Summary
When it comes toAction JRPGs,there are a lot of long-running franchises to explore, as well as some more recent options. Some games even started as more traditional RPGs before adopting any action elements into the mix. One of the cornerstones of a JRPG ishaving a party of characters, which is why many Action RPGs that players are fond of might not be listed due to controlling only a single character.
Each franchise has been looked at as a whole and includes how much of a fan following they have accrued, their scores across multiple entries, and how much they have evolved over the years. Sadly, there are some truly astonishing Action JRPGs that have no other entries to make them a franchise, such asRogue Galaxy.
8Mana
Final Fantasy’s First Action JRPG
TheManagames' first entry was titledFinal Fantasy Adventurein the US but would use an entirely different combat system, with something more akin toThe Legend of Zelda. This first entry featured playing as just a single character, but as the franchise went on, it would eventuallybecome known as theManaseriesand feature a party of different characters filling different roles.
The games offer players plenty to do besides sticking to the mainline quests, and players looking for a franchise to binge will have over a dozen entries to make them fall in love with this franchise. While it is worthy of being on this list, it isn’t able to keep up compared to some of the other entries.
7Ni No Kuni
Blended Real-Time and Turn-Based
A lot of turn-based fans feel real-time takes away from the strategy element by forcing quick thinking and reactions rather than completely informed choices. On the other side of things, real-time fans can feel that turn-based just is not as engaging or as fun as real-time.Ni No Kuni: Wrathof the White Witch blended both of these into a truly astonishing experience, coupled with a Studio Ghibli anime film feel.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdomdropped the turn-based elements to be a much more action-focused experience, telling just as good a story in the process. Players who have never tried either of these should give both of these Action JRPGs a look, as they still hold up to this day across every category. There are also various non-Action RPG entries in this franchise.
6Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Remade for a New Generation of Gamers
A lot of fansgrew up withFinal Fantasybeing a turn-based affair. However, as the years have gone by, the franchise strayed from this format for faster-paced real-time combat systems.Final Fantasy 15was one of the firstFinal Fantasygames to truly be an Action JRPG, and this would carry over for every game in theFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeline of games.
These games expanded on numerous lore elements and presented the story of the original game in a much more cinematic experience, utilizing some of the best modern gaming technology. If things get too hard for players, theycan explore and grindin order to gain levels while also experiencing non-combat portions of the game to tackle harder foes afterward.
5Star Ocean
A Space Age Fantasy Epic
While games likeFinal FantasyandDragon Queststarted out in the 80s, they were strictly turn-based affairs.Star Oceanmade the scenein 1996 with a much more engaging and action-centered approach to combat. This would continue to evolve and improve into a very long-running franchise.
The more recent games have much larger-scale fights, which can see players take to the air and come crashing back into the fight alongside their allies. Both theStar Oceanand theXenoblade Chroniclesgames approach a similar idea but execute it in completely different ways.
4Tales
Stylish Anime Action RPG Visuals
It is such an incredible experience to see how different Action JRPGs started out back on old-school consoles. Each pursues its own unique feel and provides a unique experience. The firstTalesgame utilized side-scrolling to close in on enemies while still keeping all the elements of a typical JRPG — down to stat screens underneath the combat encounter. The games also have a very bright and colorful aesthetic.
The games would evolveinto 3D fighting grounds, put more emphasis on being able to defend oneself from incoming attacks, and eventually incorporate large cinematic-style attacks. ModernTalesgames, also known asTales of, still have an iconic battle scene that needs to be triggered by running into enemies, while some Action JRPGs allow players to trigger battles within the overworld themselves.
3Ys
A Gem That Needs More Attention
Another Action RPG that started as a single character without a party is theYsfranchise. The game saw many style changes, from top-down to side-scrolling, but has adopted a more mainstream approach that aligns with what to expect from an Action JRPG — complete with party members.
This might not be the best choice for players looking for an Action JRPG series to binge, butYs 9: Monstrum NoxandYs 10: Nordicsare clear winners in the genre that any fan will want to pick up if they are not familiar with this franchise.
2Kingdom Hearts
If Disney Were an Anime
Kingdom Heartsmade its debut on the PS2 console and has seen releases across countless different systems. Almost all of these titles have been collected together into remastered collections. The game combines elements ofSquare Enixproperties alongside those of iconicDisneyandPixarcharacters.
Kingdom Heartshas just as much a fan following asFinal Fantasybut cemented itself in the Action JRPG genre rather than a traditional one. The franchise has a distinct feel to its combat, with each game also trying new things to push the franchise forward and continuing to tella story with a massive depth of lore.
1Xenoblade Chronicles
The Sci-Fi Experience AJRPG Fans Need
TheXenoblade Chroniclesgameshave always offered unforgettable experiences, which can be credited to many of their features. They have the typical JRPG fantasy world feeling but with a massive injection of sci-fi and mecha into the mix. Giant monsters, large space battles, and boosting through the air in mech suits are just some of the things players can expect to be interwoven into their experience.
Both the original game andXenoblade Chronicles Xreceived remasters in the 2020s, meaning players can experience almost every game in stunning detail along with a solid gameplay experience.
