Summary
- JRPGs with great pacing and quality content are more memorable and engaging.
- Shorter JRPGs like Parasite Eve and Vagrant Story offer rich experiences without filler.
- Games like EarthBound and The World Ends With You offer rewarding gameplay without overstaying their welcome.
The JRPG genre has long battled accusations of filler, and it's easy to see why. Some people feel that these games are loaded with too much content that is not of the best quality and forces people to spend more hours than necessary in these titles.

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This is why JRPGs with great pacing and interesting content end up being so memorable. Instead of forcing players through an experience that can take hundreds of hours, these games are full of quality and don't overstay their welcome.
8 Parasite Eve
A short and intense JRPG full of body horror

- ISSUED
- September 9, 1998
- Developer(s)
- Square
Parasite Eve is the poster child for how effective a JRPG with a short runtime can be. This mature title features some disturbing visuals and an engaging story that revolves around human evolution and how a sadistic entity is determined to make humanity evolve as soon as possible.
Aya Brea is an excellent, no-nonsense protagonist who is dedicated to her job as a detective. She puts her body on the line several times in a short but rewarding JRPG as she tries to stop Eve from setting people on fire.
7 Chrono Trigger
A legendary RPG that respects the player's time, allowing them to enjoy a series of incredible set pieces
It is a testimony Chrono TriggerIt's the brilliance that the game has such an impressive reputation despite not being that long. Rather, it's the amazing pacing and unique gameplay elements of Chrono Trigger which have turned him into one of the best JRPG players I can lay my hands on.
The incredible story of Chrono Trigger pushes players with a series of addictive gameplay that feels unique and meaningful every time. Even with the introduction of time travel, there's almost no frustration as players explore the game's side content before finally getting ready to take on Lavos himself.
6 The world ends with you
A modern action JRPG with stunning style and an engaging story


One of the most unique games on the DS that used a sleek art style and unique combat to keep fans engaged, the twisty gameplay that Neku and the others are trapped in is a constant source of intrigue that never tires.

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With its fair share of plot twists coupled with engaging combat, it's easy to see why exploring Tokyo in The world ends with you it feels rewarding every time. The game does not waste a player's time and boasts a reasonable runtime where players will engage with a lot of interesting content before reaching the end.
5 The Tramp's Story
Players control a single character in a focused adventure with amazing localization

- ISSUED
- May 15, 2000
- Developer(s)
- Square
The Tramp's Story is one of the most underrated and interesting PS1 video games that didn't get the love it deserved. High-quality localization makes every interaction worthwhile as players explore the decrepit city of Lea Monde and battle multiple enemies in a complex yet stimulating combat system.
what is he doing The Tramp's Story one such memorable game is its insistence on going against the tropes that plague most JRPGs. There is no leveling in the game, with equipment dictating Ashley's effectiveness in battle. He is the only playable character in battles where different enemy sides can be targeted for tactical advantages, which never get old as players work their way through the game and experience the rich Ivalic world-building before they arrive. The Tramp's Storyhis conclusion.
4 Final Fantasy 4
For the sheer amount of story developments that take place, this game is surprisingly short
Final Fantasy 4
- ISSUED
- July 19, 1991
- Developer(s)
- Square
- OpenCritic rating
- Strong
Final Fantasy 4 boasts one of the best stories in the series that does justice to the recurring elements of the series. Fans will be shocked to see how long it takes to beat the game, especially considering the many story events that take place as Cecil makes amends for his actions and tries to save the world from a mysterious threat.
Party members come and go as certain characters either die or leave the party, and it takes some time for players to gain control of the final party that will stay with them until the end of the game. It's a content-packed game that's a fan favorite for its ambitious storytelling, perhaps paving the way for narrative-heavy experiences to become the norm in Final Fantasy 4.
3 Shadow hearts
A gothic adventure full of memorable characters and fun fights
Shadow hearts

- ISSUED
- December 12, 2001
Shadow hearts is one of the most unique JRPGs that players can check out for themselves. The focus on a gothic setting in the early 1900s gives a unique feel to the game's atmosphere as Yuri, Alice and the rest of the gang try to stop Roger Bacon from destroying the world.

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Yuri fails at this once, but is brought out of his reverie by his friends, the shape-shifting fighter using his powers to stop the villain one last time before the entire world is destroyed. Considering the sheer number of things going on in this game, that's hard to believe Shadow heartsthe runtime is so reasonable.
2 EarthBound
An anti-JRPG that goes against the many tropes of the genre, ensuring that a player is entertained throughout

EarthBound kicked off the anti-JRPG trend that the indie genre has been riding with style. Instead of controlling warriors destined for greatness, players control a group of kids who just want to have fun, only to be caught up in a quest to stop Giygas from decimating the world.
Everything from the enemies that players face to the environments that they traverse are pretty normal and provide a debatable experience after players have explored far too many fantasy and sci-fi worlds that try to distance themselves as much from reality as possible. It's a memorable ride full of iconic moments that doesn't feel the need to pad its running time.
1 Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake
Modern advancements keep this classic game moving at breakneck speed
- ISSUED
- November 14, 2024
- OpenCritic rating
- Strong
Dragon Quest 3 is one of the most important games in the genre that exploded in Japan. So it's easy to see why the HD-2D remake of this title was a source of great interest for the new Dragon Quest fans who got a taste of what this legendary series has to offer with its eleventh main entry.
Modern advancements ensure that players can go through this addictive title without feeling like the dungeon is dragging or random encounters are wasting their time. Running time a Dragon Quest 3its remake is reasonable and ensures that players can easily get into this legendary JRPG.

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