Without a shadow of a doubt, FFX is a prime example of an amazing JRPG. It was a formative game for me when I first played it at age 14, and since then, I’ve just been trying to find another Final Fantasy X.
The characters are memorable and the setting is tropical yet post-apocalyptic. The FFX story is outstanding and the combat is perhaps the most enjoyable version of a turn-based system.
So, people who finish FFX will find themselves in dire need to fill up a void that this brilliant game has inevitably left behind. There are plenty of amazing games like FFX out there. Let’s get through the list of 7 masterpieces that no one is able to resist the eagerness to play! The players looking for a similar experience would do well to try out these other games.
1. Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Stadia
Genre: Role-playing
Dragon Quest 11 is in many ways part of the era that Final Fantasy has mostly left behind by now. The turn-based combat, bright colors, and a slightly medieval feel to its art and story, feature knights of legend, and a war between countries in each installment of the long-running franchise.
If you’re looking into something you can sink over 80 hours into in the way you did in Final Fantasy? Do you want to be surrounded by a large cast of lovable characters and go on a quest to save a colorful world? Well, you get all of that here but lighter and funnier.
Enjoy the massive content of the base game plus new character-specific scenarios. They offer the possibility to learn more about some of your favorite companions
2. I Am Setsuna
Developer: Tokyo RPG Factory
Platform(s): PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Role-playing
I am Setsuna was developed by Tokyo RPG Factory specifically to bring back the feeling of those early influential Square Enix titles. It is a pretty decent throwback to an older style of RPG. Setsuna tells an earnest story and gradually introduces you to the party of characters who aid you on your journey.
‘I am Setsuna’ uses familiar ideas and implements them in interesting ways to create a one-of-a-kind experience. It has a weapon and ability system close to the materia system from Final Fantasy. Setsuna uses the oft-seen Active Time Battle (ATB) system.
The main plot of I Am Setsuna is similar to Final Fantasy X and contains characters whose designs or circumstances are reminiscent of Final Fantasy characters. Featuring a similar story of a person being sacrificed after a pilgrimage to appease an unseen power, I Am Setsuna is best described as a competent combination of Chrono Trigger’s mechanics. This is a top choice for those looking for games like Final Fantasy.
3. Octopath Traveler
Developer(s): Square Enix Business Division, Acquire
Platform(s): PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Roleplaying
For people who want to enjoy a game in the vein of the 2D title that Final Fantasy was known for before the seventh mainline title was released, Octopath Traveler is definitely the game to play. The art style and 16-bit graphics are reminiscent of Final Fantasy classics, while the perspective and modern particle effects offer a novel approach to this JRPG-style title.
The game has deep, strategic turn-based combat with a layered battle system. Players can choose from eight characters, each with their own personal story. Visuals are brought to life with modern touches and a rousing, dynamic musical score. The soundtrack is truly excellent and keeps on changing as the player progresses through each individual story, making for a brilliant experience indeed.
So, embark on an epic journey across the vast and wondrous world of Orsterra and discover the captivating stories of each of the eight travelers.
4. Persona 5 Royal
Developer(s): P-Studio
Platform(s): PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Roleplaying, social simulation
It would be impossible to talk about JRPGs without mentioning the latest game in the franchise that has skyrocketed the popularity of the series. Persona 5 was an excellent title as is, but the Royal edition managed to improve upon this near-perfect formula even further.
Out of all the games in the Persona series, Persona 5 Royal is easily the most accessible one of the lot. It features a number of engaging mechanics that are coupled together with an engrossing story to deliver a mesmerizing experience. Persona 5 Royal presents a unique visual style and award-nominated composer Shoji Meguro returns with an all-new soundtrack.
There’s no denying that Persona 5 Royal is easily one of the greatest video games of all time and will be a memorable experience for most players.
5. Chrono Trigger
Developer: Square
Platform(s): PC, iOS, SNES, PlayStation, Nintendo DS, i-mode, Android
Genre: Roleplaying
Players love Final Fantasy for the sprawling stories the franchise tells and the memorable characters and music. Of course, it would be impossible to mention so many JRPGs with great stories without talking about Chrono Trigger.
Chrono Trigger’s delightful cast and epic high stakes time-traveling narrative is phenomenal. No surprise, since Chrono Trigger combines the talents of Final Fantasy creator Hinorobu Sakaguchi and Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii. It has frequently been named one of the best video games of all time.
Chrono Trigger is set within a handful of time periods so being able to see how the world evolved over the centuries is astounding. The idea of offering a time travel storyline and thus multiple endings was revolutionary for 1995. The amazing idea was combined with the now well-known JRPG themes like friendship and overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds that make Final Fantasy so epic.
6. Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Remaster
Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One
Genre: Action RPG
HD remasters have been trending lately, particularly as newer generations of gamers want to try out the classics. Kingdom Hearts combine Final Fantasy aesthetics and characters with various Disney franchises.
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix is a HD remastered collection of the Kingdom Hearts series. You can team up with Disney and Final Fantasy heroes to explore new and familiar worlds. Final Fantasy characters have played many roles in the Kingdom Hearts series.
Both Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Remaster and FFX are games that any RPG fan would happily put at the top of their to-be-replayed list.
Through the power of friendship, Sora, Donald and Goofy unite with iconic Disney-Pixar characters old and new to overcome tremendous challenges and persevere against the darkness threatening their worlds.
What really makes Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Remaster something similar to Final Fantasy is the story. Sora is fiercely protective of his friends and would literally go to the edge of the universe to save them. While the action combat is different, you can recognize elements of Final Fantasy characters in protagonist Sora and his friends.
7. Earthbound
Developer: Ape, HAL Laboratory
Platform(s): Super NES, Game Boy Advance
Genre: Roleplaying
Even a person who actively shies away from JRPGs would’ve heard of the legendary Earthbound. Also known as Mother 2, Earthbound is easily one of the most unique games on this list, featuring a surreal story that is very much grounded in reality… and yet, is weirder than most of the other JRPGs on this list.
EarthBound chronicles the adventures of Ness, a 13-year-old boy who journeys around the world using his “PK” or “PSI” to collect eight melodies in order to save the future from an alien of pure evil.
Earthbound is credited as one of the major inspirations for Undertale, which should be more than enough to illustrate just how iconic this JRPG really is.
8. Final Fantasy XII
Developer: Square Enix
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and PC
Genre: Roleplaying
For FFX lovers, if you are looking for performance enhancements and deeper job customization, you should experience Final Fantasy XII.
Final Fantasy XII’s narrative takes place in the Kingdom of Ivalice. Most of the continent is filled with the unexplored ruins of ancient dynasties. Most of the continent is filled with the unexplored ruins of ancient dynasties.
FFXII is aesthetically unique and teeming with secrets. The game displays a healthy mix of turn-based and real-time combat. FFXII has full 3D environments that you can freely rotate the camera to look around in.
FFXII lets you discover its stories at a more gradual pace. It gives its characters room to breathe without its writers feeling like they need to hammer home every theme and observation.
Bonus Game
Hear me out. There is a final game you can try if you liked FFX, and that’s FFX-2. If you were like me and hated the game when you heard the concept soon after playing FFX-2, I obviously understand.
But, FFX-2 is a fun game that remains in the world of FFX. If you understand that FFX-2 was developed with a fast turnaround, with half of the staff, and it clearly is a tonal shift for a cheaper game, you will have an easier time putting aside your differences to enjoy the game.
Join my Stream
I love FFX more than anything and am constantly on a quest to find a game that comes close. If you share this same love for the game and for JRPGs, then I invite you to join my stream where we can continue to have these discussions.
