Summary
While JRPGs are widely recognized for theircaptivating stories and memorable characters, not all titles place the main narrative in the forefront. The genre stands out for its variety, offering games that focus more on exploration, combat mechanics, or even detailed world-building. These non-story-focused JRPGs excel by delivering immersive and engaging experiences, even without relying on a linear story.
Whether it’s perfecting combat strategies, diving into rich side quests, or exploring vast and open worlds, theseJRPGs demonstrate that an excellent RPG doesn’t necessarily need a central narrativeto shine. By prioritizing elements like exploration and customization, these games ensure that players remain engaged, offering countless hours of fun for those seeking freedom beyond linear stories.
While thePersonaseries features more intricate plots, Atlus’sShin Megami Tenseigames have always been known as JRPGs prioritizing combat, with the fifth mainline game elevating this aspect. The game’s story, even in theVengeanceversion, is superficial and minimalistic, but this is a deliberate decision that may not appeal to some players.
However, what sustains the gameplay ofShin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeanceis the series' combat system, one of thebest ever produced by Atlus. Additionally, the game heavily prioritizes exploration, allowing players to navigate different areas, encounter new demons to adjust their party composition, and undertake side missions to strengthen the group.
Although it tells a relatively interesting story, its duration inGranblue Fantasy: Relinkis comparatively short. The game opts to emphasize post-game content, offering a wide variety of activities for players, mainly related to character grinding and somechallenging boss battlesthat have a much higher difficulty spike than the main campaign.
Thus,Granblue Fantasy: Relinkis one of the best JRPGs with side content, providing players with ample opportunities for customization and progression. Since the main storyline serves as a “warm-up,” the true game begins at the endgame. Here, players are encouraged to invest time in enhancing builds, exploring advanced mechanics, and tackling escalating challenges that keep the experience dynamic and rewarding.
Etrian Odyssey 2 HD
A Great JRPG Focused On Dungeon Exploration
TheEtrian Odysseyfranchise is one of the most well-known for not placing much focus on the game’s main story, preferring to prioritize other gameplay elements and standing out for it. Therefore, the narrative ofEtrian Odyssey 2, like other games in the series, is quite minimalistic, but with a strong emphasis oncharacter customization and dungeon crawling.
Thus, the JRPG places great emphasis on gameplay, allowing players to choose characters from different classes to build varied compositions and explore complex, challenging labyrinths. The story does exist, but there more to provide context for the adventure, and it can be completely ignored by players who just want to enjoyEtrian Odyssey 2for the experience it offers.
TheDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remakebrought back one of the most iconic RPGs in history in a stunning visual format,preserving the series' roots. Following the tradition of role-playing games not focused on story, the title offers a simple and linear plot while prioritizing the freedom to create and customize one’s party, allowing unique experiences with each playthrough.
With a diverse job system, players can assemble teams ranging from powerful warriors to strategic mages. Progression occurs as new missions emerge, leading the group on an epic journey to save the world. The classic charm of the series combined with modernizations makes this remake an indispensable experience for fans of traditional RPGs.
While the mainlineXenoblade Chroniclesgames offer a strong focus on story and character development within the plot, this franchise spin-off opted for a completely different approach.This Open-world JRPGprefers to focus on map exploration and large-scale combat through mechs, leaving the story aside.
The vast freedom offered inXenoblade Chronicles Xis one of its greatest attractions. Players are encouraged to explore the immense world of Mira, filled with unique biomes, impressive creatures, and hidden secrets. With customizable mechs, engaging side missions, and a strategic combat system, the game rewards curiosity and experimentation over a linear storyline.
Rune Factory 4
Franchise Delivers A Farming Simulator With Roleplay Elements
Derived fromHarvest Moon, theRune Factoryfranchise presents fantastical settings where, in addition to traditional genre mechanics like dungeon exploration and combat, players also have the option to manage a farm and interact with NPCs. Thus, as one of the best JRPGs where the story takes a backseat,it focuses on elements like farming, item crafting, and dungeon exploration, offering players a diverse and engaging experience.
The focus ofRune Factory 4, on the other hand, is on managing the farm and exploring the different dungeons the game offers, as well as building relationships with the various characters living in the town. The side missions, relationships with NPCs, and combat mechanics are more interesting than the main story, demonstrating how the game can still be fun by offering only a basic plot.
Although there is a narrative that serves to contextualize the player, the story ofDragon Quest Builders 2can be completely ignored, since the game’s focus is onbuilding and exploration mechanics, both of which work very well. The gameplay of this title is also different from the traditional approach the franchise has, but it remains fun and interesting.
The true fun ofDragon Quest Builders 2lies in its creative freedom. Players can build entire villages, customize structures, and explore vast territories while collecting resources and facing enemies. Combining RPG and simulation elements, the game attracts those who prefer engaging mechanics over a linear narrative, delivering a unique and captivating experience.
Fantasy Lifeis one of the best JRPGs with side content, combining elements of traditional RPGs with life simulation mechanics. The game offers players the opportunity to explore a vast world while switching between different classes, each bringing different customization options and also shifting the focus of the gameplay.
The strength ofFantasy Lifelies in its side content. Side missions, detailed crafting, and exploration of varied regions keep the player immersed for hours. The story serves only as a backdrop, allowing the fun to lie in the freedom to shape the journey, making it perfect for those seeking experiences rich in content beyond the main narrative.
