PS5 JRPGs That Define This Generation: A Player’s Guide

The PlayStation 5 showed a strong commitment to performance improvements through faster load times and improved immersion. Also impressive were the improved visual qualities of the games available for the system. For JRPG fans and developers, however, the question for the PS5 was simple: would the “next-gen” capabilities of the PS5 actually contribute anything new to turn-based menu systems, anime cutscenes, or the many save files created in JRPGs? From my experience with the PS5 JRPGs during the past two+ years, I can confidently say the PS5 has quickly established itself as being the premier platform for JRPGs since the peak of the PS2 era. While technical specs certainly play a role in that assessment the key to the PS5’s success as a JRPG platform is how the PS5 uses its technical capabilities to improve all of the elements that make JRPGs enjoyable. In this post, I’ll explain why the PS5 is important to JRPG gamers, what the important games are, and where the console is going in the future. There is a lot to explore on your PS5 whether you got one at launch or bought it last month.

Why the PS5 Changed How We Play JRPGs

JRPGs are a famously patient genre. You spend hours waiting for a long cutscene, five hours leveling, and even more waiting for the world to open up (40+ hours) in a typical JRPG. The PS5 has not altered what JRPGs are about, but it will change how we experience them moment to moment.

The biggest reason is the SSD. In Tales of Arise on PS4 if I wanted to load into a battle it would take (on average) 6-8 seconds, but on PS5 it now takes (on average) 1 second to do the same thing. Sound small? It is. When you think about the amount of random encounters in JRPGs and add up that time, that could equal several hours of saved time from loading screens. The same can be said for fast travel. When using fast travel in Persona 5 Royal on PS4 there was a loading screen located between Shibuya and Shinjuku; this loading screen disrupts the exploration rhythm of the game. On the PS5 version the transition between these two locations feels the same as walking through a door or going to a new room.

My favorite example of this effect is in dungeon crawling sessions of Ys VIII and Trails into Reverie – both of these games involve players transitioning between different locations constantly. Loading into different areas has now become a breeze.

The second most notable change is the frame rate performance of JRPGs on the PS5. Prior to the PS5, many JRPGs were experiencing choppy frame rates (30 FPS) and missed frame rate targets (dipping during impressive spell effects or large enemy encounters). When playing games on the PS5, such as Granblue Fantasy Relink and Star Ocean: The Divine Force, it is possible to achieve 60 frames per second in performance mode.

The fact that all action-oriented JRPGs perform best when running at 60 frames per second is important when it comes to having a responsive combat experience due to the need for stable frame timings. In Granblue Fantasy Relink, for example, blocking a combo with the number of frames is not a gamble at 60 frames per second. However, blocking a combo at 30 frames per second can be very hit or miss because of how many dropped frames you may see when blocking during that same input window.

DualSense and the JRPG Experience

Going into my time with the PS5, I didn’t expect the DualSense controller to contribute much to my experience with JRPGs but ended up being pleasantly surprised. Not every PS5 JRPG takes advantage of the DualSense features, but the ones that do contribute to an overall experience that was different from any other game I had previously played.

An example of how the DualSense functionalities were used in a unique way is Final Fantasy XVI. To give players a sense of the weight behind the Eikonic abilities, the adaptive triggers are used to provide feedback in response to the player’s action. When players go to use Titan’s power through Clive’s character, the L2 trigger pushes back against the player’s input in a way that resembles Clive’s body movements on the screen. What I had originally assumed was a novelty became evident as I continued to play – At some point during my boss fights, there was a connection between me and the combat that no amount of visual effects could have provided.

While a smaller independent title, Astria Ascending, also showcased how the DualSense controller could provide a unique experience. In particular, the speaker in the DualSense was used to provide audio feedback when casting spells. The audio was emitted directly from the player’s hands and not from the TV, thus providing an unexpected connection between the player and spell casting. This was a tasteful design choice from a smaller development studio, and it was more memorable to me than some of the AAA implementations.

As previously mentioned, not all JRPGs use the DualSense controller’s unique functions; however, many of the developers in Japan continue to treat the DualSense like a standard controller. The hardware used by the creators of these kinds of games, however, is more capable than those used to make first-person shooter and racing video games.

Loading Times and Open World JRPGs

Open world JRPGs are new to the video game industry. Dragon Quest 11 and Xenoblade Chronicles proved that open world JRPGs can work, but load times continued to put limits on what jrpgs could be created. The PS5 has changed the limits.

Take for example Final Fantasy VII Rebirth; one of the best examples of open world development. When you run between the different zones in Rebirth (Grasslands, Junon and Cosmo Canyon) there’s plenty of content to explore (side quests, mini games, and world environmental story telling), but with the PS5 you can run through any of those zones in approximately 2 seconds so there isn’t any reason not to explore. If you see something of interest on the horizon, you can just run towards it without having to worry about a 30 second load time to punish you for wanting to explore.

I have played over 90 hours of Rebirth in 2 different playthroughs and due to the fast loading, the 2nd playthrough didn’t feel redundant at all. That’s far different from the PS4 version of Final Fantasy XV, which had a similar design, but the loading times for entering dungeons were usually between 45 seconds and 90 seconds. The PS4 version of Final Fantasy XV had significant friction created by the limitations of the hardware, which made the game tedious to play on multiple playthroughs.

Star Ocean: The Divine Force has a far more open world design and still benefits from fast load speeds, but the open world areas are not quite as polished as Rebirth. With the D.U.M.A. system, you can fly across the map when using the ground traversal mechanic. If you were playing on the older generation consoles, there would have been significant stuttering issues with the streaming while flying; however, on the PS5 there are no significant stuttering issues, which means that flying through the open world is still a positive experience. ## Top JRPGs for PS5 So Far

The Biggest PS5 JRPGs Released So Far

The current generation has produced an expansive JRPG library that can rival any other generation of the PS. Below are the best examples of JRPGs to date.

Final Fantasy XVI, released in June 2023, is an exclusive title for the PS5 but it split fans due to gameplay mechanics centered around action combat and minimal party management. However, as software, Final Fantasy XVI is legendary on the PS5 because of its Eikon battles that showcased the power of the console through breathtaking graphics and intense action.

Aside from the breathtaking detail of the graphics, the game provided an incredible performance with consistent frame rates (in performance mode), fast-loading times and top-notch controller functionality via DualSense.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, released in February 2024, offered one of the most intense JRPGs in a long time. The open-zone areas, expanded Materia system, and character-driven quests made full use of the PS5 technology throughout the game. Cloud’s journey across the world map was more realistic than the original game could be. When I completed the first playthrough, I spent roughly 75 hours playing through the game, and completed almost every side quest because the game rewards exploration rather than punishes it. The card game, Queen’s Blood, accounted for approximately 10 hours of my total play time because the other players and the world were loaded quickly enough to not hinder my overall enjoyment of the card game or the rest of the game. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, originally released on PS4, has been greatly improved by the PS5 hardware due to its superior load times and resolution. The updates provide a much better experience than playing on a PS4; for example, the PS5 version has almost instantaneous load times as compared to upwards of 30 seconds on PS4.

Persona 5 Royal and the Remaster Wave

The PS5 has transformed many classic games into their definitive versions. The fact that many of the older classic games have received an entirely new coat of paint thanks to the PS5 has made many fans of these classic games want to play these games again on the new console, even though they already played them when they first came out on their original platforms. For all of these reasons, there are now hundreds of thousands of players who play these classic titles on the PS5 every day, which is why the PS5 version of Persona 5 Royal has been nominated for hybrid game of the year at this year’s video game awards.

Hidden Gems Most Players Missed

The maximum number of PS5 JRPGs do not receive enough mainstream attention and there are several smaller titles out there that deserve recognition.

While the story of this game is not the strongest, the beautiful hand-drawn look of the game makes it a very appealing purchase for someone looking for something new.

Monark (from the creators behind Shin Megami Tensei) features a more mature tone in their take on JRPGs and uses positioning and psychology in place of raw damage as the basis for their combat. Although there are some elements of the game that feel rough, there are a lot of creative ideas throughout the game, and players who appreciate the structure of Persona but also want a little more experimentation will find Monark to be worth the investment in terms of time and money.

The Diofield Chronicle takes the real-time strategy gameplay style and mixes it with traditional storytelling found in JRPGs. Although the game did not do well in terms of sales, the tactical combat element of the game is enjoyable once you can get the timing right.

Every mission takes between 15-20 minutes, making it a great game to experience in shorter sessions. The PS5 version…

The two Tokyo RPG Factory games (Lost Sphear and I am Setsuna) are available for play on the PS5 through backwards compatibility. Both games have a retro JRPG feel, yet use a modern presentation to help players understand both games’ stories. Due to the nature of both games being too short (approximately 20 hours total), they both would work well for someone looking for a good game between long games.

Reynatis launched quietly at the end of 2024 and flew under the radar of many consoles. Fluid, dynamic action-combat gameplay featuring a dual-mode mechanic where players will alternate between a suppressed state and a liberated state character. Set in modern-day Shibuya with aesthetics that are reminiscent of the Persona franchise without any of the social simulation aspect of those games. I put in about 25 hours into the game and did not expect the combat to be as satisfying as it was. As soon as I managed to open up some of the upgrade paths it became very entertaining. It is not a “must play,” but those who have an eye for what is available outside of the main page of the PS Store will find this game rewarding.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes recently launched on PS5 as a spiritual successor to Suikoden. With 108 recruitable characters, a base-building aspect, and grand scale large army battles, it successfully recalls a JRPG time period that most of today’s development studios have stepped away from. One advantage that PS5 players will see is that the fast load times allow you to quickly switch between various story scenarios when managing such a large roster.

Upcoming PS5 JRPGs Worth Watching

The supply of upcoming PS5 JRPG continues to be plentiful as we look towards 2026 and beyond.

Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate has been developed for several years now with little to no information that has been publicly released. What we do know is that it will have a darker tone than previous entries in the series and will be the first time we have seen this done in the Dragon Quest series. It is expected that the PS5 will be the lead development platform for DQ XII.

Final Fantasy VII Part Three is more than likely going to continue Final Fantasy VII’s remake trilogy on PS5, however, there is not a specific release date set at this time. Based on the scope of Rebirth, FF7 Part 3 is expected to take the most full advantage of this console generation than any other JRPG before it. The Persona team at Atlus has created a brand new fantasy RPG called ReFantazio; new title will be rooted in what Persona’s fans are used to seeing from Atlus when it comes to the mix of social simulation elements and turn-based combat. Based on what we’ve seen, it looks like it will be more aligned in terms of gameplay style and scope with Persona 5 versus Atlus’s standard smaller scale Catherine-like projects.

Falcom’s coming to the PS5, and so are a number of titles coming to the PS5 from Falcom in the coming couple of years. After all the confusion surrounding the PSP and Vita, the PS5 is now Falcom’s primary console after years of developing for those two platforms. In particular, and especially for fans of the Trails series, the PS5 will be a first time console providing an entire modern-day Trails game series in a single console with consistent graphics and performance.

In addition to Falcom titles, there are many rumors and speculation related to future content for the PS5, including the next installation of Valkyria Chronicles and possible Xenogears remake. With all the interest expressed on social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and fan forums in regard to both properties – and PS5’s hardware capabilities being able to run either of those – there is clearly a need for development on both timelines.

How PS5 Compares to Switch for JRPG Fans

In the Japanese Role Playing Game fan communities, the answer to the question as to whether or not to buy a PS5 or Switch, is based upon personal preferences. The Nintendo Switch is portable meaning that gamers can take Octopath Traveler, Dragon Quest XI, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 wherever they go (e.g., train, bed, work, etc.). As many RPG titles take at least 80 hours to complete, portability will provide a significant benefit if you are someone playing a RPG on your own time schedule. Many of my friends who play Persona 5 Royal chose to do so on the Switch largely because they commute to and from work, allowing them enough time to complete the game in short sessions.

In terms of game performance and visual fidelity, the PS5 far exceeds the capabilities of the Switch. Games that are available on multiple consoles, like Trials of Mana, Nier Automata, and Tales of Arise, noticeably outperform their Switch versions on a PS5. The difference is even more pronounced when considering how fast games load as well – when loading multiple zones in Trails through Daybreak on the Switch, it may take around 10-15 seconds to load; whereas, it would take under 2 seconds for your PS5 to do the same. This is something that adds up quickly over the course of your 60+ hour playthrough and can really be felt.

Additionally, the PS5 has a number of exclusive JRPG titles that will never be released on the Switch. Some of these exclusive JRPG titles include Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Granblue Fantasy Relink; all of which are PS5 exclusive titles currently with no Switch ports planned (these are some of the most technologically advanced JRPG’s ever produced, and as such require hardware that the Switch simply cannot provide).

My recommendation to you is that if you are only going to own one console for the purpose of playing JRPG’s, the PS5 has a superior library of JRPG’s and provides a superior level of performance to the Switch. However, if you travel a lot or prefer to play in shorter sessions, the Switch will likely still have some value for you. For a complete breakdown of the best JRPG’s currently available on the PS5, please visit https://icicledisaster.com/best-jrpgs-on-ps5/ to see a thorough list of JRPG’s that includes both exclusives and multiplatform titles, along with how well they run on the available hardware.

Both systems are valid for the genre you enjoy. Neither replaces the other.

Building Your PS5 JRPG Library

Starting a JRPG library for PS5 can seem daunting because of how many great videogames there are to choose from; however, With my time in building mine over the last couple of years, I’ve developed a step-by-step process to help you get started.

Start with the flagship titles. The two I’ve recommended to anyone who has a PS5 and a desire to play JRPGs are Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Persona 5 Royal. FFVII Rebirth provides the spectacle/experience of exploration; Persona offers depth and character development. Combined they give the poles of what modern day JRPGs are about.

As you progress through your collection, explore the middle tier games. Tales of Arise, Granblue Fantasy Relink, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth are three examples of mid-tier games that may not be quite as polished as the flagships, but will offer strong experiences from different sub-genres. Tales of Arise is a traditional action JRPG, Granblue Fantasy Relink is an online co-op actioned-style RPG with progression mechanics, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a turn-based RPG wrapped in a crime drama.

Now that you have the foundation in place, take into consideration the benefits of backward compatibility. With the PS5 you now can play almost every JRPG in the PS4 library with better load times and frame-rate stability than the original platform. In essence, the PS4 JRPGs become your PS5 JRPG library with improvements in quality-of-life issues, especially if you decide to replay any JRPG titles for the 2nd time like I did with Dragon Quest XI, it made my late game grinds much easier than on PS4 because of the difference in load times.

Watch for sales events through Sony. On a seasonal basis, customers can find some incredible deals on JRPGs through PlayStation. I purchased Astria Ascending, Diofield Chronicle, and Monark for less than $15 each. At that price, even if a mid-tier JRPG provides a strong return on investment based on the amount of time you actually play.

Take into consideration a PS Plus membership. The Extra and Premium tiers have a revolving catalog of JRPGs that customers can play without having to purchase the games themselves. I completed the entire game of Ys VIII through PS Plus Extra and I saved around $40. I also found a new series I did not pay attention to for many years. The catalog changes monthly so be sure to look to see what is available before making your purchasing decision. There are often several Tales titles, Trails games, and older series Final Fantasy games that rotate on the PlayStation Plus membership.

The PS5 as a JRPG Platform: Where It Stands

The PS2 is known as the best JRPG console history, which includes Final Fantasy X, Persona 3 and 4, Dragon Quest VIII, Kingdom Hearts, Xenosaga, Suikoden III, Shadow Hearts, and many more. Trying to replicate that era today is hard.

But there is a case being built for the PS5. The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth sets itself alongside anything from the PS2 in both ambition and quality. Persona 5 Royal, even though it is a remaster, is still one of the best JRPGs ever across all platforms. The games that are expected within the next year or two, like Dragon Quest XII, Final Fantasy VII Part Three, and Metaphor: ReFantazio show that the library will continue to be strong.

One important thing about the PS5 as JRPG platform is the quality of life features. Load time, frame rate, suspend/resume, Activity Cards–while none of these items sound exciting, they all decrease friction of a genre that historically has required the highest levels of patience. It is much easier to invest 100 hours into a JRPG when everything about the hardware minimizes wasted time.

I have been playing JRPGs on every PlayStation since the original PlayStation was released. The PS1 had the magic of discovery, the PS2 had the wealth of a long library, and the PS3 and PS4 had some of the best games but did not have continuity. The PS5 is designed to be a true JRPG platform from the perspective of hardware, library, and system features used to advance the genre.

If you are a JRPG fan thinking about buying a PS5 there is only one answer, the games are here now, the performance is here now, and the best is to come.