What's the best JRPG of the last decade?

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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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Poll What's the best JRPG of the last decade? (68 votes)

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King 18%
Final Fantasy XII 16%
Persona 3 6%
Persona 4 24%
Tales of Vesperia 3%
Xenoblade Chronicles 26%
Fire Emblem Awakening 7%
Bravely Default 0%

So I just bought Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. Figured I might as well give the game another shot, and since I am likelier to finish it on a handheld, I bought the 3DS version. Context: I've played, and hated, Xenoblade before. But hey, this happened once before with Persona 4, where I didn't care for it on the PS2, then I played it on Vita some time later and I adored it, so I figured why not try it with this game too.

So there's that.

Anyway, back to the point- which JRPG of the last decade is the best? How would you rank them? Also, specifically pertaining to my purchase, how is Xenoblade? Why will I like it, if I am, in general, a JRPG nut?

Also, I may be a bit drunk

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soulitane

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#1 soulitane
Member since 2010 • 15091 Posts

Is TWEWY considered a JRPG, if so, that.

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deactivated-58ce94803a170

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#2  Edited By deactivated-58ce94803a170
Member since 2015 • 8822 Posts

Mine is Xenoblade Chronicles, never have i played a JRPG so innovating in mechanics, story, and sound since Chrono Trigger. Every single thing about the game is amazing.

The best thing about Xenoblade is the hardcore depth of mechanics and the epic story that will twist and turn and keep you guessing till the end.

Also has dynamic quest which helps with the immersion and bringing the world to life, the environments are very immersive. You feel one with the world. You can be in one place and see where at you are in the world by looking at the sky.

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Shadowchronicle

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#3  Edited By Shadowchronicle
Member since 2008 • 26969 Posts

Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch

my jrpg of the decade imo

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N64DD

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#4 N64DD
Member since 2015 • 13167 Posts

Xenoblade for sure.

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#5 Moistcarrot
Member since 2015 • 1471 Posts

Obviously Xenoblade. God I love that game.

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#6 N64DD
Member since 2015 • 13167 Posts

@shadowchronicle said:

Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch

my jrpg of the decade imo

I would agree if it wasn't for the horribly boring combat.

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#7 Shadowchronicle
Member since 2008 • 26969 Posts

@n64dd said:
@shadowchronicle said:

Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch

my jrpg of the decade imo

I would agree if it wasn't for the horribly boring combat.

Damn thats what I liked about it haha. It was pretty cool but then it got annoying after awhile.

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deactivated-58ce94803a170

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#8  Edited By deactivated-58ce94803a170
Member since 2015 • 8822 Posts

That list is a little too hard to rank. I havnt played Bravely Default, but ive heard people say its amazing so i bought me a copy. I own bout every single one of these games, its a great list.

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#9 N64DD
Member since 2015 • 13167 Posts

@shadowchronicle said:
@n64dd said:
@shadowchronicle said:

Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch

my jrpg of the decade imo

I would agree if it wasn't for the horribly boring combat.

Damn thats what I liked about it haha. It was pretty cool but then it got annoying after awhile.

I liked it's charm (big thanks to studio ghibili) but the combat was was dry and boring. It destroyed the pace of the game for me, but to each their own.

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Juub1990

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#10  Edited By Juub1990
Member since 2013 • 12620 Posts

None of those listed. Golden Sun dumps on all of these games.

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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#11 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

@Juub1990 said:

None of those listed. Golden Sun dumps on all of these games.

Definitely not from the last decade, it was 2003-04.

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#12 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

@soulitane said:

Is TWEWY considered a JRPG, if so, that.

It is! I don't know how I forgot that (or Pokemon)

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#13  Edited By Juub1990
Member since 2013 • 12620 Posts
@charizard1605 said:

Definitely not from the last decade, it was 2003-04.

Wasn't Dragon Quest VIII released in 2004 too? By last decaed I figured you meant 2000-2009.

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#14 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
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@Juub1990 said:
@charizard1605 said:

Definitely not from the last decade, it was 2003-04.

Wasn't Dragon Quest VIII released in 2004 too? By last decaed I figured you meant 2000-2009.

Dragon Quest VIII is 2005. And no, last decade was supposed to mean the last ten years lol. So that's why I've deliberately not incldued Final Fantasy X, Tales of Symphonia, Nocturne, or yes, Golden Sun/Lost Age.

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#15 Juub1990
Member since 2013 • 12620 Posts
@charizard1605 said:

Dragon Quest VIII is 2005. And no, last decade was supposed to mean the last ten years lol. So that's why I've deliberately not incldued Final Fantasy X, Tales of Symphonia, Nocturne, or yes, Golden Sun/Lost Age.

Oh right.

Persona 4 Golden then?

Do I win?

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Maroxad

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#16 Maroxad
Member since 2007 • 23806 Posts

Sengoku Rance

It is what made me go from rather skeptical to jRPGs to actually liking them again.

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#17 TJDMHEM
Member since 2006 • 3260 Posts

fire emblem awakening.

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#18 Shadowchronicle
Member since 2008 • 26969 Posts

Damn Nocturne was good though too. Too bad its not in the last decade.

Was a ballz hard game that made you want to take lollipop from children off the street.

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#19 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

@Juub1990 said:
@charizard1605 said:

Dragon Quest VIII is 2005. And no, last decade was supposed to mean the last ten years lol. So that's why I've deliberately not incldued Final Fantasy X, Tales of Symphonia, Nocturne, or yes, Golden Sun/Lost Age.

Oh right.

Persona 4 Golden then?

Do I win?

Nah, it was a legit question haha. My answer is definitely P4G (or maybe Pokemon HG/SS... which I forgot to list), but I did want to know where others stand.

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Seabas989

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#20 Seabas989
Member since 2009 • 13565 Posts

The last 10 years? Persona 4.

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#21 Maroxad
Member since 2007 • 23806 Posts

@shadowchronicle said:

Damn Nocturne was good though too. Too bad its not in the last decade.

Was a ballz hard game that made you want to take lollipop from children off the street.

Ehh... wasnt that hard. There was a difficulty spike with Matador and Dante. But after that part, it was smooth sailing.

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#22 Shadowchronicle
Member since 2008 • 26969 Posts

@Maroxad said:
@shadowchronicle said:

Damn Nocturne was good though too. Too bad its not in the last decade.

Was a ballz hard game that made you want to take lollipop from children off the street.

Ehh... wasnt that hard. There was a difficulty spike with Matador and Dante. But after that part, it was smooth sailing.

I found the first playthrough really hard if you don't know what's coming up ahead. Matador is really easy with type advantages (well all the bosses are which is the problem).

At times I found the weakness system can kill you with multi attack magics if you have two demons on your team that are weak. On my first playthrough I forgot what monsters but they were all the same and I went through 6 turns of magaru.

I almost threw my controller.

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#23 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

The Matador made me stop playing Nocturne.

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#24  Edited By Juub1990
Member since 2013 • 12620 Posts
@charizard1605 said:

Nah, it was a legit question haha. My answer is definitely P4G (or maybe Pokemon HG/SS... which I forgot to list), but I did want to know where others stand.

I might sound like an old nostalgic but that list kinda suck.

The decade before you had Tales of Symphonia, Star Ocean Till The End of Time, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, Seiken Densetsu 3, Tales of Phantasia, Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story, Suikoden, Grandia, Skies of Arcadia and many many more. Aside from Dragon Quest VIII and Persona games I couldn't stand these other games for more than 10 minutes. My brother did tell my how great Xenoblade was but I got bored of it after the prologue.

Also, Dark Souls doesn't count?

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#25 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
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@Juub1990 said:
@charizard1605 said:

Nah, it was a legit question haha. My answer is definitely P4G (or maybe Pokemon HG/SS... which I forgot to list), but I did want to know where others stand.

I might sound like an old nostalgic but that list kinda suck.

The decade before you had Tales of Symphonia, Star Ocean Till The End of Time, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, Seiken Densetsu 3, Tales of Phantasia, Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story, Suikoden, Grandia and many many more. Aside from Dragon Quest VIII and Persona games I couldn't stand these other games for more than 10 minutes. My brother did tell my how great Xenoblade was but I got bored of it after the prologue.

Also, Dark Souls doesn't count?

I'm sure it does by definition, but I was asking about a very specific style of game that I guess it doesn't fit into.

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#26 khoofia_pika
Member since 2006 • 16761 Posts

Fire Emblem: Awakening, Persona 4 Golden and Pokemon Black/White.

Shame on you for not listing Pokemon.

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#27  Edited By Juub1990
Member since 2013 • 12620 Posts
@charizard1605 said:

I'm sure it does by definition, but I was asking about a very specific style of game that I guess it doesn't fit into.

I know what you mean.

At that point you should have created a question thread first, gathered the most 5 most popular answers and then make a poll with the 5 games along with a ''other'' as a possible choice.

Too many good games are missing. I really liked The World Ends with you but I don't see it. I also enjoyed Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance but again, nowhere on your list.

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#28 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

@Juub1990: I am a wee bit drunk, so I'll be honest, I didn't think too far ahead :p

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#29  Edited By PyratRum
Member since 2013 • 778 Posts

Final Fantasy XII

Still waiting for SE to announce Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job System HD...

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#30 osan0
Member since 2004 • 17775 Posts

either the world ends with you or xenoblade.

xenoblade by a nose perhaps.

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#31  Edited By finalfantasy94
Member since 2004 • 27442 Posts

why did you put ff12? That game was pretty hated as well. Out of this list Fire emblem or p3.

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#32 finalfantasy94
Member since 2004 • 27442 Posts

@mesome713 said:

Mine is Xenoblade Chronicles, never have i played a JRPG so innovating in mechanics, story, and sound since Chrono Trigger. Every single thing about the game is amazing.

The best thing about Xenoblade is the hardcore depth of mechanics and the epic story that will twist and turn and keep you guessing till the end.

Also has dynamic quest which helps with the immersion and bringing the world to life, the environments are very immersive. You feel one with the world. You can be in one place and see where at you are in the world by looking at the sky.

i disagree with some of this. Combat was really good and how the world came to be was interesting. Its just the story and characters surrounding it was uninteresting. I had a better time with the last story.

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#33 cabaretvoltaire
Member since 2015 • 81 Posts

Looks like Dragon Quest 8 has the most votes! Just as it should :)

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#34 quatoe
Member since 2005 • 7242 Posts

Xenoblade Chronicles. Although DQVIII, FFXII and Persona 4 Golden are all badass mother fuckers as well.

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#35 deactivated-5b1e62582e305
Member since 2004 • 30778 Posts

The World Ends With You, easily. Runner up is Final Fantasy XII.

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#36 sailor232
Member since 2003 • 6880 Posts

Xenboblade Chronicles, game is amazing in every way, even the .gif's it spawned are legendary.

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#37 Maroxad
Member since 2007 • 23806 Posts

@shadowchronicle said:
@Maroxad said:
@shadowchronicle said:

Damn Nocturne was good though too. Too bad its not in the last decade.

Was a ballz hard game that made you want to take lollipop from children off the street.

Ehh... wasnt that hard. There was a difficulty spike with Matador and Dante. But after that part, it was smooth sailing.

I found the first playthrough really hard if you don't know what's coming up ahead. Matador is really easy with type advantages (well all the bosses are which is the problem).

At times I found the weakness system can kill you with multi attack magics if you have two demons on your team that are weak. On my first playthrough I forgot what monsters but they were all the same and I went through 6 turns of magaru.

I almost threw my controller.

Oftentimes the enemies in the dungoen gave you hints on what the boss would be like. There were a few exceptions of course. Like the boss who can turn you into a fly... but for most of the part, it mattered too little anyways. Just fog breath 2 times, and then weaken their offense while you are at it, and everything does half damage. At which point, the enemies will no longer be able to spike you to death. Just avoiding hitting enemies with anything they get healed by or reflect and there you go, otherwise merely knowing the mythology can also help quite a bit. Once I got past Dante, my party got access to increasingly good skills, and most enemies lacked sufficient counters to these skills.

First playthrough was on hard, and I didnt have too much trouble with the game.

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#38 khoofia_pika
Member since 2006 • 16761 Posts

Oh crap, I forgot to mention Ni no Kuni.

That too. Excellent game.

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#39 deactivated-58bd60b980002
Member since 2004 • 2016 Posts

Hum it is a tie for me ... Persona 4 Golden, Bravely Default and Ni No Kuni.

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#40 Zlurodirom
Member since 2006 • 1281 Posts

Where's the "other" choice? FE:PoR is as good or better than Awakening for many. Not a single Pokemon listed, even though Soul Silver/Heart Gold is considered one of the best ever. I'm disappointed in this selection.

Choose FFXII because it's better than BD and FE:A, and those are the only 3 I've played.

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#41 deactivated-58bd60b980002
Member since 2004 • 2016 Posts

@mesome713: You bought a copy of Bravely Default but still haven't played it ??? Man ... do it right now. The game is awesome but expect chap 5-7 to be quite boring even though storywise they make a lot of sense.

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#42 N64DD
Member since 2015 • 13167 Posts

@Coco_pierrot said:

@mesome713: You bought a copy of Bravely Default but still haven't played it ??? Man ... do it right now. The game is awesome but expect chap 5-7 to be quite boring even though storywise they make a lot of sense.

Once you get past the grind/replay the same thing again, it picks back up. Can't wait for Bravely Default 2.

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#43 fize4ever
Member since 2009 • 1652 Posts

@Aljosa23 said:

The World Ends With You, easily. Runner up is Final Fantasy XII.

My picks are the same.

g8 taste m8

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#44 N64DD
Member since 2015 • 13167 Posts

@fize4ever said:
@Aljosa23 said:

The World Ends With You, easily. Runner up is Final Fantasy XII.

My picks are the same.

g8 taste m8

I still have yet to play XII. I've played like 5 minutes of it, and never give it a real chance.

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#45 rakadewa19
Member since 2015 • 104 Posts

Persona 4

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#46 fize4ever
Member since 2009 • 1652 Posts

@n64dd said:
@fize4ever said:
@Aljosa23 said:

The World Ends With You, easily. Runner up is Final Fantasy XII.

My picks are the same.

g8 taste m8

I still have yet to play XII. I've played like 5 minutes of it, and never give it a real chance.

You should! Only downside was that the plot's theme is political, but some of the characters are amazing. The Sky Pirate duo and Captain Basch make the ensemble cast that much better. Gameplay is cool too, just don't use the gambit system. I cleared the game with manual inputs just like a standard TBS.

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#47 deactivated-5b1e62582e305
Member since 2004 • 30778 Posts

@n64dd said:
@fize4ever said:
@Aljosa23 said:

The World Ends With You, easily. Runner up is Final Fantasy XII.

My picks are the same.

g8 taste m8

I still have yet to play XII. I've played like 5 minutes of it, and never give it a real chance.

Just wait until the inevitable HD remaster.

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#48 N64DD
Member since 2015 • 13167 Posts

@fize4ever said:
@n64dd said:
@fize4ever said:
@Aljosa23 said:

The World Ends With You, easily. Runner up is Final Fantasy XII.

My picks are the same.

g8 taste m8

I still have yet to play XII. I've played like 5 minutes of it, and never give it a real chance.

You should! Only downside was that the plot's theme is political, but some of the characters are amazing. The Sky Pirate duo and Captain Basch make the ensemble cast that much better. Gameplay is cool too, just don't use the gambit system. I cleared the game with manual inputs just like a standard TBS.

@Aljosa23 said:
@n64dd said:
@fize4ever said:
@Aljosa23 said:

The World Ends With You, easily. Runner up is Final Fantasy XII.

My picks are the same.

g8 taste m8

I still have yet to play XII. I've played like 5 minutes of it, and never give it a real chance.

Just wait until the inevitable HD remaster.

@fize4ever How political?

@Aljosa23 I think I might.

Oh yeah, post number 1000 *high fives*.

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#49 cabaretvoltaire
Member since 2015 • 81 Posts

Surprised to see so much love for FF 12. It usually gets a lot of hate but not as much as FF 13 does. Anyway imo while not a bad game FF 12 did have horrible characters.

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#50  Edited By fize4ever
Member since 2009 • 1652 Posts

@n64dd: Pretty much "Valkyria Chronicles" political. It's basically individuals affected by war between two large entities fighting for rare resources. So while you basically each character's story and backgrounds, it all boils down to how politics caused them and/or their families to suffer.