4. Xenogears
Xenogears raised the bar for storytelling in JRPGs by introducing us to characters and an ongoing story that spanned thousands of years. It also delved into the psyche of its protagonist in a way that no JRPG had done before. Inward and outward, Xenogears reached for miles in both directions to weave a story about advancing technology, alien forces, religion, and love. Welcome to No 4, Xenogears.
3. Final Fantasy VII
Whatever your thoughts are of Final Fantasy VII, you cannot deny the impact it had on the gaming world, and on JRPG’s in general. For many, it was their first Final Fantasy game, for others it was their first JRPG… and for its time, it was catastrophically impressive. When a game can invoke emotions of pure sadness, joy and accomplishment, then you know you are playing something special. Over the years, many have questioned the quality and popularity of Final Fantasy VII, but when one game can open the minds and introduce so many people to the world of JRPG’s, then surely that can’t be a bad thing… Can it?
2. Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross, like its predecessor (Chrono Trigger), was never localised in Europe during its initial release. Which means that only part of the world got to play and immerse themselves into the world of these games. However, unlike Chrono Trigger (which finally got a European release via the Nintendo DS and Wii’s Virtual Console), Chrono Cross divided many gamers due to its (abundant amount of) characters, story and gameplay. It’s now a perfect example of a game you either love or hate — but Operation Rainfall loved it so much, we awarded it the number 2 spot!
Our top pick is next. What could possibly have beaten Final Fantasy VII and Chrono Cross?
