PC gaming is a booming scene that has shown no signs of quietening down anytime soon, and it’s easy to see why this is the case. From the powerful nature of these machines to the inherent preference that most people have towards gaming on a platform they’re more comfortable with, most console-only franchises that had remained on exclusive platforms for the longest time are quickly realizing just how valuable the PC really is as a platform.

So, it only goes without saying that the JRPG genre has also seen a ton of representation on this platform, with the ever-popular Steam hosting a bunch of games from this genre that have been quite notably excellent in their own right… especially when it comes to flaunting some truly amazing turn-based battling systems. Keeping this in mind, here are the best JRPGs on Steam, ranked on the basis of how compelling their battle systems are.

20 Bravely Default 2

Bravely Default is a great JRPG series that harkens back to the old-school nature of the genre without sacrificing any modern innovations. The end result is a JRPG that is wonderfully unique and engaging despite its misleading title.

Bravely Default 2’s release on Steam was a source of great joy for many fans. This game improved on its predecessor in every way and boasts a wonderful combat system that is easy to get into and slowly lets players master its many complexities.

19 Resonance Of Fate

Resonance of Fate is one of the most underrated JRPGs on this list, and it’s a shame that more people don’t know about this great game. While the aesthetics of the game might seem a bit wearisome, the game’s amazing combat system and the off-beat story will keep players hooked indeed.

Resonance of Fate’s combat system is pretty hard, and players need to be quite smart with their strategies. The tougher battles in this game can be absolutely brutal if the player hasn’t mastered the combat system and understood its nuances.

18 Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus’ unique dual campaign and dark setting would draw many people into playing this title. However, it’s the action-packed combat system that will keep them hooked to the very end.

Using ally abilities and unleashing damaging combos is important to win some of the tougher battles in this game. Once players get into the meat of this game, they’ll have a hard time dropping Scarlet Nexus.

17 I Am Setsuna

I am Setsuna channels the brilliance of Chrono Trigger in its design, so it’s easy to see why the combat would be great. Just like Chrono Trigger, battles happen on the overworld and the player has access to several combination attacks based on the number of people in the party.

It helps that the story of I am Setsuna is also pretty great, even though it might tread a lot of the same ground as Final Fantasy 10. Regardless, the snowy landscapes and fun characters make this game an absolute treat indeed.

16 Persona 5 Strikers

The shift to a hybrid real-time action game was something that many fans were skeptical about when it came to Persona 5. However, for what it’s worth, Persona 5 Strikers is actually a brilliant addition to the series that does a great job of changing up its gameplay!

The musou gameplay coupled with the casting of spells and like makes combat a blast in this game. While Persona 5 itself hasn’t come on PC yet, Strikers is a wonderful title that expands on the story of this amazing title while having some great original inclusions of its own!

15 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel

The Legend of Heroes is easily one of the most underrated franchises of all time. Out of all the games released in this series, the latest arc deserves praise for being the most technically advanced of the lot.

All the games in Trails of Cold Steel are worthy of praise, although the last two games are particularly notable for featuring several notable improvements in the combat system. All in all, the Trails of Cold Steel arc is a great series of JRPGs to try out for any player who wishes to enjoy a deep JRPG with excellent worldbuilding and enjoyable combat.

14 Final Fantasy 15 Windows Edition

Final Fantasy 15 featured one of the longest development cycles for any Final Fantasy title. Given the troubled nature of this title’s development, it’s surprising to see just how competent the game’s combat system really is.

While most people might argue that Final Fantasy 15’s combat is rather easy to get through, there’s no denying that the fights in this game are quite entertaining to play through. There was clearly a lot of work put into the combat system, and it shows whenever the player manages to pull off amazing link combos or warp strikes.

13 Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was certainly an interesting title with a bunch of unique and quirky facets… but there was one aspect of the game that was almost universally reviled — the combat system.

Thankfully, the second game in the series ends up learning from its mistakes and ends up developing a new combat system that is genuinely a blast to play through. While other facets of Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom might not compare well to its predecessor, the battling is easily a major positive to take away from the overall experience.

12 Tales Of Berseria

Tales of Berseria is the latest game in the highly underrated Tales of… series, featuring a haunting revenge plot that is easily one of the strongest parts of the overall experience.

However, the combat doesn’t slouch in this regard either — controlling Velvet and the other members of Magilou’s Menagerie by using the unique Liberation Linear Motion Battle System is a blast each and every time.

11 Final Fantasy 8 Remastered

As a remaster, Final Fantasy 8 doesn’t really accomplish all that much when it comes to improving the visuals of the game aside from a few updated character models. In fact, the backgrounds of the game look even blurrier than the original version, which is downright shameful.

However, it’s a great thing that the combat system of the game has been left virtually untouched. While it might sound like a drag to draw 100 stocks of each element to max out everyone’s stats, the introduction of speedups and workarounds has made this task infinitely easier. This ultimately allows for players to make the most of Final Fantasy 8’s combat and junction systems without having to grind too much.

10 Octopath Traveler

Octopath Traveler’s reveal easily made it one of the most hotly-anticipated releases at the time, but people were saddened to know that the game would be inaccessible for anyone who didn’t own a Nintendo Switch. So, when the game was slated for a PC release as well, fans were extremely jubilant indeed.

Upon its release on PC, fans were treated to one of the greatest modern JRPG experiences in quite some time. Octopath Traveler might not have trodden any new ground — with its draw of controlling eight characters through their individual journeys falling flat from the get-go — but there’s no denying the fact that the combat system is fun, exciting, and challenging enough to make up for these shortcomings.

9 Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin

The idea of a JRPG spinoff of the Monster Hunter series is a notion that most people might not have paid too much attention to. This, coupled with the rather muted release of the first Monster Hunter Stories, meant that most people didn’t realize just how much potential this series really had.

However, with the comparatively high-profile release of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, players finally realized just how great this idea really was. The sheer number of options in combat coupled with an excellent presentation has made Monster Hunter Stories 2 one of the best Steam JRPGs.

8 Nier: Automata

Perhaps the most action-heavy JRPG on this list, Nier: Automata is a game that came out of nowhere and cemented itself as one of the greatest action JRPGs ever made, courtesy of an amazing combat system and a story that is incredibly riveting.

The manner in which Nier: Automata switches around its gameplay is incredible and makes for what is easily one of the greatest battle systems designed by the famed PlatinumGames.

7 Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster

While most people love the Persona series, these gamers don’t tend to rate the Shin Megami Tensei franchise along the same lines. It’s a shame, since the main series features excellent games that are notable in their own right.

Out of all these titles, the third game is notorious for being one of the hardest JRPGs around. Players who get around to playing Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster on Steam will find themselves enjoying an excellent JRPG where they’ll need to gather all their wits to survive.

6 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

The Dragon Quest series might be one of the most historied and illustrious JRPG franchises of all time, but there’s no denying the fact that the popularity of this franchise hasn’t exactly soared in the West.

However, the massive amount of popularity that Dragon Quest XI has enjoyed — courtesy of a massive hype train and multiple re-releases — could finally signal a turning point in the series. There’s no better place to enter the Dragon Quest series than by starting out with this game, which is incredibly accessible and features a combat system that is extremely polished and will feel right at home with fans of classic turn-based JRPGs.

5 Yakuza: Like A Dragon

One particular franchise that mostly featured a real-time brawling combat system was the Yakuza series. However, with the release of Yakuza: Like A Dragon, the series shifted into a different realm with stupendous results.

The fact that the main protagonist of the game, Ichiban Kasuga, is a huge fan of the aforementioned Dragon Quest series is not something that is lost on the gameplay, with the title adopting a turn-based combat system that fits perfectly with the theme of the game and ends up being quite memorable, as a result.

4 Final Fantasy 6

Out of all the Final Fantasy games that have released up till now, there are many devout fans of the series who will stand by the sixth game as the best title in the franchise, and for good reason. Not only is the story and world-building of Final Fantasy 6 second to none, but it also features battle mechanics that refine the ATB system to a T.

That being said, it would be impossible to talk about the PC release of Final Fantasy VI without mentioning just how horrendous its UI is. To get the full experience of playing this game, it’s recommended to download the Final Fantasy VI - A World Reborn mod to make this game all the more playable.

3 Persona 4 Golden

Persona 4 Golden was easily the best way to experience the brilliance of this title… which was why it was such a shame that this title only existed on the PlayStation Vita — a portable console that received little to no support from Sony.

So, when Persona 4 Golden was announced for the PC, fans couldn’t wait to try out a title that was considered by most Persona veterans to be even better than the latest game in the series! It’s an extremely big claim to make, but the vast majority of people who played Persona 4 could agree that the story and characters of Persona 4 were way more personal and interesting than that of Persona 5… albeit marginally so.

2 Final Fantasy 10/10-2 Remaster

Out of all the Final Fantasy games that have released, one has to admit that Final Fantasy 10 easily has one of the best combat systems in the entire franchise. The Conditional Turn-Based Battle System is easily a highlight of the game, allowing for players to change party members on the fly and know exactly what the turn order is shaping up to be.

Thankfully, the collection on Steam also features Final Fantasy 10-2, a game that — while nowhere near the quality of the first title — features a great job system that makes combat all the more enjoyable, as a result.

1 Chrono Trigger

It’s a testament to the brilliance of what is easily one of the greatest JRPGs of all time that a game released in 1995 still stands strong as one of the greatest titles in the genre, thanks in no small part due to a combat system that remains fresh and innovative to this day.

The minds of Hironobu Sakaguchi (creator of Final Fantasy), Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball), and Yuji Horii (creator of Dragon Quest) created what is considered by many to be the greatest JRPG ever made. The removal of battle transitions and Link Attacks ended up transforming the gameplay of Chrono Trigger in ways that still feel fresh to this day.

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