JRPG games are known for theirexpansive, high fantasy settings. Many titles in this genre thrive off of creating sprawling fantasy worlds that serve as the setting for grand epics and journeys, usually with a dark knight or evil wizard that needs felling along the way but, in recent years especially, the genre has been shaking off these particular tropes.
No matterhow in-depth or expansivea JRPG’s narrative is, this is a genre of games where titles can live or die by their setting. If a setting is well-written and engaging, then the story seems to just naturally fit in that world. One of the many ways JRPGs can contribute positively to their settings is through the inclusion of races beyond humans, to showcase cultures and societies cut from a different cloth than standard high fantasy tropes. These JRPGs in particular include bestial and anthropomorphic races to diversify their settings.
Capcom’s JRPG Marvel
Breath of Fire 4
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TheBreath Of Fireseries isan unfortunately obscureentry in Capcom’s backlog, but one that has a handful of absolutely stellar entries (and a failed 2016 MMO that we never,nevertalk about). This is a series of compelling but typically linear games starting at the SNES and ending at the PlayStation’s early days, with the rare achievement among game series of being an almost linear increase in quality in every game, as the series is said to have peaked around this listed entry, four, or the subsequent fifth title.
There are a plethora of bestial races in this game. The Creeping Clan are aristocratic frog folk, while the dirt-eating clan are mole people, and the forest clan are wolf folk. The protagonist’s ability to shapeshift into different dragons lends them to a semi-bestial race in their own right, and the animal-folk make up a large part of playable characters an NPCs not just in this title but in all theBreath of Firegames.
A Classic JRPG With A Variety Of Races
Suikoden II
Experience An Epic Tale of Warfare, Magic Friendship and Betrayal- New Tactical Map Battles Add A Whole New Level Of Strategy- Fantastic Spells With Stunning Animation Sequences And Specialized Attacks- Over 108 Different Characters Can Join Your Party And Help You On Your Quest- Unlock Hidden Storylines Using Your Memory Card Data From The Original Suikoden- Build Up Your Castle During The Course Of The Thriving Virtual Community
Suikoden 2is a classic among JRPG fans, an honor held similarly with its predecessor. These two titles both have incredible narratives and an expansive roster of characters, and are seen in their own right as some of the best high fantasy JRPGs that have ever been made. This is quite the prestigious title, considering how popular this subgenre is with developers and fans alike. The unique combat and leveling systemdoesn’t require grinding, allowing characters of human and non-human races alike to shine in any combat situation.
Kobolds (that look like absolutely awesome dog-people, not your scaly D&D gremlins) and duck people are just a couple of the many bestial races that players can encounter and recruit fighters from inSuikoden 2, this is definitely a stellar party based JRPG players won’t want to miss out on. Be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming remasters of both 1 & 2 in this series!
The Zodiac Age Lives Up To Its Name
Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings
ONE YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE THE EVENTS OF FINAL FANTASY XII.Vaan is now a full-fledged sky pirate and Penelo his trusted navigator. When they stumble upon the legendary sky continent of Lemurés, it’s up to them to defend it from the evils of the outside world.• Reunite with old friends• Experience stunning cinematic cut scenes• Use the Ring of Pacts to select from over 50 familiar summons
Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Ageis an masterful JRPG, known for its engaging open-world exploration, itsexpansive skill trees, and for the plethora of bestial races that make up the core of the setting. This is a fantastic move on Square Enix’s part - making a world that entices players to explore not just due to the sights they’ll see or the items they’ll find, but because of the people they’ll meet along the way too.
While retaining a classicFinal Fantasyplot that revolves around two warring empires, and the small kingdom stuck in between, this is a very colorful, almost whimsical installment in Square Enix’s legendary franchise, and one that has an especially large focus on non-human characters, races, and cultures. For the color of the setting and its people alone, let alone the masterful gameplay, this is a title to keep an eye on.
Alliance Alivedeserves to stand among the pantheon of JRPGs known for their incredible combatand boss battles, but on top of this, it has one of the most fascinating and unique aesthetics to be found in a JRPG today, taking a surreal, painterly spin on classic high fantasy world design. The compelling story in this world is centered around not just humanity, but how humans act with the incredibly diverse race known as the beastfolk, who take on all different kinds of animalistic forms. These beastfolk are sort of the middle, enforcer tier in the setting’s new heirarchy, where the oppressed humans are at the bottom and the oppressive Daemons are at the top.
Daemons themselves exhibit unique, animalistic traits, and each unique character has such an iconic design - it only makes the fantastic story that much better.
The Nordic-inspired kingdom of Bastorias is filled with a group of people known as the Bestral races. The Bestral folk are all incredibly proud and powerful, and are the last place to truly fall under the thumb of the evil Zenoiran empire - though that can all change unless the player helps them out. The beast races on display here are - frankly - badass. Colossal lion-folk with the width of two men, towering, lycanthrope-style wolf-men, it’s all very stylized.
Game Rant is a zero-judgement publication. If the player wants tomarry the wolf girl? Or the owl priestess? That’s between them and their god. The important thing here is to recognize the lovingly illustrated beastfolk available for Alain to recruit.
