Summary
- Chrono Trigger exemplifies simplistic yet engaging combat that pioneers monster visibility and position-based attacks.
- Xenogears uses combos and mech combat to stand out as a masterful JRPG, showcasing martial arts elements.
- Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age blends classic and modern JRPG combat in an epic adventure loved by fans.
Square Enix is one of the biggest companies in the video game landscape, boasting a library of amazing titles that truly are in a class of their own. The Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series that fans love have bolstered this company's reputation, even if some of their recent business dealings haven't been the best.
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As one would expect, many Square Enix games are full of compelling combat systems that keep fans coming back for more. These titles are a blast to play and ensure that fans will love battling enemies and bosses after coming to grips with the gameplay mechanics.
8 Chrono Trigger
The Brilliance Of This Combat System's Simplicity Must Be Appreciated
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Genre(s)
- RPG
To this day, there's something about Chrono Trigger's simple yet excellent combat that fans can't get enough of. It was unheard of at that time for monsters to appear on the map, and this shunning of random encounters was just one of the many ways Chrono Trigger was ahead of its time.
Players needed to take positioning into account while planning attacks so that the damage output could be optimized. Over time, characters who developed a close bond could even unleash powerful Double and Triple Techs that were especially useful against bosses.
7 Xenogears
Players Unleash Combos With Physical Attacks To Enhance Their Damage
Xenogears
- Released
- October 20, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Any turn-based RPG that tries to make its combat as involving as possible is bound to be appreciated, and Xenogears is no exception. Martial arts were prominent in the combat system and encouraged players to unleash combos that could hit for serious damage.
Along with this, the game also featured mech combat with astronomical damage numbers to further showcase the sense of scale. All of this combined to help Xenogears stand out as a masterful JRPG, and it's a shame that this title never got the chance to achieve its ambitions.
6 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
The Perfect Blend Of Classic And Modern JRPG Combat
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
- Released
- September 4, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Simulated Gambling, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
After what felt like eons, Dragon Quest 11 finally made a major mark in the West, showing that turn-based RPGs hadn't faded out of popularity all along. Echoes of an Elusive Age is one of the greatest Dragon Quest games out there, boasting an epic story that never lets up.
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The combat has all the classic trappings of a JRPG, and many players relish the simplicity of this title. It doesn't change the formula too much, but it still forces players to strategize, especially if they opt for the Stronger Monsters option.
5 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The ATB System Has Been Integrated Brilliantly In This Amazing Action JRPG
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Released
- February 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
It's amazing just how well Final Fantasy 7 Remake integrated the ATB bars into real-time combat. Rebirth continues this trend of excellence and adds additional moves that players can use to make combat more cinematic and engaging than ever.
Synergies make for a fun sight, with two characters combining their abilities in order to unleash powerful attacks on their foes. New abilities were added, old ones were tweaked, and various other improvements were implemented in order to ensure that Rebirth's combat was more engaging than its predecessor.
4 Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars
Combat With A Focus On Action Commands That Many Other Titles Would Replicate
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
- Released
- May 13, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- RPG
It speaks volumes that the real-time combat actions in Super Mario RPG were so engaging that they have become a series staple since. Even other modern turn-based RPGs like Clair Obscur use this mechanic in order to make combat feel more dynamic.
Most players will love maximizing their attack and defense as they take on the many iconic enemies of the series in Legend of the Seven Stars. The fact that the remake did little to change the gameplay shows that there is simply no need to try and improve on perfection.
3 Octopath Traveler 2
Hones Classic JRPG Combat Elements And Feels Amazing To Play
Octopath Traveler 2
- Released
- February 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated T for Teen for Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol and Tobacco.
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Octopath Traveler 2 is a celebration of JRPGs, with its amazing HD-2D visuals and dynamic combat being incredibly enthralling. Battles are swift, reward players for banking Boost Points, and are accompanied by amazing soundtracks that are in a class of their own.
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The game also introduces Latent Powers, which basically serve as Octopath Traveler's take on the Limit Break system. It does a great job of making combat more cinematic and helps this amazing JRPG stand out as one of Square Enix's best video games.
2 NieR: Automata
PlatinumGames Is A Master Of Developing Real-Time Combat Systems
NieR: Automata
- Released
- March 7, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
PlatinumGames had a reputation for making amazing action-packed experiences, but no one expected their work on NieR: Automata to be so generational. Yoko Taro's weirdness, coupled with excellent gameplay, finally opened the floodgates for the NieR series to break into the mainstream.
It helps that the regular hack-and-slash combat is constantly changed up in order to give players something new to do just when they may be getting tired. These gameplay switch-ups, coupled with a solid foundation, ensure that battling enemies in NieR: Automata will never cease to be entertaining.
1 Final Fantasy 10
The CTB System Makes For Smooth And Engaging Battles Where All Party Members Are Useful
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 10 implemented a major change with the debut of the conditional turn-based battle system. Players had greater clarity regarding the turn order and could manipulate it for a strategic advantage.
It's a shame that Square never developed more Final Fantasy games with this system, since it promoted tactical thinking and speed in combat. Final Fantasy 10 was also notable for letting players switch party members on the fly in combat, which was unheard of back in the day.
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