When two popular entertainment companies merged in 2003 to form Square Enix, it brought some of the best roleplaying video games under one roof. Franchises like Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts, and of course, Final Fantasy, have become some of the staples of the genre over the years, consistently churning out high quality and successful products year after year.
While there have been dozens of games produced by these companies both pre and post-merger that are lauded for their gameplay, sound design, art direction, and characters, there are a few top-tier standouts that any fan of RPGs should be sure to seek out, if they haven't played them already.
10 Chrono Trigger Is Worth Traveling Back In Time For
Released in 1995, Chrono Trigger sprang from the golden era of 2D RPGs as one of the most memorable and engaging games of its genre. Following the story of a young man who encounters a strange girl at the town fair, the story takes the characters through time -- to the past, future, and beyond.
The game was a success both in Japan, where it sold over two million copies in six months, as well as abroad, where it received great acclaim by players and critics alike. It is consistently rated among the greatest games of all time, and for good reason -- it is one of Square's best games and is a joy to play even to this day.
9 Star Ocean: Second Evolution Is The Most Playable Game In The Series
As a remaster of the original Star Ocean: Second Story, Second Evolution was released for the PlayStation Portable in 2008 and featured an enhanced combat system, a new playable character, and more than a dozen new endings, bringing the total up to nearly 100 unique ways to conclude the game.
Following the stories of Claude, a newly commissioned member of the spacefaring Earth Federation, and Rena, a young woman living on the medieval world of Expel, the two meet and together investigate the mystery of the Sorcery Globe, a strange meteorite that fell onto Rena's planet. Second Evolution features excellent gameplay and a riveting score by Motoi Sakuraba.
8 Final Fantasy VII Brought The Franchise Into The Modern Era
The seventh entry in the Final Fantasy franchise followed the success of VI by bringing it into three dimensions. It incorporated the blend of technology and magic that became a hallmark of the series and introduced players to a cyberpunk-style setting that was both detailed and engaging.
The game was praised for its gameplay, story, characters, and audio, and it remains one of the most successful and memorable entries into the franchise. The success of the original practically ensured a remake of some kind, and that was finally realized in 2020 when Square Enix released Final Fantasy VII Remake, much to the delight of fans.
7 Kingdom Hearts 2 Is Full Of Heart And Charm
Kingdom Hearts is a collaboration between Square Enix and entertainment giant Disney, creating a shared universe that is a collection of the various properties both companies own. The story centers around a boy named Sora, who travels between these worlds while encountering characters from the various franchises contained within.
Kingdom Hearts 2 followed up from the first game and received great acclaim upon release, both for its graphics and the voice acting. As one of the best games in the series, Kingdom Hearts 2 is a must-play game for fans of both Disney and Square Enix alike.
6 Vagrant Story Is A Deep And Complex Action RPG
Vagrant Story was a game developed by much of the same team who worked on Final Fantasy Tactics, and it stands out among other games in the genre for its unique gameplay. While the game is an action-RPG, there is a strong element of puzzle-solving and weapon customization that isn't typically seen in its contemporaries.
The game received plenty of praise for both its strong story and battle system, as well as graphics that stood out for the time. For fans looking for a tactical game featuring RPG elements, Vagrant Story won't disappoint.
5 Dragon Quest XI Is One Of The Best Of The Series
The Dragon Quest franchise may not have quite the same level of popularity as Final Fantasy, but as far as traditional fantasy-genre RPGs go, it's still one of the best, with plenty of great games over its quarter of a century run.
Dragon Quest XI, the latest entry into the series, is also one of its most successful installments. Available on most platforms, its gameplay hearkens back to classic RPGs, and it has received praise for its excellent localization. It is one of the best entry points for fans looking to get into the franchise.
4 Tactics Ogre Puts Strategy And Story At The Forefront
Debuting in 1995, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is a game that puts players in control of Denim, a soldier who becomes a leader of a small army, navigating the politics of warring nations. The game incorporates an alignment system reminiscent of Dungeons and Dragons and features a broad and complex story.
The main gameplay revolves around a turn-based tactical battle system where the player takes their small army and pits them against their enemies with complex but accessible combat. Fans of strategy and RPGs alike will find plenty to enjoy in this, and the game even received a remastered version for the PlayStation Portable.
3 Secret of Mana Helped Usher In A New Era Of RPGs
In the early 90s, roleplaying games were not as well known to western audiences compared to other genres, but that would soon change. One of the leaders of that change was a high-fantasy RPG called Secret of Mana.
Featuring a real-time combat system that stood out from many of its turn-based contemporaries, Secret of Mana was a game that looked good, played great, and sounded amazing. The game is often heralded as one of the best of its time, which is high praise considering some of the games released in that era.
2 Octopath Traveler Is A Modern Take On A Classic Genre
For fans of retro-RPGs, Octopath Traveler is sure to satiate the itch to return to those nostalgic times. With its combination of 2D and 3D art styles and innovative gameplay, this is sure to please fans of the original games that inspired it, as well as players new to the genre.
One of the more unique elements of the game is the cast of eight characters, each with its own story and gameplay style. It features a turn-based combat system that will be familiar to fans of the genre, with some interesting new features as well. The combination of retro and modern in Octopath Traveler makes it a great choice for people new to the genre and RPG veterans alike.
1 Final Fantasy VI Told Wonderful Character Driven Stories
In many ways, Final Fantasy VI is exactly what people think of when they imagine classic RPGs, as it features turn-based combat, a large overworld to explore, and characters with interesting stories and abilities that level up over the course of the game.
The sixth entry in the Final Fantasy franchise is much more than that, however. With a complex and interesting world that incorporates a mixture of fantasy, steampunk, and science-fiction elements that would go on to become a staple of the series, what really made it excel were the characters, each with their own unique story, narrative, and gameplay. This game is a standout for the genre and a must-play for any lover of RPGs.
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