JRPGs Designed for Players Who Love Getting Lost

I wasn't always a fan of the JRPG genre, or even RPGs. But after I played my first hour in Final Fantasy VI, I was completely hooked. The world, the characters, the combat? This was what I wanted from a game: to be the main character in a cinematic, life-or-death experience.

Usually, I don't much enjoy getting lost in games. But when I get lost in a JRPG, it just means I'll get to the next boss stronger and more prepared. And often, the worlds I'm getting lost in are so stunning that I really don't mind taking my time and smelling the proverbial roses.

There are a lot of amazing JRPG adventures on this list, from some throwbacks to definitive editions, full remakes, and even totally new visions of iconic worlds.

And since it can be difficult to accurately differentiate between these games based solely on relative game world size, the ranking is mostly dictated by overall reception, with my personal preferences breaking any potential ties. Without further ado, let's all dive into some magical JRPG worlds!

10 Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

Yuri vs. Flynn

I'll just admit that I am not the biggest fan of Tales games, but there was still something special about Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition. There's a reason something becomes a recognized fan favorite entry, after all.

Maybe it was the plot about abusing the resource called Blastia or the disparity between the different peoples of the world. Or maybe it was the rivalry between former friends turned foes, Yuri and Flynn. Or maybe it was just the compelling combat, which played out like a live-action fighting game. But Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition had that special sauce.

There are some truly stunning areas you'll want to wander around, from the Shaikos Ruins to Yormgen and even post-game areas like the Necropolis of Nostalgia.

9 Rogue Galaxy

Level-5 Strikes Again

I don't know what it is about Level-5, but they're seemingly incapable of making a bad game. And somehow, their most inventive and fascinating fare is when they take a break from bigger series like Professor Layton to make a JRPG. I've played two in the past that were equally immersive — Jeanne d'Arc and Rogue Galaxy.

Rogue Galaxy is a fantastic, spacefaring adventure about finding a secret treasure and essentially being space pirates. And what's best about it is that you're pretty free to wander and fulfill various sidequests as much as you please, though eventually, you'll want to get to the end of the story.

Honestly, if I weren't ranking games based on their score, Rogue Galaxy would be way further up this list. I've rarely spent so much time just wandering in a JRPG as I did here, and would truly love a modern remake of the game on modern consoles. But until then, this is a very enjoyable retro throwback I'd recommend to everyone.

8 Octopath Traveler 2

Tentacles of Adventure

Earlier on this list, I mentioned that sometimes you want to get lost in a JRPG world to grind and get stronger, and Octopath Traveler 2 is definitely one of those games. Don't get me wrong, the story, characters, and world are all great as well. It just happens that this game world is full of punishing monsters, so it's best to buff up so you stand half a chance.

Not only is the world of Solistia stunning, but you'll get to explore it from eight utterly unique viewpoints. You can even sail the seas and pretend you're a pirate. But one of the best things about this sequel is the day and night system, so you can appreciate the lush artistry of the game from multiple vantages.

While Octopath Traveler 2 is pretty demanding, it's also undoubtedly a worthy adventure, and I'm glad Square Enix is still embracing this HD-2D style of JRPG adventure.

7 Star Ocean The Second Story R

Sail Across Inky Skies

I was pretty late getting into the Star Ocean series, and actually played my first entry a few years ago when I demoed Star Ocean The Second Story R at PAX West. I think I had avoided it because the combat didn't give you complete control over every action of your party, but after playing the game, I was very much a fan.

Not only does Star Ocean The Second Story R feature novel and challenging combat where you control one character at a time and let your team automatically support you, but it takes place in a gorgeous 2.5D world. As much as I love the visual style of Octopath Traveler 2, this game manages to edge it out just a little.

Which is good, because you'll be wandering all around this amazing world. It's a mix of sci-fi and fantasy, with an ancient prophecy underpinning your actions. And if that wasn't enough, you'll really love getting lost in a world with music composed by Motoi Sakuraba!

6 Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered

Studio Ghibli's Legacy

Studio Ghibli has made a huge impact on our culture, usually in the form of cinematic masterpieces. But in Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch Remastered, they managed to turn that energy into a captivating JRPG adventure. Fret not, since it features their trademark visual flair as well as music composed by Joe Hisaishi!

The original game was already beautiful, but every little detail is improved in this remaster. As for the combat itself, you're free to switch between your team members at a moment's notice, making for a dynamic system that's very engaging.

As for getting lost in this world, it's a pleasure to do so. Whether you're racing across the Summerlands or Autumnia, or checking out the archipelagos, this is a fantastic and eye-catching world that is made to explore.

5 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of An Elusive Age

Prophecy of the Luminary

It's fair to say that Dragon Quest is more than a little old school. Sure, it's evolved over the years, but at its core, this is still a classic JRPG series that's gotten a lovely facelift in recent years. Meaning that even though Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a great time, it's also not going to win any awards for storytelling.

That said, that in no way makes this a boring adventure. Dragon Quest has the same artist as Dragon Ball, after all, and that really shows in Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. The Luminary has a long road ahead of him, and the world of Erdrea is beset with fantastical places and ferocious villains.

Perhaps my favorite thing about the game is that you're able to switch between how you view it at any point. Meaning you can enjoy the lush new visual style, or go fully retro with a style that's more akin to the NES Dragon Quest games. Either way, you have a lot of miles to walk and a lot of monsters to slay in this beautiful world.

4 Chained Echoes

Unchained Adventure

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in recent years was Chained Echoes. When everybody couldn't stop talking about it, I knew it was probably something special. And after spending a couple of dozen hours in the world, I can attest that the hype was real. This is a game inspired by classic JRPGs that manages to do them justice while offering modern features that make it more enjoyable.

It's a very tactical adventure where every little decision matters in combat. It's also a title where you'll need to grind quite a bit to get stronger, but thankfully, the world is fun to explore. There are all sorts of hidden corners and overpowered beasties to truly test your mettle, and you get an airship very early in the game.

That means you're quite free to explore at your own pace and see what sights this 16-bit masterpiece has to offer. Mix in an engaging plot about political subterfuge and dangerous magic, and you have an indie darling that would fit in perfectly with JRPG classics.

3 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

X Marks the Spot

I have a pretty deep connection with Xenoblade Chronicles. I used to write for a website that had the distinction of helping get the original game brought to the States, after all, even though that was before I joined. But I still was one of those gamers who went from complaining we weren't getting the game to suddenly playing it on my Wii. And even that early version of the adventure was utterly engrossing.

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition brings everything from that experience to the Switch, and does so while making things streamlined and glossier. That means you get to re-experience the fantastical storyline and great characters, as well as enjoy the deep combat. And though I don't always love getting lost in games, this game is a huge exception.

This is a world built for exploring, and it's full of tons of sidequests and awe-inspiring monsters to slay. Your time is never wasted in Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition, though admittedly, doing every single thing might take quite some time. Best of all, the game that started the series has even spawned some very fun sequels as well!

2 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Yakuza's Delight

I'll just be honest, the only reason I want to get into the Yakuza series is because of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and its predecessor. They marry the rough and tumble, unpredictably crazy world of Yakuza with turn-based combat that wouldn't be out of place in any JRPG adventure. And this sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon manages to turn the dial up to "crazy" while playing like a classic.

You'll be venturing farther than you'd expect in the adventure, ranging from Yokohama to Hawaii, as well as everybody's favorite, the Kamurocho district. And you'll want to explore, since doing so rewards you with all sorts of deranged encounters, as well as tons of mini-games and bonding with your team.

And if you're tired of wandering and want to just enjoy the world, you can do so on Dondoko Island, which has all sorts of illicit activities that are perfect for the up-and-coming criminal element.

1 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The Anticipation of Exploration

I'm a Nintendo fanboy through and through, which means that I usually don't play a big game until it comes to my Switch 2. Which means, in turn, that I'm just now enjoying the likes of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. That said, I know that the rest of the remake series is coming, which is why I'm so excited to eventually dive into Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Final Fantasy is just one of those series everybody knows, and I actually adored the original Final Fantasy VII back in the day. And while that game hasn't aged as I might hope, the remake has seemingly done justice to fan expectations. While Final Fantasy VII Remake was a very on-rails, linear experience, Square Enix opened things up mightily in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth manages to build upon everything the first game did, and does it even better. If you've ever wanted to get lost in this stunning and iconic world, now you really can. And there are even plenty of unexpected twists on the classic game that breathe new life into this amazing remake, whether that includes finding Protorelic Phenomenons, racing on Chocobos, or finding hidden Moogle Emporiums.