TraditionalJRPGshave had something of a renaissance in recent years. Games likeDragon Quest 11,Persona 5,and theFinal Fantasy 7 Remakehave helped bring the genre back into favor with gamers and critics. Before this, however, the genre faltered against its Western equivalents, with fans preferring the freedom and openness of games likeThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.The dwindling interest in traditional JRPGs could have been down to the genre not moving with the times.
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This meant that the genre had fallen into a niche category among gamers which continues to this day. As a result, many critics that reviewed JRPGs didn’t like or understand their appeal, and this is reflected in many good games scoring low on Metacritic. While many games are received well by critics but get overlooked, this list looks at some of the mostunderrated JRPGs on Metacritic.
Updated July 19, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn:Metacritic is a terrific tool for finding out how well a video game is performing with the critics. When a game is universally loved by what are essentially gaming fans, there is a good chance that most players will play it too. Unfortunately, the same can be said for misunderstood games receiving less-than-average scores.
Of course, some games get hit with bad scores due to performance issues that are rectified later, but ultimately, the score remains. This list has been updated to include more JRPGs that were misunderstood and outright underrated on Metacritic.
13Valkyria Revolution (Metascore 55)
Valkyria Revolutionis an action RPG spin-off from the popular tactical RPG seriesValkyria Chronicles.It was not well-received by critics because it deviated too far from the formula that made the series so successful in the first place. The combat system has more in common withtheDynasty Warriorsseries, and the cutscenes can be lengthy and melodramatic, testing the patience of the most dedicated JRPG fans.
However, the story is surprisingly deep and features a solid cast of characters with believable motivations. There are twists, turns, and backstabbing to uncover as the story unfolds, enough to keep fans of the genre happy for a long time. Not as good as the mainline series, butValkyria Revolutiondeserves another look.
12Star Ocean: Integrity And Faithlessness (Metascore 58)
Released for the PlayStation 4 in 2016,Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessnessis the fifth game in the series developed by tri-Ace. The timeline is set between the second and third entries in the series, although it is a standalone game in terms of its story.
The accepted reason for the low scores inIntegrity and Faithlessnessstems from technical issues and a slow pace. While these are warranted to a degree, the fifthStar Oceangame is still a very entertaining old-school JRPG. There is no reinvention of the wheel, but the combat is fantastic and light years ahead of most titles in the genre, and there is an enjoyable story that is arguably better than its predecessor.
11Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell Of Ar Ciel (Metascore 61)
Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Cielwas released on the PlayStation 3 in 2011 and was the third entry in theAr TonelicoRPG series. While it does not quite reach the heights of its predecessors on the PlayStation 2, the story and character development are in a league of their own.
The combat system is similar to the real-time fighting in theStar OceanandTalesseries. Some questionable mechanics require the removal of parts of their Reyvtail’s clothes to increase their power, but those willing to look past these quirks should giveAr TonelicoQogaa chance.
10Valkyrie Elysium (Metascore 65)
Valkyrie Elysiumis part of the belovedValkyrie Profileseries, but it is a significant departure from the original series with its visuals and combat. It was developed by Soleil instead of tri-Ace and marked the first time the series has ventured into the action RPG genre. Whether it was the low budget or the differences from the classic series, it was not universally loved by fans or critics.
The Valkyrie Marie must cleanse the remaining souls on Midgard and help Odin prepare for his battle with Fenrir. Visually, the game’s somber tone is similar toNier: Replicant,and though it doesn’t reach the narrative highs ofNier, there are good twists and epic moments to satisfy fans.
9Eternal Poison (Metascore 65)
Eternal Poisonwas released for the PlayStation 2 in 2008. It was developed by the now-defunct Flight Plan - best known for itsSummon Nightseries - and published by Atlus. It is a tactical RPG that borrows heavily from theFire Emblemseries and adds its Gothic horror twist to the genre.
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The story features multiple paths and multiple but unique perspectives with twists and turns that further develop the world ofEternal Poison. In addition, the combat is very challenging, and likeFire Emblem, itfeatures apermadeath mechanic. It has since become a cult hit among JRPG fans, with a brand-new copy selling for over $200 on eBay.
8The Last Remnant (Metascore 66)
The Last Remnantis a tactical JRPG from Square Enix that launched on the Xbox 360 in 2008. It was then remastered for the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The graphics engine has been upgraded from Unreal Engine 3 to Unreal Engine 4.
As a result of the remaster,The Last Remnantis a vast improvement over the original. All of the framerate issues of the original are gone, and the lighting and textures look so much better. There is a steep learning curve, but fans of theSaGaseries will be right at home. In addition, the world inThe Last Remnantis a detailed one reminiscent ofFinal Fantasy 12and is accompanied by a fantastic musical score. Interestingly, the JRPG was headed byFinal Fantasy 16director Hiroshi Takai.
7Nier (Metascore 68)
Released for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 in 2010,Nieris an action RPG spin-off of theDrakengardseries. It combines several genres into one game, a hack-and-slash action, a 2D side-scrolling platformer, a top-down shooter, and more.
Unfortunately, not all of this works perfectly, butNierhas gained a cult following for being better than the sum of its parts. The story inNieris one of the best in gaming, and the soundtrack is spectacular. Its sequelNier: Automata,was launched in 2017, retaining everything that fans loved about the original only the gameplay was handled by the masters of the action genre PlatinumGames.
6Suikoden Tactics (Metascore 68)
Released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005,Suikoden Tacticsis a tacticalturn-based RPGspin-off of theSuikodenseries. It was released to help expand the story and events from Suikoden 4. Its narrative functions as a prequel and a sequel toSuikoden 4with returning characters and locations.
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As a standalone title,Suikoden Tacticsis not very appealing, but as an expansion toSuikoden 4,it is essential for fans. Its gameplay is far more simplistic thanFinal Fantasy: Tactics,but its battle system is more accessible and engaging to newcomers to the genre.
5Infinite Undiscovery (Metascore 68)
Infinite Undiscoverywas released exclusively for the Xbox 360 in 2008 as part of Microsoft’s move to make the console more appealing to Japanese consumers. It was developed by tri-Ace, the creators of theStar Oceanseries.
The story is full of JRPG tropes but is a fun adventure to keep players entertained from start to finish. The combat system, likeStar Ocean,is in real-time, and just like that series is one of the best in the genre. Additionally, the popularitem creation mechanicsfrom theStar Oceanseries feature inInfinite Undiscoveryallows players to get creative with items and equipment.
4Magna Carta 2 (Metascore 69)
Released exclusively for the Xbox 360 in 2009,Magna Carta 2was co-produced by the South Korean studio Softmax and the Japanese studio Bandai Namco. It is a traditional JRPG that implements a surprisingly accessible yet deep and engaging real-time combat system.
The early stages ofMagna Carta 2are filled with cliché, but those that stick with it will find a story that transcends expectations. The narrative has surprising twists and turns, and its overarching narrative emphasizes the impact of war and its effects on relationships.
