While it’s still young in comparison to PlayStation Plus, theXboxGame Passservice has gained huge traction, and is widely believed to be one of the best deals in gaming. Theline-up of titles available on Game Passkeeps expanding, and the vast number of genres it houses makes it an appealing offer for so many players. From rogue-like royaltyHadesto the painstakingly recreated Mexican landscape ofForza Horizon 5, the service has something that everyone can enjoy, and it’s even beginning to fill a hole that has plagued Xbox for years.
WithPersona 3, 4,and5all set to release onXbox Game Passin the near future, it brings three fantastic JRPGs for fans to either return to, or experience for the first time. Microsoft has the opportunity to use the inclusion of these games as a catalyst to feature many more. As titles likeDragon Quest 11,Yakuza: Like a Dragon, andFinal Fantasy 13are currently available, the platform has the opportunity to entice JRPG fans to enter Microsoft’s ecosystem, perhaps even convincing them to migrate from PlayStation in the process. To do this, though, more JRPGs have to be considered for inclusion.
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Lost Odyssey
The Xbox brand may not be known for its offerings in the JRPG genre, but there are a handful that are exclusive to the console. One of the best isLost Odyssey, developed by Mistwalker and Feelplus only for the Xbox 360. It was initially pitched to Microsoft byFinal Fantasycreator Hironobu Sakaguchiand released in Japan in late 2007 as well as audiences around the world in early 2008. Its exclusivity to Microsoft’s console was surely the topic of much frustration to PlayStation fans, but it gave the Xbox audience a solid experience in the JRPG genre, which is something that eluded the company for a while.
The game tells the story of Kaim, one of the four playable Immortals who has lost his memory. In a land currently experiencing a magic-industrial revolution, players embark on a lengthy and engaging quest to navigate the dangerous landscape and learn its secrets while uncovering Kaim’s lost memories. Withso many great RPGs already on Game Pass,Lost Odyssey’s absence feels more like a glaring omission rather than an unassuming absence, given its history with the Xbox brand. It holds up beautifully by today’s standards with a pretty art style and simple, yet effective turn-based combat.Lost Odysseyis perfect for Microsoft’s subscription service, not least because it was exclusive to Xbox when it released, and could benefit greatly from Game Pass' growing user base.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment
Thoughthe blueprints of recentPersonagames began withPersona 3, the series' beginnings stretch far beyond the third entry’s 2006 release.Revelations: Personawas exclusive to the original PlayStation when it arrived in 1996, and while it’s a fascinating glimpse at the franchise’s origins, it shows its age today.Persona 2is, confusingly, spread out into two releases, withEternal Punishmentfollowing on from the events ofInnocent Sin. Both offer similar mechanics and plenty of engaging characters, and the story is loved by many fans of theShin Megami Tenseilicense as a whole.
In many ways,Persona 2was ahead of its time, and although the visuals and gameplay have aged somewhat poorly, it’s a game that deserves to be included on Game Pass, especially asPersona 3, 4,and5are making their way to the service. The inclusion of bothInnocent SinandEternal Punishmentwould be an exciting addition for fans of the series, as it makes the pair of games far more accessible than ever before, and could give players a look at where the franchise’s roots lie, and how it has changed to suit modern audiences.
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The Tales Franchise
WhileFinal FantasyandDragon Questare represented on Game Pass, another huge JRPG franchise is largely absent from the festivities.Talesis beloved and known for its great characters and action-focused battle system, and whileTales of Ariseis the most recent entry, none of them are on Game Pass, regardless of their age.Tales of Vesperiainitially launched in 2008 as an Xbox 360 exclusive and had a stint as a Game Pass title, but it’s gone now, and it’s puzzling that the franchise is no longer featured on the Xbox subscription service.
Taleshas so many options that would be welcomed by Game Pass users, from theepic (and sightly too long) quest ofTales of Symphoniato the somewhat underappreciatedTales of Hearts, it’s a franchise that has a storied history littered with superb gameplay mechanics and touching storytelling.Taleshas a long and storied history that’s in line with its contemporaries, and withFinal FantasyandDragon Questoffering experiences for the platform,Tales’absence simply has to be rectified.
Triangle Strategy
Triangle Strategymay have more in common with the likes ofFire Emblem, but its developer and HD-2D visual style are unmistakably linked to 2018’sOctopath Traveler. The latter has been a mainstay of Game Pass since March 2021 despite releasing as a Nintendo Switch exclusive. It tookOctopath Travelerthree years to arrive on Xbox' subscription service, and it’s likely thatTriangle Strategywill take a while, too, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be appreciated by users of either Xbox consoles or Game Pass' PC app.
Asmore Square Enix games are expected to release on the platformit wouldn’t be a huge stretch forTriangle Strategyto find a place alongsideOctopath Traveler. Serenoa Wolffort and Frederica Aesfrost’s journey through Norzelia is worth experiencing, not least for the stellar battle mechanics and simply gorgeous art style. Despite the Switch’s strong sales, an inclusion on Game Pass would be even better, further strengthening the relationship between both Xbox and Square Enix, as well as between Xbox and JRPG players everywhere.
