Summary
TheJRPGgenreis arguably one of the most popular in history and has been so for more than two decades. Ever since gaming consoles have allowed for game mechanics that incorporate deep narratives, a wide range of different characters, and various weapons, clothes, and other party customization options, JRPGs have taken advantage of them.
While most JRPGs have a certain degree of focus on party customization, many of them don’t dive too deep into the concept and opt to deliver a better experience in other areas instead, such as combat or innovative stories. And while that’s also great, it’s often quite welcome to be able to modify characters down to their most minute detail. Here are some ofthe best JRPGsthat focus on party customization.
TheFinal Fantasyfranchiseis famous for having tons of characters and even more customization options for each one, andFinal Fantasy Tacticsfollows this proud tradition and does so with flying colors. Set in the Kingdom of Ivalice amid a civil war, the game allows for deep party customization that allows players to mix and match abilities and various jobs to create unique combinations.
With a wide array of classes ranging from basic Knights to fearsome Samurais, players have immense control over how their parties evolve and interact with the world around them. Balancing job progression and party improvement is also a rewarding challenge that makes customization one of the key elements throughout the game’s story.
Fire Emblem: Three Housestells the story of three noble houses as players take on the role of Byleth, a mercenary turned professor. Depending on which house players choose to lead, the game will present them with different plots, storylines and complex relationships, as well as political tensions that might eventually lead to a large-scale conflict, particularly in the later chapters. This title features one of the best in-depth class systems in the JRPG genre, allowing players to shift between different roles based on the stats of their choosing.
Players can also choose different training paths for their companions, giving every house a distinct feel and allowing for full control over how a party grows throughout the game. With enough effort, players can even recruit students from other houses, making their gaming experience unique.Fire Emblem: Three Housesalso features a compelling narrative full of plot twists, intense moments, and likable characters that will have players invested in the story sooner rather than later.
Set in the fictional land of Orsterra,Octopath Travelerfollows the story of eight different characters as their stories unfold. This title interweaves personal stories with larger topics, such as destiny, and various conflicts. Each character has their own independent narrative and players can form parties to discover each one.
As far as customization goes, players can assign secondary jobs to each one of their characters, which allows for a wide variety of skill combinations and different possibilities. All in all, whileOctopath Travelerdoesn’t have the strongest party customization features on this list, its “Boost” battle mechanic allows for powerful attack combinations that can be devastating if players choose the right mixture of jobs and characters.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3takes place in the Erebonian Empire and has one of the best party customization mechanics in its genre. Focusing on Rean Schwarzer, the game will have players mentor a group of students from a military academy in a period ofpolitical unrest and threats of warcoming from within the Empire’s borders, as well as from the outside.
As the game progresses, Rean and his students will make dark discoveries about their homeland while making their way through various enemies and battles. Through the use of the Orbment System. Players can deeply customize their party and give them different stats, skills, and spells that can later be used in battle and give them an edge.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3also features a complex class system that can be divided into three main categories: Class 7 for Special Ops, Class 8 for Combat Tactics, and Class 9 for Military Finance.
Set in the fictional world of Alrest,Xenoblade Chronicles 2explores life in a world covered in a sea of clouds, where humans live inside large creatures known as Titans. Players will take on the role of Rex, a 15-year-old boy who embarks on a journey to find the legendary paradise of Elysium. Throughout his quest, Rex will find himself amid a war between rival factions and will also encounter various dangerous enemies he’ll have to face and defeat to succeed.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2features a complex customization system which allows players to bond with Blades, which are weaponized life forms linked to a few humans known as “Drivers”. By bonding with Pyra (Rex’s Blade), players can customize their abilities, stats, and attributes, opening up a world of possibilities to explore. With a wide range of Blades and Drivers available, the sky’s the limit when it comes to all the different combinations players can take advantage of.
