Top 10 Modern Turn Based RPGs You NEED To Try 

Dev of 8-Bit Adventures 2 here - Thank you so much for the shout out on this list of incredible games David! I know I say it every time, but I sincerely do appreciate it - especially less than a week out from release. And you're definitely not old in my book 😄

I have 2 more to add to the list! Bug Fables: a paper mario like game, with excellent and engaging turn based battles. The world is full of places to explore, characters are extremely charming, and the music just makes you happy hearing it. Chained Echoes: another indie, but thats ok! The turn based battles in this are literally some of the smoothest I've ever played (and thats a lot lol). You even get mechs for battling too! After every battle your party is fully healed, so each engagement really lets you go all out. The combo attacks, mechs, exploration, music, story. Chained Echoes ticks all the boxes.

David coming in hot with the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest OST!!

Don't sleep on the other Utawarerumono games. They're some of the best visual novels, and their srpg combat is also really fun.

Giant smile on my face from the first second seeing a giant incredibly handsome beefcake wearing an adorable Kirby shirt 😂

Glad to see Monochrome Mobius get some love.

Got Monochrome Mobius delivered in the mail just yesterday, off you're recommendation, David. Also love that when talking about it in THIS video you said "If that's not enough to jump in your car and go to the video store"- I know you MEANT videogame store but let's call it a "middle aged male gamer Freudian slip". So many of my best childhood memories and sleepovers began with that trip to the video store!

Like a Dragon and the business management mini game. I’ve played the game thrice over and I can’t get enough of it.

Love how you added in lots of Mystic Quest music to play in the background. Say what you will about FFMQ's gameplay, but damn did it have some unique and awesome music found on the SNES.

8-Bit Adventures 2 looks pretty awesome. The graphics remind me more of Final Fantasy Mystic Quest than any 8-Bit game I've ever played, but Early 16-Bit adventure doesn't quite roll off the tongue the same way I suppose.

SMT5 got me back into turn based JRPGs after taking like 15 years off

Once again thank you for your time and a yet another very thorough informing video. I still remember years ago, when I started to watch your channel with your playthrough of Wild Arms XF. Damn, I'm glad I found it. You're an amazing youtuber, David. I sincerely hope that you're going to reach your goal of 100,000 subscribers :)

You know, if baulders gate 3 and metaphor refantasio staring me down, I could see myself picking up some of these! Also I'd argue on if Like a dragon and persona are underrated mondren jrpgs

Such a great vid, and excellent good options. Also I reaaly hyped for Metaphor: ReFantazio

Lot of interesting RPGs on this list but 8-Bit Adventures is calling my name for an immediate playthrough.

David, you mentioned that Persona 3 Reload on the Switch, but I don't believe the game is available on that system, at least not yet.

Chained echoes shout out!

Appreciate the Mystic Quest jamming in the background, recently been playing some randomizers of that so it's been fun. 8-Bit Adventures 2 has also been great with the mystic quest feel, the almost mother 3 like charm, and just a lot of things to do in game. I have been on a bit of a pixel turn-based craze so definitely picking up Secret of Varonis. I also picked up quite a few games during the turn-based rpg fest (but not all specifically part of the fest). Grabbing Flowstone Saga, Scarmonde, Beloved Rapture, Manafinder (phantasy star iv inspired), Omega Quartet, Keylocker, and one that i started recently that is quite the hidden gem that didnt have many reviews, False Skies. Its a game with a FF Legends look, but insanely more expansive then you would think, multiple tiers of class changes, full worlds (yes plural) that the story brings you through, side-quests a plenty, and overall just a lot to collect and consider.

Eiyuden Chronicle:Hundred Heroes is in the running for my favorite game of the year

My picks would be Cosmic Star Heroine, Steven Universe: Save the Light, and I guess half of Undertale/Deltarune, since their combat is a little more actiony. Do the Costume Quest games count? I don't know if they're modern enough. If we're counting RPG Maker titles, I'll throw in OFF, the Space Funeral games, and Weird and Unfortunate Things are Happening. Haven't done much more with Crystal Project than mess around with the demo for a little while, but that seemed pretty great, and Secret of Varonis is definitely on my radar now that I'm a little ways into Final Fantasy Legend 2. Also very glad to hear the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest soundtrack here; the game doesn't get nearly enough respect, and regardless of how you feel about it, it's hard to deny that it has an excellent soundtrack.

Finished Eiuyden Chronicles last week. Nearly 100 hours to do it all. Worth it.

Bravely default 2 was a great turn based jrpg Sea of stars also was good And in my opinion the best turn based jrpg in recent year is octopath traveller 2 that game blew my mind perfect game worth playing even if you are not a turn based fan the story was top notch

Greetings from Germany ✌️ My Darling and I startet playing the Xenosaga Series and …. Well wie both (she better than me) can play Action RPGs but to be honest turnbased was and is our favourite. Hopefully we can finish Part one at the end of this month. 🍀 After Xenosaga Episode I we may try something lighter like Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. 😂 Sorry for my bad English. Stay save and healthy. ☀️🍀

It makes me so happy to see turn-based games thriving! So many gems these last few years

I recommend the Fuga Melodies of Steel series. When I was growing up one of my favorite series was .hack and the developer for that series CyberConnect2 is mostly known for their anime games nowadays with Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm and DBZ Kakarot. Well CC2 started self publishing their original games recently, and Fuga is a return to the series that was started by their first game Tail Concerto, Little Tail Bronx. It's their first foray into turn based combat and I'd say they nailed it while making the gameplay loop with the on rails choose the easier or hard paths parts working very well with the intermission base building parts. The story is fairly simple, but the character development is really good especially with a big cast of characters most of them get their moments to shine so far. Also since it's an on rails visual novel experience there's not really any grinding that you need to do in these games. I've also been noticing some not so subtle references to .hack throughout these games as well, they're even advertising these games with .hack's tone and glitches, and it's making me hopeful that CC2 will be able to bring that series back with a spiritual successor next. They also revealed a character for the upcoming 3rd game recently that looks a lot like a pretty important character from .hack, so I think .hack's story/lore might have some part in this last game. I'm hoping this last game at least teases their future plans for their self publishing, aside from the already announced Cecile and Tokyo Ogre Gate games, as it's really nice to see CC2 back to making original games after a decade of being typecasted as an anime game developer thanks to Bandai forcing them down that route.

Your not old lol. You look great! I wish I had the determination to work out like you. Plus us men get better with age. MOST of us anyway.

10:23 P3R on Switch? Should I take this as "only a matter of time" thing? Haha

Seems that so many JRPGs are moving towards action/realtime. I'm glad turn-based is getting some recognition. I'm also a fan of random encounters. I prefer to level up and breeze through a boss battle

We’re retro and modern David we’ve seen it all from 1980-Now what a life of RPGs throughout the decades

Loved SMT5V definitely recommend! Need to check out the new Like a Dragon

It's such a relief that there are other turn-based babes (gender neutral) out there in the wild. I'm just a little baby, so having think time is so helpful. Also super baby Story modes are for ya gurl (being disabled sucks. Accessibility ftw). Another great vid, David. Keep being amazing!

When I find out the dude whose LPs I've been watching is a mega hunk. Looking good David. Keep up the good work !!!!!

Great video! I need to try Monochrome Mobius - it looks super good!!!

Surprised to not see Octopath Traveler II.. or the first one.. so it is always refreshing to see a list that gives us some different gems.

Mystic Quest OST ❤🥰❤

Dragon Quest monster dark prince had been in my radar given how I played the original GBC and the Joker games for research and I'll say I surprisingly liked it so I might as well get DQM Dark Prince before I wait for the HD-2D games

A lot of good stuff. Real quick correction: P3 Reload didn't come out on the Switch. P3 Portable did though.

When it comes to jrpgs I like turn based the most, but for western/crpgs I tend to prefer real time with pause. Thanks for the discoveries.

“Call me old, I am so I don’t really care” 😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣🤣THE line of the whole video 👏 this made me almost spit out my food

Not sure if you heard of it, but beloved rapture just came out and is pretty good. Its kinda chrono trigger like for gameplay with nice pixel art. Worth a look

I’d love to see another Jeanne d'Arc come out. I played that with my PSP.

"haven't heard hide or tail from the Mario and Luigi series" there's one coming out in less than a month, big dawg

I love your channel man!! I’ve only recently fallen in love with turn based games and I’ve been so HOOKED. Your channel has been a wealth of knowledge and your passion shines 🤘❤️

Your game suggestions are always the best, out of ANYONE on RU-vid! You like the exact kind of games I like, so glad I discovered this channel. Classic RPGs, did you like xenoblade chronicles? I played through the first one not long ago and was very pleasantly surprised. I had been putting it off for yearss since it was out for the Wii. I beat it and went right to number 3 which I hope to enjoy- though im still playing visions of mana, takes of vesperia and ni no kuni 1. Sorry for the long comment!!

I wish persona 3 reload was on the switch 😅 here is hoping the switch 2 gets a release date with this game available

Adding my voice to the appreciation of using Mystic Quest music. Thanks David!

Play the demo for Saga Emerald before you buy it. It is a very acquired taste and not similar to Saga Frontier at all. Secret of Veronis looks good - didn't know anyone had the balls to do a full-on FFL spin.

You had me at modern Grandia

Paper Mario TTYD is my baby, and I was over the moon when Nintendo announced the remake. I still think the original on GameCube is better, but the remaster is fantastic regardless! Great list!

Lovin the Mystic Quest soundtrack you got goin on in the background.

Man, these ALL look great! I love DQM The Dark Prince, but I REALLY need to get to Yakuza 8 at some point…

Love the Mystic Quest backing track!

I have quite a few of these games sitting and just waiting to be played, the backlog struggle is real lol

Awesome video David! So nostalgic and modern at the same time

Soundtrack is 🔥 Man I hope they put Mystic Quest on NSO

My personal favorite turn based RPG right now is Honkai: Star Rail. Putting aside feelings on gacha games, the story is really good if you like a mix of sci-fi with fantastical elements. The story content is really well balanced to be accessible even if you don't play it religiously. The gameplay is very Trails-esque, you build up energy to unleash ultimates, you break enemies targeting their elemental weaknesses which then causes a related status effect, and you can interrupt enemy turns using your ultimates.

SMT vengeance did not included all the previously released DLC😩 you still have to pay for the blooming Mitama DLC😈😈👻 that fact just really baked this pirates noodle. Like seriously would it have killed them to include it? Monochrome Mobius rights and wrongs forgotten looks like a great game ❤ if it ever comes to the switch? I’d love to play it

Wait wait wait there is a spiritual successor to Grandia !? Please tell me it has the same sense of exploration as Grandia 1 ? I need me a spiritual successor to Grandia 1. Sue best girl 🤩

Might have to look into a few of these.

David my man please stay hydrated 🚰

Guild Saga is gorgeous

I really need to get back into one hundred heroes, but I'm way too focused on the hype over metaphor

Thank you man, i needed this

Sea of stars and chained echoes belong on this list!

David are you going to make a video on the metaphor refantazio demo?!

Not the place I was expecting to hear the Mystic Quest theme

I love you Stud and RPGS ❤ game on

Aww still no talk about Rise Of The Third Power. But its probably not modern enough still a fun turn base Rpg with mini skill tree and switching weapons just change your style do you want to focus more on a bleed build than equip the daggers that add to the bleed or equip the posion daggers so you can poison more. Have your healer do more holy damage than heal switch to the damaging staff.

Okay now I got to try monochrome Mobius out. I miss grandia:-( I can't play Persona games because the menus just too much. Thanks for this list of games. I'm going to share it around because my other friends may like the other choices listed here.

Awesome bgm! ❤❤

Hope you can get to 100k man, you're the best there is for keeping up with JRPGs that may otherwise slip under the radar! If these count, the SteamWorld Heist games are excellent turn based tactical RPGs to anyone who hasn't played them. Though I will push back and say that The Dark Prince is actually overrated, and warning to anyone who wants to play it who hasn't already, it is NOT the "villain's perspective" of DQIV it was advertised as. Psaro is a very different character now and his story is effectively a fan fiction where he's stripped of all his agency from the original story. Gameplay wise it's still a Monsters game at its core, but I came away thinking everything good it did was done better in previous games.

I added guild saga to my wishlist about five minutes before this video lol love ir

I am still playing SMT5V, on my 8th play through.

I love modern turn based RPG too

Are we saying Octopath Traveler (I or II) is too old to be included on this list? Otherwise its kind of insane to not be on here.

Very good list, dude!

Love from Belgium 🇧🇪♥️

Is Metaphor joining next week?

Monochrome Mobius is the first time I've definitively disagreed with you on a game, I think. Great list, though! There's a number of these I wanna check out, especially Varonis. Loving the Mystic Quest OST, btw!

nice video it's the first time watching one of your videos

Sounds like you were losing your voice a little towards the end. Hope you're not getting sick 😷🤢 Take care of yourself, bro!

I hear modern day Grandia, my ears perk up!

Can someone provide links to purchase these games?

Kirby suits you sir!

Dragon quest monsters is on PC too now

I still cnat believe we never got yakuza on switch...

Gladly comment in order to improve algorithms.

Bro played Revelations: Demon Slayer on GBA? Just when I thought you couldn't be even more of a gigachad you reached new heights lol

I came here to run away from toxic relationship with raid shadows legends 😭😭

I've already used my kirby joke I suppose I could mention when he turns himself hard that's another thing u have in common lol I should say I mean your arms not anything eles I don't wanna get banned

love the vid

i love your videos :)

Great video, Big Gay Al.

Ugh. Saga emerald is the only game I've ever returned on steam. I could not get into it

P3 is not on switch

sorry but you cant put paper mario in it its not modern it exist since snes

😊😊

Loved and hated Eyiduen Chronicles. For the Switch I had to return it, due to when I played it was just not playable game at all. PC it was 110% worth it and it might be on other consoles. Still need to play Monochrome Mobius, bought it when I heard you and someone else mention it. Sadly in my back log right now, due to busy with other games and life. Inf Wealth was the worse of the two Like a Dragon games. I am only saying this since the first was a breath of fresh air and IW only added a bit on what was already there.

saga emerald is one of the worst jrpg i've played in my entire life, and i played jrpg since SNES era

You know one that ive been enjoying? Er... the bame is Super Lesbian Animal Rpg, which is a mouthful, but it genuinely did help me rethink my view on relationships