8 JRPGs with Extensive End-Game Content

8 JRPGs with Extensive End-Game Content

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JRPGs are almost inherently lengthy games. This is either because they feature countless cutscenes and vast blocks of text for worldbuilding or because of the robust exploration that makes you crave collecting new items or completing every quest possible.

Even those JRPGs that seem more streamlined still tend to hold back surprises for players. Just as you reach the end-game, the JRPG throws an endless number of new quests, areas, and secret bosses your way.

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It’s in this end-game content that your knowledge and strategy in the JRPG are put to the test. Here, the player proves they are familiar with the game’s mechanics and have mastered enough skills to take down that superboss ten times stronger than the evil villain trying to destroy the world.

Many times, after completing the end-game content, the main story becomes a walk in the park, and any enemy can be defeated in no time. Ultimately, isn’t that what we’re looking for in a JRPG?

Farming In The Sky

Id gets ready for a fight in Granblue Fantasy Relink

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is Cygames’ first foray into a dedicated console and PC game. The developer specializes in mobile games, and they converted all that expertise into an addictive action JRPG with plenty of grind for hardcore players.

That’s because Cygames brought all the little triggers that nag mobile gamers’ minds to Granblue Fantasy: Relink, constantly encouraging you to farm just one more time to get material for weapon enhancement or to try snagging that super-rare Sigil, which has odds about as slim as winning the Mega Millions—not really, but you get the idea.

But farming isn’t the only thing that sustains Granblue Fantasy: Relink’s end-game. The game also received various post-launch patches that added new story content. There’s also the chance to unlock new characters and discover their Fate Episodes, revealing their backstories and how they ended up in the Zegagrande Skydom.

7

Pokemon Emerald

Pokemon League Is Just The Beginning

Brendan surfing in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, & Emerald.

To be fair, Pokemon Emerald was the first game I noticed had a pretty robust end-game, excluding the surprise return to Kanto in Pokemon Silver/Gold. And yeah, technically, it’s post-game and not end-game, but bear with me, please.

Pokemon games can stretch for hours, depending on your playstyle. If you’re someone who plans to complete the Pokedex, then your journey will be long enough. But every now and then, some games, like Pokemon Emerald, add extra content to enrich gameplay, like the Battle Frontier.

The Battle Frontier is a complex of battle facilities featuring a gauntlet of challenges against numerous trainers. The goal is to achieve a streak of victories, face off against the Frontier Brain, and collect symbols to fill up your Frontier Pass.

Some Pokemon and item restrictions encourage you to create a different lineup. Emerald also offers optional areas like the Meteor Falls cave, but you’ll spend most of your time in the Battle Frontier.

6

Final Fantasy X

Luckily, Sin Is Patient

Tidus laughs in Final Fantasy 10

Many Final Fantasy games fit the bill, but we chose Final Fantasy X due to the sheer amount of time you’ll invest hunting monsters for the Monster Arena and leveling your characters by repeatedly facing Don Tonberry if you want a chance to face the insanely hard Penance. That is, if you’re not relying on Yojimbo.

Besides hunting monsters and leveling up your characters, we can also look for the Celestial Weapons – and their crests and sigils – spread across various activities, from catching elusive butterflies to the frustrating lightning-dodging minigame.

Then there are the Dark Aeons, evil counterparts to the beloved summons, which moonlight as secret bosses. Dark Aeons weren’t in the original version of Final Fantasy X and were added in the International version.

To ensure you can face them, it’s best to play Final Fantasy X HD Remaster, which includes all possible end-game content.

5

Star Ocean: The Divine Force

The Divine Versus The Celestial

Star Ocean The Divine Force

Most Star Ocean games have a variety of end-game content, but we opted for Star Ocean: The Divine Force because the game deserves more love than it’s received.

Almost every Star Ocean features at least one secret end-game dungeon that holds a superboss, typically Gabriella (or Gabriel) Celesta, at its end.

To top it off, Celesta isn’t even the hardest superboss. Starting from the second title, Star Ocean introduced another superboss, the Ethereal Queen. Making matters worse, the dungeon where they’re found is incredibly challenging and demands serious player preparation.

Three JRPGs which don't require grinding: Octopath Traveler, Chrono Cross, and Fire Emblem.

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Thankfully, Star Ocean: The Divine Force optimized and improved one of the series’ best features, the Item Creation system. In the end-game, it’s ideal to level up, not just to strengthen characters but to enhance skills and boost crafting capabilities.

With rare materials obtained through Alchemy, you can create the best gear and finally stand a chance against these secret bosses.

4

Xenoblade Chronicles

A Hundred-Hour Chronicle

Shulk - Xenoblade Chronicles

Xenoblade Chronicles is massive by nature. Even those solely dedicated to the main story need to put in about 60 hours of gameplay. Now, if you’re set on completing everything the game offers, prepare for a journey that will easily see the clock tick over into the hundreds in terms of hours played.

Xenoblade already offers a ton of quests midgame, especially if you don’t mind helping out the eccentric Nopons. However, just when you think you’re nearly finished, before facing the final dungeon, the JRPG unlocks a slew of new sidequests, some of which feature the best lore in the game.

Along with quests, you’ll spend a lot of time customizing characters to tackle those insane secret bosses who are at level 110 or even 120. The greater the level difference, the less likely your character will hit the enemy.

It’s in Xenoblade Chronicles’ end-game that you can unleash each character’s full potential and truly discover whose arsenal is mightier than we first thought. Isn’t that right, dear Melia?

3

Tales of Arise

Searching For The Hot Spring

Alphen from Tales of Arise exploring the overworld.

Much like its distant cousin, Star Ocean, most Tales of titles also feature end-game content packed with secret dungeons and super bosses. But let’s focus on the most recent title, Tales of Arise—although you could also throw in games like Tales of Vesperia and Tales of Berseria.

Tales of Arise’s end-game content has everything a JRPG player loves: new sidequests, the search for ultimate weapons, max leveling, crossovers with other Tales series characters, and, best of all, the hot spring quest for that towel costume showing off Alphen’s pectorals.

While Tales of Arise‘s end-game may not be the best in the series, this is mainly due to its streamlined difficulty compared to other mainline entries and because JRPG players tend to be notoriously hardcore.

You don’t need to power up your Devil Arms to face the secret bosses or amass the best items. Leveling up, preparation, and skill are your best allies in Tales of Arise.

2

Dragon Quest XI

End-Game Or Post-Game

Our Hero in Dragon Quest XI: Heroes of an Elusive Age

There’s a debate in the JRPG community about whether Dragon Quest XI‘s third act is still part of the main story or purely post-game content. We won’t get into that argument here because, either way, the end-game is found at, well, the end of a game, which means in the third act’s conclusion.

One of Dragon Quest XI’s best features is an interface showing all available quests in the game. A problem with many JRPGs is that many end-game sidequests offer insubstantial rewards, but not here. In Dragon Quest XI, quests reward exceptional items and gear, and some even enhance character abilities—a reward better than most.

Dragon Quest XI also has arenas, a casino for gamblers, and various trials that require an efficient build to defeat enemies in a few turns.

Players may have to invest in some tricks using Pep Power to battle Metal enemies and level up quickly. All this, of course, is in preparation to face a superboss that makes the game’s true final boss seem like a fodder enemy.

1

Disgaea

It’s Over 9000

Disgaea 1 Complete Laharl Etna

Disgaea is a strategy RPG by Nippon Ichi where programmers seem to have forgotten to set a limit on numbers, whether levels, attributes, or damage.

Joking aside, the true end-game in Disgaea is reaching astronomical numbers and watching your enemies get smashed to pieces. Let’s focus on the first game in the series since later entries have taken stats to another level.

In Disgaea, the main campaign only scratches the surface. Afterward, you can unlock new characters, dive into the Item World, hunt for powerful equipment, level your classes up to 9999, and then reincarnate them to repeat the process in a stronger class.

There are promotion exams, increasing your Customer Rank, climbing the floors of the Item World, unlocking secret classes, facing super bosses, conquering the Cave of Ordeal, and more.

You’ll spend far more time in Disgaea’s end-game than in its main content, and there’s no shame in that. Just remember, many mainline Disgaea and spinoffs are waiting for your limitless grind.

Three great indie JRPGs: Cassette Beasts, Chained Echoes, and Bug Fables.

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