The PlayStation brand has adopted a number of other genres, and found success with both first, and third-party releases in the racing, adventure, fighting, and shooter genres. PS5 already has an impressive list of games, and Sony-owned studios are starting to find footing in the new generation, with Guerrilla’s Horizon Forbidden West and Polyphony’s Gran Turismo 7 each proving to be critical successes. The latest general State of Play showed two new titles in the JRPG genre from Square Enix, which could be a sign that the company is looking to recapture the magic of the original PlayStation.
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The PlayStation’s JRPG Beginnings
After originally preparing to create a CD-ROM add-on for the Super Nintendo, Sony splintered off and created the PlayStation when their working relationship broke down. What would result from Sony would be possibly the best system for the JRPG genre to date, a title that was previously held by the Super Nintendo with releases like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 6, and Earthbound. With the PlayStation ushering in the polygonal 3D era of games, the SNES’ pixel art sprites felt like a dinosaur in comparison.
Sony had a killing blow up its sleeve in Final Fantasy 7, a genre-defining experience that happened to be exclusive to the company’s maiden home console. Yet, it wasn’t the only stellar experience that would grace the system. Wild Arms, Breath of Fire 3 and 4, Vagrant Story, and Final Fantasy Tactics were all met with critical acclaim, and though there have been a plethora of exceptional JRPGs on other consoles, the volume that released on the PlayStation made it something fans of the genre look back at fondly.
PS5 Could Harken The Return of Sony’s JRPG Royalty
PlayStation’s hardware tends to include at least one memorable experience in the JRPG genre. PlayStation 4 succeeded with Persona 5, and Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch ensured the PS3 wasn’t without its crowning JRPG. The PlayStation 5 has yet to receive such a title, but with the recent State of Play ending with a reveal for The DioField Chronicle and Valkyrie Elysium, the presence of publisher Square Enix will be felt as the system enters its third year.
This is on top of the news that Final Fantasy 16 will be a PS5 console exclusive, potentially a huge step forward for the franchise after the success of Final Fantasy 7 Remake. By announcing three significant JRPGs for Sony’s newest home system, this could be a statement of intent that it’s preparing to double-down on the philosophy which made the original PlayStation great. Much of the content from first-party studios will remain focused on over-the-shoulder action/adventure titles, such as God of War Ragnarok and Spider-Man 2, and the newly-acquired Bungie is rumored to be hiring for a third-person project.
The latest PlayStation is already off to a strong start, despite a continued shortage in PS5 hardware. Though the AAA releases set to launch on the system are from a litany of genres, recent news would indicate that Sony isn’t going to overlook JRPG fans. Sony knows a thing or two about being the go-to platform for role-playing games, and if The DioField Chronicles and Valkyrie Elysium are anything to go by, there is a newfound commitment to JRPGs on PS5 that should be a blast from the past for many.
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