Summary
Like many genres in the video game industry, the RPG is not a singular style of game, as multiple styles of sub-genres have emerged since its inception. Thanks to the rise of franchises likeYsandXenoblade, action JRPGs have become one of the industry’s most popular subgenres.
Whether they are driven by the style and design sensibilities oftraditional turn-based JRPGslikeFinal FantasyandDragon Questor drawing more from a Western influence, action JRPGs have carved out a large place in the industry that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. These titles have combined excellent combat with engaging tales of heroism and war, building on the past while having a keen eye on the future of the RPG.
Debuting in 1995 on the SNES,theTalesfranchise hasbecome one of the most prominent forces in the action JRPG world. And in 2013, Namco Bandai produced what is still a contender for the best in the franchise withTales of Xillia.
Following the adventures of Jude Mathis and Milla Maxwell as they attempt to escape capture from a group known as the Chimeriad,Tales of Xilliafeatures the franchise’s trademark action combat that relies on fast-paced, high-energy battles. The 3D battle windows are spacious and open, and switching party members mid-battle feels excellent.Tales of Xilliais worthy of a remaster, which Bandai has been doing with the franchise lately, but it is sadly still stuck on the PS3 and not available on modern hardware.
Ysis one of the standard-bearers for the action JRPG, debuting in 1987 and having continued releases ever since. For the franchise’s eighth mainline entry in 2016, Nihon Falcom continues the ongoing tale of Adol Christin, the protagonistof theYsseriessince its inception.
Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Danatakes place on the Isle of Seiren, where Adol begins gathering a party of adventurers in order to escape after being shipwrecked. Party members feel varied and unique, and being able to switch between them on the fly during battles is outstanding.Ys 8was one of 2016’s best games, featuring satisfying and addictive combat, as well as one of the franchise’s most compelling stories.
Along withXenoblade ChroniclesandPandora’s Tower,The Last Storywas part of Operation Rainfall, a multi-year campaign designed to bring the games to North America. It was worth the effort, asThe Last Storyproved itself to be one of the finest action JRPGs that gamers could find on the Nintendo Wii. Developed by Mistwalker, it was directed byFinal Fantasycreator Hironobu Sakaguchi, who wanted to deviate from the turn-based affairs that had defined his career in the years prior.
WithThe Last Story, Mistwalker focused on a combat system that combined stealth and tactical elements. It feels wonderfully unique, as using cover to perform sneak attacks feels excellent, while engaging in combat full-force is also fantastic. Its unique battles blend well with Sakaguchi’s trademark storytelling, andThe Last Storyis one ofthe Wii’s most fascinating RPGs.
Since its debut on the PS2 in 2002,Kingdom Hearts, this outlandish fusion of Disney and Square-Enix properties has maintained a huge following and is one of the most popular games in the industry. So, whenKingdom Hearts 3was deemed by series director Tetsuya Nomura as the endto the current story arc, known as the Dark Seeker Saga, it became one of the most important action JRPGs of the decade.
Kingdom Hearts 3continues the story of Sora and his ongoing conflict with Xehanort and the imminent Keyblade War, functioning as an emotional climax to this long-running franchise. The combat inKingdom Hearts 3is Square at its best, with actions that feature outstanding feedback. Swinging the Keyblade with Sora has never felt better. Old Disney worlds like Olympus and the 100 Acre Wood return, while new lands from the likes ofToy StoryandFrozenmake their debut.
A joint venture between Level 5 and the legendary Studio Ghibli,Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchtook strong influence from the likes ofPokemonandDigimon.Players could gather a band of adorable little monsters to fight on their behalf. It is a wonderful title, one that somehow feels nostalgic even though it’s less than twenty years old.
Gathering monsters, known as Familiars, is a treat and utilizing their unique skills in battles is fantastic. Combat unfolds in an open 3D area, where players can control either the human characters or Familiars, issuing commands and special attacks.Ni No Kunialso featuresclassic JRPG traditionsof yore, including a gorgeous world map and air travel.
Developed for the Wii U over the course of four years,Xenoblade Chronicles Xwas announced at the end ofNintendo Direct in 2013, and promised to be one of the console’s largest projects. MonolithSoft finally launched the game in 2015. It was worth the wait, taking the Wii U to its limits and getting the most possible out of the machine.
Xenoblade Chronicles Xis set on the world of Mira, following humanity’s harrowing steps into the great unknown during a fight for survival. The expansive world is filled with towering monsters and a sense of scale that feels unmatched even today, punctuated with the series' trademark MMO-style combat. The chaotic real-time action combat is an absolute delight, and the characters are some of the best that Monolith has ever crafted. A high definition remaster was recently announced for the Nintendo Switch for a 2025 launch.
Directed by the eccentric Yoko Taro,Nier: Automatais a spin-off of theDrakengardfranchise, set in the post-apocalyptic future of that series. Following the exploits of android 2B across a ravaged wasteland,Nier: Automatafeatures spectacular combat and some of the finest writing seen in the industry.
The combat is furious and addictive, as 2B is a joy to control, and weapon feedback feels perfect. In additionto the melee combat,Nier: Automataoften tasks the player with conquering more retro-style sections influenced by shoot ‘em ups and side-scrollers. It is an excellent experience, one that is currently available on all modern hardware.
After finally launching in the West due to the success of Operation Rainfall,Xenoblade Chronicleswas hailed as one of theWii’s most impressive games. And with good reason, as this mammoth action JRPG garnered a massive following and has become one of Nintendo’s most successful franchises.
Xenoblade Chroniclesis set on the backs of two titans, the Bionis and the Mechonis, following the exploits of Shulk and his friends as he attempts to understand the true nature of a prophetic blade known as the Monado. Combat is highly engaging, as it uses elements of MMO input and character selection, allowing party members to use powerful special attacks known as Arts. These require a cool down, challenging players to use them wisely. It is impressive to see a game developed with the limited hardware of the Wii showcase massive worlds, as the sprawling fields are filled with optional quests and activities.Xenoblade Chronicleswas remastered for the Nintendo Switch in 2020, and is absolutely worth playing today for its scope, combat, and rich characters.
