Im about the same age as you and i kinda feel the same...I recently got into JRPGs and some games are brilliant when it comes to the story. Final Fantasy 7 remake is a masterpiece trough and trough as is Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch.

If you feel more drawn to "Western" titles id suggest Assassin's Creed, especially the earlier ones a amazing when it comes to the story in my book. Ezio Collection, Black Flag, Rogue etc are wonderful games.

Played the game back in March for the first time and i dident feel it ruined the game for me. Farmed quite a few hours of Tokos and still had a bit of a problem with the last boss....I quite enjoy farming actually, dont know if its my heritage as a diehard wow-player for about 16 years but i find farming in games quite relaxing.

Picked up Trails of Cold Steel and Trails of Cold Steel II for PS4/5 the other day....Im really quite new to the JRPG-genre and was recommended to check this series out. Quite excited actually!

Im not really that botherd over my backlog to be honest, at least not in the sense that i feel some sort of preassure into working my way trough it. I usually plan a bit ahead however and try to make sure i mix it up a bit with a long game and a shorter game. I also make sure to not have more then two different games running at the same time....If i want something mindless to play and just listen to som music/podcast i often end up just playing some games of FIFA..

Currently working my way trough "Tales of Vesperia", im quite new to the JRPG-genre and i think this one might be the one i have struggled to most with to get going so to speak. The beginning was a bit all over the place and you kinda can feel that the game has its origin back on 360. Combat is fine, but nothing really to write home about.

The last couple of hours the story has however picked up a bit of pace and i like what im seeing atm.