JRPGs are defined by their narratives. If there's one thing that groups together all the most important titles in the genre, it's that they have a strong core story and a cast of characters that immerse the player in their world, whether that world is an idyllic fantasy realm or a contemporary reflection of our own. The best JRPGs that follow this adherence to story, regardless of when they were originally made, all have excellent stories that player input can shape in some way.