What are other must have JRPGs?

[Atlas32]

I want to get into some other classic JRPGs and was hoping someone can clue me in on any other must haves?

[IsaWP]

Solely based on the ones I've played or watched:
Radiant Historia (I played the NDS remaster). Also has time travel, but in a very different way! Main character is much more mature than your average JRPG protagonist, which is nice for a change.
From the Final Fantasies, 5 and 9 are my favourites, with 5 being on the very technical side (although don't expect as smooth a Job system as in Bravely Default or Octopath Traveller) and 9 heavy on the story. 6 is a fan favourite for many reasons too. Go earlier than 4 and it might be a little rough (and not as much story as you'd like).
Suikoden II is broader than 'just' a JRPG, but an excellent classic game.
I've been enjoying Grandia too, the tone is a little childish/simple but the plot is refreshing, because it's a Coming of Age story first, Saving the World comes second. I've heard Grandia II is even better, so looking forward to that!
Dragon Quest VIII is one of the most popular in the series
I've never finished Golden Sun, but I must have played a bunch of it and really enjoyed it
Chrono Cross gets a bad rap because it's a bad sequel, but it's a good game if you ignore that it's supposed to be a sequel to Chrono Trigger
Earthbound is very beloved too, and it ignored/avoided a lot of genre conventions, making it an unique experience
Baten Kaitos has a very different battle system from Chrono Trigger, but it's one of my favourite games, great story and has an amazing soundtrack.
Atlus has brought out some difficult JRPGs like the Shin Megami Tensei series, the SMT Persona series and the Etrian Odyssey series (EO is also dungeon crawler)
A modern one with a still classic feel is Alliance Alive, I enjoyed the spiritual predecessor The Legend of Legacy too, but not everyone likes the gameplay.

[FatalFrosty]

Lufia II, Bahamut Lagoon

[Pack 4 Potatoes]

Phantasy Star IV was probably the best RPG on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. It's on Steam and costs a dollar.

Final Fantasy 6 and 9 are both really popular. I also recommend the 3D Remakes of 4 and 7.

The Trials of Mana 3D remake is perfect.

Star Ocean 2 was the best in that series.

Breath of Fire 3 or 4. Either is good.

Super Mario RPG was actually made by Square.

Chrono Cross is a very deep spin off of Chrono Trigger.

You might want to try the Suikoden 1+2 remaster on steam.

As mentioned Golden Sun, Radiant Historia, and Octopath Traveller are classics.

Persona 3, 4, or 5. Either one is good.

Shin Megami Tensei 4 or 5. Either is good.

I recommend Dragon Quest 3, 8 or 11. Either are great.

Xenoblade Chronicles is a cult classic.

Earthbound is legendary.

Y's Origin is a good place to start an epic franchise.

Ni No Kuni is a cinematic adventure.

I think that's all the JRPG's that have stood the test of time afaik.

[Storm Reaver]

Personal Favourites :
Final Fantasy 4 and 6
Breath of Fire 3 and 4
Dragon Quest 8 and 11
Lufia 2 : Rise of the Sinistrals
Star Ocean : Second Evolution
Lunar 2 : Eternal Blue

Honorable Mentions :
Persona 2 : Eternal Punishment
Romancing Saga : Minstrel Song
Radiata Stories
Secret of Mana
Parasite Eve
Xenogears

Tactical JRPGs :
Final Fantasy Tactics : War of the Lions
Tactics Ogre : Let us Cling Together
Shining Force 2
Jeanne D'Arc
Front Mission

Action JRPGs :
Zelda : Link to the Past
Illusion of Gaia
Terranigma

[IsaWP]

I've also heard good things about Triangle Strategy, but I've never seen or played it

[Storm Reaver]

I've heard bad things about the gameplay. The graphics look great though...

[-_-]

would be nice if we got breath of fire 3 & 4 on steam

[Pack 4 Potatoes]

Originally posted by OMG ITS CHAIR SAMA AIZEN:

would be nice if we got breath of fire 3 & 4 on steam

Well its on PSN if you have a PS3.

[Storm Reaver]

Chrono Cross has odd choice mechanics too.

Whenever you get options to chose something when Kid is around, the best choice is the opposite of what you think. Have her join you at the start? No, don't. You will permanent miss another character for no good reason. Want to save her? No, don't. You will miss one of the best characters in the game, Glenn.

[IsaWP]

What I meant, is that if you hear bad things about Cross, it tends to be because it wasn't the sequel people wanted. The whole reason people WANT sequels is because they want more of the former, not something radically different and alien. Not some exploration of an 'but that all didn't happen' alternative universe. Not a completely different cast, cast size, world, gameplay AND narrative style all at once.
Also when you write, you need to keep your target audience in mind and most of them aren't going to be super into literary criticism or multiverses. Especially at 14 years old. If most of your audience doesn't get your sequel, you failed to communicate your message, plain and simple, no matter how unfair and ridiculous it may seem.
It's not a secret that there were huge development issues that affected the game too. But that STILL doesn't mean it's a bad game, just a bad sequel.

[sumwun]

A lot of people think Final Fantasy 6 and 7 are the 2 best games in the series. Pokemon Red/Blue is another classic JRPG. There's also Nier:Automata, which is definitely up there but probably not old enough to be considered a "classic".

[RPG Gamer Man]

I recommend breath of fire 1 and 2 also...technically breath of fire 1 was actually made by square soft..well square enix now, but before being sold to capcom, it was made by square enix.

[RPG Gamer Man]

Originally posted by sumwun:

A lot of people think Final Fantasy 6 and 7 are the 2 best games in the series. Pokemon Red/Blue is another classic JRPG. There's also Nier:Automata, which is definitely up there but probably not old enough to be considered a "classic".

Well i always liked 6 and 4 too..but those were because i grew up on them. I would also love to say the dragon warrior games were great, but only place you can find them now is on switch legally..i wish they sold them on steam..

oops sorry they call them "dragon quest" now..lol.

[triererassi]

Suikoden II

[RPG Gamer Man]

Some newer ones that are not classics that may pique your interest on there on steam are Chained Echos and Trinity Trigger.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1229240/Chained_Echoes/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2176930/Trinity_Trigger/

I saw alot of reviews of both on youtube and research them, and i think they will be similiar to chrono trigger methods. In fact trinity trigger is supposedly just like secret of mana too..which to me is in same style as original chrono trigger was.