JRPGsare games that generally offer a grandiose and fantastical story set in a world brimming with lore and detail.
This usually leads to a remarkable experience that you would need to see to believe, but sadly, unless your pals are willing to sit idly by and watch you have all the fun, there aren’t a lot of JRPGs that cater to multiplayer gaming.
10 Best Classic JRPGs on PS Plus
With the JRPG making a comeback recently, it’s no wonder that Sony has capitalized on the trend by having many of the classic JRPGs available on PS Pl
But fear not; there’s a limited amount, but that doesn’t mean that there are no viable options.
The JRPG genre has a few great titles that buck the usual trend and offer sublime experiences that provide co-op-friendly fun. This means group battles, shared exploration, and so much more.
So, if you want to link up with a buddy and, through the power of friendship, fight God. Then these titles are the best way to get your JRPG fix as a team.
10Shining Soul 2
We kick things off with a GBA gem rehashing a SEGA Genesis classic. How’s that for retro?
Shining Soul is a series that doneDiablobeforeDiablowas even a thing, allowing you to kill repetitive enemies, and get your hands on all the lovely loot that you can carry, and this simple but effective formula translates to the GBA handhold rather nicely.
But the real appeal of this title was the co-op feature that allowed up to four pals to take on this deceptively tough adventure as a group.
Naturally, you need a wired connection as this was some pretty primitive tech, but if you’re willing to forfeit some modern luxuries, you’ll discover a JRPG co-op gem.
9Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
A Forgotten Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
So, here’s the sales pitch for this one.Final Fantasy Crystal Chroniclesmay not be the bestFinal Fantasygame. Heck, it might not even be in the top half of the ever-growing library.
But, it’s just about the only co-opFinal Fantasyoption you have outside ofDissidiaandStrangers in Paradise, so while not perfect, you’ll have to make do.
Perhaps that’s a little harsh, as this GameCube native title is a serviceable JRPG with some fun ideas and quintessential Final Fantasy charm. Not to mention a strangely compelling battle Royale closing circle combat system, and a deceptively dark narrative.
Plus, the game offers up to four-player co-op, allowing you and your friends to immerse yourself in this forgotten FF offering.
It may be a little dated, to say the least, but it’s a relic of times gone by that has been restored to the Nintendo Switch, so there’s no excuse not to at least try it on for size.
The JRPG For Couples
This one is sometimes a hard sell to JRPG fans, as many suggest that it is pretty far removed from the JRPG genre in many ways. But, thanks to the game’s serviceable turn-based combat, we are slotting it in here confidently.
For those unaware, Haven is probably the only game out there that really embraces the loving couple co-op dynamic, allowing players to watch love grow in real-time as you control the game’s two protagonists.
It’s a game with phenomenally satisfying traversal mechanics, beautiful pastel visuals, and a story of love, loss, and dystopian oppression.
It may have some rather lukewarm foraging and cleaning activities, but overall, it’s the best couple co-op game on the market, perhaps aside from It Takes Two.
7Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
Absolute Remake Bait
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
We’re heading back to the world of Nintendo handhelds again, but not quite as far as the GBA this time. Sentinels of the Starry Skies was a Nintendo DS Dragon Quest entry, and a brilliant one at that.
Sadly, it’s a little underrated among JRPG fans, mainly due to its being trapped on this dated handheld. However, this mainline Dragon Quest game is just as rich in content and wonder as every other.
10 Best SNES JRPGs, Ranked
There’s a reason why SNES is often considered the golden age for JRPGs.
You’ll have all the usual Arika Toriyama-fueled brilliance you’d expect, but the real standout feature here is the co-op.
Aside from the initial hour, you’ll be able to play the entire game with a party of pals, and that’s a 40+ hour campaign for those wondering. In short, that’s a lot of DQ action, so provided you’re willing to dust off your old DS, a bountiful adventure is waiting for you and your pals to dive in.
6Cassette Beasts
The Indie Pokemon Killer
Cassette Beasts
Are you tired of the same old Game Freak Pokemon slop? Well, then you might want to check out thisbonfied indie Pokemon killer.
Cassette Beasts is one of the finest JRPG creature-tamer games on the market, offering a fresh new formula that puts Pokemon to shame, while also offering a cool setting in New Wirral and a batch of cool characters to get to know as you attempt to return to your version of reality.
And speaking of those cool characters, you and a friend can play in local co-op for the entire campaign, allowing them to play as your various companions and use their signature Cassette Beasts to help you as you progress. It’s co-op Pokemon, but better. What’s not to love?
5YS IX: Monstrum Nox
Brilliant, Minus A Wonky Camera
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
Before everyone shouts at me for even including this one, I know that the co-op functionality is far from perfect in YS IX. But, even still, a janky attempt is better than nothing at all, and if you’re willing to overlook the haphazard camera, you’ll find that there’s a lot of joy to be had here.
Unlike in YS VIII, this co-op feature allows players to drop in and out as they please and explore the world alongside their partner. Not to mention aiding them in battle.
I will say that platforming sequences while in co-op are best avoided as the camera will go haywire, which isn’t fun at all, but aside from this, it’s a very serviceable feature and one that can help you get even more fun out of the YS series if you’ve just milked Nordics for all it’s worth.
This feature is exclusive to PC, so console players sadly won’t be able to play YS IX in co-op.
4Secret of Mana
Together, To The Mana Tree
Secret of Mana
When gamers think of co-op JRPGs, they likely think of Secret of Mana by default, as it was pretty much the first game to offer such a feature.
This SNES classic allows you to explore a pretty pixelated world and enjoy a low-stakes story with real-time combat and timing-based inputs that would later become a recurring theme in the JRPG scene during this era.
However, what has been seldom replicated is the three player co-op that allowed for drop-in, drop-out gameplay across the entire campaign.
Secret of Mana is one of those bucket list JRPGs that everyone should play, so if you or a friend hasn’t had the pleasure, there’s no time like the present to hop in together and experience the magic for yourself.
3Tales of Symphonia
A Legendary Tale
Tales Of Symphonia Remastered
In truth, we were pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to Tales games, as, aside fromAriseandLegendia, all Tales games offer co-op in some shape or form. However, we feel it’s only right to give the nod to this classic.
Tales of Symphonia is probablythestandout Tales game even to this day, thanks to the amazing writing, the accessible but relatively complex combat system, and the wealth of content on offer.All of which is enhanced by the benefit of bringing someone else along for the ride.
Tales of Symphoniaallows a second player to help by getting their hands dirty in battle, allowing you to strategize with them in real-time to come out victorious.
If you want the best experience possible, you might want to avoid the Remaster, as it’s a real downgrade on the original.
2Eternal Sonata
A Musical Death Dream
Eternal Sonata
I’m sure we are all aware of the esteemed pianist Frédéric Chopin. But just in case you aren’t, they are a famous musician who died of Tuberculosis in the 1840’s. Truly the Kurt Cobain of his day.
This seems rather irrelevant, but actually, this is super important info, as Eternal Sonata sees you play through the composer’s musically focused and fantastical dreams as he passes away, allowing you to go on atruly unique adventure like no other.
The game offers a thrilling story, a unique blend of turn-based and real-time elements, offering a perfect middle ground for fans of both combat disciplines, and as you would expect, it offers a bespoke musical score that is excellent.
This can all be enjoyed via couch co-op, as additional players will be able to control fellow party members in battle.It’s a JRPG hidden gem,and one that warrants breaking out an Xbox 360 or PS3 to see what you were missing back in the late 2000’s.
1Sea of Stars
Chrono Trigger, But Better
Sea of Stars
Topping our list, we have a game that was once a single-player experience, but thanks to the Dawn of Equinox DLC, alongside some great additional content, the full campaign is now playable in three-player co-op.
This allows players to team up in combat to perform timed actions in unison, explore the pixelated paradise of Sea of Stars independently, and enjoy the variety of new combat additions that come with this update, such as Mystery Locks and Sticky Combo Points.
However, the standout feature, at least in my eyes, is the ability to play 1v1 Wheels with a friend. A feature I adore because, quite frankly, Wheels deserves to be its own game.
Sea of Stars is one of the best modern JRPGs of all time, and now you may bring two pals along for the ride. Now, that’s news that warrants celebrating. Garl, fire up the grill!
11 Best Creature-Tamer JRPGs
Gamers love to assemble a team of wonderful monsters. Here’s our list of some of the very best monster catcher JRPGs!
