8 Greatest JRPG Sequels That Are Even Better Than the Original, Ranked

Developing a sequel to a beloved video game is an unenviable task for any creator because there will always be fans who will say that the sequel was unnecessary, and it doesn't live up to the standard set by its predecessor. While this is often a legitimate complaint and some sequels are complete cash grabs, others expand on the world and story of the characters to the point where they feel like a necessary addition to the franchise. The JRPG genre is full of spectacular sequels, and many of them are the best sequels in modern gaming.

To make a worthwhile JRPG sequel, developers need to add meaningful changes to iconic characters while also not making them feel unrecognizable to fans of the original game. Furthermore, the plot and world need to be expanded on in an intriguing way to avoid making the game feel unnecessary while also being approachable to new players. Overall, creating a sequel is often a chore for many developers, but the best sequels in the JRPG genre stand out and go on to become some of the best experiences that the gaming industry has to offer.

8 NieR: Automata Put the Franchise on the Map

Shining a Spotlight on an Intriguing Narrative

Before NieR: Automata, the NieR franchise was a little-known JRPG franchise that featured intriguing narrative details but was not notable enough to make it into the mainstream. However, NieR: Automata completely changed the nature of the franchise, and fans would be hard-pressed to find someone who plays JRPGs regularly who does not know who 2B and 9S are. Furthermore, the game features one of the most engaging and relatable narratives in any dystopian story, making it incredibly enticing for fans.

While NieR: Automata's combat is incredibly stylish and enjoyable, the best part of the experience is its narrative, because it covers the nature of being human and what it means to have human emotions. These relatable concepts help the game to be a phenomenal JRPG experience, and the title is among the best sequels that the genre has to offer. Overall, NieR: Automata provided a smaller, long-running series with a necessary boost, and it quickly became one of the most beloved JRPG titles of all time.

7 Persona 2: Eternal Punishment Expands on an Amazing Experience

The Sequel to a Sequel Doubles Down on the Intensity

The JRPG genre is no stranger to turning sequels into their own subseries, and it is a common occurrence throughout the genre's most popular franchise. The Final Fantasy franchise has created three different subseries for some of its most popular entries, and the Persona franchise did the same thing with one of its most underrated entries, Persona 2. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment expanded on the original title in every way, making it among the best entries in Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei spinoff series.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment takes place a few months after the original Persona 2 title, and the gameplay is not changed much, as it still utilizes the series' beloved turn-based style. The game covers the Joker phenomenon as the protagonist tries to uncover what it is and put a stop to it before it is too late. The title features one of the best villains in the Persona franchise, and it is by far the most engaging retro entry in the Persona franchise.

6 Octopath Traveler II Builds on Amazing Dynamic Storytelling

Eight Characters Tell an Engaging Narrative

Octopath Traveler is unique in its storytelling because it allows players to control eight different protagonists, each with their own goal and unique endings. The game's sequel, Octopath Traveler II, expands on this greatly with its daytime/nighttime system, which changes which actions a player has access to throughout the plot. These actions are often linked to how a character upgrades their abilities, meaning that players have to pay close attention to what time of day it is throughout the game.

While the game's narrative and characters are greatly changed, the gameplay and combat are not, as the job system and element system are both kept the same as the original title. However, party members meet up differently because each one experiences the first chapter of their story without the others. Overall, the Octopath Traveler series has some truly amazing storytelling, and fans are hopeful that they will receive another game in the future.

5 Kingdom Hearts II Expands on the Worlds of Its Predecessors

New Characters and a Change In Combat Systems

The Kingdom Hearts franchise is among the most popular game franchises of all time because of its mixture of interesting original characters and iconic Disney characters from a wide variety of intellectual properties. While the first game was an interesting experience, it has not aged well, and the second title, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, is controversial for fans of the series because it makes distinct changes to the battle formula by making it a pseudo-deck battler. Kingdom Hearts II is a phenomenal sequel that stands the test of time as the best game in the series.

Throughout Kingdom Hearts II, players are introduced to a new hero, Roxas, a character with more of a somber and edgy attitude than his counterpart, Sora. The game focuses more on attack combos now, as players are supposed to juggle enemies in the air during combat. Overall, the Kingdom Hearts series is often a mixed bag in terms of combat, but Kingdom Hearts II nails every aspect of its gameplay and story on the way to becoming one of gaming's best JRPG sequels.

4 Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a Tragic Story of Combat and Sorrow

An Epic Journey With Sad Consequences

Until recently, the Xenoblade Chronicles series was relatively unknown in Western territories, but the inclusion of Shulk in the Super Smash Bros. franchise brought the series into the spotlight, and it is now an integral part of JRPG culture. While the newest entry in the series uses new characters and changes the dynamic of the story, it is still an incredibly enjoyable experience that retains much of the previous games' gameplay loop.

The story of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 focuses on the Kevesi soldiers as they try to save the world from a lengthy war with the region of Agnes. This allows the story to feel intense and show the stakes of each battle adequately without taking away from the gameplay. Overall, the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise is an underrated part of JRPG culture, and it deserves far more praise than it receives.

3 Yakuza: Like a Dragon Takes the Series in a New Direction

A New Protagonist Brings a More Lively Attitude

For several years, the main protagonist of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise had been Kazama Kiryu, a stoic and quiet man who lets his actions speak louder than his intimidating words. However, as the series progressed, and Kiryu's main story reached its natural "conclusion", a new protagonist was needed to keep the series going forward. While Kazama Kiryu still appears in every game, Ichiban Kasuga is the series' new protagonist, and Like a Dragon: Yakuza is one of the best sequels in JRPG history.

Ichiban Kasuga is more lighthearted than his predecessor, and this demeanor shift also comes with a shift in gameplay style because the newer entries in the series are now turn-based RPGs. While this shift did disappoint some fans, others were happy with the new direction, as it signaled a change in the identity of the franchise without removing the zany antics that made it so popular. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an amazing sequel and a perfect example of how to move a series in the right direction without aggravating an existing fanbase.

2 Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are the Pinnacle of Retro Pokémon

A Revitalized Second Generation

Many of the modern Pokémon sequels lack the charm of the retro games because the characters are not as interesting, and the designs of the creatures are not as notable as their retro counterparts. While many fans will point to the fourth and fifth generations of Pokémon titles as their favorite, the second generation remakes that were released in 2009 are the pinnacle of Pokémon. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver modernize their original counterparts to make them feel more engaging, and some new mechanics add fun minigames and features to an already stellar experience.

Like most remakes, the game keeps the base mechanics of the title, but it innovates upon them and adds new things. There is now a triathlon for the Pokémon, which allows them to level up faster by doing activities like hurdles, and a party leader who travels alongside their trainer throughout the entire game on the world map. Overall, the Pokémon franchise is the largest gaming intellectual property in the world, and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver is the series' best sequel by far.

1 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the Best JRPG Sequel

A Modern Masterpiece

The first game in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy was already a masterpiece, but Final Fantasy VII Rebirth builds on every aspect of its predecessor to make a game with a larger scale than most other games in the genre. The gameplay has been enhanced with amazing new party members and abilities, and a plethora of new abilities to keep combat varied, as it offers players strategic options. However, the most engaging parts of the game are its narrative and characters, because every moment feels so captivating that players are always on the edge of their seats.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth picks up immediately after the ending of Final Fantasy VII Remake as Cloud and his friends need to think of how to stop Sephiroth's meteor before it is too late. Along the way, they uncover Shinra's plot to find the promised land, and the main conflict of the game ensues. Overall, the narrative of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is amazing, and fans are hopeful that the third and final entry in the remake trilogy brings the story to a satisfying conclusion.