Topic: Can you help me get into JRPGs?

Hey everybody!

JRPG is a genre I've admired from afar for many years. They are often very big, ambitious and beautiful, and I really want to appreciate them better.

I love Pokemon, which is pretty basic I guess, but it manages to pull me away from everything and hold my attention for its entire length. So I know that I CAN love JRPGs, but I find it difficult to get into any others.

For example - and I might regret saying this - I had these same thoughts about 6 months ago and I decided to try Final Fantasy VII, a game adored by many and frequently called the best FF there is. I got to the world map, but after that I began to lose my way and lose interest.

Can anyone recommend a JRPG that I should start with if I want to get into the genre? I currently have a PS4, Vita, Wii U and 3DS, so hopefully there will be something I can use as an entry point on one of those! I can also get PS1 games on my Vita, obviously.

What do you recon guys? Where should I start?

To be fair I only played FF VII in the last year and wasn't awfully impressed with it either, I can see how the graphics and visuals would have wowed gamers in '97 but it really hasn't aged well compared to other FF's. Also I just wasn't drawn into the story and the lack of direction given by the game on where you should go was a bit annoying (although that may be a by-product of the fact I've mostly played modern rpg's which provided a handy mini-map with an arrow and a quest log ). For the Ps Vita Persona 4 Golden would be a great start, probably the best JRPG on the system, has an interesting story and has some mechanics simpler to Pokemon (there's Persona's (i.e Pokemon) which you can collect, level up, give new attacks) which might interest you. Trails in the Sky for the PSP is supposed to be an excellent JRPG and would be a cheaper option, though I haven't played it myself

Final Fantasy 9 is a much better entry into FF games. I'd strongly recommend it.

I love Bravely Default on 3DS but it is very grindy, if random battles aren't your cup of tea you probably won't enjoy.

I would say Persona 4 Golden, one of the best JRPG of the generation and the ebst on Vita.

Assuming that you, as UK citizen, like football, you could try one of the Inazuma Eleven games out on 3ds, they are like pokemon but about football. You basically manage a football team, get new players, each coming with its own skills, you can train them, making your team stronger and stronger.

Grandia 2 HD was just released on Steam for $15 (down from 20% for a week), and in terms of specifications for the game its pretty much almost anything from the last 10 years should be able to run without problems.

its one of the best JRPG games ever created, and it doesnt have random battles, amazing story, one of the best battle systems, etc...

otherwise FF4 or FF6, 9 its also awesome

@FarukoSH: Not sure how easily accessible the likes of Grandia 2, FF4 and FF6 are to someone who isn't really big on JRPG's though - despite them being great games.

I recommend FF9 on the basis that I think it's fairly accessible while still retaining elements of what made the earlier FF's so good.

No doubt the Persona's are a good shout too, not played any myself though.

@Hego: I might actually have Persona 4 Golden installed - I'll have to have a look later, might start there.

@kyleforrester87: I remember back when I was small, I used to watch my older cousin play FF9. That's the only FF I might be interested in at the moment - might be worth a try.

I've also googled which JRPGs are good for beginners and quite a few people have said Chrono Trigger is a good entry point. Any truth in this? I believe I could play it on 3DS.

Thank you all for your input so far

Persona 4 - because any game where you can fight as a giant green tentacled penis riding a golden chariot warrants at least some level of investigation...

EDIT: but seriously though, if you liked the collect and evolve vibe of pokemon, Persona 4 is definitely a good shout. Not sure if it might be a bit hardcore for a newcomer though, lots of dungeon crawling, and the dungeons themselves are terribly designed for the most part.

@SteveButler2210: Yep the dungeon designs are the worst part, but the actual fights are great.

Also on Vita you can find Ys : Memories of Celceta which is much action oriented, still being a jrpg, the combat is fast and is less text heavy that truly traditional jrpg.

@Quintumply: The problem is there are some brilliant JRPGS both old and new, but with the older ones i.e Crono Trigger and FF6 and even newer ones like FF7/8/9 there is a dose of nostalgia to go with it. So undoubtedly when you ask the question you're just going to get a list of the best JRPGS of all time, but these might not be any good for you as a starting point haha.

Chrono Trigger is great but I do wonder if you'd get on with it if you got a little bored of FF7.

Chrono Trigger its awesome, best JRPG imo, but its kinda "complicated".

I would recommend games like Chrono Trigger FF VI, FF IV but there is one big thing with those games and that is the grinding. You have to almost grind in those games to get anywhere if you don't the difficulty will become too much for ya. If you don't like grinding or have the time then those games won't be for you.

If you have a Vita there are some great PS one JRPGs available. I recommend the Suikoden series which I belive are available on the Vita. I have heard good things about FF 9 as well but I haven't played it.

Grinding isn't a huge deal for me, Pokemon can be pretty bad for grinding, especially the earlier ones.

I've seen a lot of people say FF6 is a good one to start with, so I might just have a browse of the Vita PS Store and see what catches my eye. Thinking either FF6 or FF9 though

Thank you everyone for your advice so far!

You either like them or you don't. I tried for years to convince my friends to try them. They prefer shooters, and sports games. I won't stop them, I'll just enjoy the JRPGs they miss out on.

If you are really adamant on trying it, go for Persona 3 or Persona 4; they are a great entry point into it. But depending on how far you'd go, system wise, I can recommend better ones to get started on.

Thanks everyone for the advise!

I've basically boiled it down to either Final Fantasy IX or Persona 4 Golden (bit of a difference there I know!)

I'm going to attempt to play FF9 first, if I get stuck then I'll look at a guide. I'll see what happens. I'm hoping I'll be able to finish this one, as like I said, I remember it from years ago when I watched my cousin playing it all the time.

Maybe I'll let you know what I think later down the line! Wish me luck!

@Quintumply: Can't see you getting stuck! Do let us know how you get on with it as it's one of my favourite FF's. The characters are all pretty awesome and the story is great throughout.

@Quintumply: You may as well try one of the best if you want to get into JRPGs, so I'd recommend Chrono Trigger after you're done with those other games. If you like Pokemon, you might want to check out some other Nintendo JRPGs. Earthbound, Xenoblade, Golden Sun, and most of the Mario RPGs are all worth playing.

A little update for those interested

I've made a start on Final Fantasy IX, and I have to say that I'm immediately enjoying this more than VII. Perhaps I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I was playing VII, but I'm finding the story more interesting, the characters more likeable, and the locations more appealing.

I've just beaten Black Waltz No. 2, so it's still very early on. I think the characters are all about level 6, I'm a little bit paranoid that they're below where they should be! But anyway, as I said, I'm getting on far better with this one.

@Quintumply: The whole game is more welcoming than FF7, characters/music/locations..it' s just a nice environment to be in haha. Glad you're enjoying it.

You do sound a little low level perhaps, do a few battles

@Quintumply: Keep going with it or give up?? lol