JRPGs are a rich and diverse genre largely focused on classic RPG-style gameplay—a linear but fleshed-out and well-developed story, solid character building through dialogue, exposition, and descriptions. This genre has had its ups and downs, but it has always produced some of the most iconic franchises in gaming such as Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona.
JRPGS are usually colorful and vibrant. They generally depict serious tales of struggle, war, and conflict but are able to paint over it without getting too dark and making the games accessible for most age brackets. The lion's share of JRPGS are not rated Mature 17+ by the ESRB, but there are some popular franchises and individual entries that thrive in the mature rating. In fact, some of the best JRPGS of the last few decades have the M rating, and they are laid out below.
6 Code Vein
Code Vein takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a lot of the characteristics of the inhabitants mirror vampires. This game was influenced by Dark Souls but adds its own personal touch as well. Code Vein is brutal and bloody and features a ton of mature content, so its rating makes sense.
As a game, it has a fun and unique premise. But large portions of it, particularly some environments and bosses, can feel stale and repetitive which takes away from the overall experience. Regardless, this game and any sequels have a ton of potential to use both their M rating and the premise to great effect.
5 Persona 5
Persona 5 is lauded as one of the best games of its generation, with an amazing soundtrack, fun and rewarding gameplay, and of course, a great story. Persona 5, while not as grounded as its predecessor, still features tons of darker themes and has a gripping narrative.
Moreover, this game focuses quite a bit on the social aspect of the protagonist's life, with tons of content related to intimacy, dating, graphic content, and sexual themes. These aspects are all part of the Persona 5 experience and do well to add to the game's storyline.
4 Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve was Square Enix's first-ever game to get the mature rating, and boy did it earn it. Parasite Eve features players as a rookie cop having to deal with genetic mutations, people self-combusting, and a mad scientist tormenting New York.
This game relishes on the M rating as it features a plethora of content not suitable for kids, be it tons of gore and violence or the sexual content that is vital to the story's narrative. Parasite Eve was an underrated classic with a unique story that hasn't been replicated to this day, and decent combat to go along with it.
3 Nier Automata
The best thing about Nier: Automata is the incredible combat that combines hack-and-slash with classical JRPG elements to create one of the most fluid and satisfying combat systems out there. The gameplay system adapts to the narrative, as well as to how players have been tackling certain missions or battles as well. All of this makes for an outstanding game.
Coupled with this, Nier: Automata has a gripping and serious story focused on civil war, discrimination, and varying ideas about morality. This game doesn't shy away from tackling real-world issues. Be it a conflict between neighboring countries or how prejudices become ingrained in the minds of the general population, it deals with it all through the 'emotionless' perspective of the protagonist.
2 Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is the only game in the Yakuza franchise so far that has been rated M and intended for more mature and older audiences. The Yakuza series, while having some moments of ruthless violence, and some darker story elements, have largely been comic-esque in their presentation. Like A Dragon continues that trend, but it turns it up a notch.
This game features a ton of over-the-top and almost comedic violence quite frequently. Even the cutscenes feature some brutal moments. Along with that. Like A Dragon has some sexual content and its fair share of censored swear words as well. All of this fits exceptionally well into the established Yakuza world, and while the new combat system might alienate some, this is a very good game, with some of the best characters in the franchise. The series is assumed to get even better.
1 Persona 4
Persona is one of the quintessential JRPG franchises out there, and it's rare in the sense that each entry has gotten better and better. Persona 4 is an incredible game, based around a murder-mystery plot. Players pilot a high-school student in a remote Japanese town where bodies are dropping like flies. The protagonists essentially form an investigation team to get to the root of the matter.
Persona 4, like essentially every entry in the franchise, is rated M. This is largely due to the game's story being violent, dark, and full of twists and turns. Players can go from horrified to gripped by sadness as this game delivers one of the most compelling narratives in any JRPG out there.