Summary
Action JRPGs come in many different forms, and can each feel wildly different from one another. One of the mainelements of an action RPGis that players don’t feel completely overwhelmed to the point they start button-mashing in a panic. Players develop a flow of when to strike, when to reposition, and when to initiate special actions.
Many action JRPGs have been ported over to the PlayStation 5, but this list is going to focus on action RPGs that werereleased for the PS5rather than older titles along the lines ofRogue Galaxy,Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot,and evenKingdom Hearts 3.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Risingmight be one of the mostunique-feeling Action JRPGson this list. The game adopts a 2D side scrolling model but keeps the ability to swap between party members mid-fight.
Some players might think this makes it more like a platformer or metroidvania game, but the focus is more on players repositioning themselves without the need for split-second reactions. The 2D stylings make exploration feel a lot easier, as there is no beaten path to stray from.
TheManaseries has seen numerousreleases throughout the years. However, the 2024 release ofVisions of Manais seen as the first mainline entry since the 2006 title,Dawn of Mana— that is an 18-year gap. The game is visually beautiful. Combat is fluid and fun, and there are tons of activities to do in the game.
While it doesn’t break into high ranking reviews like some of the other entries, it is still a title that Action JRPG fans will have a blast playing. Players that have a long wait until the next AJRPG on their list should definitely check out this title to hold them over.
Scarlet Nexusis not for everyone, at least not at first. Fans of Action JRPGs owe it to themselves to at least try out this peculiar title, as it will give them a warped urban fantasy world setting, highly reactive fast-paced combat, and intricate party dynamics.
The game features 2 main protagonists, each with a story to play through. It has a very lore-dense story that can be overwhelming for newcomers but will be welcomed byseason RPG veterans of lengthy stories.
It’s not an easy task to try to explainFate/Samurai Remnant.The game’s story is set in thesame universe asFate/Stay Night, and has gameplay that takes inspiration from classic Musou-style games such asDynasty WarriorsandSengoku Basara.
There is a lot to take in for the title, both in terms of the game world’s lore and the complex mechanics. Boss battles can be incredibly vexing, and players may find themselves needing to take breaks between play sessions to regain their composure.
Ysis a long-running franchise that has changed its gameplay between mainline entries since the first title. Ys 10: Nordics is not the first in the franchise to adopt the modern Action JRPG model, but it is the most polished among them.
Players can pile onto a target with lots of flashy attacks that send both players and enemies into the air and crashing back down. This makes combat a very engaging affair with a lot of weight when landing heavy attacks. While still a great game, it would have done well to incorporate co-op elements like some of thepastYstitles.
Granblue Fantasy: Relinkdoes an amazing job of providing fun, action-packed combat to go alongside its compelling story — which is filled with a cast of likable characters. Each of these characters has a distinctive feel, and players can find the party composition that they enjoy the most without feeling weighed down by needing certain roles.
There are plenty ofvibrant and beautiful worldsto explore, which follow an almost episodic feeling. Chapters don’t overstay their welcome and like to give players a feel-good moment to provide a rewarding feeling before transitioning into the next one.
Dragon’s Dogma 2really captures the feeling of beinga western fantasy RPGworld while still meeting all the criteria to be labeled as an Action JRPG — with the main 2 being that it was made by a Japanese developer, and makes use of a party. Players will create their playable character, but also have some Pawns to back them up. Each of these characters will make use of classes playing specific roles.
Having dedicated roles inDragon’s Dogma 2is an important feature to focus on. There should always be at least one tank to soak up the aggro. This allows the more glassy characters to focus on dealing out as much damage as possible so that the entire team can outlast and overcome their enemies.
A lot of games try to look graphically impressive with very smooth, detailed character models utilizing the latest in gaming technology. They then pair this with ever evolving particle effects that can blow players away with just how good they look.Star Ocean The Second Story Rshows that games don’t need to go this far, with so many different kinds of art styles all interwoven.
The character models make use of a pixelated esthetic, but are incredibly detailed and unique. The world contrasts this by not being pixelated at all, and uses diorama camera angles that can convey everything they need to show players. Lastly, the GUI of fights blends all manner of neon, arcade text for numbers, and stylized words popping into view. This game is like none other on the PS5, and one all Action JRPG fans should try out.
ComparingTales of Ariseto all the other games on this list, along with Action JRPGs from previous generations of consoles, might make it seem like it doesn’t have something to make it stand out like others. However, the decades of titles under its belt show, as this is a shining example of what a top-class action JRPG should be. To put it simply, the game does not fall short in any category.
A memorable cast of enjoyable characters, an extremely lore-heavy world to fall in love with, combat that feels fluid and not too fast-paced, and it has an incrediblybeautiful comic book style art direction. Few games reach as high a level of quality and polish asTales of Arise.
Just asStar Ocean The Second Story Rdoes not rely on the latest in gaming innovations and technology, the Final Fantasy games continue to embrace these elements.Final Fantasy 7 Remake was releasedon the PlayStation 4, but would later re-release on the PS5 with additional story DLC. This game would get several interlinking games, including a direct sequel and a prequel titledCrisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion. This makes the entire project arguably the most demanding and ambitious action RPG project to date.
Rebirthtells a portion of the originalFinal Fantasy 7’sstory, following directly after the events ofFinal Fantasy 7 Remake. Players who played through Remake will find additional characters to join their playable party inRebirth, and discover a wide range of new features to enjoy. This is truly the apex of action JRPG titles on the PS5.
