10 Action JRPGs To Play While Waiting For Scarlet Nexus
Due to be released in June, Scarlet Nexus is an action JRPG developed by Bandai Namco. It has been created by a team that worked on the Tales of series, God Eater, and Code Vein. The setting is a total departure from the fantasy setting seen in the Tales series. Its producer and director Keita Iizuka and Kenji Anabuki respectively have coined its own self-styled genre “Brainpunk” for Scarlet Nexus’ world setting.
The term Brainpunk is a spin on the "Internet of Things" idea where society is connected to everything. In this reimagined world, humans developed a link between psychic powers and technology in the 1990s. Of course, there were massive consequences that lead to the events of Scarlet Nexus. With the level of talent involved, there is a lot of excitement from fans of the genre. Thankfully, there are a lot of good action JRPGs to choose from to keep fans busy until its release.
10 God Eater 3
Released worldwide in 2019, God Eater 3 is an action RPG in the same vein as the Monster Hunter series. While there are obvious connections to its predecessors when it comes to world-building, God Eater 3 is an easy game to jump right into.
Visually, it has a beautiful anime-based art style that is very similar to that of Scarlet Nexus. In addition, the combat is fast-paced, it has epic monsters to fight, and hours of content to keep players busy until Scarlet Nexus is finally released.
9 Tales Of Graces F
Released in the West in 2012, Tales of Graces f is an action RPG developed by the Namco Tales Studio. Its tone and style are far more traditional and light-hearted than what fans will come to expect from the “Brain Punk” setting in Scarlet Nexus.
However, the combat in Tales of Graces f is considered by many fans as the best in the series. Its “Chain Capacity” mechanic allows players to chain together combinations in a fluid way that improves with the character’s weapons. Furthermore, there is a lot of content and post-game content to keep players busy for at least 40 hours.
8 Star Ocean: The Second Story/Second Evolution
First released worldwide in 2000, Star Ocean: The Second Story is an action RPG developed by tri-Ace. It was remastered with brand new content and voices for the PSP in 2009 but both are worthwhile if one is able to find themselves a copy of either version.
Like its predecessor, Second Story uses a science fiction fantasy setting that felt unique at the time of its release. The combat system set itself apart with its action-oriented real-time battles and the ability to create strategies for the AI-controlled party members. Thanks to its two main characters Claude and Rena the player is able to choose from two vastly different story paths for replayability. The dual story paths are a feature that will make its way into Scarlet Nexus by allowing players to choose either Yuito or Kasane.
7 Astral Chain
It’s not strictly a JRPG but Astral Chain developed by PlatinumGames for the Nintendo Switch is one of the best games of the generation. It’s primarily an action game but there are enough RPG mechanics for Astral Chain to qualify.
There are elements of exploration and the story progression perfectly complements an amazing hack-and-slash gameplay mechanics that are reminiscent of Platinum’s other titles like Transformers: Devastation and Bayonetta.
6 Radiata Stories
From the creators of the Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile series, Radiata Stories is a PS2 action RPG set in the fantasy world of Radiata. Its combat system shares many similarities to tri-Ace’s Star Ocean series and the Tales of series Linear Motion Battle System due to its arcade-like nature. The story will keep players hooked and despite its light-hearted nature, it has lots of twists and surprises in store.
It is possible to recruit over 150 characters and even pick fights with NPCs in towns and the surrounding world. Fans of the Valkyrie Profile series will also be delighted to know that Lenneth will make a cameo appearance as a boss fight and can be recruited as a party member.
5 Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
The Ys series is one of the longest-running action RPGs in gaming. The series began on the PC in 1987 with many of its entries getting remastered and remade over the years while fans waited for the next mainline entry.
Even though are occasional allusions to past titles due to its recurring character Adol, each new game functions very much as its own story. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is no different and is arguably the best entry in the series yet. Not only is Ys IX a much darker tale than its predecessors but it also has the best narrative yet. The combat is fast, responsive, and dynamic but it's very easy to pick up and play for newcomers.
4 Final Fantasy VII Remake
Released on the PlayStation 4 in 2020, the Final Fantasy VII Remake is the first episode in what is to become a series based on the Final Fantasy VII universe. It lived up to the lofty expectations of fans by being a fitting tribute to a timeless classic while building toward something new in the princess.
Its dark tone and cyberpunk-like setting make it a great fit for those who are anticipating Scarlet Nexus’ setting and its science fiction themes. In addition, the action-based combat system and inventive boss battles are very much in line with what has been shown of Namco’s next big JRPG. Even though the art design is quite different, Scarlet Nexus and the Final Fantasy VII Remake are built using Epic's Unreal Engine 4 so the performance between both games should be on par.
3 Code Vein
If there is one recent JRPG that shares an almost identical art style to Scarlet Nexus it’s Code Vein. Released in 2019, it was produced by Keita Lizuka who is also serving as the producer for Scarlet Nexus.
Stylistically, Code Vein’s mechanics have more in common with the Dark Souls series but in terms of atmosphere, progression, and characters Code Vein will appeal to fans of Scarlet Nexus. Additionally, the feeling of being part of a team in Code Vein is more in line with the Tales series and the upcoming Scarlet Nexus.
2 Tales Of Berseria
Released in 2017, Tales of Berseria is the most recent entry in the Tales of series until Tales of Arise is released and highly regarded as one of the best. It’s a much darker tale than its predecessors and features flawed protagonists that border on anti-heroes.
It’s also interesting to note that Scarlet Nexus is being developed by a team who worked on both the Tales series, God Eater and Code Vein. As a result, the game’s narrative style and combat system will definitely make it good for those waiting for Scarlet Nexus. Narratively, Tales of Berseria is a prequel to Tales of Zesteria, and playing both is a great way of getting more longevity out of the main story and improving the story arc from both.
1 Nier: Automata
Even though Scarlet Nexus is being worked on by a team that created the God Eater, Code Vein, and Tales of series, the game looks like it takes a lot of inspiration from Nier: Automata. The destroyed earth setting will resonate with fans of both games and the fast-paced combo-based combat draws parallels between both titles.
In addition, Scarlet Nexus’ user interface uses a similar augmented reality viewpoint that Nier: Automata does. This is thanks to the world’s advancement of psychic technology which allows people to control electronics with their mind by remaining connected to the “Psynet”. This allows the player to lock on and mark items on the map as if they are seeing them through the eyes of the protagonist just like Nier: Automata.
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