10 Greatest JRPGs You Can Play Right Now on PS4, Ranked

After the relative failure of the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation 4 needed to thrive to make up for the losses. Luckily for Sony, the PlayStation 4 was an amazing modern console, and it was home to some of the best console-exclusive games of all time. Furthermore, it was also at the forefront of the modern JRPG renaissance, and the console featured some of the most enjoyable JRPG experiences of all time. As Sony's console designs have developed, so has the JRPG genre, and many of the modern titles are the best that the genre has to offer.

Modern JRPGs are immensely varied and do not all fall into the same aesthetic or gameplay style. From turn-based to open-world action, PlayStation 4 JRPGs are all different from each other in a variety of ways. Overall, the JRPG genre is a vast sea of experiences, and the PlayStation 4 is home to some of the best titles in the genre that have ever been created.

10 Scarlet Nexus Delivers Psychokinetic Action

A Dystopia Done Right

Dystopian society is a common setting in modern gaming, but modern developers often take the intrigue out of the concept by making its messaging too heavy-handed and taking away from the characters with unnecessary details. However, when the concept is done right, it flourishes and stands out among the genre, and this is why Scarlet Nexus is one of the best JRPGs to appear on the PlayStation 4.

Scarlet Nexus features one of the most intriguing plot concepts of any JRPG because it features a society that is built upon the concept of the chemicals in people's brains and the psychokinetic powers that they acquire from them. This ties directly into how smooth the gameplay feels, as players use those powers along with expert swordplay to take down hordes of enemies known as Others throughout the game. Overall, Scarlet Nexus is the rare story of a modern dystopia done right, and Bandai Namco succeeded in creating one of the most enjoyable JRPG experiences for the PlayStation 4.

9 Genshin Impact is the Most Popular Gacha JRPG

A Plethora of Content Provides Players With Hours of Fun

Hoyoverse has introduced many players to gacha games over the years, but its first title is arguably the most popular title that they have created. While the game took a long time to be released on consoles, its console port is among the most enjoyable JRPG experiences on the PlayStation, as Genshin Impact is one of the most popular games created in the last few years.

Genshin Impact at its core, is a Gacha game that encourages players to grind for hours to acquire the in-game currency to get new characters. However, this is not the main focus of the game as the game is full of amazing characters and an intriguing narrative to go with its open world action. Overall, Genshin Impact is an immensely popular title, and it is an amazing JRPG experience.

8 Valkyria Chronicles IV is an Amazing Tactical Alternative

Strategic Gameplay Shines Through

The Tactical JRPG market has been dominated by Fire Emblem for years, which has made it difficult for PlayStation and Xbox console owners to get into the subgenre. However, in recent years, one of the most enjoyable PlayStation 4 JRPGs was released to fill the Tactical JRPG niche for the console, as Valkyria Chronicles 4 has left an indelible mark on the JRPG community in the years since its PlayStation 4 port was released in 2018.

Valkyria Chronicles is built in the same style as many other tactical JRPGs, as players are given action points to make their way through combat and keep their party alive. However, what sets it apart from other games in the genre is its more modern aesthetic, as it leans heavily on the ideas of 1900s warfare. Overall, Valkyria Chronicles is an immensely popular JRPG franchise, and its visual style helps it stand out from the crowd.

7 Shin Megami Tensei V Reclaims Its Throne

No Longer Overshadowed By a Spinoff

For years, the Shin Megami Tensei franchise was overshadowed by its spinoff series, Persona, which meant that many fans had never played the prior series. However, with the introduction of Shin Megami Tensei V, Atlus finally brought the series back into the spotlight, and fans were able to see why the Shin Megami Tensei series was one of the most iconic retro JRPG series.

Initially, Shin Megami Tensei V was a Nintendo Switch exclusive, and it was ported to PlayStation consoles three years later. The new port expanded gameplay by adding more demons and new story options, making it a more well-rounded experience than it was before. Overall, players were thrilled by Shin Megami Tensei V, and they are hopeful that the next entry is just as good, if not better.

6 Tales of Arise is the Latest in an Expansive Line of JRPGs

The 27th Entry in an Iconic Franchise

While many JRPG franchises have a plethora of entries, there are few gaming series ever created that can stand up to the sheer number of titles in the Tales series. The franchise has not received an entry in four years at this point, but its most recent entry, Tales of Arise, brought the series into the modern day, and it succeeded at bringing new fans into one of the most successful JRPG franchises ever created.

The game tells an enticing story about a man and a woman who want to free the world from the oppression of a tyrannical empire. Tales of Arise uses a gameplay style that focuses primarily on parrying and countering, which adds an immense strategic element to the game. Overall, the Tales series is one of the longest-running JRPG series of all time, and its newest entry is a phenomenal experience for the PlayStation 4.

5 Metaphor: Refantazio is Atlus' Newest Passion Project

A Change of Plans For an Iconic Developer

Atlus is an iconic JRPG developer that has become well-known for creating the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona franchises. However, they occasionally step outside these series and create an enticing experience that feels completely different from other titles in the genre. This led to the creation of Metaphor: ReFantazio, an amazing JRPG experience that builds off of the success of Atlus' prior titles.

The title utilizes many mechanics that have become common throughout the JRPG genre, as it uses a Day/Night system and a weather system that help determine actions in the story. Furthermore, it expertly blends turn-based and real-time action to create an engaging gameplay loop. Overall, Metaphor: Refatazio is an amazing JRPG, and Atlus should build on its success with the next entries of their two most popular franchises.

4 Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is the Best Tales Experience on the PlayStation 4

Yuri Lowell's Epic Journey

The Tales franchise is full of iconic characters, and the most integral character in the modern era for the franchise is Yuri Lowell. His journey throughout the world of Terca Lumineis is one of the most engaging stories in modern JRPGs, and this makes Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition one of the most enjoyable JRPG experiences on the PlayStation 4.

The Tales franchise utilizes the Linear Motion Battle System, which is a unique set of combat mechanics that function similarly to a fighting game. The game also features online multiplayer and a high-score leaderboard, both of which are distinctly uncommon for a JRPG title. Overall, the Tales series is a phenomenal set of experiences in the JRPG genre, and Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is one of the best JRPGs for the PlayStation 4.

3 Yakuza 0 is One of Gaming's Best Prequels

The Beginning of Kazama Kiryu and Goro Majima's Journey

Many JRPG franchises are too afraid to stray into the real-world, as they can struggle to adapt the real-world into an enjoyable gameplay experience However, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio mastered this concept with the Yakuza franchise because its character have a wide variety of intriguing emotions and their actions make more sense than many other JRPG protagonists. The series' best entry is the prequel, as Yakuza 0 is one of gaming's best prequels ever created.

Yakuza 0 details the beginning of the journeys of Kazama Kiryu and Goro Majima, and the game's story is immensely enjoyable because if the dramatic moments that are shown off in the game's zany atmosphere. Furthermore, the game's combat is engaging as players unlock new moves throughout the game as they get into more skirmishes with enemies. Overall, Yakuza 0 is one of the best JRPG experiences in recent memory, and it is an amazing prequel to a thrilling series of games.

2 Persona 5 is an Artistic Masterpiece

Stylish Music and Art Pair Well With Engaging Turn-Based Gameplay

In the era of modern gaming, it can be difficult for turn-based JRPGs to stand out because many players want a more active experience from their games. However, when this combat style is paired with stylish visuals, a bombastic soundtrack, and lovable characters, it becomes enticing to a large audience. This is what happened with one of the best JRPGs in recent memory, Persona 5, and the amazing title continues to receive spinoff games to this day.

The story of Persona 5 features the protagonist, Joker, and his group of Phantom Thieves trying to change the "hearts" of adults who have been corrupted by the world. This makes for a perfect setting to include many of the most iconic demons of the Persona franchise, and the number of combat abilities is so extensive that players might not use every one during a run. Persona 5 is arguably the most notable turn-based JRPG of the last ten years, and it is one of the best titles that the PlayStation 4 has to offer.

1 Final Fantasy VII Remake is the Best PlayStation 4 JRPG

The Beginning of Cloud's Fateful Duel With Sephiroth

Final Fantasy VII is arguably the most popular JRPG ever created, and the first part of the remake trilogy is by far the best JRPG experience to be featured on the PlayStation 4. Not only does it modernize the gameplay phenomenally, but it also adds new twists to the story so that the game is engaging for players who have not experienced the original title. Furthermore, it also portrays its characters with more emotional depth than ever before, as the game does an amazing job developing the personalities and motivations of every character, even those who were previously not as important to the story.

Overall, Final Fantasy VII Remake is not just the best JRPG title for the PlayStation 4, it is also one of the best JRPG experiences in recent memory. Its amazing blend of characters, combat, and music make it a beautiful experience that is easily more than the sum of its parts, and fans are hopeful that the third game in the remake trilogy is as satisfying to play as the first two.