No time for lengthy virtual adventures? We’ve got you covered!
Is it possible to still enjoy Japanese role-playing games when living a busy life outside the virtual world? To juggle doing everyday chores and saving magical realms? After all, this genre is abounding with lengthy titles that may take dozens, if not hundreds, of hours to complete. Well, we’ve got a solution: just play short JRPGs! Contrary to popular belief, they do exist.
And there’s plenty of them on all current-gen gaming systems. Even busy bees can explore this genre without feeling there’s no time for gaming. Our list of the best short JRPGs contains a little bit of everything, from new releases to hidden gems to timeless classics. With such an exquisite selection, you’re sure to find something to play in spite of work, school, or any other annoying “distractions.”
Top 10 short JRPGs that you can finish in less than 30 hours
To put this list together, we’ve hand-picked 10 great titles, and all of them can be completed in under 30 hours. If you think that some important games went under our radar, feel free to mention them in the comments section. Now, since we don’t have much time, let’s get started. Enjoy the read!
No need to google “How long to beat Chrono Trigger” or any other title from the list—we included information about the average time required to complete them in the article!
Sea of Stars – Included with Game Pass
Main Story: 28 hours; Completionist: 42.5 hours
Our first pick is relatively new, as it was released in 2023 (and made it to our list of the best indie titles of that year!). Sea of Stars is an outstanding title for gamers who are always short on time but still crave a fantastic JRPG experience with a good old retro vibe.
This game is well-known for bringing two distant worlds together. On the one hand, it’s heavily inspired by classic SNES. On the other hand, it brings modern mechanics to the table, which results in a really enjoyable (and relatively short) mixture of old and new. Also, it has absolutely stunning visuals!
If Sea of Stars sounds like something you may enjoy, don’t forget that it’s available on Game Pass. Feel free to check out the offers below to start your PC or Ultimate subscription without paying a ton of money. Also, we have a comprehensive list of ALL games coming to XGP in 2024 and beyond, so take a look at it to discover what’s on the horizon!
Star Ocean The Second Story R
Main Story: 25.5 hours; Completionist: 69 hours
Sometimes, getting into a big old franchise is no easy task. If you’re intimidated by the sheer length of this series, why don’t you start with Star Ocean: The Second Story R? It met with critical acclaim, has positive user reviews, and is definitely on the shorter side. Sounds good? Then, by all means, give this science fantasy RPG a chance!
Second Story R offers a real feast for the eyes by mixing 3D surroundings and 2D character sprites—it’s almost worth playing for the visual aspect alone. We can’t, however, forget about the superb combat system and an engaging plot. It did make our list of the best PS5 JRPG games for a reason; as far as the genre is concerned, it set the gold standard for remakes.
Chrono Trigger
Main Story: 23 hours; Completionist: 42 hours
Chrono Trigger is a real blast from the past. After all, the game is about time travel! Created by an all-star team of developers and enriched with Akira Toriyama’s beautiful character designs, it was released in 1995 to great popularity. If you don’t shy away from playing older games, it’s still one of the best JRPGs in 2024.
Still asking yourself “How long to beat Chrono Trigger”? Even if you decide to complete the side quests, it wouldn’t take longer than 30 hours. What’s more, the version available on Steam comes with a bunch of upgrades over the original one, such as better visuals and improved controls. The story will take you on a classic quest to save the world, so buckle up and hop into the time-traveling vehicle to enjoy an unforgettable (and relatively short) journey.
LIVE A LIVE
Main Story: 22 hours; Completionist: 30.5 hours
If you’re up for more time travel shenanigans, here’s Square’s other must-play JRPG. After all, Live A Live was beautifully remade for modern platforms. It uses the same HD-2D style as Octopath Traveler, so prepare for a real visual spectacle.
The most interesting aspect of this classic game is its setting—or rather, settings. You’ll discover the stories of seven main characters, each playing out in different time periods. It’s almost as if the developers packed a few “mini” JRPGs into one bundle of joy.
OMORI
Main Story: 21 hours; Completionist: 72 hours
It may look cutesy and cartoony on the surface, but OMORI quickly reveals itself as a psychological horror that tackles some really heavy themes, such as suicide, depression, and anxiety. If this doesn’t discourage you from giving it a chance, prepare for a deep dive into one of the best story-driven games of all time!
Aside from offering a compelling narrative, OMORI should also meet the needs of gamers who enjoy exploration and turn-based fights (with a twist—they’re focused on emotions). We don’t want to spoil too much, so let’s just say it’s a wild ride.
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Trials of Mana
Main Story: 20.5 hours; Completionist: 44 hours
There are quite a few remakes on this list, huh? Back in the day, immense games didn’t need massive open worlds and countless side activities to engage crowds. You can easily complete Trials of Mana in around 20 hours, and it was a phenomenal, action-packed experience.
While the game doesn’t have the most unique story, the dynamic combat system definitely makes up for any narrative shortcomings. In the beginning, players can pick from a selection of six characters to create their own dream team and try different playstyles. Unleashing deadly attacks and powerful combos is very satisfying!
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
Main Story: 13 hours; Completionist: 19 hours
Made by Yoko Taro, the mastermind behind the NieR series series, and published by Square Enix, this is one of the best short JRPGs on the market. However, Voice of Cards The Isle Dragon Roars portrays an epic fantasy quest in the form of a card game. A pretty good one, we must say!
We’re entering the territory of really short, concise experiences, as VoC can be completed in a little over 10 hours. Still, it takes a while for the story to get interesting! Luckily, the gameplay loop should be engaging enough to keep you going, especially when combined with the mesmerizing soundtrack.
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Main Story: 14 hours; Completionist: 46.5 hours
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a modern remake of a FF7 spin-off that was originally released on PSP. Is it good enough to compete against Rebirth for the title of the best PS5 JRPG game on the market? Probably not. But it’s a much shorter experience!
Crisis Core serves as a prequel to the original FF7 and its newer iterations, focusing on the story of Zack Fair and allowing players to learn more about the iconic villain, Sephiroth. While the combat system leaves a bit to be desired (it gets repetitive rather quickly), fans of the franchise should definitely check the game out, especially since it can be completed in around 13 hours.
Cosmic Star Heroine
Main Story: 12; Completionist: 17
Influenced by classic 16-bit JRPGs, Cosmic Star Heroine is a compact space adventure. If you’re tired of all the remakes and crave something relatively new (but still retro-inspired) to beat in a few evenings, this is definitely a great pick.
After stepping into the shoes of Alyssa L’Salle, you’ll embark on a quest to save the world. What does it involve? Exploring three different planets, plenty of battles, and deadly combos. It’s all very stylish, nostalgic, and fast-paced; it may even feel rushed at times.
Super Mario RPG
Main Story: 12 hours; Completionist: 20 hours
Last but not least is the Switch remake of an SNES cult classic. While the most famous plumber in the world is known mostly for his platforming feats, he also stars in various spin-offs spanning a range of genres. Super Mario RPG is definitely among the best ones.
The game has been thoroughly modernized, but it didn’t lose the spirit of the original. It’s still a turn-based RPG featuring a cast of iconic characters and colorful graphics, which makes it a perfect choice for kids and adults alike.
Oh gosh, look at the time! We’ve reached the end of the article in the blink of an eye. If you pick from these titles, you should be able to complete plenty of JRPGs in 2024 instead of just one or two games that require grinding for hours and reading (or skipping) thousands of lines of text.
