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Best JRPGs of 2014?
- Thread starter nynt9
- Start date
Korialstrasz
Member
(EU got it in 2014 :/)
Not the biggest fan of action RPGs but I was really shocked with how good this game was, gameplay-wise.
I'm sure Ar Nosurge would take the top spot for me, if I ever got around to play it, but having to catch up on Ciel Nosurge is just too much of a hassle.
Tales of Xillia 2 is probably my favourite. I did not particularly enjoy Tales of Xillia 1, but 2 was a really solid JRPG. The story was interesting, while not overstaying its welcome and the characters were awesome.
Tales of Xillia 2 had a genius thing, where you had special optional chapters for every party member, it worked wonders for their character development. Even characters I hated from the original I learned to love. Ludger and Elle were great and the game had some surprisingly dark twists. It also had the most fun battle system in the entire Tales series, Ludger was a ton of fun to play as.
Really, Xillia 2's biggest downfall is that it's a sequel to Xillia, with lots of reused from the original game. The fields and dungeons weren't even good in the original, so naturally they're not better when you have to replay them.
Also quite enjoyed Lightning Returns, Atelier Escha & Logy and Atelier Rorona Plus a lot. I love time management, so this was a great year for that.
If you count the remasters with Final Fantasy X/X-2HD and Tales of Symphonia HD, it was a really great year for JRPGs.
Tales of Xillia 2 is probably my favourite. I did not particularly enjoy Tales of Xillia 1, but 2 was a really solid JRPG. The story was interesting, while not overstaying its welcome and the characters were awesome.
Tales of Xillia 2 had a genius thing, where you had special optional chapters for every party member, it worked wonders for their character development. Even characters I hated from the original I learned to love. Ludger and Elle were great and the game had some surprisingly dark twists. It also had the most fun battle system in the entire Tales series, Ludger was a ton of fun to play as.
Really, Xillia 2's biggest downfall is that it's a sequel to Xillia, with lots of reused from the original game. The fields and dungeons weren't even good in the original, so naturally they're not better when you have to replay them.
Also quite enjoyed Lightning Returns, Atelier Escha & Logy and Atelier Rorona Plus a lot. I love time management, so this was a great year for that.
If you count the remasters with Final Fantasy X/X-2HD and Tales of Symphonia HD, it was a really great year for JRPGs.
Mauricio_Magus
Banned
I totally forgot about Ar nosurge! I haven't finished it but the game is fantastic.
Hcoregamer00
The 'H' stands for hentai.
This, that game was freaking amazing.
Day 1 on the sequel, NOW ANNOUNCE IT FOR THE WEST DAMMIT.
ranmafan
Member
Great to see someone else love natural doctrine. That game was one of my top two this year. Loved so much about that game. Usually I don't like difficult games at all but the challenge of natural doctrine and its brutalbess really sunk in for me. Had it since day one in Japan and I still love it a tons.
Other than that final fantasy xiv on the PS4 was a masterpiece in my eyes. The most enjoyable mmorpg I've ever played.
And although I haven't played it yet, still playing through the first, in sure when I get to it that youkai watch 2 will be on the list too. Great series.
Other than that final fantasy xiv on the PS4 was a masterpiece in my eyes. The most enjoyable mmorpg I've ever played.
And although I haven't played it yet, still playing through the first, in sure when I get to it that youkai watch 2 will be on the list too. Great series.
GreatestHits
Member
Bravely Default was nice, but I'll have to go with Pokemon ORAS. The developers have really implemented everything you can dream of and more. I mean if you're tired of pokemon you're tired of pokemon, but to judge a JRPG based on it's quality against another? Pokemon's mechanics obviously stand the test of time, and are beyond fine-tuned into a pleasurable experience, Bravely Default is more like a snack in comparison IMO
Dark Souls 2: More accessible than its prequel, with an amazing atmosphere and sense of exploration. Best JRPG of 2014 for me. Cannot wait for the remaster.
Xillia 2: Just started this a week ago, but I can already tell it's my second favorite Tales after Symphonia. Excellent cast with a great story and probably the best combat system in the series. Only downsides so far are the rehashed monsters and dungeons from the first game.
Xillia 2: Just started this a week ago, but I can already tell it's my second favorite Tales after Symphonia. Excellent cast with a great story and probably the best combat system in the series. Only downsides so far are the rehashed monsters and dungeons from the first game.
Demon Gaze is awesome if you're into DRPGs.
Makoto Yuki
Banned
Pokemon ORAS, Final Fantasy X X2 - HD Remaster, Bravely Default.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
I'm going with this one too. I has fewer WTF?!? flaws than the best of the rest of the crowd.
Matt Attack
Member
Persona Q, without question. Very fun battle system, great dungeons, and the characters I've come to love from the Persona series. I can't really ask for much more.
Hibiki Kurosawa
Member
There were quite a few great ones that I loved like Tales of Xillia 2, of course. Also, Bravely Default was great. But if I had to narrow it down, it would be between these two:
distantmantra
Member
AntiFacebook
Member
Pokemon ORAS
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
Hah. That's what I get for not reading properly.
orthodoxy1095
Banned
Tales of Hearts R. It's corny. It's dumb. It's goofy. It has a rough translation. But dammit, it's fun and it made me smile a lot. Well worth your time if you've got a Vita.
flatearthpandas
Member
For the dissenting opinion... check out Persona Q if you're into DRPGs.
Shizuka, I'm curious what you see in Demon Gaze. I can't even play Devil's Advocate to find points where it is a better DRPG than Persona Q. I don't think it can be argued that there is less skill customization, less complex dungeons, and fewer quests in Demon Gaze. What about it makes you recommend it so highly?
Agreed. Tales of Hearts R was a nice entry for this year. Easily my third place JRPG after Persona Q and Fantasy Life.
My answer would be South Park: Stick of Truth for JRPG.
Dark Souls 2 for RPG made in Japan.
And Atelier Escha & Logy for JRPG made in Japan.
Dark Souls 2 for RPG made in Japan.
And Atelier Escha & Logy for JRPG made in Japan.
I'd say the best (and most overlooked) dungeon crawler with an English-language release in 2014 was Elminage Gothic.
Vincent Grayson
Member
Tales of Hearts R for being the best Tales game I've played in a really long time.
Tales of Xillia 2 for proving that a sequel to a mediocre game actually can be much better than its predecessor (though still held back by the utterly boring world/area design).
Bravely Default's first half for showing me how awesome a very simple JRPG can be in 2014, especially when adding a bunch of quality-of-life things that make JRPG tropes (like grinding and random encounters) totally harmless.
Lightning Returns for concluding a trilogy of Final Fantasy titles in a batshit crazy way while being a fun pseudo-action RPG with some fantastic music.
I'm not sure I played any others that were worth mentioning, other than some re-releases or ports (like FFX/X-2, and Tales of Symphonia Chronicles).
I'm really curious about Natural Doctrine. It looked interesting to me pre-release, but I've heard almost entirely bad things about it since then.
Tales of Xillia 2 for proving that a sequel to a mediocre game actually can be much better than its predecessor (though still held back by the utterly boring world/area design).
Bravely Default's first half for showing me how awesome a very simple JRPG can be in 2014, especially when adding a bunch of quality-of-life things that make JRPG tropes (like grinding and random encounters) totally harmless.
Lightning Returns for concluding a trilogy of Final Fantasy titles in a batshit crazy way while being a fun pseudo-action RPG with some fantastic music.
I'm not sure I played any others that were worth mentioning, other than some re-releases or ports (like FFX/X-2, and Tales of Symphonia Chronicles).
I'm really curious about Natural Doctrine. It looked interesting to me pre-release, but I've heard almost entirely bad things about it since then.
Robert at Zeboyd Games
Banned
I'm a big Persona fan and a big Etrian Odyssey fan so Persona Q was a no-brainer for my favorite JRPG of 2014.
Bravely Default would have been #1 but it has a few major flaws that kept it down. Still great & I want to replay it with a no-random encounter run at some point.
Like what I've played of Tales of Xillia 2 but I'm only a few hours in.
As far as re-releases go, I'm really excited that Suikoden 2 is finally out & I'm glad that more people have a chance to play Trails in the Sky & Valkyria Chronicles.
Tales of Hearts R, Lightning Returns, and Natural Doctrine are all on my "Get when cheap or on PS+" list.
Bravely Default would have been #1 but it has a few major flaws that kept it down. Still great & I want to replay it with a no-random encounter run at some point.
Like what I've played of Tales of Xillia 2 but I'm only a few hours in.
As far as re-releases go, I'm really excited that Suikoden 2 is finally out & I'm glad that more people have a chance to play Trails in the Sky & Valkyria Chronicles.
Tales of Hearts R, Lightning Returns, and Natural Doctrine are all on my "Get when cheap or on PS+" list.
flatearthpandas
Member
I've heard good things.
Once I get my PC set up to stream to a tablet or just something not in the office I'll likely check it out.
NipplesAndToes23
Member
There were quite a few mid-tier JRPGs last year, so many that I can't even remember all of them. What were your favorites and why? Mine was probably:
That's a really beautiful cover.
I gave elminage gothic an honest ass chance. I just can't. I just can't. It takes everything that was ever wrong with the genre and complies it into something I am absolutely disgusted to play. Tedious to the ninth degree, and I cringe about every time I enter a dungeon. 10000 doors that lead to 1000 doors. Run out of maps? Too fucking bad son you are fucked. Everything looks the same. The rng with the leveling. We should of left that shit behind after ultima underwold 2. Just a lazy job all around. So bare bones. It's like they made a check list of what it means to be an annoying wizardry clone, and said fuck it. God what an awful game.
I have never been so hyped and utterly disappointed by a game in a long time.
I have never been so hyped and utterly disappointed by a game in a long time.
Acquiescence
Member
Tales of Hearts R is a riot. I'm still fairly early in but, providing it doesn't take a big drop off in quality halfway through, it'll likely be my favourite JRPG of the year. It's amazing how far a game can go with a great cast and a sense of humour.
hydrophilic attack
Member
Dark Souls II was excellent. Definitely the best Japanese RPG of 2014 for me.
Completely agree. Underrated, and that damn summoning circle system is amazing.
Dice//
Banned
The absolute crazy amounts of recycling really killed the experience for me. I like it, but I can't love it. Also, despite the excellent 'drama' (the heartfelt moments were really well done), the plot felt like complete gibberish when trying to explain itself making me like Character Chapters more than the main plot.
I guess Bravely Default was by favourite RPG. It killed the time nicely during school and between papers.
But dear lord what the flying fuck were they thinking the with last half? I hope Bravely Second changes things up a lot, cuz I'm kinda scared of doing 'another tour' of Luxendarc.
flatearthpandas
Member
Well that sounds less fun...
Doors I'm not worries about so much. Is there actually no map at all? I've played some where you can see the map but just not where you are and that was fine. How bad is the RNG leveling?
Not sure. I guess I've played Bravely Default, Final Fantasy XIII-2, South Park Stick of Truth, and Persona Q for RPGs this year. Out of those I'd probably say South Park is the best so far. I'm still a bit early in Persona Q and I'm loving it. It'll probably end up on top.
Just realized too that I haven't actually beaten any of these. Bravely Default's script was maddening, so even though the gameplay was great I kind of left it. FFXIII-2 I've just got to go to the last dungeon. I paused on that because I did a lot of those quests to get the requirement for the bonus dungeon and then realized I really don't want to do a bonus dungeon... and then never went back to it. South Park I had some stuff come up in life and ended up seeing most of the ending parts when my girlfriend played through it.
Kind of crazy for me to go through an entire year and not beat any JRPG.
Just realized too that I haven't actually beaten any of these. Bravely Default's script was maddening, so even though the gameplay was great I kind of left it. FFXIII-2 I've just got to go to the last dungeon. I paused on that because I did a lot of those quests to get the requirement for the bonus dungeon and then realized I really don't want to do a bonus dungeon... and then never went back to it. South Park I had some stuff come up in life and ended up seeing most of the ending parts when my girlfriend played through it.
Kind of crazy for me to go through an entire year and not beat any JRPG.
Same here. I haven't played every single JRPG has to offer, but I'd say Xillia 2 was an awesome game on its own and Hearts R is really charming even if it has a not so good localization.
You know what's up. Your post pretty much sums my feelings about Xillia 2 (I rank Graces battle system a little bit higher because I don't think TP is really important and the 3 auras to avoid staggering didn't work as well in Xillia 2)
I've recently started it again (I wanted to continue my old playthrough, but after playing Hearts R, which has really different controls I sucked at it) and I have to say it's impressive how good the fighting in cutscenes is. When you have a barefist fight in the train early in the game the way the choreography, camera angles and all those things are really neat. Character chapters need to become a standard in Tales games IMO.
Fedora Royale
Member
Tales of Hearts R. I enjoyed it much, much more than Xillia. Combat and the overworld map were 2 of the major factors for me. I've yet to play Xillia 2.
Bravely Default gets an honorable mention. The first half was pretty enjoyable, but certain things in the second half kind of soured me on the experience. Still, I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Bravely Default gets an honorable mention. The first half was pretty enjoyable, but certain things in the second half kind of soured me on the experience. Still, I'm looking forward to the sequel.
LISA. Which also happens to my GOTY for 2014. You can Read my full review for it on STEAM right here. and watch the trailer here!
The game is equal parts disgusting, beautiful, funny and violent. You will literally go from laughing to having your heartstrings tugged within the span of five minutes at times. It features an Earthbound like aesthetic and first person turn-based battle system that has characters popping up to do an attack animation. I like to refer to it as Earthbound's creepy uncle. It's full of references to everything from classic JRPGs of old to Pro-Wrestling, but it isn't overbearing with them. The game is a love letter, but it's own completely unique and wonderfully odd depressing thing. An amazing game that doesn't have nearly as much eyes on it or attention it so rightfully deserves. I recommend that everyone at LEAST go look at the trailer or read my review.
I'm intrigued. Think I'll check it out, so thanks for the recommendation
SliceSabre
Banned
Atelier Rorona Plus is tops for me. One of the few times I got a good ending in these games.
Second place would be Dark Souls 2. As far as I'm concerned it is a JRPG even if it doesn't have the 'anime' look to it.
Second place would be Dark Souls 2. As far as I'm concerned it is a JRPG even if it doesn't have the 'anime' look to it.
stump sock
Member
this. two great tastes that taste great together. nothing else stood a chance with that coming out.
it was a pretty good year all around though
