There's no denying there are a lot of great JRPGs on the horizon. Dragon Quest III HD-2D is scheduled for release in November, and Ys X is coming out in October! The release of these games isn't too far off, but who wants to wait to play fun games?
Well, you don't have to!
Thanks to the PS Plus Collection for Extra and Premium there are plenty of JRPGs you can play this weekend! So today I wanted to take the time to share some of them that you can play right now that will actually get you ready for these future releases. They're the perfect games to play if you're new to the series, or if you just want something to hold you over until the upcoming releases.
Of course the following games can also be purchased if you don't have PS Plus Extra or Premium and are on multiple platforms, so don't feel left out!
Anyway, let's get on with the list!
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA
Starting off the list is Ys VIII. This entry came out in 2017 in the West and features our favorite red haired hero Adol as he finds himself ship wrecked on an uncharted island. To survive this new ordeal, Adol must explore the island, find the other missing passengers from the ship, and eventually uncover the mysteries that surround the strange island.
It's a fun action RPG that incorporates metroidvania style exploration, and heart pumping boss fights that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. Thankfully due to the series not being told in order, anyone can jump into Ys VIII without being confused about what is going on. Everything you needed to know is provided in game, and it's story is self contained.
As stated above, Ys X is set to release in October this year, and also features a similar island setup. However in Ys X case, rather than being shipped wrecked on an island, you actually get a ship of your own to explore the world. While Ys IX can also be played on PS Plus, Ys VIII is closer to what you can expect from X.
Trials of Mana
Trials of Mana is a full 3D remake of the Super Famicom classic. Released in 2020, the game lets you select from six different characters to play as, with a team of three being selected when you start the game. Each of these characters have their own backstory and goals that set them out on an adventure, with different character combinations providing different experiences as you make your way through the main story.
The game itself is a full on action RPG spanning multiple towns and dungeons, and is designed in a way to encourage multiple playthroughs. Characters can also class change into different classes throughout their journey, and the game is packed full of content to conquer with your new found powers. It's a solid fun adventure that action RPG and classic RPG fans shouldn't miss out on.
Visions of Mana is a brand new entry in the Mana series that will be releasing in August of this year. Despite being a fully new title, the game is being developed in the same style that was used for Trials of Mana. Of course the game isn't out yet, but it is almost guaranteed to be one that fans will not want to miss out on. Until then, Trials of Mana is the perfect game to play to test the waters if you haven't already.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition (16 Bit Mode)
Dragon Quest XI is a popular game for sure, and it's for good reason. It is a return to classic JRPG gameplay, with an interesting plot that flips the whole "legendary hero" troop on its head, and a great cast of characters to boot. The world is massive and filled with side content, and the main story itself is easily going to last you close to 100 hours. It's not a small game by any means, and it captures a lot of the best features the series has to offer. However that's not why I am including the game on this list. It's a part of it, but with the upcoming Dragon Quest III HD-2D, there's another reason fans should give this one a shot.
The S version of Dragon Quest XI includes a unique feature that wasn't in the original game - 16 Bit Mode! This mode is a full on remake (demake?) of Dragon Quest XI that's actually done in classic 16 Bit Dragon Quest style!
This means classic 16 bit sprites, the classic first person battle camera, the classic sound effects, and the full on classic gameplay style. Everything here has been rebuilt from the ground up, and even towns and dungeons were redesigned to match the classic style. It is essentially a different game from the main Dragon Quest XI, and the best part is the fact you can freely switch to it at any time. This means you can use your preexisting save files if you'd like, and simply chapter select back to the beginning. Sure it isn't ideal if you want to fully experience it as a new game, but you have the option to do so.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D will release in November, so there is plenty of time to get through XI before then.
And that's today's list! Have you played any of these games before, or did this give you some ideas on what to play this weekend? Feel free to leave a comment below and let us know!
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