Turn-based JRPGs with guns

Key takeaways

• JRPGs can eschew traditional fantasy settings and focus on guns, such as in Valkyria Chronicles 4 and Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse.
• Games like Wild Arms combine post-apocalyptic storytelling with fantasy elements centered around guns as mysterious relics.
• Resonance Fate offers a unique spin on turn-based combat with modern guns as the primary focus, adding dynamism to battles.

JRPGs are such a broad and diverse genre that it has many tropes that can define each game, not least without warning that there are many, many titles that deviate from any one archetype. There are also some exceptions to the genre's basic rules that actually helped take off in the 80s and 90s, such as an emphasis on long, elaborate stories or complex party building. Many games in this genre are set in high fantasy worlds, but some take a spin on urban fantasy or sci-fi universes instead.

There are plenty of JRPGs that escape any kind of boxed-in definition, however, leaving players to explore branching paths into mysterious worlds or uncover mysteries in some other contrasting setting. Some games still shed the face of swords and spells in favor of more… impactful tools, let's say. For these JRPGs, strength and magic may be good, and the power of friendship may be great, but it's the gun that will win at the end of the day.

8 Valkyria Chronicles 4

A wartime tale of despair and struggle

Looping back to earlier traditions and styles Valkyria HistoryThe fourth installment in the series is a great way for new fans to engage with the world Valkyria History While series veterans (yes) will be equally happy with the return to form.

It is a period war story that reflects the aesthetics of World War 2. Guns in this game are similar to swords, axes, and spears. symbol of fire. There's a satisfying and tactile feedback for each attack that lets players feel the weight of the gun or, in some cases, the tank, that they're currently using.

7 Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse

A charming and gritty JRPG

Standing in some of the toughest games in the series, Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse is an incredibly engaging and terrifying JRPG that pulls no punches with its story or its combat, forcing players to make tough decisions in order to survive.

The world has a mercenary culture Apocalypse, Which means the supply of guns is never short. It's not like this Revenge Where the player has godly powers on his side – Nanashi will have to pack some firepower and shoot some monsters if he wants to survive.

6 Final Fantasy 7

Excellent installment in the series

Perhaps the most important final fantasy Due to its widely recognized title, and certainly one of the best in the series, few games manage to have the same incredible world building and emotional story. Final Fantasy 7.

The game has an incredibly unique 'industrial urban fantasy' setting that lets Cloud get away with a giant sword while Vincent uses a swift pistol and Barrett has a full gatling gun attached to his arm.

5 Trails in the sky

A monolithic JRPG title

The Nihon Falcom library of games has hosted some truly incredible titles, and the first chapter Trails in the sky The series stands as a great introduction to this incredibly unique JRPG world and the stories it contains.

Each character in this title has a type of weapon associated with them – and while Olivier uses a lighter version of the gun, players can also use the Tita character, who uses a large cannon-like device in battle.

4 wild weapon

A gun-centric JRPG classic

There is some incredibly interesting story behind it wild weapon series that helps it stand out from other JRPGs. Guns are treated as relics of a more violent and militant era, there is an almost mystical quality to them and how they are treated.

It's one of those rare but wonderful games that fuses post-apocalyptic storytelling with fantasy elements in the serious task of restoring a world ravaged by centuries of war.

3 resonance fate

A slick and stylish JRPG

Something of a gem in the JRPG scene, resonance fate Turn-based combat has an incredibly unique spin that allows for free-flowing combat and movement during characters' turns, providing a sense of mobility and grace that pairs well with the heavy guns of this title.

Many of the JRPGs on this list supplement guns with other weapon types or magic, but if players are looking for games where the be-all and end-all is just a modern gun, then this high-flying title is what they need.

2 Live a Live

A classic time-spanning miracle

Glorious HD-2D style is revealed in this time-spanning JRPG, viz Chrono TriggerIn which players explore a variety of worlds from different time periods and synthesize these characters' separate stories together.

The Wild West setting is based on pistol and gun play and is an integral part of both the character's combat experience in the early parts of the segment and later throughout the time when the characters are together.

1 The Xenosaga

An interesting Sci-Fi take on JRPGs

There aren't many JRPGs that perfectly shape the space opera story in terms of fitting it into engaging and engaging gameplay. Xenosaga is a bit of an obscure title these days but it's a great space-faring title.

Players who want guns in their games are in luck here – laser pistols and rifles are some of the main weapon archetypes that players will be able to purchase and upgrade as they blast away hostile aliens.