Top 10 Modern Turn Based RPGs You NEED To Try

[@CriticalGamesDev]

Dev of 8-Bit Adventures 2 here - Thank you so much for the shout out on this list of incredible games David! I know I say it every time, but I sincerely do appreciate it - especially less than a week out from release. And you're definitely not old in my book 😄

[@davidvinc]

No problem at all, I love sharing my love for great games that y'all put out!

[@landolondon3978]

Yooooooo!!!! You created a gem!

[@CriticalGamesDev]

@@landolondon3978 Thank you landolondon3978 - that's incredibly kind of you to say! ☺

[@CriticalGamesDev]

@@davidvinc Thanks David!! 💖

[@NeoLotex]

@@CriticalGamesDev Hey, quick question: Do you by chance know if the PS4 version of the game has a free upgrade for the PS5 version or would I have to buy them both? Asking for trophy hunting purposes, because if it doesn't include an upgrade I'll just buy the PS5 version

[@jb0258jr]

I have 2 more to add to the list! Bug Fables: a paper mario like game, with excellent and engaging turn based battles. The world is full of places to explore, characters are extremely charming, and the music just makes you happy hearing it. Chained Echoes: another indie, but thats ok! The turn based battles in this are literally some of the smoothest I've ever played (and thats a lot lol). You even get mechs for battling too! After every battle your party is fully healed, so each engagement really lets you go all out. The combo attacks, mechs, exploration, music, story. Chained Echoes ticks all the boxes.

[@Kris_Harp]

David coming in hot with the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest OST!!

[@OtakuDaiKun]

Don't sleep on the other Utawarerumono games. They're some of the best visual novels, and their srpg combat is also really fun.

[@JasonHebert]

Got Monochrome Mobius delivered in the mail just yesterday, off you're recommendation, David. Also love that when talking about it in THIS video you said "If that's not enough to jump in your car and go to the video store"- I know you MEANT videogame store but let's call it a "middle aged male gamer Freudian slip". So many of my best childhood memories and sleepovers began with that trip to the video store!

[@millasgameroom]

Glad to see Monochrome Mobius get some love.

[@miniblaze3230]

One of my fav new rpgs in a long time so good

[@Dhalin]

Looks neat, so I added it to my wishlist.. but I don't have money to be dumping on $50 games right now, so who knows maybe it'll get deeply discounted or something or maybe once I take care of stuff and have some extra dosh, it's there on my wishlist so I won't forget about it.

[@lazydgsf7429]

Like a Dragon and the business management mini game. I’ve played the game thrice over and I can’t get enough of it.

[@Dhalin]

Love how you added in lots of Mystic Quest music to play in the background. Say what you will about FFMQ's gameplay, but damn did it have some unique and awesome music found on the SNES.

[@awesomemccool7285]

Once again thank you for your time and a yet another very thorough informing video. I still remember years ago, when I started to watch your channel with your playthrough of Wild Arms XF. Damn, I'm glad I found it. You're an amazing youtuber, David. I sincerely hope that you're going to reach your goal of 100,000 subscribers :)

[@aaronko3480]

Giant smile on my face from the first second seeing a giant incredibly handsome beefcake wearing an adorable Kirby shirt 😂

[@rpgs6218]

Lol😂

[@HeartsOfMold]

You can be Kirby

[@Winter420]

SMT5 got me back into turn based JRPGs after taking like 15 years off

[@XionSteel]

Appreciate the Mystic Quest jamming in the background, recently been playing some randomizers of that so it's been fun. 8-Bit Adventures 2 has also been great with the mystic quest feel, the almost mother 3 like charm, and just a lot of things to do in game. I have been on a bit of a pixel turn-based craze so definitely picking up Secret of Varonis. I also picked up quite a few games during the turn-based rpg fest (but not all specifically part of the fest). Grabbing Flowstone Saga, Scarmonde, Beloved Rapture, Manafinder (phantasy star iv inspired), Omega Quartet, Keylocker, and one that i started recently that is quite the hidden gem that didnt have many reviews, False Skies. Its a game with a FF Legends look, but insanely more expansive then you would think, multiple tiers of class changes, full worlds (yes plural) that the story brings you through, side-quests a plenty, and overall just a lot to collect and consider.

[@FriendsAndGamingYT]

You know, if baulders gate 3 and metaphor refantasio staring me down, I could see myself picking up some of these! Also I'd argue on if Like a dragon and persona are underrated mondren jrpgs

[@markusheadmaster1844]

we love like this! thank you for this upload, please send even more top favorite games video series in this channel!

[@davidvinc]

More to come!

[@HybridAngelZero]

It makes me so happy to see turn-based games thriving! So many gems these last few years

[@tarantinoish]

8-Bit Adventures 2 looks pretty awesome. The graphics remind me more of Final Fantasy Mystic Quest than any 8-Bit game I've ever played, but Early 16-Bit adventure doesn't quite roll off the tongue the same way I suppose.

[@CriticalGamesDev]

Dev here - Thank you very much tarantinoish! That's a really great observation. The game uses an aesthetic our artist calls "NES+". We use the original NES colour palette, and everything's drawn at the correct size for 8-bit art (we also use things like palette shaders instead of transparency). The major difference, though, is that unlike the NES, we allow as many colours on screen at once as we want. And this gives the game its vibrant, more detailed look 😄

[@SodiumWage]

David, you mentioned that Persona 3 Reload on the Switch, but I don't believe the game is available on that system, at least not yet.

[@rvfiasco]

Yea, I accidentally bought Persona Portable thinking it was Reload! Because of that snafu I bought Octopath 2. I'm not regretting that decision!

[@trosty9921]

Surprised not to see Sea of Stars. I was thoroughly impressed with that game and had so much fun. It brought me back to playing chronotrigger on the snes as a teenager.

[@SacrificAbominat]

I recommend the Fuga Melodies of Steel series. When I was growing up one of my favorite series was .hack and the developer for that series CyberConnect2 is mostly known for their anime games nowadays with Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm and DBZ Kakarot. Well CC2 started self publishing their original games recently, and Fuga is a return to the series that was started by their first game Tail Concerto, Little Tail Bronx. It's their first foray into turn based combat and I'd say they nailed it while making the gameplay loop with the on rails choose the easier or hard paths parts working very well with the intermission base building parts. The story is fairly simple, but the character development is really good especially with a big cast of characters most of them get their moments to shine so far. Also since it's an on rails visual novel experience there's not really any grinding that you need to do in these games. I've also been noticing some not so subtle references to .hack throughout these games as well, they're even advertising these games with .hack's tone and glitches, and it's making me hopeful that CC2 will be able to bring that series back with a spiritual successor next. They also revealed a character for the upcoming 3rd game recently that looks a lot like a pretty important character from .hack, so I think .hack's story/lore might have some part in this last game. I'm hoping this last game at least teases their future plans for their self publishing, aside from the already announced Cecile and Tokyo Ogre Gate games, as it's really nice to see CC2 back to making original games after a decade of being typecasted as an anime game developer thanks to Bandai forcing them down that route.

[@mjdf122]

We’re retro and modern David we’ve seen it all from 1980-Now what a life of RPGs throughout the decades

[@SarifFice]

Chained echoes shout out!

[@GrahamWilliams889]

Finished Eiuyden Chronicles last week. Nearly 100 hours to do it all. Worth it.

[@MrBud85]

Hah same. I was a kickstarter and gave it 100 hours.Excited for the DLC whenever it comes out heh.

[@GrahamWilliams889]

@@MrBud85 There was so much love for all the extra content! The card battling against every recruit despite being long was very enjoyable. Sometimes the beyblade battles, not so much. lol

[@javiervampihernandez9288]

Such a great vid, and excellent good options. Also I reaaly hyped for Metaphor: ReFantazio

[@pyro5159]

Loved SMT5V definitely recommend! Need to check out the new Like a Dragon

[@samkeith647]

When I find out the dude whose LPs I've been watching is a mega hunk. Looking good David. Keep up the good work !!!!!

[@davidvinc]

Wow, thanks!

[@gbautista100]

Seems that so many JRPGs are moving towards action/realtime. I'm glad turn-based is getting some recognition. I'm also a fan of random encounters. I prefer to level up and breeze through a boss battle

[@Peavey311]

Eiyuden Chronicle:Hundred Heroes is in the running for my favorite game of the year

[@seabicuit7247]

Lot of interesting RPGs on this list but 8-Bit Adventures is calling my name for an immediate playthrough.

[@CriticalGamesDev]

Dev here - Thank you very much for saying so seabicuit7247! It's out now on PC, but comes out on the 16th on all modern consoles ☺ I sincerely hope you enjoy it!

[@beamstalk6475]

You had me at modern Grandia

[@rvfiasco]

Same

[@AlaskanForWar]

I love your channel man!! I’ve only recently fallen in love with turn based games and I’ve been so HOOKED. Your channel has been a wealth of knowledge and your passion shines 🤘❤️

[@davidvinc]

Welcome aboard!

[@femtrooper]

Great video! I need to try Monochrome Mobius - it looks super good!!!

[@arlonborges]

Surprised to not see Octopath Traveler II.. or the first one.. so it is always refreshing to see a list that gives us some different gems.

[@Mighty10917]

Dragon Quest monster dark prince had been in my radar given how I played the original GBC and the Joker games for research and I'll say I surprisingly liked it so I might as well get DQM Dark Prince before I wait for the HD-2D games

[@planexshifter]

You should have that 100k You pump out quality vids.

[@beesharp9503]

Adding my voice to the appreciation of using Mystic Quest music. Thanks David!

[@davidvinc]

No problem! I know it's a fan favorite!

[@MotherKojiro]

My picks would be Cosmic Star Heroine, Steven Universe: Save the Light, and I guess half of Undertale/Deltarune, since their combat is a little more actiony. Do the Costume Quest games count? I don't know if they're modern enough. If we're counting RPG Maker titles, I'll throw in OFF, the Space Funeral games, and Weird and Unfortunate Things are Happening. Haven't done much more with Crystal Project than mess around with the demo for a little while, but that seemed pretty great, and Secret of Varonis is definitely on my radar now that I'm a little ways into Final Fantasy Legend 2. Also very glad to hear the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest soundtrack here; the game doesn't get nearly enough respect, and regardless of how you feel about it, it's hard to deny that it has an excellent soundtrack.

[@enhaylo]

10:23 P3R on Switch? Should I take this as "only a matter of time" thing? Haha

[@kathleendelcourt8136]

When it comes to jrpgs I like turn based the most, but for western/crpgs I tend to prefer real time with pause. Thanks for the discoveries.

[@xPatogeno]

Awesome video David! So nostalgic and modern at the same time

[@davidvinc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SLAV326]

Lovin the Mystic Quest soundtrack you got goin on in the background.

[@Cpt_crabhammer]

A lot of good stuff. Real quick correction: P3 Reload didn't come out on the Switch. P3 Portable did though.

[@CenturianEagle]

Your game suggestions are always the best, out of ANYONE on KZbin! You like the exact kind of games I like, so glad I discovered this channel. Classic RPGs, did you like xenoblade chronicles? I played through the first one not long ago and was very pleasantly surprised. I had been putting it off for yearss since it was out for the Wii. I beat it and went right to number 3 which I hope to enjoy- though im still playing visions of mana, takes of vesperia and ni no kuni 1. Sorry for the long comment!!

[@mohammedallha61]

Bravely default 2 was a great turn based jrpg Sea of stars also was good And in my opinion the best turn based jrpg in recent year is octopath traveller 2 that game blew my mind perfect game worth playing even if you are not a turn based fan the story was top notch

[@rvfiasco]

That's what I'm playing right now. I almost have all eight characters. I started with Partitio. I'm digging the crap out of it!

[@bandrew1442]

I have quite a few of these games sitting and just waiting to be played, the backlog struggle is real lol

[@MackenziePerrault]

"haven't heard hide or tail from the Mario and Luigi series" there's one coming out in less than a month, big dawg

[@plastikloser]

Not sure if you heard of it, but beloved rapture just came out and is pretty good. Its kinda chrono trigger like for gameplay with nice pixel art. Worth a look

[@SethWilson]

Love the Mystic Quest backing track!

[@Elite_Teach]

David my man please stay hydrated 🚰

[@RandoOnSteam]

Play the demo for Saga Emerald before you buy it. It is a very acquired taste and not similar to Saga Frontier at all. Secret of Veronis looks good - didn't know anyone had the balls to do a full-on FFL spin.

[@dschott]

I’d love to see another Jeanne d'Arc come out. I played that with my PSP.

[@MJ-oi6ul]

Just started grandia now so excited that you called monochrome modern day grandia excited to try it now

[@georgeweeman9057]

I'm surprised you didn't add Mario RPG to the list!

[@FletchMo7]

I wish persona 3 reload was on the switch 😅 here is hoping the switch 2 gets a release date with this game available

[@steveperry2321]

Might have to look into a few of these.

[@keithace]

Your not old lol. You look great! I wish I had the determination to work out like you. Plus us men get better with age. MOST of us anyway.

[@davidvinc]

I appreciate that!

[@rvfiasco]

It's weird turning 49 but damn if I don't feel better TODAY then 23. It is what it is! 😅

[@bxile730]

Sea of stars and chained echoes belong on this list!

[@rvfiasco]

Octopath 2 as well.

[@Traumthese]

Greetings from Germany ✌️ My Darling and I startet playing the Xenosaga Series and …. Well wie both (she better than me) can play Action RPGs but to be honest turnbased was and is our favourite. Hopefully we can finish Part one at the end of this month. 🍀 After Xenosaga Episode I we may try something lighter like Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. 😂 Sorry for my bad English. Stay save and healthy. ☀️🍀

[@juanrodriguez9971]

Thank you man, i needed this

[@Frank-bn9us]

Guild Saga is gorgeous

[@FF7fan1219]

I really need to get back into one hundred heroes, but I'm way too focused on the hype over metaphor

[@Svendjo_DK]

Soundtrack is 🔥 Man I hope they put Mystic Quest on NSO

[@wererat42]

Not the place I was expecting to hear the Mystic Quest theme

[@jaimereupert4247]

Awesome bgm! ❤❤

[@uppernimbus]

Paper Mario TTYD is my baby, and I was over the moon when Nintendo announced the remake. I still think the original on GameCube is better, but the remaster is fantastic regardless! Great list!

[@Swaytekk]

“Call me old, I am so I don’t really care” 😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣🤣THE line of the whole video 👏 this made me almost spit out my food

[@Lamasis2]

Is Metaphor joining next week?

[@734ch3r]

Very good list, dude!

[@davidvinc]

Glad you think so!

[@Queenofthesevenseas]

SMT vengeance did not included all the previously released DLC😩 you still have to pay for the blooming Mitama DLC😈😈👻 that fact just really baked this pirates noodle. Like seriously would it have killed them to include it? Monochrome Mobius rights and wrongs forgotten looks like a great game ❤ if it ever comes to the switch? I’d love to play it

[@ChrisSalinas-v5k]

I love you Stud and RPGS ❤ game on

[@YoshMaster]

Mystic Quest OST ❤🥰❤

[@strikethroughdaydream]

It's such a relief that there are other turn-based babes (gender neutral) out there in the wild. I'm just a little baby, so having think time is so helpful. Also super baby Story modes are for ya gurl (being disabled sucks. Accessibility ftw). Another great vid, David. Keep being amazing!

[@eliechaya9690]

Love from Belgium 🇧🇪♥️

[@davidmartin1078]

nice video it's the first time watching one of your videos

[@davidvinc]

Thanks I’m glad that you enjoyed it!

[@ekurisona663]

David are you going to make a video on the metaphor refantazio demo?!

[@DragonKingX78]

I am still playing SMT5V, on my 8th play through.

[@JeannieLove]

My personal favorite turn based RPG right now is Honkai: Star Rail. Putting aside feelings on gacha games, the story is really good if you like a mix of sci-fi with fantastical elements. The story content is really well balanced to be accessible even if you don't play it religiously. The gameplay is very Trails-esque, you build up energy to unleash ultimates, you break enemies targeting their elemental weaknesses which then causes a related status effect, and you can interrupt enemy turns using your ultimates.

[@Mantelar]

Eiyudon chronicles would be just about crack, but its finishing act isn’t really complete. A bunch of people are recruited late, do amazing things on their own, and then the game ends. It’s obvious we were meant to play those plot segments and they ran out of money. Hoping they finish the game via DLC or update. Nothing new out there right now is really in its niche.

[@irfansupercat167]

I love modern turn based RPG too

[@tendtherabbits5412]

I added guild saga to my wishlist about five minutes before this video lol love ir

[@dukey03]

Man, these ALL look great! I love DQM The Dark Prince, but I REALLY need to get to Yakuza 8 at some point…

[@fortheqynn3503]

Are we saying Octopath Traveler (I or II) is too old to be included on this list? Otherwise its kind of insane to not be on here.

[@Samuraitubi4]

Dragon quest monsters is on PC too now

[@MrBud85]

Just asked my mom to get me Like a Dragon for my birthday lol. My backlog is about 50 games deep so I dont really buy games until they go on sale because I have so many to get to...is it weird that outside of jrpgs when people ask "what do you want for your birthday" I just want more jrpgs. :p

[@AntonioCunningham]

Okay now I got to try monochrome Mobius out. I miss grandia:-( I can't play Persona games because the menus just too much. Thanks for this list of games. I'm going to share it around because my other friends may like the other choices listed here.

[@SyncopaticSimon]

Wait wait wait there is a spiritual successor to Grandia !? Please tell me it has the same sense of exploration as Grandia 1 ? I need me a spiritual successor to Grandia 1. Sue best girl 🤩

[@TheTateful]

Monochrome Mobius is the first time I've definitively disagreed with you on a game, I think. Great list, though! There's a number of these I wanna check out, especially Varonis. Loving the Mystic Quest OST, btw!

[@davidvinc]

Oh you didn't like it?! I thought it was great!

[@TheTateful]

@@davidvinc yeah, the combat just didn't hook me, the dialogue dragged on a bit too much for my tastes and the humor didn't vibe with me. I thought a couple of the side quests were really good, though, and I did enjoy the customization. And the part where you first visit the more future-y area was very memorable.

[@MrTimelord77]

Can someone provide links to purchase these games?

[@zerokura]

Aww still no talk about Rise Of The Third Power. But its probably not modern enough still a fun turn base Rpg with mini skill tree and switching weapons just change your style do you want to focus more on a bleed build than equip the daggers that add to the bleed or equip the posion daggers so you can poison more. Have your healer do more holy damage than heal switch to the damaging staff.

[@ryanrank3070]

5:13 I'm old, too, David. I'm old, too!

[@ryanrank3070]

And I love the Mystic Quest music in the background.

[@Thatdeadpenguy]

Hope you can get to 100k man, you're the best there is for keeping up with JRPGs that may otherwise slip under the radar! If these count, the SteamWorld Heist games are excellent turn based tactical RPGs to anyone who hasn't played them. Though I will push back and say that The Dark Prince is actually overrated, and warning to anyone who wants to play it who hasn't already, it is NOT the "villain's perspective" of DQIV it was advertised as. Psaro is a very different character now and his story is effectively a fan fiction where he's stripped of all his agency from the original story. Gameplay wise it's still a Monsters game at its core, but I came away thinking everything good it did was done better in previous games.

[@bluegizmo84100]

I hear modern day Grandia, my ears perk up!

[@TaraKaos]

I still cnat believe we never got yakuza on switch...

[@sergesolid3747]

Gladly comment in order to improve algorithms.

[@davidvinc]

Thanks so much, it helps a ton!

[@gashmcnash3537]

Kirby suits you sir!

[@sdpc9182]

Sounds like you were losing your voice a little towards the end. Hope you're not getting sick 😷🤢 Take care of yourself, bro!

[@loudblossom]

love the vid

[@qdarkey8264]

I came here to run away from toxic relationship with raid shadows legends 😭😭

[@kbar4462]

Bro played Revelations: Demon Slayer on GBA? Just when I thought you couldn't be even more of a gigachad you reached new heights lol

[@Petersmith57921]

I've already used my kirby joke I suppose I could mention when he turns himself hard that's another thing u have in common lol I should say I mean your arms not anything eles I don't wanna get banned

[@shellygans]

i love your videos :)