Pretty much any game with Matsuno at the helm is gonna fit this category, so I'm a little surprised you didn't mention that connection between FFT and Ogre Battle. A deep dive on Matsuno's games would be a great topic for its own video, actually.

Would definitely love more mature JRPGs, great vid my dude.

The Last Story is so underrated. Easily top 3 best JRPG on the Wii.

Great video! Loved seeing The Last Story here especially. For Octopath Traveler (without spoiling anything) there is a final optional part of the story at the end that kind of ties all of the paths together in a way. I do still agree that all of the stories feel disconnected for the most part, though.

Shadow Hearts is awesome! Not just the story, but the battle system is awesome in the Shadow Hearts games!

“Triangle Strategy” I thought had a pretty mature storyline. So did “Suikoden V”.

Thanks for another entry into this great video series guys! A few to add to my backlog since I'm always looking for great stories from past JRPGs that I may have missed. I've heard so many great things about shadow hearts in particular and hope to get around to it soon.

The Last Storyyyyy :D I love it when someone talks about this. So rare to see people mention it! - They really need to remaster this on Switch like Xenoblade!!

Glad to see The Last Story get some love. I adore that game, and I wish we'd get another game like it. But at least if we don't, TLS will always be a really unique JRPG.

I honestly just love lists where I can learn about games I may have missed. You could do 10 parts and I’d check ‘em all out.

Next time please mention Fragile Dreams, the most underrated game for the Wii it's a Survival Horror RPG, the story is incredibly emotional and deep, don't be fooled by the cutesy characters, it gets dark fast.

I'm a simple guy. I see Parasite Eve getting some love, I upvote. But seriously, PE is a criminally underrated jrpg and Aya is just *chef's kiss*

Thank you for bringing up The Last Story. It got released at the same time as Xenoblade on the Wii and got overshadowed and it's a GREAT GAME that no one talks about!

Any time there’s a Gaming Broduction video it’s like a warm blanket of nostalgia washes over me. Another great video, this one! You mentioned the Valkyrie Profile DS game. That one is hard as balls and the story is really dark as well and that’s why I still play both VP 1 and VP DS occasionally.

Corbin my man, another solid video. Can't wait for part 3.

Was hoping another video would come out soon! Amazing stuff right here!

Man, this video really made realize just how many classic JRPGs I've never checked out. Really awesome to hear Valkyrie Profile will be getting a HD-port soon, can't wait to try it!

part 3 please!

Im so lucky to had the last story special edition as a christmas present. I treasure it so much

I miss so much Parasite Eve and Shadow hearts series... I think you should definitely mention FF7, if you make another part. I can't believe it is not included in both videos so far. Maybe 8 too but some of the characters are young.

it's a refresh change of pace to hear someone talking about The Last Story, it got hidden under Xenoblade's success, i even remember signing the petition to bring all of the operation rainfall games to the west. TLS had potential to become a solid franchise, but the studio now is more interested in mobile games, which is sad to me since i like TLS a lot but i could never get into FF

I haven't been able to watch all your new videos, but as this is a topic I think about a lot these days, I took time out for this one and I'm glad I did. Really stellar and thoughtful work as always! The last I saw you had less than 5k viewers and I'm so glad to see you guys have a bigger audience. :) Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work. This topic is one that I've really thought about more as I've gotten older, and in fact you've listed almost all the RPGs that I love and still keep going back to as an adult! (And others that I want to try, like Ogre Battle 64.) I mean, still like playing as young heroes in the right context (Ni No Kuni and Little Dragon’s Cafe come to mind), and games like Lunar and FFX will always have a place in my heart...But as I get older it just gets harder and harder for me to play games about 15-year-old master swordsmen or 22-year-old generals. I’m just not capable of that kind of suspension of belief anymore. Actually, I wonder -- Does anyone else still think of their age relative to the ages of game characters they grew up with? Almost like they were milestones? Like when I was 12, I looked up to characters like Alex from Lunar, and thought Kyle was a big grown man at 18. At 16, I agreed with Tidus and thought Auron was an "old man" at 36. In my early 20s, I thought Beatrix from FFIX was a cool older lady at 28. And now being in my early 30s, I realize that I am officially in the "old" category as far as RPGs were concerned! Aging characters up with the audience, on the other hand, unfortunately seems to be very rare. I remember an interview from the Making of Lunar disc that came with Lunar SSSC in which the producers of the game said they aged up the characters by 2 years each, since the players of the original Lunar TSS would have gotten older, too. In Lunar's case, that just meant that Alex went from 13 to 15...But I wish more games, especially those in long-running series like Final Fantasy, would more feature older casts and themes that gamers who grew up with the earlier games could relate better to.

As someone who quit playing JRPGs for years once I got older I'm glad to see the games I missed that I can look into now

the moment I read the title I thought I'd end up having to mention Shadow heats in the comments, but then you actually listed it.. and I'm speechless. Legit ranking!

Actually the 8 stories in octopath traveler come together quite well at the very end, if you fight the secret boss. These connections are hinted at throughout each of the 8's stories, but unveiled just before the final secret boss. It is a shame though that most people playing this game will not experience this...

Played many of these; Parasite Eve and PE2, FFT, and Front Missions 3 & 4 (never found the earlier 2, wish I had). From the previous list, Xenogears, plus honorable mentions Shadow Hearts Covenant and ANW (wish I'd found the original instead of the sequel!)

Please make a Part 3, Part 1 was why I subscribed to you and your comments about wishing to uave more games with characters in their 20's and 30's really resonates with me. That comment of a 25 year old being aveterans who have seen it all and the other of Persona being mature, but you don't want to play as a high schooler really stand out. I'm 33, and I find it hard to take games seriously when the protagonist is under 20. Playing Fire Emblem Thracia 776 now, and Lief the protagonist is 15 BUT the game rips on him all the time and constantly points out "How is this 15 year old leading the army?" He is nobility, and he is only leading because no one else would stand up, so at least in this one game I don't mind being a 15 year old. Keep up the great work.

Great video. Would definitely like part 3

I really loved parasite eve back in the day as a ps1 classic on the ps3. I had no idea that it had a prequel in form of a novel! I definitely gotta cop that! Thx for sharin that info! I’d really like to see a part 3 video as well!

Didn't see the first lost so sorry if it'd already mentioned. But the Utawarerumono games definitely fit this, especially Mask of Truth. While it could be considered mature based just on the fan service, but the story is very mature and dark at times also. If you like strategy RPGs, and are ok with visual novels(there is a ton of text), then I highly recommend that series, even tho not the easiest to find games. Also has a hack n slash version of the Mask of Deception game.

This channel almost has made me spend 1000 bucks on getting a lot of these old jrpg for the past year.

For anyone that hasn't played shadow hearts from the new world it is indeed a good game, so when people say "it's not as good" most are just upset it's a whole new cast/story. It still has a good and fun cast, the story is decent, the same good battle system and amazing OST.

Octopath Traveler may seem like all the scenarios dont connect at all. But they do post game when you fight the real final boss 🙂

Great seeing some Shadow Hearts and Last Story love. Last Story's OST is awesome too.

Parasite Eve may be some what short at only 10 to 15 hours long but you forgot to mention the Sears Tower that gets unlocked after bearing the main story which adds like another 10 hours or so of game to play.

This is a category with too little coverage, so yeah, I'd like a part 3 as long as you've got the content to make another entry.

For Shadow Hearts fans, the man behind those games teamed up with the creator of Wild Arms and had a Kickstarter for new games in their respective styles. Penny Blood and Armed Fantasia. Both games are still coming along nicely based on the updates

Props for Including Parasite Eve, Shadow Hearts, & FFT. Definitely must plays!

Both lists you guys made are great. I am in my 30s so I like playing older characters and am glad there are some real gems out there.

Thank you for part 2! I have been playing Lost Odyssey and now I need to find a way to check out the Last Story. Also - I am trying FANTASIAN on my Apple TV. It’s a pain that we can’t play it on an actual console but if you have enjoyed Mistwalker games then I would recommend it.

Love your videos bros

Keep spreading the good name of Shadow Hearts. Its need more recognition for how amazing it is :)

Thank you! There are some games here I was on the fence on and ones I never looked into. Thanks for giving some good mature plots and characters to invest some time into!

The Last Story's soundtrack is amazing

Thanks for the part 2, great video

I definitely feel a Part 3 could be made with this topic. There are a few more JRPGs out there with mature storylines that don't get as much recognition as they should. An example, Magna Carta: Tears of Blood for the PS2. It's an incredibly dark story with a bit of a rough battle system, but it's definitely a story people should experience.

I think Valkyria Chronicles 3 is a great fit for this list. More so than 1, 2, or 4 as the protagonists are part of a penal squad and are pitted up against a squad of Empire Darcsen soldiers. For some context for those not familiar with the world, it would be like in WWII if a squad composed of Japanese internment camp volunteers (who the NAMELSS squad shares a squad number with) was fighting a squad of Jewish soldiers from Germany trying to fight to earn a place for their people. Both are equally despised and discarded by their countries yet still have to find ways to fight and survive during a turbulent period. It's also criminally underappreciated because it NEVER came to the west and was only on PSP (Thank god for the community who made the fan English patch)

Really the under rated part of valkyrie profile was the dub team was the Pokémon team so hearing nurse joy saying to my side dark warriors battle awaits us is special. Also ash wishing his gf dead.

Drakengard - Not as weird as Nier, but just as dark. I don't recall if you included it in your first video. Fire Emblem Geneology of the Holy War/Thracia 776. These two Fire Emblem games are particularly dark. You can see why the original team moved off Nintendo platforms with these games. The story of Deirdre and Quan in particular are very dark and Brutal. Many main characters in these games have mandatory unavoidable deaths, and they do a good job of giving you a little hope too. Quan's death in particular was a whole level.

It's mentioned that Shadow Hearts spawns from the bad ending of Koudelka. It should be mentioned that this means the ending where the final boss defeats you in battle. There is a second bad ending where if you don't pick up the protective amulet you lost at the beginning of the game, the boss simply dissolves the flesh and soft tissue off the party's bones.

Awesome video! I would definitely like a part 3 in this series. Cheers 🍻

Me: I want to play that. Ohh I want to play that too. Ohhh I should play that, Me: ugh there's not enough time in the day

Parasite Eve could use a remake or at least a HD remaster.

The true ending on VP is what makes it a great story

I love all of your videos and can not get enough of them. You guys have the best channel on KZfaq for gamers hands down! My only complaint...why no Discord server? I'm relatively new here so I have no idea if this issue has already been addressed. I would love to see a Discord server for this channel where I could meet like minded peeps and discuss all the great videos and all my favorite games! Pretty please...🥺...

Nice content man, keep up with the good work!

Looking forward to that ps5 Valkyrie Profile game. Gameplay looks solid, hopefully the story is as impactful as the original.

I love Shadow Hearts 2. First one in the series I played. Confession: I got it because I heard it was an RPG from Game Informer (it got a 8.25) and I had (or have) a thing for red heads. So, busty red head protagonist in an RPG? I'm sold. Glad teenage me was horny that time at Gamestop. Loved the game so much, I went searching for the original game after and eagerly waited for the 3rd installment. A shame we only got 3 games in the series but they are 3 great games so at least we were spoiled with quality.

Funny how these coincide with being among some of my favorites. Great list.

I also rented Ogre Battle 64 from my old game store! When they were closing down I offered the owner 100 for the cartridge. I'm still mad he said no. Young me was crushed.

Can u do more of the single rpg retrospective videos they're insanely good.

The best part about Parasite Eve was it's New Game Plus. Not sure how many times I played through that game. One of my top PS1 games I own for sure.

the last story wasn't the first mistwalker game directed by sakaguchi, that was mistwalker's first game, blue dragon

The last story dissapointed me at the first hour(played that long after release). 2hours in, I felt so damn lured into this world. I thought about it at work, dreamt about and so on. It is a bit linear realm, but keeps you on your toes inside it.The city is charming as heck. It is a fantastic interactive movie with tactical elements when it comes down to character development and fighting. Characters are desinged from believable to incredible cheezy, there are situations that are downright hillarious. Such an entertaining journey.

Dude you've literally taken over my youtube history 🤣

Suikoden tactic about origins or rune canon is really mature

Love your videos

I played the shit outta parasite eve 2... I still own the original playstation disks. It's definitely not something that holds up today. However, it was a mature story with cool monsters and a "hunter" feel about it. The boss fights are all above average, weapon selection is astounding, replayability is through the roof and has four separate story modes. I couldn't get enough at the time.

Cat on the outro was superb.

The Fan Translated Front Mission crashes about 10 hours in. I remember I tried multiple versions with my save data on multiple devices and it kept crashing. I tried the fan translation before the DS version came out and beat it on DS in the end. Looking forward to the remake on switch.

The first video made me start a list of games to try, not all of the ones mentioned (not as much of a fan of tactical RPGs but I might give some a try), and I saw that one just the other day but it made me look for a 360 (never had one) and got one pretty cheap and Lost Odyssey as well for cheap and they're already on their way to me :D As for other games, Bravely Default that I started playing thanks to my late best friend, made me get Bravely Default 2 on PC and damn, betrayal, corruption and religious fanaticism are themes in it, and there's this one powerful scene at one point that made my eyes tear up... That same friend is the reason I gave Octopath Traveler a shot and I will finish that one as well at some point (I have a tendency to not finish a lot of games even though I love them.).

Cool channel hope you guys are hitting some momentum the content is A+

Why do I remember playing front mission in the snes and in english?

These lists are top notch

crazy how you just had to mention a timeskip to sell me on Ogre Battle 64. I'm a sucker for timeskips lol

Yes part 3!

There is no overarching plot in Octopath Traveler? LOL, you most likely stopped playing after finishing each character's main story and didn't go to Galdera. That's where all the stories get connected and make sense.

Hmm i think in this list must be Grandia II. There displays such things like: Relationships, Responsobility, Blood ties also mentions Value of life all this game by the acts and words by characters shows you step by step.

Awesome. Now you just have to finish the trilogy.

I would like to see a Persona with adult characters. Good to know that Valkyrie Profile will be available on the PSN alongside Valkyrie Elysium.

Great list! Thanks for sharing!

awesome video and content. Could you someday make a video of great and obscure JRPGs per system (like a compilation list)? And also looking forward to best SRPG videos (more like all the good srpgs) =D

Part 3, Part 3, Part 3!!!

Definitely want another one of these, I'm 33 and I get tired of teenage protagonists, this is refreshing

great list for a deep and mature person such as myself!

I always wanted to try The Last Story, but never got it. I know a physical version is probably pricey. You didn't mention it, but The Last Story had online team deathmatch. I always thought that was really interesting. I recently started Triangle Strategy on Switch. It's in the same vein as Ogre Battle; have you tried it yet?

God im so sad that nobody took inspiration from ogre battle 64 combat and RTS aspect into a modern game. i know there a few that mimics the class system and all but still.

ogre battle 64 is one of my fav

BRING ON ROUND 3!!!

I greatly enjoyed all of the games on this list outside of Octopath Traveler. I couldn't get over the clunky dialogue. It's inability to weave its own stories together was a huge sore spot for what was, mechanically, quite the fun game. Everything else on this list though? Primo.

I suggest Alundra for PS1 for the next part, it has a really deep and moving story

hybrid heaven! for part 3.

Really need to play The Last Story, hopefully it makes its way onto Steam like Octopath did

I wouldn't put tactical SRPGs in a same bucket with JRPGs, no matter how good they're, it's still a different beast. What is missing here (at least): Vagrant Story, Xenogears/Xenosaga, Radiant Historia, Legend of Dragoon, Suikoden franchise, Xenoblade Chronicle X...

Radiant Historia. Story better than even Crono Trigger and on par with FFT. Maybe only for me but only 2 games makes me feels like: "yeah. What a story". FFT and RH

More more more! :)

Bring on part 3!

whisper: last story runs great on dolphin. and there's and hd texture pack.

All I can say is Part III !!!

At the end if the video, plays a very nice version of road taken, which version is it? Wgere can I find it?