The Best Hidden JRPG Gems Ever (Random Order) 

0:41 Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2:17 Oninaki 3:23 Ar Tonelico II 5:03 Vanguard Bandits 6:20 Nights of Azure 7:58 Arc Rise Fantasia 9:38 Langrisser I & II Remakes 10:57 Crystar 12:22 Tears To Tiara II: Heir of the Overlord 13:28 Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier 15:00 Spectral Souls: Resurrection of the Ethereal Empires 16:08 Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 18:14 Blue Reflection Second Light 19:47 Hexys Force 21:08 Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia 22:40 Mana-Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy 24:03 Super Robot Taisen Original Generation 25:17 Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 26:31 Lost Sphear 27:48 Exist-Archive 29:21 Kartia: The Word of Fate 30:49 Dragon: Marked For Death 32:01 Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love 33:53 Ar Nosurge: Ode To An Unborn Star 35:24 Death end re;Quest 1 and 2 36:46 Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven 38:14 Ragnarok Tactics 39:30 Sakuna of Rice and Ruin 41:06 Nights of Azure 2 42:18 Onimusha Tactics 43:23 Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll 44:41 Relayer 46:33 Lunar Knights 47:50 Growlancer Generations 49:16 Tokyo Xanadu eX+ 50:28 Lost Dimension 52:05 Soul Blazer 53:11 Fairy Fencer F 54:36 The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails (Fantastic game! Go play it!) 57:22 Lost Kingdoms 58:55 Redemption Reapers 1:00:38 Xuan Juan Sword 7 1:02:45 Eternal Poison 1:03:56 Growlanser: Heritage of War

AMAZING LIST!!! This video reminds me of how massive my backlog is , Thank you so much for making this.

Ar Tonelico 2 is one of my favorites , the North American version has a game breaking bug making it impossible to complete with out cheesing a broken boss though.

This is why you're my favorite JRPG streamer, Eric. You put in the effort because like most of us, you're passionate about these great games. Thank you for another spectacular video!!!!

Great content as always, I've tried at least 7-8 of these games just because of your previous hidden gems videos.

To add one more mention to this list, how about Witch and the Hundred Knight? The gameplay itself is hit or miss, but overall reasonably acceptable. The main draw is the fantastic characters, great story, and a level of vomit-inducing shameless vulgarity that would make even Conker himself do a double-take. If nothing else, the aggressive assertion of that "M-rated" label makes it worth checking out. Come for the unrepenting shock value, stay for the surprisingly deep character writing.

You are the JRPG master. You deserve more views, so you can make more money, so you can afford more newer JRPGs so you can add them to your repertoire and make more videos.

Sakura wars on ps2 is also an absolute amazing RPG! 🤘🤘🤘🤘 i loved it!

I love Eternal Poison, I remember playing it back about 15 year ago and being amazed by its Gothic and Dark Fantasy style that I took more serious classes on english to understand it and that worked amazingly. Nice list as always bro.

Man I fucking love that intro

Sakura Wars 5 So Long My Love is so underrated, even in japanese fanbase (worst selling main game in series). Yes it's not the best game in series (SW3 is), but still much better than PS4 rebot developed by diffirent team (Team Sonic instead of Valkyria Chronicles / Skies of Arcadia team).

Just recently repurchased the Night of Azure series/Gust games on Steam so I play them on my ROG Ally since it has compatibility issues with the Steam Deck. I played them on my PS4 but never finished the series. Lately I've playing more on handheld devices than home consoles.

I got Blue Reflection based on another youtuber's recommendation - I have to say, I really don't think it's a hidden gem, it's an incredibly shallow school girl perv game. Be warned

I finished Eternal Poison not long ago. It had a lot of interesting ideas storywise and the combat was engaging enough (except the F***ING THIEFLERS), but... words cannot describe the absolute STATE of the writing. They needed to get someone in there to look over the script. It was basically the same conversation over and over again.

Summon Night Swordcraft Story is actually a trilogy, the 3rd game never left Japan though, which is a tragedy really, loved the first, the second was pretty good but I wasn't a big fan of the changes to the crafting system, and I still want to play the third

Jesus Christ Erick how many ads is it possible to put in a single video??😂😂 You are going loco my friend!😅

oooh Eternal Poison! I couldn't remember the name but I would remember it at random times. Glad you covered it ;3. I've always loved Growlanser also. I just wish everyone else did. It deserves a reboot/remake. Severely underrated series.

You should mention also Bahamut Lagoon, masterpiece that almost no one knows.

Another banger of a video with a great list. Great work Erick

You seem to have forgotten the timeless classics Ephemeral Fantasia, and Time and Eternity. Also, was disappointed to not see Moero Chronicles or Moero Crystal on this list. Okay, trolling aside I would argue for Thousand Arms and Legend of Legaia, both on PS1 to be on a list like this. I love both of them, and as far as I know, they were never re-released and have just sort of faded into limbo. Also, Kowloon High-School Chronicles, on Switch. I don't see it pop up much, but I love it, even if it is a bit complicated to my smooth brain at times.

need a list in the descriptions with timestamps or annotations my friend

I entered only because I saw Gemini, one of the games that leaved me more empty after end it, marvelous

Damn Pedro Pascal's brother has some great taste in games.

I still recommend Mytran Wars on PSP to everyone. A great TRPG in the style of Front Mission.

I'm playing Crystar while watching this video and it is SO GOOD! Having 100%ed Dragon Marked for Death, here's a pro tip for anyone who wants to get into the game. It is hard as hell to play solo, but if that is all you have access to (like me), play any character you like to blitz the story mode. Beat the game, unlock Oracle, play as her. She is a bit of a learning curve, but once you figure her out, she is utterly busted. Level up enough to use Death Bringer and Cursed Doll and you will FLY through most of the postgame.

I wish I bought Nights of Azure 1+2 when it was cheap. I remember seeing them on Amazon for like $20 many years ago

Nice Video Eric! And i can name 2 games you should play! Here: - Stella Deus the Gate of Eternity. - Othercide (Ps4 and Pc game, inspired on Bersek, Dark souls and Parasite Eve)

I have to say sir, your hidden gem compilation videos are really great.

First Blue Reflection has a decent PC port. I played it there, and it's moddable, highly recommend the first game because the companions are SO CUTE! It's 70% off on Steam right now, for $18 US or 25 AUS, 15 queen money. Oh and the battle system is a simplified (no movement) form of Grandia's combat, which is perfect. ALSO YOU WILL CRY!

I am sure there's a fan patch to Tears to Tiara 1, but it's a hentai game. xD Also played Nights of Azure 2 and there was fanservice but I don't remember leveling up much, so you got me curious about the first one lol. Vanguard Bandits song sounds like Stratovarius or some other kind of European Power Metal.

I adore Fuga Melodies of Steel. I played through the first game 16 times and through the second game 5 times. It presses all the right buttons on me.

Sometimes it takes the obscure games to try something new and untried. Have you ever seen a JRPG with a shared HP meter? It's an idea I've been thinking about to avoid the annoying thing where once more than one party member falls you have essentially lost a fight.

Timestamp guys, where you at?

I can definitely recommend the swordcraft story games. Some of my favourite GBA titles of all time. Still go back to them from time to time.

My favorite jrpg RU-vid ever. I’ve been binge-watching your videos during the past weeks and I got so hyped up when i saw this one popping up today! Sigue así, hermano. Se te quiere desde Costa Rica! 🙏🏽👏🏽🤟🏽

Thanks!

Yea the Intro is back 🎉

my PS2 JRPG collection grows according your videos)

Man, I'm really amazed by the number of rpg games you play 👏

Yes Ar Tonelico 2 was awesome!

This is definitely your best video yet, at least to me because I am always looking for hidden gems and this list is comprehensive and well written and argued for, thank you!!!

Just a forewarning: If you decide to play Fairy Fencer F, DO NOT PLAY THE ORIGINAL VERSION. Play the remake called Advent Dark Arisen. It is way better than the original, especially storywise. I do not understand why they don't make it clearer that Advent Dark Arisen is essentially the remake of the original game, but there you have it.

I owned the limited editions of two of the three games on the thumbnail and sold them to Half Price Books not knowing how much $$$ they were worth. Going through the full list I have/had the limited edition: Ar Tonelico II (still owned) Mana-Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy (still owned) Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love PS2 edition Growlancer Generations (still owned) Eternal Poison Growlanser: Heritage of War

The Caligula effect 2 is it a hidden jem. Just released on ps5. Please let me know if its good or not.

OK, I've been looking for a PS1 game for years and I never seen it on any compilations. My friend has this game on PS1 back in about 2000 - it was in Japanese, so I've had no idea what I was doing, the intro said something about Ragnarok - the combat was a final fantasy VI style animation, but it was effing beautifull with powerfull spells and combos - the intro team had several characters - a witch, a guy with an enormous sword (seriously it was a size of a tree) and I think others - the combat menu was in japanese, but by choosing random options the characters would perform these world shattering spells or combat options like flying into the air above the city and throwing a massive spirit bomb style spell upon the enemies, for thousands of damage points - and I even think I remember some of the characters making dual combos - like combining their attacks. All I remember was the artstyle and animations were astounding, even for the time. I never remembered the name of the game, and because of the "Ragnarok" word I heard in the intro (some god was mentioning it) I always mixed this tittle with Valkyria Chronicles - but that is an entirely different game. I wanted so bad, to watch a let's play of this game, so I watched dozens of "jrpg" lists and combinations, but none had this game.... anyone can guess what it is? I never got pass the early game because I had little time....

Always come here looking for a weird/rare/cool JRPG to play and end up finding a lot of them. Thanks as always Eric lml

Langrisser was also on the Super Famicom as Der Langrisser.

I would like to add a game to your list. A game that is cirminally underrated, and just plain unknown. Infinite Space for the Nintendo DS. If you're looking for a very good albeit really grindy game, fire up an emulator and get that game. It's made by no other than Platinum Games.

thanks for making this video! i've hit a bit of a rut with gaming recently. do you have any recommendations for romance jrpgs? preferrably on pc? or do you have a video addressing this already?

Summon Night Twin Age would be my pick instead of Swordcraft, also Ar Tonelico has some great tunes.

Appreciate ya brother. You've got a new sub. Actually do need to finish ar no surge so I'm glad you mentioned it.

I am so happy to find Fuga: Melodies of Steel on this list! I didn't get 100% in social interactions, but I went through the game mulitple times to take different paths and try different strategies.

The intro is back!!!

What was the first game in the intro....it LOOKED like Dragonforce?

I'm playing through Legend of Heroes: TitS right now and I'm really enjoying it so far. The combat isn't too much of a challenge but the grid based movement in combat, the overall aesthetic, the protagonists/dialogue/story, the magic system, and the pseudo limit break system are all parts I like.

Great video mate. I always look forward to your next vid. Keep em coming.

nights of azure 2 is highly debatable its a complete friggin downgrade in everything other then the female cast

Fuga gets repetative and boring very quickly... it's nowhere near a gem

Agree with most of those however I thought nights of azure games where utter trash.

Anyone who keeps a Chrono Cross poster center camera on a video about best games of any kind has instantly lost my faith.

really wish we could get an hd remaster of ar nosurge, the vita version runs like poop even with an OC'd vita

Oninaki was terribly dull and boring and Ar Tonelico 1 was way better than the 2nd.

Lost Kingdom 2 was great too on Gamecube.

loved ar tonelico… until that sad .. what the hell is this? ar tonelic 3 installment… really was.. horrible

I don’t even hafto start this and I’m gonna know it’s good

Anyone remember Dragon Force for Sega Saturn? I loved that game!

You keep saying "fan service", does that mean big boobs?

thank you these look good. I think I will buy fuga and Oninaki.

nice Suikoden shirt

Just stumbled upon your channel. Great stuff!

still remember Shurelia waifu from Ar tonelico

first one.. i believe. come on! let's go eric!

No love for Battlechasers Nightwar? 😔

Boy got that Suikoden t shirt flex

night of azure is great, but the time limit sucks

Estoy jugando Nayuta y está genial.

You forgot Resonance of Fate and Terranigma

ar tonelico musics are cool

"I know the images look low budget, but this is not about Tripple A games." Does that mean that the original FF7 could be a hidden gem, I thought the graphics for it were bad back then.

Im still waiting for lost kingdoms 3

INSANE video, Erick!

On the topic on SRW:OG. it got a PS2 remake but it's in japanese... that series never got english translation till SRW:OG Moondweller, which is the first of the line that got english release. although the SRW V, Xand T beat it to the punch in official english release. although you can watch the anime version of OG and OG2 as SRW:OG Divine wars and SRW:OG the Inspector respectively. do take note that some details and story from the original GBA release got removed/improved in the PS2 version and in the anime of the 1st OG game, we're following Ryuusie route as the canon route. on the SRW:OG Endless frontier, it's connected to the OG-verse but you'll miss it as there's some translation error on the fan translated one. after that, some events in Endless Frontier Exceed is mentioned in the later OG-verse in-game events after OGG and in 2ng OG then endless frontier and OG got canon events that's connected to Project X Zone then it's connected to moondweller as we got Sanger coming back with 2 of Lamia's elder "siblings". and we haven't talked to the lord of elemental connection... weeeeeeeeee. and my brain hurts already... not to mention I havent played any of the SRW:Lord of Elemental games....

Worth noting that Super Robot Taisen Original Generation 1 and 2 had a remake on PS2 called Original Generations which has now been fan translated into English and is a massive improvement in just about every way, followed by a succession of Mainline Super Robot Wars titles now being released in English at launch. Endless Frontiers sequel has also been translated by fans.

Some bangers on this list (Redemption Reapers) Speaking of which I just convinced myself to buy Devil Survivor 1 and 2 (£107.50 but I finally have a DS lol) and I have started the first one. I have to say you’re bang on the money I’m only 2 hours in and I’m hooked already. (Similarly I finally got physical copy of Valkyria Chronicles 2 on PSP and that’s my next first playthrough after Devil Survivor 2.) For real, Persona 5 Tactics will have to achieve Jeanne D’Arc levels of excellence to prevent Redemption Reapers being my GOTY as well as battling it out for SRPG sub-category with awesome indies like Warlands, Front Mission 2 remake and Gloomhaven.

Why do you solidify who I am

Oh crap, the intro is back

You mentioned Mana Khemia 2! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘 thats why i love your channel my man! You know great games when you see them! That game is absolutely amazing! Funny as hell but also deep story driven and amazing gameplay and the absolute best 2d Atelier game ever! My second favorite ps2 game behind persona 4! 🤘🤘🤘 Plus when you beat the game with both Ulrika and raze, you unlock the extra dungeon to eventually fight the light mana and get the true ending! 🤘

Have you thought of compiling the BEST most original, creative, different rpgs of the the late 2000s and 2010s? The really good ones from that list, not just anything that is different. That is inspired by an old video about unique battle systems, but that one even included things that didnt look appealing and you didnt like, even if unique.

Have you thought of compiling the BEST poor looking rpgs but that have a story and/or gameplay really on the same level or superior to many mainstream good looking rpgs? Like a "dont judge the game by its graphics" theme.

Just started Ar Tonelico 2 on emulator,it looks and plays great,really looking forward to a playthrough! 🙂

I’m guessing they’re talking about a physical copy thing with Blue Reflection 1 being expensive, because it’s normally priced on PSN and goes on sale very regularly. I got it for like $20 not that long ago.

I eish you would make a list in your description. Love the vids. Death end request was just in sal

Exist Archive gameplay looks similar to Valkyrie Profile, same dev ?

What's the song at 2:20?

Thanks Erick as usual. I've added multiple games here on my wishlist.

Nights of azure is now on my radar ! Thankyou ! I hope I cam get physical.

JRPG Time

Glad to see Nights of Azure get some well deserved acknowledgment, the stories of both games are great, just a pity that there is no indication of a third game to continue the story

Lacryona Christi reminds me of Terra from FF6. What a fantastic artsyle.

YEAHHHHH!!