Summary
TheJRPGgenrefeatures some of the mostintricate and involved storylinesin the industry. Protagonists often find themselves traveling the whole world on an epic quest, with the fate of civilizations in the balance.The best JRPGs use character interactionsto sell these epic stakes, devoting time to the party’s bonds and relationships, letting them grow as people as they develop new skills in battle.
This interaction can take many forms in a game, from simple cutscenes to intricate gameplay mechanics. Regardless of the method, these games give rise to some of the most beloved video game characters and storylines out there. Here are ten ofthe best JRPGs for party dynamics and character interaction.
A lot of JRPGs give players a relatively large cast of characters, driving fans to swap characters in and out of their active party as circumstances call for it.Bravely Defaultkeeps things tight with a party of just four characters, who can instead mix and match equipped classes to forge new tactics for each battle.
This small, tight-knit party makes for some excellent character moments. The four heroes each come from wildly different circumstances, with one protagonist, Edea, even defecting from the antagonistic Eternia nation to join the party’s quest to restore balance to the land. These conflicting origins mean there’s a lot of tension to be resolved over the course of the game.
Octopath Traveler 2builds on its predecessor’s unique narrative style, weaving together eight distinct protagonists, each with their own unique stories, into one cohesive narrative. The sequel includes enhanced sidestory content, giving the characters more chances to interact and talk to each other asthey journey through the world.
TheOctopath Travelerfranchise is famous for pioneering the “HD-2D” graphical style which has since been adopted by plenty other RPGs on the market, but the character writing and storytelling are not to be dismissed either.Octopath Traveler 2has some great stories for JRPG fans to experience.
The venerableDragon Questfranchise is one of the oldest names in JRPG history, and it’s been going strong since its debut in 1986. The most recent main series entry,Dragon Quest 11 S, presents a deep and intricate fantasy tale that plays on a lot of familiar tropes while at the same time delivering plenty of surprises.
Even though the main protagonist ofDragon Quest 11 Sis a silent character, there’s plenty of life to be found in the rest of the group. Over the course ofDragon Quest 11’slengthy campaign, players will accumulate several allies, including a feisty mage trapped in the body of a child, an extravagant clown, and a thief with a heart of gold. These party members all get a chance to shine during the story, and their relationships and characterizations are some of the strongest features of the game.
Persona 3revolutionized thePersonafranchise and set the standard for the games that followed. Much of this was due to the game’s dedication to character interaction. The various characters who join the protagonist’s team during their investigation of the enigmatic Dark Hour each have their own storylines and characterization, and strengthening bonds with these characters results in tangible gameplay benefits.
Persona 3’s social link system has been carried through toPersona 4andPersona 5alike, with great success. 2024’sPersona 3 Reloadremake preserves the things that made the game’s system such a hit, butupdated character designsand voice acting make the character interactions more satisfying than the original game, and worth experiencing for old fans and newcomers alike.
TheTalesseries is known for its strong character work and group dynamics. While each entry in the franchise is a standalone game, they’re united by their intense themes and robust cast of player characters.Tales of Berseriais a standout entry with a particularly personal quest and some very memorable characters.
Tales of Berseriarevolves around a woman’s quest to get revenge against the man who murdered her brother. The world is cast into endlessconflict between monstrous daemonsand the autocratic Church that opposes them, and as the protagonist Velvet and her team interact with and recruit more and more characters, they get more perspective on both sides of the struggle.Tales of Berseriahas a complex and intricate world, and the interactions of its characters reflect that in a very compelling way.
The originalFinal Fantasy 7is one of the most famous and renowned JRPGs of all time, and for good reason. Thestory and character work in that gamewere nothing short of generational, and the fame it’s retained over the years is well-earned.Final Fantasy 7 Remaketakes a very bold approach by substantially rewriting the storyline of that beloved game.
Fans ofFinal Fantasy 7will find some surprising twists waiting for them in the remake, as well as a new chance to get to know their favorite companions from the original. The new story includes plenty of opportunities for deep character interaction and bonding, and this makes it an ideal game forFinal Fantasyfans of all stripes.
TheFire Emblemgames are well known for their character interactions, with various party members growing closer depending on how much time they spend fighting together in battle.Awakeningtakes this interaction to a strange new level with the integration of its unique time travel system. As certain characters become closer, romances may blossom, and this brings a major mechanic of the game into play.
Several of the characters inFire Emblem: Awakeningare the children of other characters, visiting from the war-torn future once the necessary characters fall in love. This strange mechanic is integral when it comes to bolstering troops throughout the game, encouraging character interactions among party members by having them affect the narrative in a very direct way.
Metaphor: ReFantaziois a surprising departure for Atlus from theSMTandPersonafranchises, but their influences are evident in the way the game treats followers. Over the course of the game, NPC companions will develop their relationships with the protagonist just like in aPersonagame, and the way the player talks to them will influence the strength of their bond.
As one might expect, strengthening bonds with followers and friends will result in powerful new abilities for players to take advantage of in battle. These followers will also unlock new Archetypes, allowing players to further customize their playstyle based on how close they are to their teammates.
TheFire Emblemseries is famous for character interaction. As characters fight side by side in the game’s tactical battles, they’ll establish a rapport and become closer, bonding and sharing more of their personality and backstory with each other.Fire Emblem: Three Houses’school setting takes this a step further. As the teacher of a class of soldiers-in-training, the player has a very specific sort of dynamic with their party members, and the relationships that blossom over time are shaped not only by time spent on the battlefield together, but by time sharing meals in the school’s common room and during private tutoring sessions.
The game’s second act time skip takes these relationships to a new level. Following the shocking twist that jolts the game forward by several years, things have changed for almost everyone, and characters' new statuses are informed at least in part by the decisions the player made when they were students. The game presents a very complex system of character interaction that can only trulybe appreciated over multiple playthroughs.
Persona 5brought thePersonaseries to the mainstream in a big way. The game’s lovable cast of characters, bolstered by the series' iconic social bond mechanics, were a big part of why the game is so beloved.Persona 5’s social bondsnot only yield potent new abilities but showcase some excellent character writing to boot.
The complete edition, known asPersona 5 Royal,expands on this with the addition of important new characters to deepen bonds with. These new team members and allies play a substantial role in the elaborate new post-game section, which givesPersona 5’s entire cast a chance to shine.
