Summary
It’s almost as if there’s something magical about JRPGs that makes fans of the genre unable to stop playing these titles for hundreds upon hundreds of hours. Whether it is the deep lore, the lovable cast of characters, the charming atmosphere, or the classic turn-based combat, JRPGs are bound to enchant players with at least one of their aspects. Over the years, the JRPG genre has become one of the biggest gaming genres out there. From Square Enix’sFinal Fantasygames to Atlus’sPersonafranchise, JRPGs have come a long way.
To add to theaddictive nature of JRPGs, fans can now experience many of these beloved games with even greater immersion on Sony’s newest console, the PlayStation 5. The console has yet tobuild its own solid libraryof new and originalJRPGs, but there are still tons of great titles that players can play on thePS5.
Updated July 02, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:There was a time when many people considered the JRPG genre to be down and out for the count, with many people feeling like epic Western RPGs were the way to go. However, it didn’t take long for people to realize that this genre still had a lot of legs to stand upon, with Japanese game design evolving after a long time to make the most of the current hardware.
Now, with the advent of the PS5, there are several great JRPGs on this console that players can check out if they want to immerse themselves in an epic adventure with riveting storylines and memorable characters.
The remake of a classic PSP gem,Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunionis one of the few good spin-off titles Square Enix has developed. With the craze aroundFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthat an all-time high, it’s easy to see why so many players would love to revisit some of the classic titles in this anthology.
Zack’s story inCrisis Coreis heartbreaking, with the combat being overhauled to be more action-focused than ever before. While some of the PSP’s dated philosophies still plague this title, fans ofFinal Fantasy 7and its riveting world will love whatCrisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunionbrings to the table.
12Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
Metascore: 80
Valkyrie Profileis easily one of the more unique JRPGs that players can check out. Despite releasing many years ago, the innovative battle system and the obtuse nature of the story still hit a tone with fans who love the ambition this game exhibits. The fact that this game’s updated version was released on the PS5 is a testament to how well the title has aged even after all this time.
Trying to get the true ending of this game is as convoluted as can be, but players who become invested in Lenneth’s story won’t mind jumping through these hoops. It can take a while to get into, but players who giveValkyrie Profile: Lennetha chance will be more than pleased by what this title brings to the table.
Bandai Namco’sScarlet Nexusis a third-person action RPGthat was released in June of 2021, featuring exhilarating combat and a solid narrative. The game is divided into two intertwining stories starring Yuito Sumeragi and Kasane Randall, who are members of an organization fighting against beings known as Others to protect humanity.
Set in a futuristic alternate world,Scarlet Nexusgives players the ability to play around with psychokinetic powers allowing them to move objects with their minds. The combat also features various weapons allowing for more variation in the game’s play style.Scarlet Nexuswas praised for its gameplay, but some found the two branching stories tiresome. The game received a Metascore of 80 for the PlayStation 5.
TheoriginalNierwas a pretty unique gamewith a great premise that was unfortunately forgotten to the sands of time because of its clunky gameplay and muted art style. Thankfully, the launch ofNier: Automatamade people finally realize the hidden potential of this game, with players loving the gameplay switches and the complex story that compelled players to check out each ending in the title.
As a result, interest in theNierseries was higher than ever before, and Yoko Taro capitalized on this with a remaster of the originalNiergame with both visual and gameplay improvements. Fans could now finally experience the first game in the series properly, with this title being a blast to play through in every way.
The firstOctopath Travelerwas a great title that channeled the old-school energy of most popular JRPGs, withthe olderFinal Fantasytitles being a great example of the same. However, there’s no denying that the game had its fair share of issues that bogged down the whole experience somewhat.
The sequel rectified most of these issues, allowing players to enjoy the game without any caveats. Party members actually interacted with each other properly during their storylines instead of these conversations taking place in a completely different plane of existence. This, coupled with the many refinements and improvements to a solid combat system, makeOctopath Traveler 2a perfect sequel and one of thebest PS5 JRPGs.
Yakuza: Like A Dragonwas first released in Japan in January 2020 before hitting stores worldwide in November of the same year. The game takes the long-running and critically acclaimedYakuzaseries in a new direction, with a fresh cast ofcharismatic charactersand an engrossing new storyline.
However, the characters and story aren’t all that has changed, as the game also ditches theYakuzaseries' tried and tested beat ‘em up mechanics in favor of turn-based combat. This bold move could have backfired, though Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio did an excellent job with the new battle system.
Despite all of the changes to the series, theYakuzaseries retains many of the factors that fans love about the IP, including the hilarious, over-the-top, and oftenbizarre substories.
Players yearning for a medieval fantasy adventure can dive intoBandai Namco’sTales of Ariseon the PlayStation 5.Tales of Ariseis an action RPG and is the seventeenth mainline game in theTalesfranchise. The game serves as a perfect entry point for newcomers and retains enough depth to feel familiar to returning fans of the series. With gorgeous anime-inspired visuals, deep lore, and a great combat system,Tales of Arisetakes the series to the next level.
The game follows protagonists Alphen and Shionne from an enslaved planet called Dahna as they, along with other strong-willed characters, fight to overthrow the lords of the nearby reigning planet of Rena.Tales of Arisemet exceptionally positive reviews at launch and has a Metascore of 87 for the PlayStation 5.
Final Fantasy 16takes the franchise in a whole new direction, with an unerring focus on real-time action and a single protagonist. While some people may lament these changes, there’s no denying thatFinal Fantasy 16’s bold initiative to be different is certainly quite amazing in its own right.
Clive is a pretty great protagonist, playing a central role in a story rife with political intrigue, heartwarming characters, and a healthy dose ofFinal Fantasymadness. The game has some rough edges that stem from its barren world design and poor side quests, but those can be overlooked in the grand scheme of things.
After a long time, fans were glad to finally get their hands on an updated version of what many people believe to be thePersonagame with the best narrative. Combining the morbidity of this plot withPersona 5’s updated presentation,Persona 3 Reloadis a treat for fans of the series who can’t wait to see what else Atlus has in store for them.
The lack of a female protagonist is not ideal in the slightest, but that shouldn’t take away from what is otherwise a masterful experience. Both new and returning players will have a blast withPersona 3 Reloadand its emotionally charged story that is very much unlike the lighthearted tales told in this game’s sequels.
It’s still hard to believe that theYakuzafranchise moved away from its real-time combat roots to focus on turn-based JRPG combat instead, with the franchise dropping theYakuzaname and usingLike a Dragoninstead. Still, fans of this series’ formula will loveLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthfor what it brings to the table.
The turn-based combat is still a blast to engage with, even if some of the complaints that players had haven’t been addressed properly. Still, this is a small setback for what is otherwise a charming game that keeps the plot rolling every step of the way and features a ton of humor that hits the mark in more ways than one.
