The Best Japanese Games for Playstation 4 ·

17 Jul 2024, 00:00

Update 16 November 2023: Persona 5 Tactica added at rank #14.

Here are our 10 Best Japanese Games for Playstation 4: 1

Chained Echoes (2022)

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Review score

Playstation 4 Xbox One Mac OS PC Windows Nintendo Switch Linux

Chained Echoes is an indie JRPG that surprises players with engaging combat, compelling characters, and stellar worldbuilding. It pays homage to classic RPGs and adds clever twists. The turn-based combat system is excellent, requiring strategy and skill upgrades. Well-written characters and a thought-provoking story make the game enjoyable throughout its 30-40 hour runtime. The music perfectly complements the high fantasy setting. Chained Echoes is a fresh and smart adventure that celebrates classic JRPGs while incorporating modern improvements.

What we like:

Engaging combat
Compelling characters
Stellar worldbuilding
Thought-provoking story
Excellent music

What could be improved:

Grindy levelling system

japanese
rpg
jrpg
turn-based
mech

Good match + 43 Bad match - 49

Persona 5 Royal (2019)

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Review score

Playstation 4 Android PC Windows Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Xbox One Xbox Series X

Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG that mixes turn-based combat with stealth and puzzles, creating an unbelievably cool and unique gaming experience. You play as a high schooler fighting supernatural forces while balancing everyday activities and relationships. The game features excellent visuals, an outstanding soundtrack, and a well-realized story that deals with some serious teenage issues. With refined mechanics and new additions, Persona 5 Royal is undoubtedly worth playing.

What we like:

Well-realized story
Unique gameplay loop
Top-notch combat system
Outstanding soundtrack
Multiple meaningful additions

What could be improved:

Heavy on dialogue and story
Slow start
Can be overwhelming

japanese
rpg
jrpg
dungeon
turn-based
battle
fight
combat

Good match + 43 Bad match - 33

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (2020)

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Review score

Screenshot of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch PC Windows

The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero is a classic Japanese JRPG that has been localized for the West. Players take control of a team of young police recruits in a major city as they strive to improve the reputation of their force by completing odd tasks for citizens. With impressive visuals and engaging characters, Trails From Zero will provide an enjoyable experience for both newcomers and veterans alike.

What we like:

Tactical turn-based combat
Dynamic shadows
Keyboard & mouse support on PC

What could be improved:

Boring side quests
PC offers higher frame rate but needs powerful hardware

japanese
rpg
jrpg
detective
battle
turn-based

Good match + 30 Bad match - 80

Octopath Traveler II (2023)

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Review score

Nintendo Switch Xbox One) (Xbox Series X/s PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5

Octopath Traveler is a stunning homage to 16-bit era JRPGs. It features beautiful art design, nuanced and mature storytelling, complete with 8 unique characters that the player can get to know in their own journeys. Players will also experience a behemoth of an overall narrative, a robust combat system, and plenty of content to explore.

What we like:

Homage to 16-bit era JRPGs
Beautiful art design
Nuanced and mature storytelling
Unique characters with personal stories
Robust combat system
Plenty of content to explore

What could be improved:

Can be difficult to navigate the world at points
Battles tend to go overlong
No visual indication when bosses are weakened or close to death

japanese
rpg
jrpg
turn-based
battle

Good match + 5 Bad match - 14

Star Ocean The Second Story R (2023)

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Review score

Screenshot of Star Ocean The Second Story R

PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5

In this science fantasy RPG, choose between Claude or Rena, play through their perspectives, and unlock various endings. Recruit allies and defeat foes in fast paced real-time battles.

rpg
japanese
jrpg
remake
battle
sci-fi
dungeon
combat

Good match + 1 Bad match

Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster (2022)

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Review score

Screenshot of Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster

PC Windows IOS iPhone Android Nintendo Switch Playstation 4

The original FINAL FANTASY VI comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the sixth game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.

rpg
japanese
pixel
dungeon
jrpg
auto-battle
classic
battle
class
empire
nostalgia
emotional
2d
remake
narrative

Good match + 15 Bad match - 35

Live A Live (2022)

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Review score

Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 PC Windows Android

Live A Live is a cult classic Super Nintendo game that has been brought to the west with this remastered version. With a unique story told across multiple time periods and characters, enjoy an ambitious scope of HD2D visuals, voiceovers in both English and Japanese, unique turn based combat, and fantastic music!

What we like:

Unique story told through multiple time periods
HD2D visuals and particle work
Voiceovers in both English and Japanese
Unique turn based combat system with risk/reward elements
Fantastic music

What could be improved:

Some may feel disappointed by the lack of 3D remake feature

japanese
rpg
jrpg
grid
turn-based
remake
battle
fight

Good match + 3 Bad match

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream (2022)

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Review score

Screenshot of Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream

Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 PC Windows

Embark on a heartwarming journey with Sophie the Alchemist in Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream. Explore a world where you can fulfill your dreams while attempting to return a friend's soul to human form. The game features a beautifully designed anime-inspired world, a captivating story, and an engaging alchemy crafting system. Battle with six party members and utilize weather manipulation to open up new paths. Enjoy lovable characters, great music, and improvements over previous Atelier titles. With a variety of DLC content available, the adventure never ends.

What we like:

Beautiful anime-inspired world
Captivating story with rich characterizations
Engaging alchemy crafting system
Excellent turn-based combat with weather manipulation gimmick
Lovable characters

What could be improved:

Panel Synthesis alchemy system returns mostly unchanged from previous game
Fully voiced in Japanese without an option for English
Gathering system can be tedious
Alchemy system requires a lot of understanding

japanese
rpg
jrpg
turn-based
grid
battle
combat
crafting

Good match + 19 Bad match - 51

NEO: The World Ends With You (2021)

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Review score

Screenshot of NEO: The World Ends With You

Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

Dive into the vibrant streets of Shibuya in NEO: The World Ends with You, where you're in a high-stakes Reapers' Game. Use your psychic abilities, unravel a gripping story, and change your fate. With its unique art style, high-energy music, and addictive combat, you'll be hooked from start to finish.

What we like:

Engaging and unpredictable storyline
Exciting combat system with psychic abilities
Unique and stunning art style
High-energy, genre-bending soundtrack
Gradually complex and satisfying gameplay

What could be improved:

Combat can sometimes be visually cluttered
Some story elements may be overwhelming for newcomers
Repetitive moments
Lack of fast travel option

japanese
rpg
battle
jrpg
team
anime
combat
fight
cult
boss-fight
action

Good match + 39 Bad match - 72

Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster (2021)

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Review score

Screenshot of Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster

PC Windows Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch Android IOS iPhone

Immerse yourself in the timeless adventure of FINAL FANTASY III. Experience the captivating story and charming retro graphics, now remastered with updated 2D pixel graphics and a beautifully rearranged soundtrack. Dive into a world of magic and darkness, where only the chosen adventurers can save the world. With improved gameplay and additional features, this remastered edition brings new life to a beloved classic. Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey?

What we like:

The redemption arc of Final Fantasy series
Robust job system with customization
Challenging battles and well-designed dungeons
Captivating narrative and character development
Remastered soundtrack and immersive sound design
Quality-of-life improvements

What could be improved:

Expensive pricing
Balancing issues with difficulty spikes
Tedium of grinding for different jobs
Lack of individuality among party members

japanese
rpg
remake
pixel
dungeon
jrpg
nostalgia
class
2d
magic
turn-based
battle
party
boss
remaster

Good match + 3 Bad match

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The Best Japanese Games for Playstation 4

Chained Echoes (2022)

Persona 5 Royal (2019)

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (2020)

Octopath Traveler II (2023)

Star Ocean The Second Story R (2023)

Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster (2022)

Live A Live (2022)

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream (2022)

NEO: The World Ends With You (2021)

Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster (2021)

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