10 Best Games Like Final Fantasy That You Should Know Update 04/2024

Games Like Final Fantasy

Those looking for a great JRPG to sink their teeth into while waiting for Final Fantasy 16 will be pleased to know that there are plenty of great games like Final Fantasy out there.

When putting together this list of games that are comparable to Final Fantasy, we looked at titles with similar aesthetics and themes, as well as similar fighting systems and casts. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of 10 fantastic games that are similar to Final Fantasy and are sure to be a blast to play, from oldies to recent masterpieces. If none of them appeal to you, you might want to check out our list of the top Final Fantasy games and pick one of those instead. Here are 10 fantastic games that are similar to Final Fantasy.

1. Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger

It’s no secret that fans of Final Fantasy adore the series’ epic narratives, unique characters, and beautiful soundtracks. If you’re looking for a game like Final Fantasy but better, Chrono Trigger is your best chance. Chrono Trigger features the expertise of both Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest creators Hinorobu Sakaguchi and Yuji Horii (more on that one later). When Final Fantasy was released in 1995, it was hailed as innovative because it introduced the now well-known JRPG themes of friendship and overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges that have made the series so legendary.

2. Kingdom Hearts 3

Disney and Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts has to be included on this list because of its collaboration with numerous Disney franchises and its use of Final Fantasy aesthetics. Sora and his buddies bear a strong resemblance to Final Fantasy characters, despite the game’s action-packed gameplay. Because Tetsuya Normura designed both of them. Even in the Kingdom Hearts series, certain Final Fantasy characters make guest appearances. The story, though, is what actually makes Kingdom Hearts 3 akin to Final Fantasy. As others have pointed out, Sora’s devotion to his companions and his desire to free all of existence from darkness make it seem like he would go to the end of the universe to do it.

3. Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Dragon Quest 11 Echoes of an Elusive Age

If you’re going to play a Dragon Quest, go all out. Final Fantasy has mostly departed the age of turn-based combat, vivid colors, and a medieval air to its art and plot, which features legendary knights and a conflict between countries in each installment of the long-running game. Dragon Quest 11 is part of that period. A journey to save a colorful planet and a vast cast of endearing characters await you if you’re seeking for a game you can pour over 80 hours into the way you did in Final Fantasy (but funnier).

4. Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

In Final Fantasy, the protagonists tend to be abrasive. Let’s put Vahn and Tidus out of our minds for a moment. They’re the kind of people who, despite their best efforts, end up becoming the unwitting hero of their own story. Yuri Lowell, the grumpy protagonist of Vesperia, is just such a character. Afterwards, there are a plethora of different Tales games with their own unique stories to be found in Terca Lumireis. Tales, like Final Fantasy, tries new things with the franchise, and each one does so with varied degrees of success.

5. Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Final Fantasy XV was the first open-world JRPG, but Xenoblade Chronicles handles it even better since the world of Alrest is a joy to explore. The first Xenoblade Chronicles isn’t required to enjoy this one, and if you do, an HD remaster of the Wii U version will be available later this year. Xenoblade Chronicles is yet another JRPG with an epic plot that can be both amazing and a little too much at times. Even while there’s the typical bad guy out there, it’s actually a lot more complex than that.

6. Lost Odyssey

A corporation called Mistwalker was created by Final Fantasy founder Hinorobu Sakaguchi after he left Square Enix. Using a turn-based fighting system and mimicking characters from Final Fantasy games like 8 and 10, this is Mistwalker at its finest, but it is also the most traditional. The scenario combines the medieval with the earliest hints of modern advancement. There are some similarities to Final Fantasy, but they aren’t quite the same.

7. Secret of Mana

Secret of Mana

Another of Square’s early franchises that became synonymous with excellent RPGs is the Mana series. This is one of the best RPGs of its sort, and the tale is still enthralling, the soundtrack is beautiful, and the environment is expansive. Do yourself a favor and stick with the original version (available on Nintendo Switch) rather than the 2018 remaster (available on PC and PlayStation 4) that you can acquire on those platforms.

8. I Am Setsuna

I am Setsuna was created by Tokyo RPG Factory to bring back the nostalgic vibe of Square Enix’s early games. When it comes to gameplay, Setsuna uses an ATB system, presents a heartfelt story, and gradually reveals your party of characters. Final Fantasy fans will find this to be a great option.

9. The Last Remnant

The Last Remnant

There are large-scale battles in this Final Fantasy, and you control the unions in them. There are few worlds that exhibit the same range and blend of European and Asian elements as Final Fantasy, but this one is one of the few that does. Because it was created entirely by former members of the Final Fantasy team, from the composers to the designers, this game should have done far better. The remastered version has been available since 2018 and now is the ideal moment to experience it.

10. Resonance of Fate

In games like Final Fantasy, turn-based combat is not required. Try Resonance of Fate’s ‘acrobatic gun-based combat’ if you’re seeking for variation and, let’s face it, a challenge. However, this game also offers a tiny but endearing cast of characters, all of whom are dressed to match your favorite Final Fantasy characters. Due to the fact that the plot is just as ridiculous as the action, it’s easy to see why this game has remained so obscure.

As a freelance video game journalist for publications such as Eurogamer, PLAY, PCGamer, and Edge Magazine, Malindy works on the design and localization of video games on the side when she can find the time. Japanese pop culture fascinates her, and she’s always looking for the next Japanese video game. The narrative and cute indie games are her favorites, and she’s constantly interested in learning more about the economics of gaming.