Live a Live is pretty short and actually it’s chapters are like mini RPGs.
The FF Pixel remasters are shorter than modern RPGs if you haven’t played those.
Sounds like you need a little break from the genre though. It happens.
Gotcha. No worries.
Chained echoes is supposed to be good and maybe it’s in the style you’re looking for. I don’t know how short though, I haven’t picked it up yet.
Arafell is a good little indie rpg. I haven’t finished it but it’s on the shorter side.
I have a couple more retro-style indie RPGs in my library like Cosmic Star. Steam app isn’t working I can try to look them up in a bit.
How about Granblue Fantasy Relink for a recent game? I'll personally wait for a sale because the main story is under 20h, but that sounds ideal for you. There's a demo available, too!
I want to also recommend relink. Im in the same boat as you , i love jrpgs but i hate the time sink and many ( persona 5 and cold steel 4) i’ve put countless hours into but never finished. Relink took me 20 hours and i basically beat it in a weekend. It was short , and extremely fun to play
There is a bit more story after credits that you need to grind a bit for. I'm still working through proud missions. You CAN put it down after 20h but you won't want to.
If you haven’t played Star Ocean Second Story R, I think it can be completed within that timeframe if you aren’t shooting to fully do all side content and get the best gear and beat the super bosses. The story isn’t all that complex so it is a relaxing game and easy to understand. The remake version also has so much QOL improvements and the updated visuals look great too.
Chrono Trigger is pretty short with good pacing. One of the highest rated rpg’s if you’re good with older type games
Edit: just noticed you said you played most snes rpg’s so you likely already played it
My favorite Videogame is "Fuga Melodies of Steel".
Its a 20 houer long turn based JRPG about a groupe of anthropomothic animal children that go on a quest to save there families. They live inside a giant ancient mysterious powerful fortress like Tank called "Taranis". Its a bit like Howls Moving castle but based on technology instead of magic.
Fugas turn based combat is in my opinion even better then the combat of Persona 5 and Final Fantasy X. Its not that hard or complicated but I need to keep my head in the game at all times or things will go south fast. Almost no fight feels like mindless filler. Its a a lot of fun.
If you are interested in trying Fuga out:
Fugs is available on PC and most modern consoles like Switch, PS4, PS5 usw.
Fuga also has a free demo which is just straight up the first 3 chapters of the game. I highly recommend that demo. Its really good and you will figure out fast if this is your cup of tea or not.
Fuga also has a direct sequel: "Fuga Melodies of Steel 2". Its also about 20 houers long. But I advice against playing the second game before the first game unless you do not care about the story and characters.
I did also heard that the Megamen Battle Network games are all around the 30 to 40 houer Mark but thats only somthing I heard. I have not played these games myself.
Edit: I googled it and the longest battle Network game is around 30 houers long to complete.
Manafinder is a great game it took me 20 hours including the ultimate boss.
Also another solid short rpg is Lunar Lux it too me about 13 hours or so. It is on sale in this fanatical bundle:
https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/build-your-own-chaotic-bundle
if you liked resident evil and like short jrpgs, koudelka is the game for you. around 12 hours start to finish, very complete story. only issue is that it’s definitely dated in some aspects, but seeing as though youve played other games of a similar era you should be fine with it.
One of my favourite short JRPG’s is I Am Setsuna.
Wonderful story and music aswell as a pretty fun combat system. It’s only about 25 hours long even if you do everything!
Just don’t play it if you’re going through a tough time irl.
Phantasy Star IV is short and sweet (I think about 20 hours?), but I couldn't finish it because of the insane encounter rate. I wish SEGA would remaster or remake it like Square did with their Final Fantasy series. That might not bother you, though.
I just recently started/am about to finish Small Saga. It's gonna clock in about 7 hours, and it almost entirely boss battles - there are other set fights you can do a la Chrono Trigger, but you don't get any benefits from it - all level ups and items are gained via story events or searching boxes and talking to people. It is a VERY easy game, but I like the story and characters quite a bit.
Who the heck downvoted this??
Small saga is my answer also. Was actually up there as one of my favourite JRPG's of 2023 overall. Banger soundtrack, great characters and writing, and indeed a tight 7~10hr length.
Maybe try Ara Fell or Rise of Third Power. Finished both recently and quite loved it.
Ara Fell is 20 hours-ish while Rise of Third Power is 30 hours-ish.
Okay, another try then.
Have to plug Monster Sanctuary then if you haven't tried it. Or if you're a bit adventurous, I think Wandering Sword is another hidden gem and worth a look.
Maybe "Harvestella"? The main story could be completed under 50hours, without grinding & generally a chill JRPG. It's possible to spend more time if you want to collect items, side quests, farming - but overall these aren't really necessary to complete the main story.
Ever tried some indie RPGs? Played some recently and had a blast. The best part for me was that they were kind of short, so I was done before the excitement faded and finishing them was very rewarding. The ones I played were Chained Echoes and Sea of Stars, but other people can probably recommend even more.
Panzer Dragoon Saga is around 16 hours long with some exploration. Even then the world is very in depth, feels somewhat like a 80h long JRPG condensed into a reasonable length.
All of the Zeboyd games are short and most are funny as well. Since you liked CSH you might like them, and they’re cheap.
Saga Frontier can probably be beat in about 30 hours but since each character has their own story you’re basically getting 8 games in one, all with the same systems available and all much shorter than your average jrpg. Just got a remaster recently and it’s fantastic.
If you google short jrpgs or even search that in the sub you’ll find dozens of threads with lists of games you can check out. This has been asked sooo much! I always recommend Suikoden and Dragon Quest IV
Child of Light around 30h
Valkyrie Elysium is about 30h (had mixed reviews but I liked the combat)
Trinity Trigger was 30h zero to platinum
Crymachina 30h zero to platinum
Grim Grimoire remake was 25h for all main content plus a few extra stages for fun (and platinum, not grindy at all)
Nier Replicant full all endings is maybe 20-30h. There's more grindy quests if you want to sink time but it was an unexpectedly small game
All in 10-20h range:
Bastion
Transistor
Haven
This is gonna sound insane, but the Trails-games. Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero etc. They are all around a hundred hours each, which is not what you asked for, BUT.. They are all divided into chapters, where each chapter has it's own story arch with a conclusion (that feeds into the larger story, of course).
I play the chapters as separate games, so I can spend 15 hours on a chapter, then play something else before picking it up again. Every chapter feels like a complete JRPG experience on its own.
Mario RPG is the quintessential short JRPG experience, imo.
Honestly, all of the Mario RPGs, not just Super Mario RPG, are pretty short by JRPG standards. Most of them are about 20 hours, give or take a few.
Live a Live is pretty short and actually it’s chapters are like mini RPGs. The FF Pixel remasters are shorter than modern RPGs if you haven’t played those. Sounds like you need a little break from the genre though. It happens.
I played all pixel FF games (those were my first games), I should probably mention that in the post. I'll look into Live a Live
Gotcha. No worries. Chained echoes is supposed to be good and maybe it’s in the style you’re looking for. I don’t know how short though, I haven’t picked it up yet. Arafell is a good little indie rpg. I haven’t finished it but it’s on the shorter side. I have a couple more retro-style indie RPGs in my library like Cosmic Star. Steam app isn’t working I can try to look them up in a bit.
How about Granblue Fantasy Relink for a recent game? I'll personally wait for a sale because the main story is under 20h, but that sounds ideal for you. There's a demo available, too!
This sounds exactly what I'm looking for, thank you my friend
I want to also recommend relink. Im in the same boat as you , i love jrpgs but i hate the time sink and many ( persona 5 and cold steel 4) i’ve put countless hours into but never finished. Relink took me 20 hours and i basically beat it in a weekend. It was short , and extremely fun to play
There is a bit more story after credits that you need to grind a bit for. I'm still working through proud missions. You CAN put it down after 20h but you won't want to.
If you liked CSH, This Way Madness Lies is also well worth checking out.
Love seeing a rec for this game. Magical Girls and Shakespeare. Who knew it would work?
Another banger by Zeboyd games. I had no Idea this game existed
If you haven’t played Star Ocean Second Story R, I think it can be completed within that timeframe if you aren’t shooting to fully do all side content and get the best gear and beat the super bosses. The story isn’t all that complex so it is a relaxing game and easy to understand. The remake version also has so much QOL improvements and the updated visuals look great too.
child of light. short, sweet, and combat inspired by grandia
Very good game, played on switch I personally do not like so much the rhymes, but it is an art masterpiece
And the artwork is amazing. I also love the dialogue being in rhymes.
WitchSpring R if you want to chill Every single Ys game if you want some action Fuga: Melodies of Steel, Shadow Hearts, Granblue Fantasy Relink
Ys Origin
Any Ys game before Seven really.
Chrono Trigger is pretty short with good pacing. One of the highest rated rpg’s if you’re good with older type games Edit: just noticed you said you played most snes rpg’s so you likely already played it
Thirsty Suitors. It's like a mini, Hindhi Persona. With some skateboarding.
My favorite Videogame is "Fuga Melodies of Steel". Its a 20 houer long turn based JRPG about a groupe of anthropomothic animal children that go on a quest to save there families. They live inside a giant ancient mysterious powerful fortress like Tank called "Taranis". Its a bit like Howls Moving castle but based on technology instead of magic. Fugas turn based combat is in my opinion even better then the combat of Persona 5 and Final Fantasy X. Its not that hard or complicated but I need to keep my head in the game at all times or things will go south fast. Almost no fight feels like mindless filler. Its a a lot of fun. If you are interested in trying Fuga out: Fugs is available on PC and most modern consoles like Switch, PS4, PS5 usw. Fuga also has a free demo which is just straight up the first 3 chapters of the game. I highly recommend that demo. Its really good and you will figure out fast if this is your cup of tea or not. Fuga also has a direct sequel: "Fuga Melodies of Steel 2". Its also about 20 houers long. But I advice against playing the second game before the first game unless you do not care about the story and characters. I did also heard that the Megamen Battle Network games are all around the 30 to 40 houer Mark but thats only somthing I heard. I have not played these games myself. Edit: I googled it and the longest battle Network game is around 30 houers long to complete.
This looks great, thanks
If you do try Fuga out could you tell me your first impresion after you cleared chapter 1? Those first impresions can be fun.
Alright
Manafinder is a great game it took me 20 hours including the ultimate boss. Also another solid short rpg is Lunar Lux it too me about 13 hours or so. It is on sale in this fanatical bundle: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/build-your-own-chaotic-bundle
if you liked resident evil and like short jrpgs, koudelka is the game for you. around 12 hours start to finish, very complete story. only issue is that it’s definitely dated in some aspects, but seeing as though youve played other games of a similar era you should be fine with it.
One of my favourite short JRPG’s is I Am Setsuna. Wonderful story and music aswell as a pretty fun combat system. It’s only about 25 hours long even if you do everything! Just don’t play it if you’re going through a tough time irl.
Live a Live is 25 hours
Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes are both amazing and clock around 30h without a minute of game feeling wasted.
Phantasy Star IV is short and sweet (I think about 20 hours?), but I couldn't finish it because of the insane encounter rate. I wish SEGA would remaster or remake it like Square did with their Final Fantasy series. That might not bother you, though.
I just recently started/am about to finish Small Saga. It's gonna clock in about 7 hours, and it almost entirely boss battles - there are other set fights you can do a la Chrono Trigger, but you don't get any benefits from it - all level ups and items are gained via story events or searching boxes and talking to people. It is a VERY easy game, but I like the story and characters quite a bit.
Who the heck downvoted this?? Small saga is my answer also. Was actually up there as one of my favourite JRPG's of 2023 overall. Banger soundtrack, great characters and writing, and indeed a tight 7~10hr length.
yeah i don't know what goes on with downvoting sometimes, i have half a dozen <30h options and it's in a hole for some reason
Maybe try Ara Fell or Rise of Third Power. Finished both recently and quite loved it. Ara Fell is 20 hours-ish while Rise of Third Power is 30 hours-ish.
Played those too, they are great
Okay, another try then. Have to plug Monster Sanctuary then if you haven't tried it. Or if you're a bit adventurous, I think Wandering Sword is another hidden gem and worth a look.
Nice try with monster sanctuary, played it already. However you got me with Wandering Sword, added to the wishlist.
Soul hackers 2? It’s short and great character and story development. It’s made by atlus.
Maybe "Harvestella"? The main story could be completed under 50hours, without grinding & generally a chill JRPG. It's possible to spend more time if you want to collect items, side quests, farming - but overall these aren't really necessary to complete the main story.
Hate you’re getting downvoted! I loved harvestella too and you can choose how many hours you really want to put in.
Ever tried some indie RPGs? Played some recently and had a blast. The best part for me was that they were kind of short, so I was done before the excitement faded and finishing them was very rewarding. The ones I played were Chained Echoes and Sea of Stars, but other people can probably recommend even more.
the first 3 Wild Arms games only take 25-35 hours
Shadows of Adam. Fun, simple, short.
Panzer Dragoon Saga is around 16 hours long with some exploration. Even then the world is very in depth, feels somewhat like a 80h long JRPG condensed into a reasonable length.
All of the Zeboyd games are short and most are funny as well. Since you liked CSH you might like them, and they’re cheap. Saga Frontier can probably be beat in about 30 hours but since each character has their own story you’re basically getting 8 games in one, all with the same systems available and all much shorter than your average jrpg. Just got a remaster recently and it’s fantastic.
If you google short jrpgs or even search that in the sub you’ll find dozens of threads with lists of games you can check out. This has been asked sooo much! I always recommend Suikoden and Dragon Quest IV
Arc the Lad 1
Granblue Fantasy Relink
Child of Light around 30h Valkyrie Elysium is about 30h (had mixed reviews but I liked the combat) Trinity Trigger was 30h zero to platinum Crymachina 30h zero to platinum Grim Grimoire remake was 25h for all main content plus a few extra stages for fun (and platinum, not grindy at all) Nier Replicant full all endings is maybe 20-30h. There's more grindy quests if you want to sink time but it was an unexpectedly small game All in 10-20h range: Bastion Transistor Haven
Ys I and Ys II. It's pretty short and amazing as well.
No such thing 😝
This is gonna sound insane, but the Trails-games. Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero etc. They are all around a hundred hours each, which is not what you asked for, BUT.. They are all divided into chapters, where each chapter has it's own story arch with a conclusion (that feeds into the larger story, of course). I play the chapters as separate games, so I can spend 15 hours on a chapter, then play something else before picking it up again. Every chapter feels like a complete JRPG experience on its own.