10 Best JRPGs You Need to Play This Summer

2 hours ago 1

Published Jun 21, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT

Murillo Zerbinatto is an Editor at DualShockers specializing in JRPGs, RPGs, reviews, guides, and lists. He has been writing professionally since 2018 and covering games since 2020, with previous work published at Xfire, RPGInformer, IndieGameCulture, and GameRant.

A longtime JRPG enthusiast, Murillo has played more than 250 JRPGs and earned over 100 platinum trophies, giving him deep hands-on experience with the genre’s progression systems, side content, collectibles, and completionist challenges. His coverage often focuses on franchises such as Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Trails, Tales of, and Star Ocean.

Grab your sunscreen, maybe your tanning oil if you are feeling bold, stay well-hydrated, and watch out for the sun, because summer is here! Wait, what am I saying? We are gamers. We don't go outside to touch grass. At least, I know I don't. So instead of recommending safety measures for your physical well-being, how about some JRPGs that you absolutely need to play this summer? Sounds like a plan.

Following our seasonal recommendations, I am going to suggest a few JRPGs that capture the scorching-sun vibe, feature classic beach episodes, or deliver heartwarming plots that warm our souls. Regardless of your style, odds are there will be at least one JRPG here that floats your boat.

10 PS1 JRPGs Still Trapped on Original Hardware

Some are in dire need of a port, I would say, simply because I want to replay them.

By the way, despite everything I just said, you really do need to keep hydrating, okay? Especially if you are going to spend a lot of time at home tackling these massive JRPGs. Some titles on this list will turn up the heat so much with their exhilarating combat systems or mind-blowing plot twists that you had better keep a water bottle right by your side, or maybe an energy drink. Without further ado, let's dive into summer, because while the season is temporary, our love for gaming never stops!

10 Blue Reflection: Second Light

Stuck in Summer Classes

Blue Reflection: Second Light

What would you do if you woke up one day and found yourself trapped inside a school? That is the core premise of Blue Reflection: Second Light, and it's a nightmare I didn't know I had until I remembered how terrible I was at school. Actually, the reason this JRPG earned a spot here is that our protagonist, Ao Hoshizaki, is literally on her way to summer classes when this entire mystery kicks off, meaning Blue Reflection: Second Light takes place entirely during the summer.

It isn't just the setting that brings those seasonal vibes. The entire JRPG radiates a deep sense of camaraderie, featuring a Social Link-style system in which Ao interacts with the other girls trapped in the school to boost their relationship gauge and then unlock benefits in turn-based battles. Blue Reflection: Second Light is the type of JRPG that is half visual novel, half turn-based combat, and pure coziness through and through. If you are looking for some relaxing downtime, this is an excellent entry.

9 Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

A Smile as Bright as Summer

Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

Do you know how Koei Tecmo invites players to experience Atelier Ryza? Set out on the Ultimate Summer Adventure in Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack! Yeah, I'm not even kidding. That's their marketing tagline. So if there is any JRPG that feels completely appropriate for this list, it is definitely the trilogy starring Reisalin "Ryza" Stout.

To be fair, though, it is best to temper your expectations. Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout delivers an incomparable sense of carefree summer adventure, where the stakes are lower yet still urgent, but the focus remains squarely on fun, alchemy, and joyfulness. The sequels in the trilogy are also set during the summer, but the season loses a bit of its spotlight as the narrative shifts focus to other characters.

Even so, Ryza's cheerful summer smile is a constant throughout the entire trilogy, alongside the cozy, unpretentious gameplay that the Atelier series is famous for. If your goal is to stay far away from dark themes or world-ending plots, my recommendation is to pick up an alchemy book and dive headfirst into the Atelier universe.

8 Grandia

A Grand, Sun-Basked Adventure

I vividly remember watching a Sony influencer browse the PS Plus Classics library and pick a random game from the catalog to try out. He stumbled upon Grandia and, a mere 40 minutes later, turned the game off. It was a massive disservice to the title because, look, I get that Grandia takes well over an hour to even drop you into your first actual battle, and the prologue is just Justin and Sue fooling around in the town of Parm. But once it shifts into high gear, it is pure joy.

The central theme of Grandia is the pure spirit of adventure. It takes quite a while for a grand plot to emerge in which our heroes must step up to save the world, because initially, Justin is just trying to see what is out there. It captures the authentic feeling of a summer vacation, packed with incredibly colorful environments, friendly characters, and an energetic combat system that blends real-time and turn-based elements and keeps me on my toes. There is a gorgeous Grandia HD Collection available if you want to experience the first two titles, though Grandia II carries a bit more of an autumn vibe.

7 Pokémon Sun & Moon

Prepare Your Hula Dancing Skills

Welcome to Hawaii! Or rather, to Alola, a region explicitly inspired by Hawaii. According to Hawaiian players, Pokémon Sun & Moon does a phenomenal job of honoring its inspiration, so there is nothing better than spending your summer in a paradise filled with ocean waves, a volcano park, and even riding Mantines in a surfing minigame (only if you are playing the remake, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon).

Another massive shift is that instead of tackling eight traditional gyms, you take on Island Trials hosted by captains across the archipelago, culminating in battles against the Kahunas. This premise takes you on a true road trip across the islands, allowing you to fully absorb Alola's environment, climate, and natural beauty. Just watching it play out on screen feels like a breath of fresh air.

6 Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

JRPG + Islands = Summer

I know I might be repeating myself by equating island settings with summer, but it just makes sense! Have you ever thought about visiting a remote island during autumn or winter? You would freeze to death because the ocean breeze gets incredibly chilly due to some geographical reason! Okay, maybe these games also carry some spring vibes, but not Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, which absolutely radiates a summer atmosphere.

Our red-haired swordsman wakes up shipwrecked on the cursed Isle of Seiren alongside the other passengers of a cruise liner, and it is up to our hero to figure out why on earth he is stuck there and how to escape. The beauty of exploring the island is that you gradually encounter prehistoric creatures, and if there is one thing those beasts understand, it's the intense, radiating heat that defines a true summer.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA also happens to be one of the highest-rated Ys games in the entire franchise. So if my summer pitch didn't win you over, perhaps the stellar scores from critics and users alike will convince you to give this action JRPG a shot.

5 Ever Oasis

Saving People in the Desert

The name alone should give you a massive hint as to why I believe this is a great JRPG for summer, but in case you missed it, an oasis implies a desert, and deserts are usually home to a scorching hot sun—very much like summer, at least during the day! Ever Oasis was the very first game I picked up when I bought my New Nintendo 2DS, and I thoroughly completed everything I could in the game during my Disney trip.

It perfectly blends two elements that I absolutely adore: town management and excellent real-time action combat. The JRPG is also adorably charming and will keep you glued to your screen as you crawl through dungeons and steadily expand your sanctuary. Ever Oasis was directed by Koichi Ishii, the creator of the Mana series, so you know you are in safe hands. The only downside is that nowadays it's a bit difficult to play it natively unless you own a Nintendo 3DS, but if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it.

4 Breath of Fire III

The Summer of Ryu's Life

To be completely fair, I mostly wanted to include Breath of Fire III on this list because it is my favorite JRPG of all time, and I love shining a spotlight on the Brood. But honestly, it is also a remarkably fitting entry. For a massive chunk of the game, you play as a young Ryu, a child who knows absolutely nothing about the world and sets out to explore it with that pure, innocent gaze that only a kid possesses.

Granted, tragedy strikes along the way, he grows into an adult, and the world becomes a far more dangerous and unforgiving place, but that initial sense of freedom, the lush grassy landscapes, and the sun-dappled woodlands remain. I considered putting Breath of Fire IV here instead, but given the dual perspective where you play as Fou-Lu—whose storyline is vastly darker and more melancholic—it just didn't fit the vibe.

The only caveat, as you might have noticed, is that there is currently no way to play Breath of Fire III natively on modern platforms. This could be resolved if enough people show their interest in voting for Breath of Fire III on the GOG Dreamlist! The more interest it garners, the higher the chances of GOG rescuing the title, just like they did with Breath of Fire IV. Did my master plan work? This entire list was honestly just an excuse so I could champion the addition of my favorite JRPG to GOG.

3 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

A Game For Holidays

Have you ever heard the urban legend that Dragon Quest games can't be released on weekdays because the Japanese government banned them? Well, it's a total myth, but it remains true that launching a massive game during a busy school or work week is bad for business. Coincidentally, do you know when Dragon Quest XI launched in Japan? At the very end of July. And guess when summer vacation kicks off in Japan? The exact end of July.

Worldwide, Dragon Quest XI saw a more staggered release, but it's undeniable that the Japanese audience goes incredibly hard for anything involving the franchise. So it stands to reason that these games are meticulously planned around major holidays, whether in July or during the winter break. Plus, I'm not just considering summer based on its release window. Dragon Quest XI delivers absolutely everything the franchise is celebrated for, but crafted on a much grander scale, elevated to the nth degree.

I always say that my favorite modern JRPG franchise is Final Fantasy, but when I played Dragon Quest XI, I genuinely hesitated, almost putting Dragon Quest at the absolute top because the latest mainline entry is almost flawless for any fan of turn-based JRPGs. I have mixed feelings about Act III, but up until that point, I was completely addicted, making it the ideal game to lose myself in during a long summer vacation.

2 Final Fantasy X

Beach, Sports, and Incoming Doom

Final Fantasy X kicks off with our superstar blitzball player, Tidus, starting a match in a futuristic metropolis. Then, he is violently cast into the world of Spira, surrounded by an unfamiliar, mystical atmosphere, but it doesn't take long at all for him to wash up on the sandy beaches of Besaid Village. From that exact moment, the game transforms into a sort of holiday pilgrimage, traveling from Besaid to Kilika (disaster aside) and on to Luca, where we get to compete in a massive blitzball tournament.

Granted, the later environments aren't quite as summery as the opening hours, and the plot takes a wild turn once Tidus uncovers the tragic truth behind the summoners' pilgrimages. But up until that turning point, the game maintains a wonderful tropical atmosphere set in a breathtakingly colorful world filled with vibrant characters, despite the impending doom looming over them. If you want an even more laid-back experience, consider picking up Final Fantasy X-2, which follows the trio of Yuna, Rikku, and Paine as they gallivant across the globe completing miscellaneous sidequests.

1 Chrono Cross

El Nido's Natural Beauty

Chrono Cross is easily one of my favorite JRPGs of all time. Serge's adventure across two parallel dimensions is absolutely groundbreaking, and it resonated with me so deeply that the experience stuck with me for years. The story takes place in El Nido, a tropical archipelago formed in an alternate timeline where the Reptites from Chrono Trigger were never wiped out by Lavos, eventually conquering humanity and thriving.

The entire sea-breezy atmosphere, combined with gorgeous weather and lush green environments, gives Chrono Cross an unparalleled summer vibe. Mix an absolute masterclass of a timeless soundtrack into the equation, and you have the absolute best way to spend your summer vacation: sailing across the islands of El Nido.

Just keep in mind that if you are diving in expecting a literal, direct sequel to Chrono Trigger, you won't find it here. As sublime as Chrono Trigger is, I still personally prefer Chrono Cross, even though I recognize that, as a traditional sequel, it didn't quite deliver what fans expected. Even so, that isn't anywhere near enough to dull the brilliant luster of the journey shared by Serge, Kid, and Lynx.