The Spookiest JRPG Locations

While JRPGs may not have a super strong claim as Halloween gaming classics, several games in the genre have nonetheless dabbled in the macabre, often resulting in some very memorable dungeons and levels.

Because whenever a JRPG shifts its tone toward the scary, it's often trick and treat. Who doesn't look a little scary after leveling and character customization for hours on end?

7

Neclord's Castle – Suikoden

It takes you oceans of time to be there

JRPGs love to lean into popular European myths and legends, with Neclord's Castle from Suikoden taking heavy inspiration from everyone's favorite vampire, Dracula. It's also possible that this massive Gothic structure was influenced by the Castlevania series, but regardless of what it pays tribute to, Neclord's Castle is one of the most striking locations in the entire game.

The castle is filled with lots of neat details that add to its gothic horror charm. There's a zombie you can pay to reveal secrets in the castle, a room full of chests serves as an inn where your party can heal themselves, and who can forget the massive organ where you find the Neclord himself? Iconic stuff.

6

Train Graveyard – Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Where things derail quickly

The Train Graveyard was a location early in the original Final Fantasy 7 where, as the name suggests, a field or dilapidated train lay abandoned and forgotten in the slums of Midgard. And while this first appearance had its eerie moments, it wasn't until the location returned in the aptly titled “Haunted” chapter of Final Fantasy 7 Remake that it truly lived up to its horror potential.

When exploring the Train Graveyard in the Remake, every character goes through some form of phycological distress – whether it's Aerith reminiscing about her childhood or Tifa showing genuine fear of the ghostly spirits that haunt the ruins. The level stands out for this reason and never makes you feel at ease the entire time you are there.

5

Cave Of The Past – Earthbound

Journey to the Center of the Earth (bound)

For such an idiosyncratically bizarre game, it should come as no surprise that the final dungeon of Earthbound turns the spookiness up to eleven. It's not that the Cave of the Past is outright scary, more that it acts as an eerie liminal zone that always makes you feel on edge.

This unsettling weirdness is everywhere – from having to navigate the cave as completely inorganic robotic versions of your party, to the grotesque gut floor in the final section. It's a suitably eerie build-up to one of the game's most memorable final boss fights.

4

Old Chateau – Pokemon Diamond and Gem

Entering the Haunted House

The Pokémon series is known for having some titillating moments, especially those teeming with ghost-type creatures. Perhaps the most chilling of all these environments is the Old Chateau, located deep in the forests of the Sinnoh region.

The Old Chateau is a memorable haunted house both in terms of its enemies (the aforementioned Ghost-type Pokémon) and actual undead spirits that haunt the rooms of this already eerie house. Occasionally you'll find the ghosts of a girl and a butler wandering around the old castle, their identities or reason for being there never explained.

3

Castle of the Magus – Chrono Trigger

The Fiendlord's Keep

The build-up to Magus's Castle in Chrono Trigger's 600 AD time period is huge. After learning of Frog's tragic backstory and witnessing this era's suffering at the hands of the Fiendlord Magus, your party finally makes their way to the island where his towering castle gives off a truly terrifying aura.

Entering the castle initiates a gauntlet of increasingly difficult enemies and boss battles through rooms absolutely dripping with gothic energy. All of this leads up to the final showdown with the Magus, his inner chamber slowly lit up from a row of lights as one of the genre's most iconic boss fights begins.

2

Tombstone Trail – Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch

A walk through the mountain of death

You know a dungeon is going to be pretty miserable when your entire party has to fake their death before being granted entry. That's exactly what Oliver and friends have to do to explore the Tombstone Trail – easily the most Halloween-inspired location in the first Ni no Kuni.

The dungeon is awash with gloomy colors and a ghostly atmosphere, especially when you come across an abandoned shack about halfway through where Mr. Drippy sees a mysterious girl who is never mentioned again. Tombstone Trail loses some of its intimidation factor when it later becomes the site of one of the best casinos in gaming.

1

Phantom Train – Final Fantasy 6

One-way ticket to the afterlife

The miracle of the Phantom Train in Final Fantasy 6 is that this highly memorable railroad-inspired dungeon is basically nothing more than padding. The Phantom Train cannot be revisited after you complete it and, apart from having some character development for Cyan, this location has very little relevance to the game's main story.

Nevertheless, the Phantom Train is still cited as one of the highlights of Final Fantasy 6. The titular train is full of excitement as your party moves from carriage to carriage, either conversing with or battling the spirits of those who pass to the 'other side'. Like the best horror-inspired locations, there's an undercurrent of tragedy at the heart of Phantom Train, which is why it's remained a fan favorite after all these years.