologneking408]

Final Fantasy VII saved JRPGs and you choose Suikoden for 1997 lol

[@AlastorShadow0]

This is HIS list you do know that right lol of course not that was rhetorical.

[@jimkirk2527]

It maybe saved Square Enix but not JRPGs. The PS1 was a jrpg-monster. Fun story: I played Suikoden that year but my first playthrough of FF7 was 2021 ^^

[@droford-t2v]

I enjoy ff7, ff7remake and ff7 rebirth.For my list ff6 is better than og ff7. I prefer suikoden story and gameplay to ff7.

[@steveperry2321]

You do know he listed both right?

[@blackreign673]

hey Erick don't quit your day job

[@snaxximan5737]

Chained Echoes is a game thats 100% missing in this list. Absolutely amazing JRPG with great quality of life features that still gives you the oldschool jrpg feeling. 100% recommend. Playtime is around 40 hours for the story and 60-70 hours to do all the sidequests and stuff.

[@Gdg195]

no its not

[@nichoudha]

It's not a JRPG at all.

[@tchitchouan]

No lol

[@snaxximan5737]

@@nichoudha because its not from japan? it still has every element that makes jrpgs great.