Summary
JRPGs normally involve sprawling 100+ hour adventures where players amass a massive party and explore the world as they try to take out a major threat. While this doesn’t describe every JRPG around, the genre’s entries do follow certain tropes and adhere to this description in some way or another. However, what most people aren’t very familiar with isJRPGs with third-person shooter gameplay.
This combination is definitely a rarity, and though certain games don’t exactly mix these aspects together too well, there are many that implement them both effectively. The effectiveness of this combination may vary, but most fans of both genres will likely enjoy what’s on offer in these particular titles.
Final Fantasy 7is one of thegreatest video games ever made, and Square Enix jumped on the opportunity to capitalize on the title’s popularity. This spawned theCompilation of Final Fantasy 7, featuring spin-offs, movies, novels, and everything else along the same lines. Even now, the fact that the first game is being remade with a fresh coat of paint is a testament to just how popular and legendaryFinal Fantasy 7really is.
Hardcore fans of the series should definitely check outDirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7as well. The third-person shooter gameplay may not be the most stimulating thing in the world, but players who want more clarity when it comes to the story will have a great time with this spin-off game. The idea of spending more time with Vincent is also pretty exciting in its own right!
There aren’t many JRPGs that lean heavily into third-person shooter gameplay, and it’s only fitting that a game based on an isekai anime where players fight in a world with guns would be a perfect fit for a video game that combines both these genres. Many people feel that the shift toGun Gale Onlinedid a great job of reinvigorating the interest inSword Art Online, a popular anime that many people love to hate.
Most anime tie-in games don’t really feature anything too mind-blowing,andSword Art Online: Fatal Bulletcertainly faces this issue and then some. However, fans of the series will love interacting with this world, even if the game’s repetition can be a bit too much to handle at times.
TheParasite Eveseries is one of the most beloved JRPG franchises that fans can check out. The first game is especially brilliant, featuring a short and sweet adventure that is unlike any other JRPG that fans have experienced. The second game tried to emulate theResident Evilseries a bit too much for its own good, but it still has some redeeming qualities of its own.
However, most fans weren’t huge fans ofThe 3rd Birthday, the final game in theParasite Eveseries that focused more on third-person shooter gameplay. While this title had some big shoes to fill, players who try not to compare the games too much will findThe 3rd Birthdayto be a decent fusion of both genres and a pretty fun action title to boot.
One of the toughest JRPGs that players can check out,Resonance of Fate, is a game that many people overlook, which is a shame. The title’s graphics may look drab, but the gray hues are important to communicate the drab nature of the world and the oppressive atmosphere that residents are forced to tolerate.
Resonance of Fatecan be a nightmare to get into, with the combat system punishing players for not mapping out their moves correctly. The three main characters use guns to pepper enemies with bullets in stylistic gun duels that can go south really fast without a proper strategy. The fact that battles against regular enemies can end in a Game Over in no time is a testament toResonance of Fate’s unique combat system, and it deserves way more love than it gets.
A strategy RPG that has fizzled out in popularity over time, people whochecked out the firstValkyria Chronicleswere more than happy with what was on offer here. Set during a time of war, the game doesn’t shy away from showing the horrors of conflict at a global scale, with players having to strategize to get through every level by the skin of their teeth.
The great story, memorable characters, and fun gameplay go a long way in makingValkyria Chroniclesa blast to play through. The tactical gameplay is a delight, and players can manually control the aim of snipers if they want to enjoy some third-person shooter action in their JRPG.
