The Best Scary JRPGs

The JRPG genre is more diverse than ever in its themes. You can get your turn-based math battles on in all kinds of flavors now, from farm simulating to Shakespearean magical girls. If you’re looking for a little horror mixed in, there are plenty of games to choose from. To narrow down that list a little, we’ve got some of the best scary JRPGs for you to check out… if you dare! Which I assume you do, or you wouldn’t have clicked on the article. Well, on to the list.

Parasite Eve

Square Enix put out a lot of experimental games in the 32-bit era. Parasite Eve uses elements from a Japanese horror novel, but tells its own original story. It introduces us to Eve, a terrifying monster with the ability to make people spontaneously combust. Set in New York and using a variant on Square Enix’s turn-based battle system, Parasite Eve stands out from its peers in more ways than one. It offers just the right mix of Japanese horror and JRPG traditions, making for one of the best scary JRPGs.

Koudelka

The predecessor to the excellent Shadow Hearts games on the PlayStation 2, Koudelka is a rather unique game. Its art style is a lot creepier than that of its follow-ups, and the overall mood is darker. Set just before the turn of the 20th century, Koudelka follows the titular character as she explores a monster-filled monastery. There’s not much else out there like Koudelka, as even the Shadow Hearts games have a less sinister feel to them.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Really, any game from the Shin Megami Tensei series or its many spin-offs has a good chance of being one of the best scary JRPGs. Maybe not Jack Bros., but you know what I mean. Strange Journey‘s extremely oppressive atmosphere and clear inspiration from The Thing put it just over the top. You’re no less powerful here than you are in any Atlus JRPG, but something about this game just make you feel deep dread. Perhaps it’s the bizarre soundtrack, or the claustrophobic hallways. Maybe it’s that there’s a good chance of getting wiped out at any moment. Whatever the case, this is quietly one of the scariest JRPGs you can find.

Laplace no Ma

Originally released on Japanese computers, Laplace no Ma is part of a loose series of horror-themed JRPGs. The Super Famicom version has a fan translation, and is probably the best one to check out for non-Japanese speakers as a result. Set in a fictional Massachusetts town called Newcam, Laplace no Ma draws heavily on Lovecraftian lore. You have to explore a creepy mansion, but you’re able to leave and use the town’s facilities when needed. It has its share of rough edges, but it’s very much worth checking out if you’re looking for something creepy to play.

Sweet Home

The inspiration for the Resident Evil series may be a mere Famicom game, but it’s still capable of sending chills down your spine. Sweet Home is something of a chimera, mixing elements of survival, adventure, and JRPG into a package that stands out on its platform. You’ve got limited resources in almost every sense, and if you don’t make careful use of them you won’t be escaping the mansion alive. One of the best scary JRPGs? If not, it’s clearly one of the most important scary JRPGs.

Let us know what you think is the scariest, or the best, JRPG below!