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JRPGs like Final Fantasy have long been a popular genre of video games. While JRPGs are strongly associated with turn-based combat, there’s plenty of variety in the genre. Some series, like the Ys games, have offered real-time combat from the very beginning.
Not everyone enjoys turn-based combat, but JRPGs like Visions of Mana and Tales of Arise are great options for those looking for more action-oriented games. In some cases, the faster-paced combat system even complements the game’s story. Anyone who needs a break from turn-based battles should give these action JRPGs a try.
10 Visions of Mana Is the Latest Game in the Mana Series
This Mana Game Has a Simpler Real-Time Combat System
The Mana franchise originally started as a spinoff of the Final Fantasy series with its first title, Final Fantasy Adventure, in 1991. It wasn’t long before it became its own series without Final Fantasy elements in 1993 with the release of Secrets of Mana. Visions of Mana is the latest in the series, released in 2024.
The game uses an elemental-based class system and real-time combat. Each elemental changes the equipping character’s class and abilities. The overall combat system is a little simpler than other entries on the list, but it still offers a nice alternative to fans looking for something other than turn-based battles.
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9 Ys X: Nordics Uses a Solo and Duo Skill System
This Ys Game Features Two Main Characters
Ys X: Nordics is the latest in the long-running Ys JRPG series. The first game came out in 1987, while the latest entry in the franchise was released in 2023. Ys X: Nordics features only two playable characters, different from many games in the genre.
The combat is real-time and revolves around using solo or duo skills. Both Adol and Karja have their own skills that can be used in combat, but they also have duo skills that involve both characters. It also features a Mastery system that enhances skills when used frequently in combat.
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8 Granblue Fantasy: Helink has Several Playable Characters
Players Have Many Combat Choices in Granblue Fantasy
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an interesting one because it focuses almost exclusively on combat. It encompasses all the other aspects of JRPGs, including an adventure story, character leveling, customizing party gear, and more. The difference is that most of these take a backseat to the combat and replayable grind after finishing the main story.
The combat in Granblue Fantasy: Relink is very smooth and fun, however, making it worth playing for that alone. There are 12 base characters that can be unlocked and 3 DLC characters. Each character uses a specific weapon and has a unique play style that will have players wanting to try them all out. The main grind comes from fighting specific bosses and monsters, similar to the grind in Monster Hunter games.
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7 Tales of Arise Brings the Series to New Heights
It Expands on the Tales Franchise's Linear Motion Battle System
The Tales JRPG series has been popular in Japan since the first game, Tales of Phantasia, was released in 1995 on the Super Nintendo. It didn’t become popular in North America until the Nintendo GameCube’s Tales of Symphonia, which actually takes place in the same world as the first game. The latest entry, Tales of Arise, improves upon the real-time battle system of the series, known as LMBS, or Linear Motion Battle System.
Players can move and attack in real time, normally moving back and forth in a line. Nearly every other title also included multiplayer, where other players could control the other party members during battle. Tales of Arise is only single-player, mostly because of the Boost Strike mechanic that allows multiple party members to launch a joint attack.
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6 Neo: The World Ends With You Is an Underrated Gem
This Square Enix JRPG Has a Unique Setting, Story, and Combat System
NEO: The World Ends With You is the 2021 sequel to the original The World Ends With You 2007 game. Both involve a unique alternate reality setting of the Shibuya district in Tokyo, Japan. The characters participate in a competition known as the Reaper Games, where people who recently died compete with other players for survival.
The real-time combat in NEO: The World Ends With You is unique, as it involves assigning each party member to a specific button. It starts off small, but near the end of the game, there are a total of 6 playable characters who can be assigned to different buttons. This creates a very fast-paced and chaotic battle system with plenty of customization.
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5 Star Ocean: The Second Story R Is a Wonderful Remake
The Original Was a Highly Acclaimed JRPG
The Star Ocean series started in 1996, and the latest, Star Ocean: The Second Story R, is a remake of the second game. It features real-time combat and recruitable characters that are optional. Only the main characters, Rena and Claude, are mandatory.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R has a fast-paced battle system where players can counter and interrupt certain enemy attacks. There is a Break system, where players can break the shields of enemies to deal massive damage in the following attacks. There is also an Assault system that allows players to summon other party members who aren’t in battle for a powerful attack. The multiple systems and fantastic combat make this a memorable JRPG worthy of a top 5 spot on the list.
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4 Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Ias a Fantastic Class System
It's Fun Trying Out Different Combinations in This Xenoblade Game
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the latest installment in the Xeno series, which began with the 1998 release of Xenogears. The third game features the ability to switch between and control any of the characters for the first time in the series. It also features a detailed class system, allowing players to unlock various classes and switch between them for any party member.
There are multiple roles for classes in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Attacker, Defender, or Healer, and each one is unique. Certain characters may be better at certain class types and each is leveled separately. The combat is also dynamic, and there are plenty of skill synergies to use between the classes and characters. It is a mostly real-time system in that players can freely move and select their skills, but the characters will auto-attack while waiting for their abilities to become available again.
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3 Kingdom Hearts 3 Combines Disney and JRPGs
The Weird Mash-Up in the Kingdom Hearts Games Really Worls
The blend of Disney and Final Fantasy characters makes the Kingdom Hearts franchise completely unique. It follows Sora, the wielder of a magical weapon known as the Keyblade, as he travels across various Disney worlds to seal Keyholes. It sounds bizarre, but it works, and the Disney worlds never feel out of place.
Kingdom Hearts III wraps up the original trilogy and features the most fast-paced combat in the series. Players control only Sora, but he has a wide range of abilities and spells to keep combat varied and engaging. Donald and Goofy return as supporting teammates, each with customizable equipment and skills. With Kingdom Hearts IV on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to give this title a try.
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2 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Expands On an Amazing JRPG
Fans of the Original FFVII Will Have Plenty to Do
Final Fantasy is the most popular JRPG franchise in the world. The original came out in 1987, and there have been numerous main titles and spinoffs over the years., though the seventh entry arguably the most popular in the series. It’s received multiple spinoffs, like Crisis Core, as well as remakes that have greatly expanded on the original game. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second game in the planned remake trilogy.
The general story is the same, with some variation, but the world and combat are vastly updated. The original used classic turn-based combat, but the FFVII remakes use a full real-time battle system. Combat consists of a party of three characters, and the player can switch between any of them during battle. There are also several Synergy abilities that allow the player to use combined attacks with two characters. There are several combinations and attacks that vary depending on the party, so players can have a different experience in each battle.
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1 NieR: Automata Is a Nearly Perfect JRPG
The Second Nier Game Has Multiple Gameplay Mechanics and Styles
NieR: Automata has everything players would want in a JRPG. There’s fantastic and emotional story, multiple characters, weapons and abilities to progress and great combat. Its existence is interesting because it is the sequel to NieR, which is a spinoff of the Drakengard franchise. Nier: Automata is also unique in that it has multiple endings and playthroughs.
To get a complete story experience, players need to play through the game three times, playing as 2B, 9S, and A2. The main combat is a real-time hack-and-slash action, but it also incorporates several gameplay elements from other genres. These include a text adventure and classic arcade-style shooters. The full package of story, characters, world, and combat propel NieR: Automata to the top of the list of best JRPGs without turn-based combat.
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