15 Best Games Like Kingdom Hearts That You Should Know Update 03/2024

Games Like Kingdom Hearts

Kingdom Hearts III is one of the most anticipated games of the year, but it’s not the only one.

Kingdom Hearts III is alone in its uniqueness. There is a big difference in gameplay between Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts III. In spite of this, Square Enix and Disney’s collaboration has a special quality that is undeniable. In order to create a crossover that could compete with Super Smash Bros. at the very least in terms of marketability, Square created this franchise. As if that wasn’t strange enough, Nintendo’s massive fighting game series shares nothing with Kingdom Hearts.

We’ll look at action-RPGs that combine fast-paced fighting with fantasy plots and some exploration in this article. While not all of these elements will appear in every installment, they should satisfy fans who were disappointed by Kingdom Hearts III’s lack of follow-ups.

Mark Sammut updated this page on November 30, 2020: Following up on Kingdom Hearts III with a fresh take on the formula is something Square Enix opted to do since some things never change. Although Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a fun rhythm game that gets a lot of things right, it may not be precisely what every fan of the franchise is looking for. Since Kingdom Hearts IV is still years away, there are plenty of other action-packed games to keep you entertained.

15 Final Fantasy Type-0 HD

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD

While Kingdom Hearts III lovers should definitely check out the remaster of Type-0, the remake of Final Fantasy VII is also a good option. There are 14 playable characters in Type-0, which was first launched on the PSP before being ported to HD consoles. Three are chosen for each objective.

The gameplay is fast-paced and enjoyable, but each character has a unique fighting style that will take some time to learn. In terms of aesthetics, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is not like as stunning as Kingdom Hearts III, but it tells an impressive tale and is a blast to play.

14 Bloodborne

The Souls games play more like the original Kingdom Hearts than the later, more frenzied installments. Reading an enemy’s motions and making well-timed dodges is a big aspect of the fight in both franchises. Customization is also a key part.

This gothic experience is harsh, tight, and gratifying because Bloodborne takes the Souls formula and amplifies the intensity in battle. Bloodborne, although being more difficult than Kingdom Hearts III, is worth a shot.

13 Ōkami

Okami HD

Originally launched in 2006, kami is perhaps Clover Studio’s greatest achievement. It was later released on consoles including the PS4 and Xbox One. Cel-shaded visuals that look like they’ve sprung straight out of a painting make kami a stunning and lengthy experience that features exploration, riddles, and battle.

Amaterasu, a white wolf goddess, is the focus of the story, which is based on Japanese mythology. If you’re a fan of action-adventure games, then kami is a must-have for your collection.

12 Bayonetta 2

It has taken PlatinumGames 15 years to perfect the art of hack and slash battles. Action games in general were set apart by Bayonetta, which was later exceeded by PlatinumGames’ own sequel. An epic spoof about slaying angels and demons with timed dodges, an assortment of satisfying weapons, and the occasional torture session, Bayonetta 2 was released in 2014.

As in Bayonetta 2, the Umbra Witch’s moveset can only be fully mastered by players who are prepared to put in the time and effort required to master all of Bayonetta 2’s complexity.

11 Trials Of Mana

The 3D version of Trials of Mana will be released in 2020, much to the pleasure of JRPG lovers. Xeen’s recreation stays true to the original’s blueprint, which was released in 1995 but was only available in Japan until 2019. In addition to the six playable characters, each game has three of these warriors who have different origins, specialties, and advancement paths.

It takes until the second half of the campaign for Trials of Mana’s skill-based and responsive real-time fighting to really open up.

10 Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

Ni No Kuni II Revenant Kingdom

With its new battle system, Kingdom Hearts III is a better match for Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch 2. Following the murder plot of Ding Dong Bell’s young heir, Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, who is forced into hiding after the king is killed.

Real-time combat relies mainly on melee strikes, but there is also a decent magical system and unique monsters called Higgledies that may be summoned into fight. With a globe map crammed with towns and dungeons to visit, exploration begins. In a similar vein to Kingdom Hearts III, the opponents in Revenant Kingdom were rather easy to defeat at first, but a subsequent patch significantly increased the difficulty.

9 Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition was the only modern “Tales of” game to make the cut, beating out a host of others. Evolved Flex-Range Linear Motion Battle System in Tales of Vesperia has a great deal of tactical and customization capabilities.

New weapons, armor, and Artes (attacks ranging from simple strikes to explosive magical assaults) can be fitted to all the playable characters in addition to allowing a team of up to four characters to participate. Tales of Vesperia’s battle system initially appears to be simple, but after a few hours of playing, it blossoms into something genuinely amazing.

8 Final Fantasy XV

The most apparent choice, and not just because both games were developed by Square Enix, went through a long production process, and have narratives that drag a bit. Kingdom Hearts II’s battle system could be seen as an inspiration for Final Fantasy XV’s design. Because of this, Noctis can only use basic attacks, parries, warping, and items in Cross Battle.

For example, the battle system in Final Fantasy XV may be made difficult by mastering special moves like Blindside and finding the necessary ingredients to build powerful Elemancy items, just like in Kingdom Hearts III. A range of weaponry, magical skills, and cooperative attacks enhance combat.

For much of the first half of the game, players in Final Fantasy XV are free to do anything they want with Noctis and the rest of his crew.

7 Devil May Cry 5

Devil May Cry 5

In spite of the fact that there is a DmC: Devil May Cry sequel, Capcom’s 2019 action game is the clear winner.

As in previous games in the Devil May Cry series, Devil May Cry 5 has three playable characters, 21 missions, and a comprehensive hack-and-slash combat system with numerous unlocked moves.

When it comes to battle in Devil May Cry 5, it’s all about finding new and creative methods to unleash powerful but stylish combos. When compared toKingdom Hearts III, DMC Vis is a bit more challenging and requires some practice.

6 NieR: Automata

If you’re looking for something completely different from the Disney-themed journey of Kingdom Hearts III, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better match than NieR: Automata. While NieR: Automata’s ideas and characters are characterized by ambiguity, the film’s stunning yet dismal landscape also reflects this. It’s absolutely out of character for Kingdom Hearts.

Fans of Kingdom Hearts III may be wondering why NieR: Automata is still recommended. Ultimately, it’s all about the gameplay. Yoko Taro’s post-apocalyptic world and PlatinumGames’ hallmark hack and slash combat are a match made in heaven. Kingdom Hearts III, on the other hand, is a little more forgiving, as learning dodging is essential to overcome Automata’s various challenges and boss battles. Chips can also be used to unlock additional skills and benefits in the advancement system.

5 Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

Ys VIII Lacrimosa of Dana

For many years, Ysis has been a popular action-RPG series recognized for its excellent fighting and dated aesthetics. The most current Western-published version, Lacrimosa of Dana, was released in 2016 and easily rates among the license’s greatest achievements.

What follows a shipwreck leaves Adol and others left on the Isle of Seiren, where they must work together to uncover its enigmatic mysteries, while fending off numerous enormous, terrifying creatures in the process. Combat styles and upgradeable weapons and armor components are available for all six of Lacrimosa of Dana’s characters. Ys VIII is more like a classic JRPG thanKingdom Hearts III, but the stunning real-time combat should be enough to please fans of the series.

4 Dark Cloud 2

When it comes to PlayStation 2 JRPGs, Dark Cloud 2 is one of the best, and it’s not an exaggeration to say so. While the sixth generation of video games saw a resurgence of turn-based fighting, Level-5’s colorful journey features real-time combat reminiscent of hack and slash games like Kingdom Hearts III.

Even though the game’s mechanics are straightforward, an interesting weapon upgrade system allows players to connect various objects to their weapons in order to get various advantages. Despite the fact that only two characters are playable, a number of NPCs can accompany the protagonists, each with their own unique powers.

3 The World Ends With You

The World Ends With You

On the surface, this game has little resemblance toKingdom Hearts III. The World Ends with You was developed by Square Enix and Jupiter and released for the Nintendo DS in 2012, but a Switch version was released in 2018. Tokyo-based thriller The World Ends With You revolves around a competition in which the deceased compete against each other for the right to return to the afterlife or ascend to a higher plane of existence.

Brilliant but distinct battle; the plot is darker than Kingdom Hearts III. The two games have a sense of amazement that is uncommon in video games.

2 Fable II

Comedic adventure Fable II by Lionhead Studios fine-tunes and streamlines some of the less successful themes of its predecessor.

Fable II’s focus on quality over quantity was reflected in Kingdom Hearts III’s decision to focus on fewer but more expansive locales.

Albion is a bustling nation with a plethora of distinct regions to discover and learn about.

Aside from the combat and progression mechanics, Fable II’s morality system is somewhat basic.

1 Hyrule Warriors

Hyrule Warriors

It’s possible that Super Smash Bros. and Kingdom Hearts share nothing in common, but that’s not the case with another highly-regarded Nintendo franchise. Many of the fodder adversaries in Musou games are merely waiting to be blasted into oblivion on the screen, making them their own subgenre.

Even if they put up a better fight than the average opponent in Hyrule Warriors, foes in Kingdom Hearts III are reduced to moving targets by the game’s explosive combat. In the end, though, for those who want to feel like a powerful character while delivering showy moves, Hyrule Warriorsis the game to play!