Summary
Players hate backtracking in the majority of video games they play, even if it may be a necessary evil to pad out the runtime. Even the most beautiful environments can become stale after a point if players cross these locations way too many times.
This is especially true in JRPGs, where a bunch of sidequests and secrets involvea fair bit of explorationbacktracking. This is why players will love the games in this genre that respect a player’s time and don’t make them explore the same areas over and over again until they lose their impact.
Games will be ranked based on how much backtracking (if any) is involved.
Final Fantasy 6is one of the greatest video games ever made that fans still can’t get enough of. The game’s intense pacing and some gutsy decisions have led to its universal appeal, ensuring that players don’t have to backtrack at any point in the game unless they want to find a few secrets.
The World of Balance is discarded after a pointin a risky moveas players embark on another adventure in a new, ruined world to help the heroes reunite and take out Kefka once and for all. Aside from helping Gau learn Rages or filling out the dances that Mog can learn, there’s no reason to backtrack and visit older areas, which is something thatFinal Fantasyfans will appreciate.
A beautiful and short JRPG that serves as an ode toChrono Trigger, players will loveI am Setsunaas long as they don’t mind the game’s obvious inspirations, withFinal Fantasy 10being an easy mention here. The snow-covered world and melancholic story enhance the title’s mature storytelling.
Players will love ensuring Setsuna’s safety every step of the way before eventually deciding to fight back against fate. Aside from fighting the game’s superboss, there’s no reason to backtrack and visit environments that players have already visited previously.
One of the most divisive JRPGs of all time, fans still can’t make up their mind when it comes toFinal Fantasy 13. While the game’s visuals are off the charts,the experimental gameplay splits fans down the middle, and the game’s focus on linearity can get under a player’s skin.
It’s not until players reach Gran Pulse that the world opens up somewhat and players can explore. This is the only time when they’ll need to backtrack in what is otherwise an oppressively linear experience.
Lost Odysseydecided to place a major emphasis on telling a riveting, well-paced story that dealt with the idea of becoming immortal and outgrowing friends and lovers. This means that exploration took a backseat, letting players enjoy a linear adventure where backtracking went against the game’s approach.
In fact, the game actively prevents players from grinding by reducing any XP rewards after a point. Players must follow the intended path as quickly as possible to not bog down the pacing, making for a linear JRPG that many fans enjoy for its strengths.
Unlike the many JRPGs that released on the PS1 back in the day,Parasite Eveaimed for a short and riveting experience with barely any avenues for exploration. Players explore various areas in New York City as they hunt Eve down, with the climax arriving in no time.
Even the Chrysler Building, an additional dungeon accessible in New Game+, doesn’t encourage backtracking as players are focused on crossing every floor before reaching the game’s superboss. This makes it clear whyParasite Eveis praised by the masses as an incredible and unique JRPG that more fans need to check out.
Unlike traditional Japanese role-playing games, strategy JRPGs follow a mission-based structure with little to no avenues for exploration. Every stage is a one-and-done affair that can’t be accessed after the mission is completed.
MostFire Emblemgames fit this bill, andThree Housesis no exception. It’s one of the most accessible and beloved strategy JRPGs that takes players on a wild ride where they can enjoyan epic storythat shows the series at its very best.
Triangle Strategyis a surprisingly great tactical JRPG that shouldn’t be judged by its trivial name.The game’s beautiful HD-2D visualsare a joy to witness as players are whisked away on an epic adventure.
Despite some cutscenes overstaying their welcome,Triangle Strategy’s story is epic and exactly what fans want from a strategy JRPG. There’s no backtracking involved in this game as players move from one mission to the next as the conflict between the three countries of the continent features many twists and turns.
Many fans considerFinal Fantasy Tacticsto be the best spinoff title in this series, which is hefty praise given the quality of other spinoffFinal Fantasygames. Most players were introduced to the world of Ivalice in this hard yet rewarding title where players controlled Ramza Beoulve and his allies in an adventure for the ages.
The mission-based structure is prevalent here, although players are encouraged to grind from time to time if they want to make the most of the job system and surpass some of the game’s biggest difficulty spikes. Still, this doesn’t involve any backtracking, ensuring that players are taken on a ride that never lets up.
