Summary
Indie gamingis a great way for players to enjoy titles that aren’t afraid to take risks, avoiding the problem of cookie-cutter experiences that most AAA titles suffer from. The sheer variety of new and unique experiences fans can enjoy is limitless, especially for fans of theJRPGgenre.
Numerousamazing indie gamesdo a great job of channeling the spirit of classic JRPGs, featuring everything from endearing pixel art to tantalizing turn-based combat that fans will have a great time with until the very end of these magical adventures. These indie games wear their JRPG inspirations on their sleeves, and help refine the genre by bringing their own innovations to the table.
One of the most beautiful indie RPGs players can get their hands on, theChrono Triggerinspirations are clear from the very moment that players start their journey inSea of Stars. The colorful pixel art looks amazing, and the game’s amazing lore took a lot of notes from howIllusion of Gaiahandled its worldbuilding.
The combat uses timed button presses and other such minigames in the same vein asSuper Mario RPG. All of this combines to helpSea of Starsstand out as a polished experience, even if the game itself may feel a bit cliched at times.
Fans ofEarthBoundwho loved that JRPG’s unique nature and want to witness a darker take on this concept should giveOmoria shot. This psychological horror RPGlulls players into a false sense of securitybefore revealing the darkness plaguing Sunny’s mind.
Headspace is a beautiful realm to explore, providing enough mysteries to keep fans guessing as they live out a few days as Sunny before he’s supposed to move out. The game’s story is undoubtedly the best part of the experience, with its plot twist arriving like a gut punch that contributes to the game’s emotional ending.
An indie darling that needs no introduction, it’s clear as day thatUndertaleis inspired byEarthBoundin more ways than one. After all, Toby Fox had worked onEarthBoundROM hacks before trying to develop a game of his own, and it shows.
The charm of this game is heightened by a unique combat system that lets players converse with monsters to talk them down, a mechanic that fans of theShin Megami Tenseigames will be familiar with. The game’s endearing nature rewards players for sparing the creatures of the Underground, while sadistic players who kill everything in their path can unlock an alternate ending that turnsUndertaleintoone of the hardest indie RPGsplayers can get their hands on.
From the very momentChained Echoeswas released, its similarities to most classic JRPGs were clear as day. Matthias Linda, the developer, was a fan of many beloved games in this genre and had experience working on RPG Maker before going all out in the development ofChained Echoes.
The epic story and brilliant combat pay homage to several amazing titles in the genre without leaning too heavily on those inspirations. By paying homage to the genre while doing something original at the same time,Chained Echoesstands out asone of the best indie RPGsthat many fans consider to be a must-play.
Players who want to enjoy a fresh take onPokemonin the realm of indie gaming will findCassette Beaststo be right up their alley. The game allows players to turn into certain monsters with a cassette player, serving as a fresh take on GameFreak’s iconic template.
Along with this, the combat systems present inFinal FantasyandDragon Questled the developer to focus on status effects that help battles feel as dynamic as possible. Players who want to check out a quirky indie JRPG with familiar gameplay mechanics will have a great time withCassette Beasts.
A beautiful indie RPG that pays homage to the greats of the genre,Cris Talesmay haveits fair share of problems, but it still stands out as an amazing game that fans will adore if they give it a chance. The unique time manipulation mechanics add another interesting layer to this experience.
It’s a shame that the game’s combat is a bit too monotonous for its own good, but players willing to give these more dated systems a pass will have a great time withCris Tales. The art style and visual design alone are enough to convince players to give this title a shot.
CrossCodeis a unique indie RPG where players find themselves trapped inside an MMO with an amnesiac character who is unable to form words. One look at this game will make it clear how its visuals were inspired by games likeChrono TriggerandTerranigma.
As long as players don’t mind optional content that intentionally replicates the grind-heavy quest structure of most MMORPGs,CrossCodeis a beautiful gameto play through. The JRPG genre isn’t the only inspiration for this game, with the classic 2DZeldagames,Yoshi’s Island, and theXenobladeseries also guiding the structure of this title.
Despite taking place in a dark and depressing post-apocalyptic world,LISA: The Painfulhelps make this experience more tolerable with hilarious writing that lends a ton of character to the many unique personalities that Brad will encounter during his journey to save his adoptive daughter.
Players who want to check out a realistic RPG likeEarthBoundwith a gritty atmosphere will love whatLISA: The Painfulhas to offer. The huge cast of playable characters coupled with a deceptively riveting plot makes it clear why Dingaling’s game was praised to the moon and back upon its release.
