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The classics are classics for a reason. They laid the groundwork for the great games that we're experiencing today. And some of them did SUCH a good job of foreseeing the future that it took quite a long time before other games caught on to their brilliance and started emulating them. These are 10 JRPGs that I think were drastically ahead of their time, setting up new storytelling techniques and gameplay systems that future games would one day turn to for inspiration. Did I pick the ones you would have? If not, let me know your choices down in the comments!

Check out our JRPG Podcast, The JRPG Pursuit! New episodes every Wednesday, where we cover a multitude of topics related to our favorite hobby. @JRPG_Pursuit

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00:00 Intro
00:39 Persona 3
03:06 Xenogears
05:44 Phantasy Star IV
08:07 Chrono Trigger
10:10 Final Fantasy Tactics
11:55 Grandia
13:58 The World Ends With You
15:56 Nier
17:53 Earthbound
19:32 Dragon Quest V
20:56 Wrap-up