How many of us,JRPGfans, have put a game aside, gone to take care of life, came back months later, and just started thinking, “What the hell was I doing here again?” Both in terms of gameplay and story.
It’s a communal feeling, I know. I stopped at Disc 2 ofLost Odysseylast year and still haven’t dared to go back because I know I won’t remember a thing and will end up restarting, throwing 20 hours of gameplay down the drain.
9 JRPGs With Steep Learning Curves
Studying for a master’s degree feels easier than playing these JRPGs.
That’s why, thinking about the struggles of being a JRPG fan, I made this list ofthe 10 easiest JRPGs to pick up and play. It doesn’t mean they lack challenges, but rather, it’s those uncomplicated, streamlined games where you can stay away for years, and when you come back, it still feels like home.
To reinforce, this list isn’t necessarily about easy or beginner-dedicated JRPGs. It’s about those you don’t need to spend hours reading tutorials to learn their systems.
10Sea of Stars
2003’s Best Independent Game
Sea of Stars
I putSea of Starshere, but I could easily swap it forChrono Trigger. Not only are they similar, but the learning curves in both are extremely friendly. Plus,Sea of Starshas some quality-of-life features that promote getting back in after a long hiatus away from the JRPG.
As a traditional turn-based JRPG,Sea of Starshas some unique mechanics, like the locks system and a few timed-based skills with flashy animations.However, it’s super easy to grasp and start playing effortlessly. I left it on hold for two years, came back for theThroes of the Watchmakerreview, and in less than ten minutes, everything clicked back.
Maybe it’s the fact that we spend more time exploring and solving dungeon puzzles than actually fighting, or how each character only has four skills max, streamlining combat to the max. Either way,Sea of Starsis a perfect pick for a handheld session during a commute.
9Costume Quest
Children’s Story For Adults
Costume Quest
Who knew that Tim Schafer, the creator ofPsychonauts, would show the world his take on anAmerican-made JRPG? Luckily, he did, and that got usCostume Quest, a cozy and captivating, fun turn-based game with an incredible atmosphere.
InCostume Quest, it’s Halloween. We play as children trick-or-treating until monsters from another dimension try to steal our candy. And whoever told them it’s easy to steal candy from a kid was deeply mistaken – at least inCostume Quest’sscenario. I steal candy from clueless kids all the time.
It’s a silly, comfortable game, but that’s precisely where its charm lies.Every kid can change costumes, which basically changes their class, adding new abilities in battle governed by time-based inputs. Since it’s a story starring kids, it’s also easy to follow. But remember, it was made by Tim Schafer, so you know you can expect a witty script and a fantastic payoff.
8Pokémon Let’s Go
Permanent EXP Share
Pokemon Let’s Go
Pokémonis that kind of game that’s simple on the surface, but if you dig deep into its systems or check out competitive tournaments, you’ll notice there’s a giant layer of strategy involving your six Pokémon, each one’s four moves, the items in your bag, and even the ones they’re holding.
But since this list is about the most uncomplicated JRPGs, let’s throw all that aside and focus on the casual experience. I could put any mainline entry here, but I pickedPokémon Let’s Gobecause they were the first to introduce EXP Share as a core feature right from the start.
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So ifyou’re the kind of player who likes to just use one Pokémon from start to finish to steamroll through trainers and gyms, you absolutely can and won’t be punished for it.After all, all your benched Pokémon are leveling up along with your onslaught.
Not to mention how simplified these two games are, with the possibility of playing multiplayer and even transferring your high-CP creatures fromPokémon GOtoLet’s Go.
7Harvestella
Final Fantasy Farming Sim
Harvestella
It’s a shamethat Harvestellawas overlooked due to Square Enix’s hectic release schedule at the time because this JRPG is an absolute treat to play. Much likeRune FactoryandStory of Seasons, it mixes a farming simulator with an action RPG, but with Square Enix’s own flavor.
Right from the start,Harvestellashows it will focus more on the plot thanother farming sims. In the game’s universe, there’s a seasonal event called Quietus that fills the air with dust. Anyone who breathes this dust catches a terminal disease, but in our protagonist’s case, nothing happens. Too bad they can’t explain why, since they have amnesia.
The village of Lethe decides to adopt us and hands us a farm, where we begin our duties, living off the land.The farming sim part is exactly how you’re imagining and, if you’re anything like me, dangerously addictive as always.
In the meantime, we can visit other villages, pick up quests, and explore dungeons. That’s when the action RPG part kicks in. The protagonist learns new classes, each with their own attacks and abilities. The gameplay system is a bit lacking compared to dedicated action RPGs, but it’s still engaging and dynamic enough whenever you get tired of harvesting cucumbles(to the editor: this is the in-game name of the item!).
6Trials of Mana
Trials Without Tribulations
Trials of Mana (2024)
you’re able to pick eitherSecret of ManaorTrials of Manasince both games are available on modern platforms. But when I tried to replaySecret, I got so lost that I’d rather recommendTrials of Mana, one of the most beginner-friendly action JRPGs for the busy gamer.
We begin the game by selecting three characters to accompany us on our adventure, with the first one chosen to serve as the protagonist. There are three distinct storylines, but they all boil down to defeating the big baddie and saving the Mana Tree. Which is good if you’re looking for something laid-back.
Combat is as simple as it gets, but there’s still a layer of strategy with elements, enemy weaknesses, and item usage.Each character has a class, which can evolve down either the Light or Dark path. These then evolve once again into two distinct paths until reaching one final Class 4.
Trials of Manais the perfect example of a JRPG that isn’t strictly a breeze but is painless to learn. Paying attention to the boss’s element and hitting its weakness is probably the most you’ll have to think about in battle besides mashing the attack button and spamming dodge, a blessing for anyone who just wants to play while chilling on the couch.
5Paper Mario
Mario Is Every Gamer BFF
Paper Mario
I didn’t putChrono Triggeron this list because I already pickedSea of Stars, so I know how contradictory it sounds to includePaper Mario. But hear me out.One of the reasons whyPaper Mariois one of the easiest JRPGs to play is because, at most, you only control two characters per battle.
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The turn-based combat has timed hits, just like its predecessor,Super Mario RPG—which inspiredSea of Stars—but the tutorial is much friendlier, and the battles are nifty and intuitive. For instance, would you ever jump on a Goomba wearing a spiked helmet? Please, tell me you said no.
There are also a bunch of mechanics that borrow from platformers, a staple in any Mario game, but they don’t really add complexity. After all, jumping in video games is like riding a bike. You never forget.
4Final Fantasy XV
The Most Beginner-Friendly Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy 15
Fextralife Wiki
I’m one of those people who waited ten years forFinal Fantasy Versus XIII, cheered when it becameFinal Fantasy XV, and then felt utterly disappointed when I finally played it. But since my rant has nothing to do with the topic at hand, I’ll leave it at that.
One thing I can’t deny is that, for better or worse,Final Fantasy XVis totally easy to pick up and play. The battle system, a mix of real-time and a wonky command-based system, depending on your settings, is overly simplistic.You just hold the attack button, and Noctis will wipe the floor with your enemieswhile occasionally mashing the dodge button when needed.
When you camp with your boy band, you level up and spend points in a skill tree. But honestly, it changes nothing because you’ll keep spamming the attack button and swapping gear for whatever has the highest stats.
As I said, for better or worse,Final Fantasy XVis agreat JRPGfor anyone who doesn’t want to invest too much time because the game doesn’t demand it. It even has an in-game story recap to keep you up to speed with what’s happening—but trust me, you probably won’t care. The real charm is in the boys' banter, which occurs naturally while you drive your convertible around.
3Dragon Quest XI
Dragon Quest Never Misses
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
You’re probably tired of hearing thatDragon Questis the most traditional JRPG series ever, but it’s the absolute truth. Maybe that will change with the upcomingDragon Quest XII, but even the HD-2D remakes of the first threeDragon Questgames still stick to several staples that make them incredibly easy to grasp.
However, instead of puttingDragon Quest III HD-2Don this list, I went withDragon Quest XI. That’s because the HD-2D games still have some old-school features like random encounters and hidden items tucked away in the middle of nowhere, whileDragon Quest XIwent full modern with quality-of-life upgrades, yet still serves the same meat and potatoes the franchise is known for.
You’ve got a party of characters, you get into battles by bumping into enemies on the field, you pick commands, and your characters execute them. Once you hit an experience threshold, you level up and spend points to unlock new abilities. It doesn’t get more straightforward than that, yet it’s still amusing.
Dragon Quest XIis also full of markers—even ones that tell you when there’s a new side quest on the other side of the world—a dream come true for completionists. It also features a story recap that keeps you up to date with all the recent events every time you boot it up, so you never feel left out.
2Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
It’s Fun To Stay At The Ys
Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of DANA
IfDragon Questis widely seen as the forbear of JRPGs,Yseasily wears the crown as the pioneer of action JRPGs. Historically, the first one wasDragon Slayer, made by Nihon Falcom. And guess who madeYs? Ding, ding, ding.
Right now, we’ve got over ten mainlineYsgames, and if there’s one thing they’ve all stuck to, it’s their direct combat and progression system. You can pick anyYsavailable on modern platforms, and you’ll learn the ropes in your first session. But if you’re open to suggestions, go forYs VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana.
Lacrimosa of Danais so streamlined that it doesn’t even have in-game currency. All equipment comes from afulfilling crafting system. Combat uses the basic commands you expect from any action game—attack, dodge, and skills—but throws in its own twists, like the Flash Guard.
There’s a dash of strategy, like dealing with damage types and enemy weaknesses. Still, overall, as far as JRPGs go,Yshas one of the most beginner-friendly action combat for anyone who doesn’t want to fry their brain with tutorials.
1Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg
Graduation Is The Endgame
Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg
Just likePokémon, I could’ve listed pretty much any entry from theAtelierseries here. Nonetheless, as progress dictates, the more modern ones tried to spice up the crafting system, and that ended up creating a few mechanics that can be rather confusing for anyone who doesn’t fully engage with them.
That’s why I went withAtelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg, the remake of the very firstAtelier. The crafting system here was still a prototype of what the series aimed to become, but it had already nailed the whole alchemist vibe.
You collect materials and use them in recipes—done and done.The turn-command-based combat features a timeline that displays every character’s order, allowing you to plan your moves effectively.
The biggest downside of the originalAtelier Mariewas that it had a time limit. Every action consumed time, and you had five years to play before Marie graduated from school. Cute but stressful. Thankfully, the remake allows you to turn off the time constraint, giving players more freedom and making the whole experience much more chill.
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