Android JRPGs You Need to Play
JRPGs are a staple of the role-playing genre. They first launched in the 1980s and have grown into some of the bestselling video games of the modern day. Mobile users have their fair share of JRPGs to choose from, and Hardcore Droid is here to help. From hit classics to standout newcomers, here’s a list of the 10 best Android JRPGs to play in 2021.
10. RPG Toram Online
Players looking to enjoy an Android JRPG experience online with friends need look no further than RPG Toram Online. This MMORPG allows players to connect with friends online and play as a party together. The game also provides a mercenary system for players to summon other player’s characters as NPCs for solo play. Developer Asobimo promises unrestricted character creation with more than 500 billion combinations available. The game lacks traditional fighting classes and instead allows players to determine their own combat style via weapon choice. Fans of untraditional JRPGs with online play should download RPG Toram Online.
Available on Google Play
9. Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space
Another Eden is the spiritual successor to the hit JRPG Chrono Trigger as both were written by Masato Kato. The game includes an original soundtrack of over 60 songs. Developer WFS provides players with a single-player adventure that focuses on time travel, with players able to travel through the past, present and future. With HD graphics and a standard turn-based battle system, classic JRPG fans should not skip out on Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space.
Available on Google Play
8. Chaos Rings III
Developer Square Enix shows its power as a JRPG titan with the hit mobile game Chaos Rings III. The player starts off as a commoner who lives on the outskirts of town and tends to the family’s livestock. A mysterious voice sets the protagonist off on an adventure to reach the planet of Marble Blue. Square Enix promises players a rich game world with a deep storyline and a high-quality soundtrack. Chaos Rings III utilizes a turn-based combat system while showcasing impressive Kingdom Hearts-esque graphics. The Chaos Rings games have over 1.1 million downloads and are sure to keep rising as a powerhouse Android JRPG series.
Available on Google Play
7. Dragon Raja
The Dragon Lord has come back to life and it’s up to a special group of humans to stop it. In Dragon Raja, players take on the role of a hybrid, a human gifted with superpowers, as they travel from Tokyo to Siberia in order to combat the resurrected threat. Players can define their character’s personality and dress their characters however they like, with a variety of styles to choose from. Developer Archosaur Games claims that Dragon Raja gives the feel of playing a PC game due to its simulated physical collision system and optical motion capture technology. Currently, Dragon Raja is celebrating its first anniversary event, making now an excellent time to jump into the game.
Available on Google Play
6. Secret of Mana
Square Enix unsurprisingly makes another appearance with the 1993 release-turned-mobile-port Secret of Mana. Designed as a game meant for both JRPG beginners and veterans to explore, Secret of Mana stands out thanks to its Ring Command menu system. Players use the specially designed menu to access items, change weapons and perform other actions without the need to switch screens. The story follows Randi and his two companions Primm and Popoi as they battle the empire to protect the mysterious power of Mana. Learn how to control Mana and become a hero in this classic JRPG adventure.
Available on Google Play
5. Dragon Quest V
A list of the best Android JRPGs would be incomplete without a Dragon Quest game. Considered the pioneers of JRPGs, Dragon Quest games have been providing RPG fans with hours of fun for decades. Upon release in 1992, Dragon Quest V sold over 1.3 million cartridges within a day. The game stands out even amongst Dragon Quest titles as a spectacular adventure that takes place over three generations. Players embody a silent protagonist who sets out to complete his father’s quest of finding the Legendary Hero. Dragon Quest V serves as an excellent entry point for gamers looking to try out this beloved series.
Available on Google Play
4. Fire Emblem Heroes
Fire Emblem is another JRPG series that’s risen to prominence over the years. Mobile gamers can jump into a medieval world with Fire Emblem Heroes. Nintendo successfully brings the Fire Emblem series to mobile with over 1,300 story stages available and strategic turn-based battles that utilize touch-and-drag controls. Fire Emblem Heroes lacks the series’ permadeath feature the series is famous for, but casual gamers may find this more of a blessing than a curse. Fire Emblem Heroes is available for free on the Google Play store.
Available on Google Play
3. The World Ends With You
The World Ends With You goes outside the typical medieval JRPG setting to present a modern-day story. Neku is a young boy who is forced into a life-or-death contest called the Reaper’s Game, a one-week competition in which only the deceased may participate. This port of the hit Nintendo DS game provides players with HD enhanced graphics and simple mobile controls. The Android port also has a bonus chapter that follows the main story, as well as hidden quests and reports that flesh out the story. Players looking to enjoy a JRPG that breaks from the mold and utilizes real-time combat are in for a treat with Square Enix’s The World Ends With You.
Available on Google Play
2. Chrono Trigger
Have you ever thought about what you would do if you had the power to time travel? Square Enix’s Chrono Trigger gives you the opportunity to find out as players walk in the shoes of the young hero Crono. After his friend Marle gets hurled through a rift in time, Crono sets off on a journey that takes him from the ancient past to a dystopian future. Winner of Electronic Gaming Monthly’s Best Super NES Game at the time of release, Chrono Trigger lives on as a timeless game and the perfect starting point for JRPG beginners.
Available on Google Play
1. Final Fantasy VII
We couldn’t forget one of the best JRPGs of all time. Final Fantasy VII is another famous Square Enix title ported to Android for mobile gamers’ enjoyment. Players become the legendary Cloud Strife, a former elite member of the military group SOLDIER who is aiding resistance fighters against the evil Shinra Electric Power Company. The Android edition comes with an option to turn random enemy encounters off on the world and area maps (which will not skip event battles) and a Max Stats command to max out the player’s stats in one go. The story pulls players in and keeps them immersed as they explore the city of Midgard and its environs, working with Avalanche to save the day.
Available on Google Play
Did you enjoy our list of the best Android JRPGs in 2021? Check out some of Hardcore Droid’s other lists like The Best Android Action Games You Never Heard Of and The Top Ten Best-Looking Android Games.
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