Support NeoGAF

[Hayama Akito]

Hey GAF, i'm searching for a good yet short classic jRPG with turns (no Action RPG), something i can enjoy and didn't last for 20+ hours, any suggestion? can be retro or modern. Thanks in advance!

 

[robotzombie]

Chrono Trigger is the obvious answer

 

[Xbro]

Chrono Trigger

 

[Veldin]

You should probably start by listing a few that you've already played.

 

[Ultimadrago]

Undertale is rather enjoyable and short. It also puts a slight spin on combat with a bullethell-lite take on turn based combat.

 

[Shift Breaker]

Chrono Trigger is the obvious choice.

 

[Zhao_Yun]

Chrono Trigger is pretty short for a JRPG.

 

[Rektash]

Shadow Hearts 1 is pretty short and a fantastic fun ride, so get that!

 

[Aters]

You are describing Chrono Trigger.

 

[Dragon1893]

Panzer Dragoon Saga

Edit: yeah, and Shadow Hearts.
I remember enjoying Wild Arms 4 and that was pretty short too if memory serves.

 

[Spring Drive]

Undertale is rather enjoyable and short. It also puts a slight spin on combat with a bullethell-lite take on turn based combat.

Undertale is American

 

[PassiveObserver]

Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden.

Legitimately funny dialogue and ATB and timed presses battle system. Highly recommended.

 

[Major Gripex]

Suikoden 1.

 

[Hayama Akito]

I already played Chrono Trigger guys but thanks anyway.

Panzer Dragoon Saga

Is really that short? i was thinking it was long, sadly is so expensive...

You should probably start by listing a few that you've already played.

Mostly every mainstream Square-Enix/Atlus/Namco release.

 

[BedBison]

Well even though it's not actually a JRPG Child of Light is a pretty short turn based RPG that's definitely worth playing.

 

[Ultimadrago]

Undertale is American

Rats, sometimes I completely overlook the "j". Hell with it, you should try Undertale anyways.

 

[Spieler Eins]

Crimson Shroud

 

[daoster]

Suikoden I or II

 

[StoneFox]

Cthulhu Saves the World

 

[DrWong]

Crimson Shroud

Yep.

 

[Corpekata]

Valkyria Chronicles, though movement is somewhat actioney.

 

[Ōkami]

Parasite Eve, Sweet Home, Dragon Quest.

 

[5taquitos]

South Park Stick of Truth

12-15 hours, and you can get the platinum too.

Edit: And yes, it's a JRPG even if it wasn't made in J

 

[Dragon1893]

Is really that short? i was thinking it was long, sadly is so expensive...

Yup, 15 hours.

 

[Hayama Akito]

Crimson Shroud

Ooh! pretty interesting, thanks!

I need more guys.

 

[vocab]

Ys oath in felgana

 

[ReddishGUI]

Rhapsody A Musical Adventure?

It's not THAT good but it's alright and it's around 10 hours.

 

[A Sentient Keyboard]

I recommend Crimson Shroud on the 3DS eShop! It's a concise and well-written adventure, styled like a tabletop D&D game.

 

[Corpekata]

Rats, sometimes I completely overlook the "j". Hell with it, you should try Undertale anyways.

It's fine. I imagine the OP is looking to actually play a game, not catalog it, and the JRPG influences are apparent.

To that end I'd also add South Park and Child of Light.

 

[Dee Dee]

Crimson Shroud

Very short, but very unique and recommendable. It's what... 4 EUR on the eShop?

 

[Trago]

Grandia.

 

[Babyshams]

Why do people keep listing games that are 30-40 hours long?

 

[robotzombie]

If you've already played chrono Trigger then you gotta play the second best rpg ever, suikoden 2

 

[sixteen-bit]

Suikoden

 

[Hayama Akito]

It's fine. I imagine the OP is looking to actually play a game, not catalog it, and the JRPG influences are apparent.

To that end I'd also add South Park and Child of Light.

Yeah, this is also pretty good, i already played Child of Light but Stick of Truth seems fine, i was thinking it was long, thanks!

EDIT: I already played Suikoden and... i remember it was like 40+ hours?

 

[pablito]

Seconding/thirding South Park. Turn based RPG gameplay, with some of the reaction type stuff like Paper Mario. If you like South Park's humor, this game is pretty much perfect.

Grandia 2 isn't quite as short as you're asking, but it's not super long. 20-30 hours.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

If you've already played chrono Trigger then you gotta play the second best rpg ever, suikoden 2

Suikoden 2 is fairly long. Suikoden I is a better choice.

FFIV is another obvious choice.

 

[Vire]

Child of Light fits the bill.

EDIT: Just read a few posts above that the OP already played it!

 

[Dimmle]

Hey man, you ever play Earthbound? You can eat hamburgers out of trash cans.

 

[DiipuSurotu]

Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth.

 

[redlemon]

I you have a DS The world Ends With You and My World My Way are great and both clock in at around 25 hours.

 

[Lumpy Onion]

Arc the Lad 1 for PS1 is a nice little Strategy RPG that can be beaten in less than ten hours. Lovely 2d visuals and a lush soundtrack (made by ex square people iirc). Combat is simple but fun. It also has a nice amount of freedom to explore compared to most strategy RPGs. Similar to Shining Force in that regard. Unique world setting that doesn't feel generic too.

The story isn't exactly tied up until Arc the Lad 2, but I found Arc 1's length to be refreshing. Available on PSN if interested.

 

[Xelinis]

Chrono Trigger is a classic through and through. Otherwise, the Ys games are usually pretty short (EDIT: Whoops, forgot you said no action! Nevermind.), as are the original Golden Sun games for GBA (unless you're one of those folks who'd consider them as two parts to a single game).

If you're up for something a bit different and inventive (with some rogue-like elements), Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is brilliant, despite what some series purists have to say.

 

[Kneefoil]

Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG. The first Paper Mario comes kind of close with ~25 hours. The World Ends With You is also around 20 hours, but I'm afraid that's in the Action RPG camp.

 

[Hazmat]

Yeah, this is also pretty good, i already played Child of Light but Stick of Truth seems fine, i was thinking it was long, thanks!

EDIT: I already played Suikoden and... i remember it was like 40+ hours?

I can't imagine how a human could spend 40 hours on Suikoden 1. Are you thinking about Suikoden 3?

 

[OmegaDL50]

You can easily do everything in Suikoden at about 15 hours.

Suikoden II can take just under 20

In fact Clive's quest in Suikoden II requires the player to get to the final area of the game before the 20th hour, I've gotten to L'Renouille in 16 hours. I don't recommend a first time player to do this however, but leisurely Suikoden II can be easily beaten within 25 hours.

Chrono Trigger is another short but awesome game. It can easily be completed in just shy of the 15 hour mark.

All of the Ys games can be easily completed in under 10 hours. Lunar Silver Star Story can also be done under 22 hours. Phantasy Star IV is another good but short RPG. One can get to end of Grandia II by the 25 hour mark.

Pick any one of these and enjoy.

 

[MrDoctor]

Parasite Eve, Sweet Home, Dragon Quest.

i agree with this post. op should play dragon quest iii. snes is bes

Edit: And yes, it's a JRPG even if it wasn't made in J

oh no you don't

 

[branny]

Why did it take so long for someone to say Super Mario RPG? >:|

edit: nvm lol

 

[Hayama Akito]

Thank you guys! and sorry, not putting a list of what i already played was a mistake from my part, because i already played Suikoden, SMRPG, Rhapsody, Parasite Eve, Grandia 2, Arc the Lad, TWEWY, Earthbound, etc.

I stick with:

South Park
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
Crimson Shroud

I can't imagine how a human could spend 40 hours on Suikoden 1. Are you thinking about Suikoden 3?

No but i played it in, like, 1999... my memory is fragile.

 

[Mr. Virus]

The Mario and Luigi games are usually brisk enough and pretty solid.

Also Phantasy Star 4 isn't massively long. Recent playthrough of mine has taken about 12-13 hours.