The wait for Kingdom Hearts 4 is similar to Kingdom Hearts 3’s pre-release period, but worse. Square Enix released several spin-off games and collections of this series before the third title, so there was a nice buildup to that launch. On the other hand, there are no similar collections or spinoff titles, with a mobile game getting canceled, as we wait for this fourth entry.
Luckily, we’re in an age where anime-like action RPGs have become a hit. Some would even argue that Square Enix is primarily an action RPG company, outside of Octopath Traveller and Dragon Quest titles. Regardless of the publisher, there are plenty of games to keep players busy while they depressingly wait for this highly anticipated installment.
Will these games cure your Kingdom Hearts 4 depression? Fans like us are pretty hopeless, so probably not. Still, these titles should offer a fun experience and can even open up your interest in other franchises. At least, they will scratch that button-mashing itch many of us have.
NEO: The World Ends With You
Oh, look, a Square Enix game with a real-time combat system and character designs from Tetsuya Nomura. What a coincidence.
We’re being facetious, as NEO: The World Ends With You is a pretty unique game. It manages to combine aspects from its predecessor and Kingdom Hearts to deliver a stylish experience. Players control Rindo and his friends, who suddenly get caught in the Reaper’s game and need to find a way out.
NEO has a real-time combat system, but unlike Kingdom Hearts, each button controls a different party member. That’s right, players can combo Rindo’s sword attacks with Fret’s long-range spells by only pressing different buttons. It’s not a typical button-mashing experience, as timing attacks and combos will finish off your opponents quicker.
Thanks to this unique battle system, gorgeous cel-shaded visuals, and funky music, NEO: The World Ends With You will satisfy anyone who needs a KH fix. Unfortunately, this game didn’t sell well due to poor advertising, but that doesn’t diminish the game’s quality at all.
Ys X: Nordics
Nihon Falcom’s newest installment in their long-running action RPG series, Ys X: Nordics, is a quality action RPG anyone can get into. Don’t let the big X (10) scare you, as each game in the series is self-contained, with only small references to other installments.
As expected, Nordics is an action RPG, and a fairly simple one at that. Whether you’re controlling series protagonist Adol Christin or new face Karja Balta, expect to hack and slash enemies into oblivion in order to level up and get stronger. There’s also a unique system that allows Adol and Karja to attack at the same time, which opens up parrying and powerful team attacks. Even with all of that, this is still a simple action RPG, and it’s all the better for it.
While the graphics aren’t too impressive, they do the job well enough. Ys has always been about the action RPG gameplay, and that hasn’t changed with Nordics. Kingdom Hearts will definitely enjoy the combat of this ongoing RPG series.
Persona 5 Strikers
The official sequel to Persona 5, Strikers, is an action game developed by Koei Tecmo of Dynasty Warriors fame. On paper, this should be a mindless Warriors title where you destroy thousands of enemies with ease, but Strikers is much more interesting than that.
Despite being a Warriors game, Strikers incorporates a lot of the Persona elements into battle. You can still sneak up on enemies to gain an advantage, hit their weakness with a specific element, and then do an All-Out Attack, which does a ton of damage. Players can also equip specific Personas to lead character Joker and switch between his chosen Phantom Thieves, similar to Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition.
Even now, Persona 5: Strikers is a surprising game. Most fans expected a cheap cash-in title to keep the Phantom Thieves popular, but what they got was a thrilling action RPG that brings this series’ mechanics to real-time battles. A must-play for Persona fans, and a decent recc for KH stans, though they should at least beat Persona 5 first before checking this out.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
A huge departure from the Pokemon-esque Wrath of the White Witch, Ni No Kuni 2 is a full-on action RPG with town-building elements. Interestingly, this tells a new tale that requires no backstory, so fans can jump straight into this one, even if they haven’t played the first title.
You start as Roland Crane the (checks notes) president of the United States, who dies in a nuclear explosion and is reborn as a handsome anime man in the world of Ni No Kuni. Roland then helps young Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum reclaim his kingdom, while also helping him become a better king.
Did you read that insane synopsis? Why wouldn’t you want to play this?
The real-time combat is pretty fun, with an oonga boonga-style mechanic that lets you switch between three weapons in order to keep that button-mashing rhythm. Switching between your main weapons is essential, as they get weaker with use and need to charge, with each one having unique special attacks. Each character also has a long-range attack, though Roland’s is the best because it’s a gun.
Ni No Kuni 2 is insane, and any RPG fan should play it, especially Kingdom Hearts fans. If they like all that lore about the Heartless and Nobodies, they will enjoy this weird fantasy furry afterlife for fictional world leaders. The combat and town-building are pretty good, if that helps.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Did you know they gave Cloud from Kingdom Hearts his own game? All the way back in 1996, they remade it, too!
Final Fantasy VII Remake needs no introduction, as it’s one of the best-selling PS4 games and will soon be coming to the Switch 2. Rather than be a straightforward remake, this action RPG is a unique retelling with meta commentary and smoke monsters who prevent characters from spoiling the original game (no, really).
It’s worth noting that Kingdom Hearts’ Tetsuya Nomura was also involved in this game. What a shock.
Odd meta commentary aside, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a pretty great action RPG. Switching between characters is fun, reducing that stagger meter feels brilliant, and the sound effects feel really good in the ears. Chances are, any KH fan has already played this, but if they haven’t, they should.
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