10 Xbox Series S/X JRPGs That Are Fun from the Beginning

The JRPG genre used to be something of a niche, believe it or not, but now it is very much a dominant force in the gaming market and one which has given rise to countless memorable titles. While initially limited to almost exclusively Japanese developers, the staple tropes of JRPGs have become formulaic enough that many studios around the world have gone on to replicate them, and some with astounding success.

Often centered around skilled-based party combat, JRPGs often use the same sort of mechanics but are also well-known for having some great storytelling. Whether you're a veteran of the genre or have never played a single JRPG before, the following titles all serve as great entry points into the genre and will have you hooked from the very first scene.

10 Tales of Arise

Bandai Namco Delivers Another Banger

Tales of Arise isn't just one of the most visually impressive JRPGs to come out in recent years, it's also one of the most fun to play due to its fluid combat and rewarding progression system. The game has a very strong opening which throws you into this real-time combat from the very start controlling Alphen, all the while being entangled in a meaningful story about discrimination, slavery, and other heavy themes.

The game has some very challenging boss fights and certainly isn't a breeze, but with the right combination of Artes and tactics, you can take them down with great satisfaction. Personally, I find the characters and art style of Tales of Arise to be among the very best in the genre, and Xbox players looking to jump into an action-packed JRPG title should absolutely consider checking it out.

9 Octopath Traveler

Eight Paths, One Story and 16 Bits

Octopath Traveler is one of the more unique JRPGs to come out in recent years and allows players to follow eight different intersecting narratives in a very charming medieval-inspired world. It's not just a nice, high-quality HD-2D pixelated aesthetic that makes this game so popular. The storytelling is where the game truly shines and stands out even among the many other great games in the genre.

Set in the fictional continent of Orsterra, this part-based JRPG will have you falling in love with its lore-rich world and wanting to learn more about it. Thankfully, the game provides a lot of detail in this regard, and the combat is also both simplistic and a lot of fun — making it a perfectly accessible starting point for newcomers to the genre.

8 Scarlet Nexus

A Dramatic Cyberpunk JRPG

Scarlet Nexus will always have a special place in my heart as one of the first JRPGs I ever played from start to finish. Set in a dystopian cyberpunk world where earth is under constant threat from monsters, you and your squad will be tasked with fending them off in a story that is as tragic as it is compelling.

One of the ways the game truly shines is the way in which it encourages interaction with party members. While most JRPGs do this to some extent, Scarlet Nexus really goes the extra mile to build bonds between its characters. Combat is both easy to learn and satisfying to master, particularly in the way it lets you utilize the surrounding environment to your advantage. Visually, it's among the very best anime-style JRPGs around.

7 Yakuza: Like A Dragon

A Sequel Worthy of the Franchise

The Yakuza series has always been known for its well-written, entertaining and dramatic stories on top of its brutal martial arts mechanics. Yakuza: Like A Dragon is slightly different to the original series in the sense that it takes on much more of a JRPG approach with turn-based combat and class-based allies to fight alongside you.

Whether you're a fan of the original Yakuza series or never played them before, Yakuza: Like A Dragon is still a great place to start and tells its own standalone story with the protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. The city of Yokohama is a lot of fun to explore and is filled with entertaining side quests, activities and business ventures to take part in. Overall, it's a great light-hearted story which any fans of the JRPG genre will love.

6 Sword and Fairy 7: Together Forever

An Underrated Cinematic Gem

It might seem a bit heretical to name a Chinese game among the best JRPGs, but Sword and Fairy 7: Together Forever absolutely deserves a mention. In terms of mechanics and combat, this game might as well be a JRPG, the only difference being that it takes place in a Chinese fantasy setting. Following an emotional journey with a cast of memorable characters, Sword and Fairy 7 is immediately gripping and a high-stakes battle between the Demon Realm and the Heavenly Realm.

Caught in the middle of it all, Yue Qingshu and her elderly uncle are drawn into this epic conflict and soon play a central role as she nurses the heroic Xiu Wu back to full strength. The plot contains romantic elements of both a serious and comical nature, as well as one of the coolest villains in video game history with Kuiyu.

5 Fate/Samurai Remnant

The Best Fate Game To-Date

If you aren't aware of the Fate series yet, you are in for one heck of a treat. Based around a battle-royale concept in which seven chosen mages each summon a historic 'Servant' to fight for them, the series really is a perfect combination of historical fiction, mythological fantasy and modern anime. Fate/Samurai Remnant is arguably the best video game adaptation, and tells its own story set in feudal Japan.

Samurai Remnant continues the trademark deep storytelling and great characters that the franchise is known for, but this time with some unique Asian heroic spirits such as Miyamoto Musashi and Zheng Chenggong. The combat and storytelling are as good as it's ever been in the series, but the fact that it takes place in this entirely unique setting means that you don't need any foreknowledge of the franchise to jump in right here.

4 Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance

The Latest in a Legendary Series

There is no JRPG genre without the Shin Megami franchise, and for many, this will easily be their favorite game in the genre. Set in a post-apocalyptic world with a wonderful cast of characters, insane boss designs and well over 100 hours of content. This edition in particular also includes both a new story and the original Shin Megami Tensei 5 story, which was initially released as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, so you basically get two for the price of one with Vengeance.

The intense turn-based combat of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise is what the JRPG genre largely became built around, and the ability to pick up interesting demon allies to fight alongside you is also one of the game's strong points. Don't be fooled by the playful aesthetic, though. Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is very punishing in combat, and you'll have to play each round strategically if you want to defeat the many eccentric enemies.

3 Persona 5 Royal

An Icon of the Genre

When you think of the all-time best JRPGs, the Persona series definitely comes to mind. Persona 5 Royal is my personal favorite, and I also think it makes a great entry point into the series for players new to the genre. Set in modern Tokyo, Persona's anime art-style is a perfect fit for the genre, but it's the gameplay and character development that really make this series shine.

As a high-school student leading a double life as a Phantom Thief, your job is to pull off heists, build relationships with your allies and wage wars against corrupt enemies. It's this deep system of mechanics and the way that they intermingle with each other that makes the game so special, and it also provides some surprisingly good social commentary on adolescence and interpersonal relations.

2 NieR: Automata

Taking JRPGs To A New Level

NieR: Automata is one of those games that just sticks with you for life. It has iconic visuals, a great story and superb mission design which throws you into the action from the get-go. Playing as a team of YoRHa combat androids who have been sent to reclaim the earth from a hostile alien invasion, you'll experience a deep philosophical story which is as well-written as it is cinematic.

The game does a great job at blending the best elements from different genres. One minute you might be solving a parkour puzzle, while the next you're taking on a soulslike bossfight or playing a bullet hell segment. On top of that, it has a great soundtrack which is sure to stay with you long after playing. When it comes to modern JRPGs, it really is hard to top this cult classic.

1 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

An Instant Classic From The Very Start

It's not often that a video game can actually make me cry, but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 managed to do it on at least five separate occasions due to its incredible storytelling and soundtrack. However, that's just the beginning when it comes to this instant classic. The game also uses a turn-based reactive combat system which works perfectly in the game world and is extremely satisfying to progress through.

There's a reason why this game swept the video game awards clean and even almost won itself a Grammy. Clair Obscur is a masterpiece in every sense of the word, and proof that you don't have to be based in Japan or set your game there to make an incredible and highly memorable JRPG.