10 JRPGs You Should Definitely Avoid Playing

1 hour ago 3

Published Apr 30, 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.

I was once young and under the impression that I would manage to play every single JRPG franchise in existence. Oh, how naive I was. I've come to accept that it won't be possible, so I always go through a mental process before adding a new title to my backlog, opting for series I intend to see from start to finish, like Trails or Fire Emblem.

Because, as we all know, time is our most precious resource and once spent, it never returns. Therefore, based on my experiences, today I want to help you save time by writing a list of JRPGs I think are better for you to avoid, for various reasons.

Some might be because they have the potential to ruin a predecessor, others because they present such unusual gameplay that it might give you more of a headache than enjoyment, and some simply for being low-quality products. Regardless of the motive, I hope this list sheds some light and helps you build a more accurate JRPG backlog.

10 Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

Merciless With Newcomers

Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne Demi-Fiend

I have much more experience with Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio, but I've already tried my hand with a few Shin Megami Tensei titles. I perfectly remember playing Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne on the PS2, suddenly taking an immoral beating from some bosses, then deciding to let it go and move towards something friendlier, like Wild Arms.

The thing is, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is often considered one of the hardest JRPGs out there, to the point that even Atlus itself considered it so. Of course, if you are a veteran or using a guide, you won't have any problem. But if you are a newcomer or even an intermediate player, you will need to use every demon in your arsenal to win even ordinary fights.

The remaster added a new difficulty mode called Merciful, which is much more palatable for modern audiences. Also, point in case: if a game adds an easy mode in a future release, it already says a lot about its default difficulty.

9 The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

Play the Remake Instead

Put your knives away, bracers! Let me explain. As I mentioned in the intro, I started my adventure through Trails recently, last year. I've already finished the entire Trails in the Sky trilogy (with 100% achievements on Steam), Trails from Zero with a pristine platinum on PS4, and also Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on PS5, also earning a platinum. Not to brag, just saying I got so immersed that I loved investing all those hours.

One thing I agree with the fanbase on is that if you want to join the series nowadays, the ideal is to start with the first game, given that it features a narrative that spans from Trails in the Sky to the current release. Even so, I don't recommend starting with the original game, especially since we have an impeccable remake that preserves the essence of the classic almost unadulterated—and the second chapter is arriving later this year.

I recognize that the only downgrade the original had compared to the remake was the loss of the Xseed translation, which brought a much more emblematic and energetic Estelle. In the remake, she remains incredible, just a bit more subdued without her punchlines. Still, in my humble opinion, if you're going to start the series, the ideal is to go straight to the remake and wait for Falcom to release the next ones.

8 Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter

Breath of Fire-esque

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter

It pains me to say this, especially since Breath of Fire is my favorite series. Still, I've already seen this scenario happen repeatedly: a friend joins the franchise, plays the first four all at once, falls in love with everything it offers, but suddenly, when they reach Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, they only have one question: What the freak am I playing?

And it's an extremely understandable reaction, because it was the same one my brother and I had when we played Dragon Quarter for the first time. It is so distinct from the Breath of Fire games that came before that it's impossible to avoid whiplash. Okay, we have Ryu, we have Nina, and we have dragons, but that's it. The gameplay is different, the premise is distinct, and even the theme is totally unprecedented.

The thing is, once you understand what Dragon Quarter is all about—and get used to dying—it transforms into a genuinely good game. The problem is diving headfirst into this entry expecting more traditional Breath of Fire. If that is your expectation, it's better if you don't play it or first do an anticipation detox before diving into the JRPG.

7 Calamity Angels: Special Delivery

Too Chaotic for my Tastes

Calamity Angels Special Delivery Review (5)

So far, I've presented harmless arguments for avoiding some JRPGs: difficulty, accessibility, and expectations. But now, and I even apologize to Compile Heart, I suggest avoiding Calamity Angels: Special Delivery solely because of the game's quality. Or better, the lack of it.

I'm not one of the biggest Compile Heart/Idea Factory enthusiasts, but I've played a few games. None really grabbed me, but since I was playing for leisure, I could simply drop them. However, I set out to review Calamity Angels: Special Delivery for DualShockers, and so I went until the end (and got a platinum because I'm a masochist).

For the first two hours, I was actually engaged because the game seemed to have interesting ideas, such as a greedy healer who charges money to heal allies or a brawler mage who prefers punching to casting spells. But soon, this became more of an impediment and a highly RNG-reliant nuisance rather than fun, and I just wanted to finish the game. The story is also so bland that I couldn't even salvage that from the JRPG. Just avoid it entirely. There are better games out there, even from Compile Heart.

6 Final Fantasy X-2

Great Gameplay, Weird Story Sequel

Look, if you ask me if Final Fantasy X-2 is a good game, I'll say yes. It was a return to the franchise's ATB system, the Dressphere system is wonderful and brings an incredible dynamic to battle, and seeing the influence our actions in Final Fantasy X had on Spira is a joy, something I always like. However, it comes with a huge caveat.

Final Fantasy X is my favorite offline FF, and I loved every little thing about its story. That's why, for me, Final Fantasy X-2 trying to be a direct sequel is a stain on the whole predecessor's narrative. All the weight of the plot, the growth and conflict of Tidus as he accompanies Yuna, only for him to make the utmost sacrifice in the end, is almost botched by the sequel.

Gameplay-wise, I do think Final Fantasy X-2 is an amazing game. Still, regarding the story, it's a game you should avoid, or at least detach yourself from, if you don't want to diminish the entire impeccable experience the predecessor provided.

5 Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire

Not The Skies of Arcadia We Were Waiting For

10 Worst JRPGs of the Last Decade - Sky Oceans Wings for Hire

I don't feel happiness or pleasure in chastising indie games, especially those you can see were made with love. At the same time, my duty is to the truth and that includes preventing you from investing your sacred time in games that aren't worth it, as is the case with Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire.

I was super excited about the title because it seemed to draw heavily on Skies of Arcadia, a JRPG many have been asking for a modern port of. The similarities, however, end at the airship theme. Combat has some interesting ideas, but it was such a slog to see every freaking animation over and over again that it just sucked up all the fun.

The game is still receiving updates based on feedback, so who knows. Nowadays, it's not so unusual to see a full redemption after a lukewarm release. For now, however, I'd fly away from Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire. Sorry, Octeto Studios.

4 Beyond the Beyond

Not Worth It

JRPGs You Should Avoid - Beyond the Beyond

Developer

Publisher

Release Date

Camelot

Sony

September 11, 1996

Let's talk about some needlessly tough JRPGs that have no right to be as challenging as they are, starting with Beyond the Beyond (I know you thought of 7th Saga). To be honest, Beyond the Beyond isn't hard, but its battle system is simply unfair.

The premise is interesting, since Beyond the Beyond is one of the first turn-based JRPGs to feature a sort of timed-hits system, even though it doesn't work most of the time. However, the issue lies in its insanely high random encounter rate, to the point where it just becomes unhealthy to play the game because you're almost not playing it other than mashing the same button in battle.

There is also the matter that since progression is simple, as in level up and learn skills, there's no motivation to engage in repeated fodder battles. This adds more issues: damage accumulates little by little, healing items run out, and we need to restock, which means backtracking, more battles, more nuisances, and less fun overall.

3 The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered

Go Play SaGa Instead

JRPGs You Should Avoid - Legend of Legacy

The Legend of Legacy: HD Remastered

There is a company that, for me, knows much more about marketing than game development, and that is FuRyu. I appreciate the effort it makes to bring in established industry veterans to develop its games, like the illustrious Yoko Shimomura and the creative Kazushige Nojima for Reynatis, or even Yuki Nobuteru and Hiroki Kikuta, veterans of the Mana series who worked on Trinity Trigger.

One of the FuRyu games that absorbed veterans was The Legend of Legacy, inspired by the SaGa franchise. Look, SaGa is already an acquired taste, so making a game inspired by it requires confidence in the product, which The Legend of Legacy lacks. I played the HD Remastered version, and while it has some good ideas underneath, no game lives on ideas alone.

It had a really neat idea where you could explore a dungeon and then sell the map for increasingly more gold according to how much you explored, but that's it. You don't gain exp, you learn skills on the go, there's an annoying elemental system to cast spells, and the story is just an afterthought. It's not really a good JRPG, even though it honors its inspiration. Ultimately, it's better to play a SaGa game.

2 Unlimited SaGa

Just Don't Play This SaGa

Speaking of which: SaGa, oh, what a misunderstood franchise. Love it or hate it, you can't deny it's one of the most experimental projects to succeed, and it all started with the progression system in Final Fantasy II. Akitoshi Kawazu really gave his all to turn SaGa into a fully fledged series, and he made it. Most games are more of a miss than a hit to me, but I really love Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song and SaGa Frontier 1.

I could argue that not every JRPG fan should play a SaGa game, but at least trying one has no harm. I mean, as long as it isn't Unlimited SaGa. For the love of Sephiroth, don't you ever dare play this game. I can't put into words how much I loathe my experience with it. To ensure it wasn't a bad experience from the past, I literally bought an original copy of the game last year and replayed it, just to confirm that my current experience was as terrible as before.

Unlimited SaGa was the peak of experimentation with the series. Its exploration is based on boards, but it's just a bureaucratic process that strips away any immersion, alongside a totally dishonest event system. The battle system, headlined by an impeccable soundtrack, has so many random elements that I never knew whether I was winning or losing until my opponent or I died. There must be something underneath all this experiment that we can cherish, but I won't dare spend another minute with it in hopes of understanding what it is.

1 Lunar: Dragon Song

I Feel Icky Just Writing About It

JRPGs You Should Avoid - Lunar Dragon Song

I remember reading a highly appropriate description of Lunar: Dragon Song: "it may not be the worst JRPG, but it was definitely the worst I had played." And I felt so represented by it that I needed to paraphrase, so thank you, internet stranger, for summarizing my thoughts so well.

The biggest problem with Lunar: Dragon Song is that it is a sequel to one of the most beloved JRPGs of the fifth console generation, so we at least expected an earnest, peculiar, and engaging game. Instead, we got anything but. I couldn't spend more than 2 hours with Dragon Song before dropping it, and I remember exactly why and when.

First, the game is quite slow, whether traversing through maps or in battle. So, nothing better than to run. However, do know that running in-game makes you lose HP for whatever reason, and okay, after a few levels, you won't even remember it's there. Then, we have two combat modes for, again, whatever reason. Virtue grants us experience after battle, while Combat mode (really) only gets us enemy loot. Oh yeah, we can't target enemies while attacking in battle, so it's pretty much playing on auto mode 90% of the time.

To make matters worse, there are some blue chests in a few maps that can only be opened once you defeat all enemies. Okay, fair, sounds like a good design to promote battles which can both strengthen our characters via level up and provide new equipment often found in blue chests — if only battles weren't so bland. There's just a problem: once an enemy is killed, a timer starts, and if you fail to engage in another battle before it runs its course, one enemy will respawn. Just run, right? But be careful, you'll lose HP in the process. There are so many baffling design decisions in Lunar: Dragon Song that I can't even fathom how they could mess up so badly, but there it is. Avoid it at all costs.