Gust's long-running Atelier catalog of JRPGs is iconic for its intricate crafting systems mimicking fantasy-based spell-making to a tee.
Like a few other entries on this list, it's tough to choose just one game in a series known for its chillness. Rune Factory 4 Special is the ultimate realization of the fourth installment, and eclipses even its terrific peers in quality all-around. but do it all with the low-pressure and melancholy vibe that's made Stardew Valley such a household name. Battle monsters with your beloved, lead your town to greatness. Rune Factory tacks on a distinct fantasy flavor, including deep crafting systems and dungeon-diving.
You inherit a farm, you raise livestock, you adventure in the surrounding area, help townsfolk with their troubles, and eventually settle down with a spouse. The Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons franchise has always touted its slice-of-life aspects above all. So, why Rune Factory 4 Special in particular? Simply put, it's the greatest realization of its subgenre. Rune Factory is itself a spinoff of Story of Seasons, so everything's neatly connected in one big farm sim sphere. When the rights to Harvest Moon left the original developers' hands, they devised the ingenious plan to launch a spiritual successor series, Story of Seasons, and most will agree these games have maintained far more of what made Harvest Moon so popular than the modern Harvest Moons themselves. There's a pretty good reason one could just as easily make the case for a number of Harvest Moon entries as for Rune Factory - they share largely identical creative DNA. Or, if they do, they'll at least have the decency to let you zone out and plant a few flowers along the way. These games won't fill you with existential dread or ask deep-rooted philosophical questions while cities are aflame due to the wrath of some unsealed god.
Whether they feature memorably soothing respites or they're built entirely around the notion that chill and smaller-scale adventure is best, we've assembled a tidy list of JRPGs for you to unwind with.
Related: Things Only Pro Players Know You Can Do In Rune Factory 5īut is it fair to paint every JRPG with the same broad brushstroke? There are dozens of titles that either eschew those stakes altogether or at least provide so much tranquil breathing room that you can relax a bunch along the way. Throughout the decades, the genre's characterization and storytelling have grown increasingly complex, but more often than not Dragon Quest's basic premise remains - the world is in danger, and you must rescue it from the brink. From the moment King Lorik asked Erdrick's descendant to defeat the nefarious Dragonlord in the very first Dragon Quest, the Japanese role-playing game genre has been rightly associated with epic tales and matching stakes.