On the daybreak of the house console period, there was one style that all the time made its mark in sport catalogs, even when its world domination did not come till 1997: JRPGs.
The one cause I nonetheless have a job right here and might diversify my lists is as a result of we had an unimaginable variety of JRPG collection again on the SNES, PS1, and PS2 days, to not point out those launched solely in Japan.
Nevertheless, because the business developed, it additionally confronted some challenges and struggles. A few of these we nonetheless see within the each day information, corresponding to elevated growth prices and longer manufacturing cycles. Consequently, many JRPG collection could not stand up to these challenges and pale into oblivion.
That is what this listing is all about. I will share with you some JRPG franchises that would really shock me in the event that they ever bought a brand new sequel, both as a result of the collection has been lacking for ages or as a result of its newest launch was thought-about a flop.
10
.hack
An Formidable Franchise
The .hack franchise is perhaps probably the most obscure right here, but additionally the most important, spanning video games, anime, and novels. Granted, many of the video games are just about the identical, and so they do not even attempt to disguise that truth by naming themselves as half 1, half 2, and so forth. However they nonetheless depend as new titles.
CyberConnect2 started creating the .hack collection in 2002. It featured a singular setting that mimicked an MMORPG inside a sport. As Kite, it is our obligation to find why customers are falling into comas whereas taking part in the digital actuality MMORPG known as The World. Fairly a typical premise these days, huh?
Initially, the video games bought properly and acquired honest evaluations, however as new titles got here out, they had been affected by repetition and uninspired design. The collection went on to obtain a standalone PSP sport, a preventing sport for the PS3, and, most just lately (2017 for PS4/PC and 2022 for Swap), a remaster of the .hack//G.U. trilogy.
Regardless of a lukewarm vital reception, .hack//G.U. Final Recode is the best-reviewed title within the collection, which ought to have despatched combined indicators to CyberConnect2. Bandai Namco mentioned it was engaged on a brand new .hack mission, however that was earlier than it canceled a number of titles and minimize its workforce, so nobody is aware of what the long run holds.
9
Grandia
At Least We Have The Assortment
The PS1 is famously generally known as a treasure trove of JRPGs. It was on Sony’s debut console that many corporations wager on this streamlined, albeit extremely artistic style, every creating its personal titles, a lot of which turned full-fledged franchises.
Grandia is a type of instances. The collection started with a lighter tone in comparison with its friends, a real-time turn-based battle system, and an excellent magic fusion mechanic that is still progressive to today. In whole, we bought 4 video games within the collection, with Grandia Xtreme being the often-forgotten one.
So, what occurred? Why did the Grandia flame fade out? First, we had the unlucky passing of the collection creator, Takeshi Miyaji. Then, actually, Grandia Xtreme and Grandia III did not hold gamers engaged. They had been good video games, however not sufficient to outlive the generational leap and justify a brand new title among the many ever-increasing growth prices of the PS3 period.
Mix all these components, and we are able to speculate (although not affirm) one of many the explanation why Grandia, and plenty of different unimaginable PS1 and PS2 JRPG franchises, merely vanished from the map.
8
Shadow Hearts
Penny Blood Is Simply A Fever Dream
Shadow Hearts was a fantastic PS2 collection with a really totally different tone from different JRPGs of its time. It began with the horror RPG Koudelka earlier than slowly transitioning right into a extra comedic tone set in our actual world.
One of many sport’s largest highlights was its Judgment Ring, a timed-input fight function that saved us on our toes, empowering our assaults and spells or utterly fumbling them. Pair that with some fusion talents from our protagonist Yuri, and you’ve got a very distinctive battle system.
The factor is, Shadow Hearts creator Hiroki Kikuta has been attempting (or tried) to provide a non secular successor with Penny Blood. All of it started with a double Kickstarter marketing campaign in 2022 alongside the Wild Arms creator (who’s championing Armed Fantasia). The marketing campaign raised virtually 4 instances its preliminary purpose, however issues turned grim.
Quick-forward two years, and all we have now is a lawsuit over unpaid funds, no writer, and an indefinite delay with no launch window. Penny Blood is, most definitely, lifeless. Armed Fantasia nonetheless updates backers with the occasional teaser, although, so fingers crossed. A minimum of we have now Penny Blood: Hellbound.
7
Mana
The Mana Tree Is Dying
If you have not performed Visions of Mana but, I earnestly ask you to take action. It is a fantastic, heartwarming, and colourful sport with endearing gameplay, artistic programs, and charming characters. Additionally, if you happen to’re acquainted with the Mana collection, there is a boatload of references ready for you.
I say this as a result of all the pieces signifies that Visions of Mana was the newest installment within the franchise. Visions was the primary new sequel in additional than 15 years and its announcement was sufficient to make my hype skyrocket. Nevertheless, each bit of reports surrounding the sport has been gloomy since then.
Ouka Studios, the developer behind the sport, was shut down on the identical day Visions of Mana was launched, which isn’t a very good signal. Though we do not have official public knowledge, it is estimated that the sport bought poorly — one other unlucky bit of reports.
I actually did not see this coming as a result of Trials of Mana, the remake of Seiken Densetsu 3, was one of many few video games that exceeded Sq. Enix’s expectations again in 2020. Since Visions began growth that very same 12 months, I consider Trials’ reception was what motivated a brand new entry. Regardless of all that, nothing ensures we’ll ever see one other Mana title sooner or later.
6
Star Ocean
A Universe of Disillusions
In 2023, we acquired Star Ocean: The Second Story R, a remake of the second sport, largely thought-about the perfect within the collection. The sport exceeded its gross sales expectations and confirmed that the franchise nonetheless deserves a second wind.
Or did it? The sixth entry, Star Ocean: The Divine Power, acquired middling evaluations and apparently did not promote sufficient. Since The Divine Power most definitely had an even bigger funding than The Second Story R, this sends a transparent message to Sq. Enix: nostalgia and remakes promote, new titles with tighter budgets do not.
That is why I believe it isn’t very seemingly we’ll see a brand new Star Ocean sooner or later. I’ve beloved the collection since I first performed it, and I might most likely break my already damaged gaming chair by leaping on it if a sequel announcement ever got here, however I believe that is extra far-fetched than, I do not know, one other Star Ocean remake.
5
Parasite Eve
Carry Aya Brea Again
“Should you do nothing, you’ll lose nothing,” mentioned Aya Brea, and Sq. Enix appears to have taken that to coronary heart. There’s loads of hypothesis about why we have by no means acquired a brand new Parasite Eve or perhaps a remake of the primary sport, and all of it boils all the way down to licensing rights with the novel’s writer, Hideaki Sena. However that is all it’s—hypothesis.
Nevertheless, this idea positive aspects traction after we uncover that the third sport, The third Birthday, misplaced the fitting to make use of Parasite Eve in its title as a result of the writer retracted it after the second sport. To be sincere, that sport may have been known as Tetris Parasite, and it nonetheless would not have escaped mediocrity.
That is the place my argument stands. Would a brand new title stop you from taking part in a Parasite Eve sport? I wager it would not. The one factor that stops players from taking part in a sport is when it is merely not entertaining, which was the case with The third Birthday.
I might like to see one other Aya Brea journey from Sq. Enix, replicating its horror JRPG thematic with a extra real-time ATB fight system. We all know all of it depends upon whether or not the developer needs to make it, not on whether or not the novel author permits it.
4
Earthbound (Mom)
Mom 3 Worldwide Launch Please
Earthbound is, by all accounts, top-of-the-line JRPGs of its time. It isn’t unusual to see folks praising its script, its parody of the style’s clichés, and even its turn-based fight with the rolling HP system. I might like to say the identical about Mom 3, however I by no means performed it as a result of we by no means bought a world launch.
A lot of Earthbound’s recognition is usually attributed to Shigesato Itoi, the franchise’s creator, who directed the primary two video games and wrote all three. A lot to followers’ dismay, Itoi has said that the Earthbound collection is over, which most likely explains why we’ve not seen a brand new launch in virtually 20 years.
Alternatively, Itoi additionally mentioned he would like to see an Earthbound sport from one other developer, sparking a flicker of hope. Would a brand new sport have the identical high quality as its predecessors if the unique creator wasn’t concerned? We’ll by no means know. These days, I might similar to to see an official Mom 3 launch so I can lastly expertise its rhythm-based battle system.
3
Golden Solar
Nintendo, Do Your Bizarre Magic
Of all of the franchises listed right here, I consider Golden Solar is the one most definitely to see a brand new title. Not as a result of it is superior or something like that, however for one cause solely: if Nintendo had the nerve to carry again the Digital Boy, then nothing is off the desk.
The primary two Golden Solar video games, which had been speculated to be one however ended up too lengthy, are a pleasure to play. I do not know what sort of sorcery made them run on the GBA, nevertheless it labored. The third sport, Golden Solar: Darkish Daybreak, did not stay as much as the requirements of its predecessors however was nonetheless good.
Many say the franchise vanished as a result of Camelot selected to concentrate on Mario sports activities video games, which have shorter growth cycles, decrease funding, and a better likelihood of revenue. In any case, on the finish of the day, video games are additionally merchandise.
We now have Mario Tennis Fever coming in 2026, which implies Camelot’s palms are full holding a racket. However I nonetheless consider in Nintendo’s potential to blindside followers with an sudden however oddly fascinating announcement.
2
Chrono
Hear Your Followers, Sq. Enix
I’ve misplaced depend of what number of instances I’ve seen folks asking for a Chrono Set off remake, both within the gorgeous HD-2D visible type or following the identical mould as Remaining Fantasy VII Remake. I nonetheless hope it’s going to occur in the future, particularly contemplating Sq. Enix’s new route.
Nevertheless, greater than a Chrono Set off remake, I might like to see a brand new title within the franchise. Chrono Cross is considered one of my favourite JRPGs ever, and whereas many do not take into account it a worthy successor to Set off, it is nonetheless a part of the identical collection.
The business does not lack Chrono Set off-inspired JRPGs. We have seen many prior to now and can undoubtedly see extra sooner or later. Nonetheless, the one successor I actually need is the long-rumored Chrono Break. To place it plainly, if Sq. simply gave me a time-travel JRPG with just a few Easter eggs that includes a personality we’ll mistake for Magus till the tip of time, I might be happy.
1
Breath of Fireplace
If Solely Goals Got here True
Each time Capcom proclaims a brand new preventing, Ace Legal professional, or Mega Man assortment, my coronary heart skips a beat. It means they’re near exhausting their whole catalog and might begin specializing in different titles, like my favourite JRPG collection ever, Breath of Fireplace.
I’ve come to simply accept that that is all we’ll get from Capcom. Most Breath of Fireplace devs are both engaged on Monster Hunter or Dragon’s Dogma, so I do not anticipate a brand new Breath of Fireplace anytime quickly. Nonetheless, I hope we’ll see a set housing the 5 mainline titles sometime.
Until that assortment reverberates throughout the business and sells thousands and thousands of models, I am unable to see Capcom giving Ryu’s (the dragon one) collection the time of day or releasing a brand new full-fledged sequel. These days, if we would like a mixture of dragons and turn-based fight, we would higher go together with Monster Hunter Tales.
