The best dungeon-themed JRPGs

Key conclusions

• Etrian Odyssey Nexus offers challenging dungeon gameplay with multiple class options and strategic combat.
• Persona Q brings together Persona characters in a dungeon-crawling setting with unique abilities and a great story.
• Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux combines strong tactical combat with challenging dungeon exploration.

One of the best things about gaming JRPG RPG genres are their versatility and the world of possibilities they offer. While some may focus solely on combat and action, others may choose a different direction and opt for mystery solving, exploration, and of course, a lot of dungeon crawling that will keep players moving through dark places for hours.

JRPGs and dungeons seem to go hand in hand, as many titles feature such areas, forcing players to think outside the box and work on their patience to slowly but surely find their way out of claustrophobic spaces. For players who enjoy such titles, here are some of them the best JRPGs that focus on dungeons.

5 Etrian Odyssey Nexus

A great Dungeon Crawler that builds on its long-running series

• Complex party systems and a decent range of different classes
• The game implements some things and retains a few great aspects of its predecessors

Offering a confusing dungeon crawling experience, Etrian Odyssey Nexus allows players to embark on a journey through a series of mazes and dungeons that present unique environmental hazards, numerous enemies and mind-boggling puzzles that will keep them entertained for hours. The game also features complex party systems that allow players to choose from a wide variety of classes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Etrian Odyssey Nexus features turn-based combat that requires players to carefully plan their strategic actions to ensure victory and take the least amount of damage from their enemies. While the game innovates significantly and introduces a few elements of its own, it also retains various key aspects that made its predecessors successful, making this a perfect title for both newcomers and veterans of the franchise.

4 Persona Q: Shadow Of The Labyrinth

Dungeon Crawling with a great story and 3D stylized graphics

• Unique characters, each with different abilities
• The game features characters from Persona 3 and Person 4

One of the greatest aspects Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinthis that it combines characters with Persona 3 and Person 4 and places them in dungeon settings. A combination of several traditional elements of art Person tactical exploration franchise, the game has more than enough content to provide players with hours of fun. Each character has unique abilities that can work to players' advantage depending on how and when they are used.

In addition to the various dungeons and areas to explore, the game also features excellent character interactions and dialogues that complicate the available storylines, as well as stylized 3D graphics that help the narrative have a much stronger punch.

3 Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux

A challenging Dungeon Crawler that requires strong tactical skills

• A wide selection of enemies and branching paths
• Gathering and managing resources is key

Located deep within a spatial anomaly in Antarctica known as the Black World, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux is arguably one of the best dungeon crawling JRPGs out there due to its story and gameplay mechanics. Players will take on the role of the main character (also known as Tadano Hitanari in Japan), who is tasked with exploring a mysterious southern kingdom. Each level of the game has dangerous enemies, treacherous traps and several branching paths that offer many challenges and several opportunities to explore.

To add another level of complexity to this title, there is a strong focus on strategic combat, resource gathering and management, and overall tactical planning that requires players to carefully think through every move. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux will test players and give them a challenging experience that is demanding but also fair and entertaining.

2 Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library and the Monster Seal

An amazing anime adventure with lots of dungeon crawling

• Great customization options and a complete class system
• Nice anime style and overall light tone

Standing out with its deep character customization capabilities and comprehensive class system, Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library and the Monster Seal offers players several labyrinthine dungeon designs that will never disappoint. In the role of Fried Einhard, players will have to hunt down several monsters that have escaped and gone to the huge underground labyrinths to hide. As you progress through the story and delve into more challenging dungeons, players will face increasingly difficult challenges and enemies that test their patience and skills.

Due to the game's non-linear design, players can avoid certain bosses and focus on treasure hunting if they prefer. In addition to great game mechanics, Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library and the Monster Seal also features a beautiful anime art style with plenty of humor that helps lighten the mood and gives the game an overall light-hearted tone, even if some serious moments will keep players on edge.

1 Phantasy Star 4: End of the Millennium

A futuristic adventure to save the Algol Solar System

• Lots of solving puzzles that will put players to the test
• The game offers a combination of science fiction and fantasy elements

Like the last chapter basically Fantastic star series, Phantasy Star 4: End of the Millennium offers a great dungeon crawling experience that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. Set in the future, where the fictional Algol Solar System is on the brink of destruction by the evil plans of Zio, the “Black Magician”, players will walk in the shoes of Chaz Ashley and his companions. This game offers a welcome change of pace when it comes to dungeon crawling thanks to its futuristic setting.

Players will need to explore different areas, making their way through hordes of dangerous enemies, environmental hazards and various puzzles designed to test their patience and problem-solving skills. A combination of science fiction and several elements of fantasy, Phantasy Star 4: End of the Millennium is a timeless classic that every dungeon crawler should play at least once in their lifetime.