JRPGs are a ton of fun to play through, with players loving the rich worlds and amazing stories that these games allow them to explore. Most people associate this genre with high fantasy worlds, with the vast majority of these games using the tropes in this setting to great effect. It’s easy to see why so many people feel that this genre doesn’t really tackle any real aspects of history…but this erroneous train of thought couldn’t be further from the truth.
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In fact,there are several JRPGs that fans can check outif they want to learn more about Japanese history as well. After all, the stories that led to what Japan is right now are pretty great and show a time when honor and commitment were held in high regard. Players will love playing through games that educate them about the rich history of this country… even if there are some liberties taken when it comes to actual historical stories for the sake of the plot.
6Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin
A unique game that combines sidescrolling action gameplay with simulation gameplay,Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruinisa game that JRPG fans shouldn’t sleep on. The idea of cultivating and growing rice may not sound all that enticing, but it’s the presentation of this title coupled with its charming characters that makes it so much fun to play.
The fact that this title is an action JRPG means that combat is more involved, with the simulation gameplay making for a fresh change of pace. The world itself is pretty interesting too — it’s steeped in Japanese mythology with some tidbits of history scattered here and there.
5Inindo: Way Of The Ninja
TheSengoku period in Japanis one of civil war and strife, with many warring nations and emperors engaging in a ton of infighting to attain as much power as possible. Many powerful leaders came up during this time, and one particular warlord who attained an infamous reputation is Oda Nobunaga.
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Inindo: Way of the Ninjaturns this character into a demonic antagonist, whose forces raze the hometown of the game’s protagonist. This ninja must traverse feudal Japan and enlist the help of several people along the way before eventually taking out Nobunaga himself!
4Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Muramasa: The Demon Bladeisan action JRPG that takes place during Japan’s Edo period. The story revolves around Tokugawa Tsunayoshi’s lust for power and how this leads to him hunting down the many demon blades scattered all over Japan.
Players control Momohime and Kisuke, two great protagonists with unique abilities of their own who need to mow down enemies in a great story that lets players explore a rich piece of Japanese history for themselves. It’s far from a perfect game, but a must-play for JRPG fans who want to immerse themselves in more historical settings.
3Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Army
While many historical periods of Japan have been adapted in video games to great effect, one particular era that hasn’t really seen too much representation is the Taisho period. Thankfully, Atlus decided to shine some light on this series through a spinoff oftheir belovedShin Megami Tenseiseries.
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Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Armyis a massive departure from past games in the series, focusing on real-time combat and being set in the past. Raidou Kuzunoha is a great protagonist who moves the riveting plot forward, and fans of Atlus' more experimental games will love what this title brings to the table.
2Onimusha Tactics
Onimushais an action-heavy title that focuses on Japan’s history quite a bit, with this hack-and-slash series using the fixed camera to great effect while allowing players to enjoy a deep and rewarding combat system. The series has remained dormant for quite some time, and it seems that Capcom won’t be reviving this title anytime soon.
There was a time when the studio was quite invested in this series, withOnimusha Tacticsbeing one of their more experimental offerings. It’s the only game from the series to feature on a Nintendo console andfeatured a strong gameplay loop, even if the story left a lot to be desired.
1Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines
There are twoOreshikagames that were developed, and it’s a shame that only the second title has been localized for Western audiences. Of course, instead of lamenting what could have been, fans are happy enough that this underrated title received a translation,allowing many players to experience the magic of this game for themselves.
For what it’s worth, the games are set a hundred years apart from each other and aren’t connected in any meaningful ways. The story focuses on various generations of a bloodline that’s been affected by a debilitating curse that they need to get rid of somehow. It’s a pretty great premise, with players having to make the most of a generation that can only last for two years before eventually biting the dust.
