Summary
JRPGsand open worlds don’t typically go together, but there are a handful out there that marry these two wonderful genres to create immersive experiences unlike any other. Traditionally, JRPGs are more linear, guiding players through emotionally charged narratives about defeating a great evil. However, occasionally, developers experiment with the genre, introducing new elements and, in some cases, open worlds or zones.
Open-world experiences give players a greater appreciation for the worlds they are inhabiting, such as the floating titans ofXenoblade Chronicles 2or the densely packed and detailed streets of theLike a Dragonfranchise. They can elevate the gameplay experience while heightening the stakes of the core narrative, easily turning a handful of JRPGs into some of thebest open-world gamesof all time. Fortunately, for those who prefer to only play open-world games, there are plenty of JRPGs that match their interests.
10 RPGs With The Most Open Worlds
There’s no shortage of open-world games these days, but finding RPGs with true open world freedom that feels meaningful can be more difficult.
10Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist Of The End & The Secret Key (Gust)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC
Developer Gust revolutionized theAtelierfranchise with the release of the firstAtelier Ryzagame. Since then, it has expanded on the formula, introducing new characters, enemies, and new mechanics. In the case of the third game,Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, the evolution was open zones.
These expansive areas opened up the game significantly,allowing players to explore vast landscapes that had previously felt more like linear corridors. This also made scavenging for resources more enjoyable. Fortunately, while the third game does require some knowledge of the previous entries, it also works as a standalone experience for those who would rather skip the linear games in the series.
9Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Sky (Level 5)
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skytook the traditional open-world formula of JRPGs and expanded upon it greatly. Its overworld is packed full of detail, making it a genuine joy to explore, helped further by the introduction of the Starflight Express train in the late game, as well as the ship a little earlier. Additionally,the lack of random encounters ensures that exploration never feels like a slog.
Perhaps the greatest aspect ofDragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky’sworld is thatit can be explored in co-op mode. Running aroundDQ9’s world with a friend never gets old and makes it one of the greatest multiplayer open-world games, certainly on the DS.DQ9may be a little harder to get into now, thanks to being locked to the Nintendo DS, but it’s still a worthwhile experience that brings together a classic JRPG story with a great open world.
8Final Fantasy 15 (Square Enix)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Final Fantasy 15is more of a modern open-world JRPG. It lacks the loading screens that came with transitioning from overworlds to locations in traditional JRPGs, and players can freely go from one side of the map to the next at any point. There are some exceptions, especially in the late game, when it becomes more linear, but for the most part,Final Fantasy 15is a truly modern open-world experience.
What makesFinal Fantasy 15stand apart from other open-world games is its focus on the journey.It is a game about journeying with friends, taking photos together, camping at night, sharing stories, and just generally going on a surprisingly fun road trip, despite the stakes involved in the central narrative. For agorgeous and more modern open-world experience,Final Fantasy 15is absolutely the way to go.
7Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (Square Enix)
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthtook all the lessons learned fromFinal Fantasy 15and created more condensed yet nevertheless expansive open zones full of side content. With several distinct regions to visit, each brimming with life and activities, there’s plenty for the budding open-world enthusiast to do. It helps, too, thatFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’sopen world is absolutely gorgeous and easily one of the best-looking open-world JRPGs, if not the best.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthis billed as a standalone experience that doesn’t require players to have experienced the linearFinal Fantasy 7 Remake. While that is largely true, to get the best experience fromRebirth, it is highly recommended to playRemakefirst.
FF7 Rebirthreimagined the classic overworld ofFinal Fantasy 7as a more modern open-world experience.It’s filled with minigames and side quests for players to complete, as well as enemies and bosses to defeat. It truly redefined the world ofFinal Fantasy 7in a way never before thought possible.
6Dragon Quest 8: Journey Of The Cursed King (Level 5)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS
Dragon Quest 8isn’t a traditional open-world, butit does take the overworld format and make it feel more akin to modern open-world titles. It is split between a 3D overworld that players can explore at their own pace, filled with optional areas, and a more traditional overworld when traveling by sea and in other instances. Players can also freely travel back to previously visited towns, making it feel far more open than it seems initally.
There are fundamental differences between each version ofDragon Quest 8, such as the lack of random encounters in the Nintendo 3DS version. While the PS2 version has better graphics, the 3DS version is the better experience overall.
For those who prefer a slightly smaller open world,Dragon Quest 8will be the perfect fit. While it certainly shows its age in some respects,DQ8has many amazing qualities, including its colorful cast of characters and epic narrative. It’s fair to say there’s a good reason whyDQ8is considered so iconic by JRPG fans across the world.
10 Best Open-World Fantasy Games Of All Time
From exploring vast worlds to slaying dragons and saving villages, there are plenty of games that let players run their imaginations wild.
5Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance (Atlus)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengenceis the remastered version ofSMT 5, which promises better visuals, a whole new storyline, and several new quality-of-life improvements. Fortunately,the incredible semi-open-world structure from the original is kept intact. This sees players exploring expansive areas of the wonderful and terrifying world ofShin Megami Tensei 5.
SMT 5is an open-zone game, much likeFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthor theXenoblade Chroniclesfranchise. These zones are gorgeously detailed, and packed full of optional content for players to engage with. For anyone who loves thrilling storytelling and exploring dense environments,Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengencewill be a welcome surprise.
4Dragon’s Dogma 2 (Capcom)
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Dragon’s Dogma 2, likeFinal Fantasy 15, is all about the journey. It is a game built around exploring its open world accompanied byloyal companions called Pawns. It’s a truly immersive experience, one that seesthe actions of players and their Pawns deeply affect the world around them.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Review: “A Wonderful Journey, & A True Novelty”
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is guaranteed to take you on a memorable and immersive adventure, but it’s liable to include a few hiccups along the way.
It’s easy to see howDragon’s Dogma 2has one of the most alive-feeling open worlds. It is the small details, such as encountering random Pawns while exploring, and emergent events, such as an ogre and dragon appearing at the same time and fighting each other, that make it such a joy to explore. This isby far the most immersive open-world JRPG.
3Xenoblade Chronicles X (Monolith Soft)
Platforms: Wii U
While the majority of theXenoblade Chroniclesfranchise has stuck to open zones,Xenoblade Chronicles Xis a truly open-world game. Players can fly from one edge of the map in a giant mech suit or walk with their allies and take in the varied sights.Xenoblade Chronicles X’s open world is also surprisingly vertical, ensuring it never feels like a single flat expanse.
Playing any of the otherXenoblade Chroniclesgames is not necessary to enjoyXenoblade Chronicles X. It is entirely standalone and not part of theXenoblade Chroniclestrilogy.
There are clear comparisons betweenBreath of the WildandXenoblade Chronicles X, as both revolutionized their franchises with true open worlds and a greater focus on exploration. In fact,Xenoblade Chronicles Xhas a more varied and dynamic open world coupled with a far more involved storyline thanBOTW. So, for those looking for the complete open-world JRPG package,Xenoblade Chronicles Xis the perfect game.
2Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
While most JRPGs tend to skew more towards the fantastical side, theLike a Dragonseries, which takes huge inspiration from theDragon Questgames, is more grounded, at least in terms of its locations. In the most recent entry,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth,players can explore areas of Yokohama, Tokyo, and Honolulu. It’s by far the biggest entry in both theLike a Dragon/Yakuzaseries, bringing together past locations and introducing new ones.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review - “A Tremendously High Bar”
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth takes many of the best elements of the franchise’s past, expands on them, and adds more into sheer brilliance.
Like all good open-world games,there’s a plethora of minigames, side content, and fights to get into while exploring. However, it’s worth noting that whileInfinite Wealthcan technically be played without playing at least the otherLike a Dragongame, players will struggle to understand every reference. Fortunately, the open world is so good that it more than makes up for the potential narrative confusion.
1Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Monolith Soft)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
For those searching for open-world JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch, look no further thanXenoblade Chronicles 3. While split into open zones,XBC3’smaps are so expansive they each feel like they could be their own open-world games. Each zone is also diverse in its biomes, with players venturing from fantastical deserts to verdant green valleys without a loading screen in between.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Review: Best In Class
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a culmination of lessons learned from developer Monolith Soft’s past projects, and a best-in-class JRPG that’s a must-play.
It helps thatXenoblade Chronicles 3’s open world is very vertical, allowing players to get amazing views of the areas they’ve just explored down below. While the war-torn areas ofXBC3are perhaps not as wondrous asXenoblade Chronicles 2’stitans, they are far bigger.Xenoblade Chronicles 3isn’t just one of the bestJRPGson the Nintendo Switch, but easily one of the best open-world games.
