5 Hidden Gem JRPGs on Obscure Consoles

A tale of two dimensions, like stepping into a pixel art daydream.

I have never experienced Parallel Worlds.

In 1998, I skipped watching Sliders on TV because my cousin Jenna said it was just "a bunch of nerds jumping between dimensions", sorry Quinn.

Back in 2003, I was dragged to an art exhibit by my sister showcasing Salvador Dali's paintings. My eyes were opened to the potential of otherworldly dimensions as I gazed at the surreal landscapes before me.

I was captivated. By the art, not my sister's excitement.

Last summer, I picked up Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions because of a post I stumbled upon in a book subreddit.

As I write this, I just finished rewatching Stranger Things, and I can't help but think about alternate dimensions.

I have never played a classic JRPG that toyed with parallel dimensions.

I have beaten Chrono Trigger, but not Cross.

I played all of Final Fantasy VI, and a portion of V.

I delved 15 hours into Radiant Historia before life got in the way, so I stopped.

All of this is to say that I might not be the most qualified person to review this game.

Cerulean Chronicles was my first foray into a realm where pixel art and two-dimensional exploration collided, and I was mesmerized.

A celestial dance in a world of eternal twilight.

I have never camped under a Lunar Eclipse.

I didn't witness the Total Solar Eclipse of 2017 because my boss Larry insisted I cover his shift at work, sorry Moon.

In 2005, I attended my first stargazing party in the Arizona desert. My best friend Eric's uncle, Mr. Eric's uncle, warned me to never look directly at the sun without proper equipment.

I was in awe. Of the cosmos, not the uncle's advice.

I started reading about Moon Myths and Folklore after seeing a NASA Tweet about the Super Blood Wolf Moon.

Currently, I'm reading The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress because of a YouTube video on science fiction classics.

I have never played an entire JRPG centered around the moon and celestial phenomena.

I've played Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, but never finished Eternal Blue.

I have experienced all of Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, although its connection to celestial themes was minimal.

I spent 12 hours in Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean before I got distracted by another game, so I stopped.

All of this is to say that I'm probably not an expert in lunar-themed JRPGs.

Moonrise Saga was my first encounter with a game that wove a narrative around celestial dances in a world bathed in eternal twilight, and I was enchanted.

3. Terra Luminosa

The alchemy of untamed wilds and forgotten lore.

I have never dabbled in alchemy.

I didn't watch Fullmetal Alchemist when it first aired because my neighbor Susan convinced me that it was "just a bunch of kids playing with chemistry," sorry Edward.

In 2010, I visited my first Renaissance fair with my college roommate, Kevin. My fascination grew as we stumbled upon an alchemist's booth displaying various concoctions and talismans.

I was entranced. By the mystique, not the pungent odor.

I picked up The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho after discovering it on a book blog's top 100 list.

Right now, I'm reading The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series after my little cousin insisted I give it a try.

I have never played a JRPG focused on alchemy and the untamed wilderness.

I've journeyed through Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book, but never touched Atelier Firis.

I relished all of Golden Sun, but only dipped my toes in Golden Sun: The Lost Age.

Terra Luminosa became my first venture into a world where alchemy and the untamed wilds intertwined, and I reveled in it.

4. Abyssal Echoes

A symphony of darkness in the depths of a forgotten sea.

I have never gone deep-sea diving.

I didn't watch The Abyss because my older brother Rick teased that it was just "another alien movie," sorry James Cameron.

In 2013, I found myself captivated by a documentary on the Mariana Trench and the mysterious creatures that lurked beneath the waves.

I was intrigued. By the enigma, not the eerie darkness.

I stumbled upon Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea while browsing a local used bookshop and couldn't resist the lure of Jules Verne's classic.

Currently, I'm devouring The Deep by Nick Cutter after spotting it on a horror fiction subreddit.

I have never played an entire JRPG set in the depths of a forgotten ocean.

I've submerged myself in Ecco the Dolphin, but it isn't a JRPG.

I braved EarthBound and its eerie underwater caverns, but the entire game isn't submerged in the abyss.

Abyssal Echoes led me on an odyssey into the shadowy depths of a forgotten sea, where darkness and haunting beauty became one, and I was enthralled.

A whirlwind journey through the skies of a floating kingdom.

I have never piloted a hot air balloon.

I didn't watch Castle in the Sky during my Studio Ghibli marathon because my friend Danny claimed it was "just about a floating island," sorry Hayao.

In 2016, I attended a kite festival on the coast of California, where I became enamored with the grace and tranquility of soaring above the ground.

I was delighted. By the freedom, not the tangled strings.

I read The Wind Singer after finding it nestled among the shelves of my school library, and I was whisked away on a wind-borne adventure.

Currently, I'm engrossed in The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher after it was recommended by a steampunk fan on a forum.

I have never played a full-fledged JRPG set among the clouds and floating kingdoms.

I've explored Skies of Arcadia, but haven't reached the end of the journey.

I drifted through Xenoblade Chronicles, marveling at its skybound locales, but the entire world isn't suspended in the heavens.

Galebound Chronicles carried me away on a whirlwind journey through the ethereal skies of a floating kingdom, and I couldn't help but be swept off my feet.