JRPGs and strong character writing go hand-in-hand, and any title that fails in this department is in for a really tough time. After all, a lengthy and engaging narrative is one of the best parts of any video game, but this is even more important in the story-driven JRPG genre. The most popular games in this genre are known for featuring memorable narratives and amazing characters, with the journey being downright unforgettable in certain titles.
Character development is important in JRPGs, since these games can last hundreds of hours and the lack of any development for the major characters can lead to the adventure feeling a bit static at times. Thankfully, the following games understood the assignment and are known for being some of the best character-driven JRPGs of all time.
8 Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 9 is considered by many to be one of the greatest entry in the series. The game seems like a combination of nostalgic Final Fantasy elements and common JRPG tropes mixed together in one delectable batch, but the title is so much more than what this description suggests.
Despite seeming like elaborate cliches, the characters of Final Fantasy 9 go through a ton of development that turns them into mature and beloved characters. The most notable mentions of the same are Steiner and Vivi, with the latter's story being particularly heartbreaking.
7 Persona 5
Persona 5 is one of the most stylish games on this list, bringing over a new wave of fans to the series and helping them understand the winning formula of this popular Shin Megami Tensei spinoff series.
Persona 5's grand story is pretty engaging as is, but players can uncover several amazing side stories by interacting with the many Confidants in this game. It makes for a great time and ensures that players will be invested in the lives of both their party members and other side characters in the game.
6 Yakuza: Like A Dragon
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Yakuza: Like a Dragon was a game that everyone was worried about, given that this title was shifting from the beloved real-time action of previous games and adopting a turn-based system instead. However, the satisfying nature of this battle system coupled with the ludicrousness of every combat encounter makes it a blast to play through.
Like a Dragon does feel like an experiment at times, but it's amazing how the first-ever effort at creating a Yakuza JRPG was nothing short of an incredible success. Ichiban Kasuga is one of the best Yakuza protagonists of all time, and watching him evolve as a character while interacting with other fresh and familiar faces is a blast.
5 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky
The Legend of Heroes features several arcs and multiple games that are fun, but quite generic in their implementation of fantasy elements. This may lead to people thinking that the title is anything but impressive, but it's the amazing character writing in these games that makes them so worthwhile.
Trails in the Sky and its second chapter are fan favorites for many, with the story of Estelle and Joshua being quite compelling indeed. Their romance may have creepy implications, but these two main characters coupled with the rest of the party members and side characters are quite engaging and show some impressive character development over the course of this magical experience.
4 Tales Of The Abyss
The Tales series is woefully underrated outside of Japan, which is a shame. The real-time action of these games is quite great, but the major highlights are definitely the cast of characters and how they mature and develop over the course of these games.
No title personifies this more than Tales of the Abyss, featuring one of the best-written protagonists in a video game. Luke seems like a privileged brat early on, but the circumstances and friends around him lead to him becoming more level-headed and dependable in a realistic manner.
3 Xenosaga
The Xenosaga trilogy on the PS2 is another series of JRPGs that more people should check out. The games can be a bit rough around the edges but more than make up for this with a story that's full of heart and characters who are quite lovable in their own right.
It's clear that the developers learned from their missteps with Xenogears, and fleshed out every notable character over the course of the three games. Players looking for a meaty series of JRPGs to sink their teeth into should definitely check out Xenosaga.
2 The World Ends With You
The World Ends With You features an intriguing premise with protagonist Neku at the heart of things. Each and every partner Neku gets paired up with are all pretty intriguing in their own right, with the tense situation around them forcing these people to adjust and mature as the story progresses.
Neku himself changes a lot over the course of the series, with the protagonist slowly getting over his social anxiety over the course of this title. The story and style of this game are what turned The World Ends With You into a beloved classic that fans can't get enough of.
1 Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 10 was the franchise's first foray on the PS2 that was nothing short of a runaway success. Aside from its amazing visuals, Final Fantasy 10 is remembered for an emotional story that will keep players hooked to the very end.
This story is rife with its fair share of twists and turns, augmented by a cast of beloved characters who grow and get over their issues in their own way. Even though Tidus may seem like an annoying protagonist, there's no denying that even he becomes quite competent and reliable by the end of the game.