The best JRPGs are the ones that let you ignore the plot

You may have noticed over the last few weeks (all right, months) that I harbour some strong feelings about JRPGs and Final Fantasy. It didn't always used to be this way, but ever since thirteen-year-old Katharine clapped eyes on moody Squall and his cool scar and fluffy jacket combo from Final Fantasy VIII, it was fate that JRPGs would become one of my favourite genres of all time.

Since then, I've played as many as I can get my hands on. Mostly on Nintendo consoles, all told, but the ones I remember most all have something in common. It's not the combat or the characters, or even the main story. Instead, I'd argue the best JRPGs are the ones that let you ignore the plot altogether, where the world is so chock-full of fun stuff to do that you can easily while away an entire day doing nothing but sidequests and still feel like it was time well spent. JRPGs like Final Fantasy XV and Xenoblade Chronicles.