10 Games To Play If You Like Xenoblade Chronicles | Game Rant
Nintendo recently surprised its fans with a stealth presentation of a Nintendo Direct Mini in March, which highlighted a number of interesting titles players could look forward to in the coming months.
One of the various highlights of the showcase was the remaster of Xenoblade Chronicles. While the remaster had already been announced, we got to see much more of the gorgeous, slickened visuals, along with a newly-revealed closing epilogue journey for Shulk and company.
Players can look forward to this definitive version of the classic Wii RPG on May 29th, 2020. In the meantime though, there are plenty of similarly lavish role-playing adventures that resemble this JRPG epic in one way or another.
Join us as we embark on a grand journey and explore 10 of the best examples for Switch as well as other consoles.
10 Eternal Sonata
It could be said that Eternal Sonata is almost the Xbox 360's version of Xenoblade. Not only did they both shine as rare JPRG gems on their platforms, but their gameplays share similar qualities too. Players have a vast, vibrant fantasy world to explore, a captivating story, and a slew of colorful characters you'll be fighting with.
The combat also bears resemblances, with its fusion of action and tactical turn-based mechanics. Like Xenoblade, Eternal Sonata also stresses an array of different skills combos and chains, along with timed blocking which keeps the intensity going. This majestic, melodic RPG should definitely be music to the ears of Xenoblade fans.
9 Dragon's Dogma
Similar to Monolith Soft's game, Capcom's Dragon's Dogma balances WRPG lore and open-world sensibilities with majestic JRPG flair. The intense, real-time combat should definitely translate to those who favored the chaotic combat of Xenoblade, as it treads the line between strategy and action.
Much like the skills in Xenoblade and the vast Blade system in the sequel, Dragon's Dogma keeps the combat fresh and in-depth with various unique classes and skillsets that can be adjusted according to each opponent. The game also stresses skirmishes with massive beasts, as is the case with many of Xenoblades's beasts and Unique Monsters that require players to grind out wins.
8 Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
Despite its lack of name recognition, Level-5 and Bandai Namco have crafted a whimsical and fun RPG with Ni No Kuni. Though this series had its start on the Nintendo DS and mobile devices, its console debut, recently remastered for the PC and PS4, shined the brightest.
The game draws from a variety of RPG influences to round out a unique virtual journey. This is enhanced by some charming, vibrant visuals, along with a rich soundtrack that injects emotion and atmosphere. The game's fast-paced combat is definitely similar to the first Xenoblade, though its deep system of Familiars is particularly reminiscent of the Blades in Xenoblade 2. Wrath of the White Witch also melds a linear campaign with an array of side quests, much like Monolith Soft's game.
7 Grandia II
One of the most captivating aspects of the Xenoblade games is its battle system centered around the Monado. It's fun and fairly easy to manage while also being deep and diverse, giving it longevity.
Game Arts' Grandia series hosts a similarly deep, gripping system, which makes each battle entertaining even at the end of the lengthy campaign. This is especially the case with the epic full-3D sequel, Grandia II.
Like Xenoblade, positioning and timing go a long way in gaining an "edge" and coming out on top, as does mixing and matching the right moves to maximize one's hits. The premise and world-building are equally imaginative, as is the delightful cast, who make the player's journey memorable along the way.
6 The Last Story
The Last Story is certainly distinct from its Wii RPG companion, but there's quite a bit of overlap, to be sure. For one, both games are original properties whose creators are, in part, tied to Square Enix, with Hironobu Sakaguchi having worked on Final Fantasy before The Last Story and Tetsuya Takahashi having ties to the Xeno series.
Mistwalker and AQ Interactive's game presents a similarly rich world with diverse settings ranging from tombs and caverns to lavish palaces and large sea vessels. Like Xenoblade, the player and three other party members will be slicing and dicing in the game's exciting real-time combat, while also busting out satisfying spells.
5 Skies Of Arcadia
For Xenoblade fans, the two massive titans that comprise its unique settings have scarcely been matched creatively or atmospherically. Still, Overworks' Dreamcast epic, Skies of Arcadia, arguably comes close with its aerial environments and steampunk motif.
Despite dating back to 2000, this 3D RPG was ahead of its time with its emphasis on more free-flowing exploration and vast landscapes that are traversed via airship. Each of the game's six regions holds a distinct and rich character, keeping players enticed throughout the 50-hour campaign. Though the battle system runs on a turn-based structure, the array of elemental spells and customizable "Spirit Points" keeps things interesting.
4 Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
There's a good chance many Xenoblade fans would appreciate most of the flashy Final Fantasy efforts of the modern era. Yet, this 2006 entry, which has recently been remastered, should particularly entice those who swear by the Monado.
Breaking from its more linear, turn-based roots, this Final Fantasy takes more of a WRPG approach by offering more freedom, exploration, and livening up the pace of combat. It's fun and engaging, but also in-depth, as each character can be uniquely customized.
The game's grittier, more realistic plot of war and politics is a refreshing change from the typical fantasy "save the world" tropes.
3 Xenogears
Though this first game in the Xeno series pretty much resembles Wii's RPG in name only, Xenoblade's executive director, Tetsuya Takahashi, was also the creative mind behind this game.
Despite being the oldest title on our list, it's no less captivating and rich. The isometric view minimizes the rather ugly look of the jaggies, and the lavish settings and cinematic qualities tend to make up for this, anyway. The battle system similarly blends strategy with an action-based mechanic that almost feels like a beat 'em up.
The thick sense of atmosphere will have users yearning to venture onward, as they visit sea, air, and even outer space locales in addition to land-based areas.
2 Phantasy Star Online
As it turns out, Skies of Arcadia isn't the only Dreamcast RPG that should captivate fans of Monolith Soft's adventure. One of Sega's most dynamic and addictive versions of their classic RPG still impresses two decades later. Phantasy Star Online certainly seems ahead of its time, with its emphasis on deep customization, exploration, and online co-op.
The combat actually rings just as similar to the likes of Mass Effect (and probably more so) with its long-range firing and free-flowing mechanics. The blend of sci-fi and fantasy, along with colorful environments, should definitely get the attention of Xenoblade diehards.
1 Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
It's tough not to make the Xenoblade and Tales comparison. After all, both are fantastical JRPGs that blend linearity with sandbox elements and offer combat that's exciting and deep. And as far as Bandai-Namco's series goes, it's hard to find a better way to experience this franchise than an enhanced version of one of its best entries, Vesperia.
The game offers a similarly likable cast of distinct characters, a vast, semi-open-world to explore, a slew of quests, and tons of colorful foes to fight. Vesperia's battle system manages to be even more frantic than Xenoblade, feeling not unlike a fighting romp laced with spells and special abilities.
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