Summary
Many people assume that most JRPGs have linear storylines where players can’t stray from the beaten path barring the odd sidequest or two. While this may be true in the majority of instances,some JRPGs try to stray away from the tropesthis genre has been associated with in this department. This has led to players enjoying numerous titles that have done a great job of letting them enjoy non-linear storytelling that grants some agency over the game’s narrative progression.
Players can either muck about for hours on end or trigger story sequences in whatever manner they see fit, allowing them to enjoy some fun story segments and some engaging side content at their leisure. Some may prefer a linear sense of progression instead, but there’s no denying thatnon-linear storytelling feels more player-driven and adds to the novelty of these unique JRPGs.
One of the greatest sequels of all time,Octopath Traveler 2did a great jobkeeping players engaged with stellar gameplay, eight memorable protagonists, and storytelling that had its highlights despite some recurring problems from the first game. Each party member’s story occurs in a vacuum where the other protagonists are sidelined whenever the narrative kicks it into high gear. This may be a problem for some players, but the travel banter that the party engages in is pretty frequent and helps the cast feel more cohesive than in the first game.
It helps that there’s a proper ending to the game that ties everyone’s narratives together in a neat bow and ensures that players won’t be left hanging after completing each of the eight narratives. This grand finale is a treat for players who progressed through every character’s chapter, regardless of the order they completed them, and the end credits do a fine job of showing this non-linear progression by adding scenes from each boss fight in the order that players tackled them.
Despite an ambitious narrative for an SNES JRPG, it was a shame thatLive a Livenever made it to the West. Thankfully, Square Enix decided to remake this title with their signature HD-2D style for the Switch, allowing players around the world to enjoy one of the most underrated JRPGs of all time, where they can progress through chapters in a non-linear manner while slowly uncovering an intriguing narrative.
Each chapter focuses on a character facing off against a great evil that incorporates the name Odio in some form or another. All of this culminates in two chapters that detail the descent of this antagonist into evil and the heroes coming together in a final chapter to lay waste to Odio’s evil once and for all. It’s a unique way to approach a JRPG narrative, and players can choose the path of evil too andtake out the heroesif they wish, in an excellent non-linear narrative that pulls no punches.
The World of Balance is mostly linear, barring a segment where players are allowed to choose between three parties when the heroes part ways. It’s a nice way to integrate a non-linear section in the first half ofFinal Fantasy 6and serves as a taste of things to come. After Kefka disturbs the balance of the World of Ruin and lays waste to the world, players take control of Celes in the World of Ruin as she strives to reunite the gang and give them the motivation they need to take on Kefka once again.
Stopping this would-be god from causing unchecked mayhem and destruction is easier said than done, and players must explore the world andrecruit heroes old and newto face off against Kefka. It’s here that the non-linear progression ofFinal Fantasy 6rears its brilliant head, with players exploring areas in any order and helping the narrative progress as they see fit leading up to the final fight.
2Valkyrie Profile
Character Stories And Dungeons Are Unlocked In Batches And Can Be Tackled In Any Order
Valkyrie Profileis a game that more people need to check out, especially if they’re fans of unique JRPGs that were ahead of their time. Players control Lenneth, a Valkyrie who is gathering the souls of fallen warriors to serve as her companions for Ragnarök. The game has multiple endings and difficulty modes that allow for a ton of replayability, and it helps that the story progresses in a non-linear manner too.
The game’s chapters are unlocked in groups,letting players tackle eventsin whatever order they see fit. This adds to the game’s novelty, with the unique combat further enhancing the standout nature ofValkyrie Profile. Players who want to check out a JRPG that is unlike anything they’ve experienced before — and not just because of its non-linear narrative structure — will love what this game brings to the table.
Fans were been pining for Game Freak to make full use of the Switch’s hardware, andPokemonScarlet & Violetseemed like a step in the right direction. The idea ofplaying an open-worldPokemongameexcited many, and the potential of a grand adventure in this game was enhanced considerably whenScarlet & Violetlet players fulfill this fantasy. While the game’s technical issues and a lack of level scaling were called out by many, there’s no denying that the latestPokemongames have gone a long way in evolving the series.
If players want to challenge themselves, they can take on tougher gyms with higher-level Pokemon for a rewarding experience. Conversely, they can also smite low-level gyms to gain a sense of satisfaction after putting a lot of work into strengthening their party. This sandbox structure allows for seamless non-linear progression as players enjoy a unique personal journey to becoming a Pokemon master.
