When thinkingRPGswith anime visuals, most people will probably haveFinal Fantasyas the first on their list. And genre fans can direct newcomers to RPGs to other games and properties that have aged quite well through their sequels and remakes. Meanwhile, beyond these certified classics lie underrated and current RPGs that many players may have missed out on.
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Given the whole host of options for RPGs with anime visuals, it’s reasonable for fans to feel quite a bit overwhelmed with their selection. Thankfully, someanime RPGsdo stand out in terms of both mechanics and their take on their respective themes. Thing is, just which RPGs with anime visuals should gamers try next?
10Code Vein
Players looking for a game with the aesthetic ofGod Eater and complexity ofDark Soulswill appreciateCode Vein. In thispost-apocalyptic action RPG, the world is overrun by monsters after a calamity called the Great Collapse. It’s up to the player, a Revenant or a vampiric resurrected human corpse, to try and save what’s left of the world.
Compared to other fantasy RPGs,Code Veininspires with its edgy and stylish take on post-apocalyptic fashion. Befitting the vampire trope, many of the characters wear unique takes on black outfits. Moreover,Code Veinand its themes heavily tied to blood give it quite a unique take on anime visuals for RPGs.
9Tales
With 16 games andTales of Arisein its belt, it’ll be hard for fans to choose whichTalestitle to play since its 1996 debut. Published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, eachTalesgame has a unique premise and cast of characters, although there are a handful of sequels. While largely different, each game does have a common theme of resolving conflicts of coexistence between different races. And in terms of gameplay,Tales' Linear Motion Battle Systemprovided a real-time tactical element that most games from the late ’90s and early 2000s couldn’t quite match.
In terms of visuals, theTalesgames follow a predominantly fantasy theme. However, unlike other more serious fantasy titles,Talesdoes adopt a colorful anime aesthetic. Main characters have a fair share of unique hairstyles and outfits that would not look out of place in an anime; in fact, some entries have been adapted into anime!
8Dragon Quest
Fans ofFinal Fantasywho want to play another RPG outside the hit franchise will want to giveDragon Questa shot. Square Enix is responsible for both franchises, and whereasFinal Fantasyhas a crystals-heavy plot,Dragon Questgames follow the adventures of a hero who saves the world with a group of friends.
Unique toDragon Questis its visuals. Unlike other RPGs,Dragon Questutilizes designs from iconic manga artist Akira Torimaya. In turn, the games' characters bear a striking resemblance toDragon Ball.
7Phantasy Star Online 2
Compared to other RPGs of its time,Phantasy Starhas consistently stayed within its realm of sci-fi adventure. And the franchise’sPhantasy Star Online 2MMO proved to be quite a hit with the license’s fans. Unlike other sci-fi MMOs,PSO2combined common spacefaring themes of explorationwith a sci-fi take on sword fights and magic.
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As such, the MMO boasts not only a powerful character creator but also a stylish take on sci-fi aesthetics as well.PSO2capitalizes on the potential of anime visuals to create captivating armor, outfits, and even weaponry for player characters.
6Nier: Automata
A sequel toNier, which is aDrakengardspin-off,Nier: Automatasets itself apart from its mother franchise in both genre and theme. Whereas the coreDrakengardseries takes place in a dark fantasy world,Nier: Automatais a sci-fi game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Following one of the endings ofNier, Automatatakes place thousands of years into the future. This time around, man-made androids fight back against machine colonists from another world.
Unlike otherpost-apocalyptic anime RPGs,Automatasticks with its sci-fi premise and delivers a pretty complex storyline that does a great job breaking down its main characters. Not only that, but character designs also seem extremely fashionable, while the game’s rather stylish action-packed gameplay makes the RPG quite accessible.
5Shin Megami Tensei
Who says RPGs set in the modern world have boring visuals? Taking place in a world where students often fight a world-ending threat from the shadows,Shin Megami Tenseihas quite a stylish take on anime visuals. At its core,Shin Megami Tenseihas players make contracts with Demons to do their bidding.SMThas amassed quite a following for the franchise’s take on creatures from mythology and folklore, along with its tough but engaging RPG elements.
ThePersonagames also fit the bill for those looking for RPGs with anime visuals; in fact, the spin-off series might be a slightly better fit than the mainShin Megami Tenseigames.
4Atelier Ryza
Atelier Ryzais a breath of fresh air, both for its mechanics and aesthetics.Atelier Ryzapairs a real-time strategy element with an alchemy crafting component. Alchemy, in particular, encourages players to gather resources and create useful items for the party to use in combat.
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Atelier Ryzaalso has quite an approachable premise. At its core, the games revolve around Ryza Stout’s desire to go on a grand adventure. Unfortunately for her, this dream involves saving the world. Interestingly, the game’s anime visuals blend a mix of medieval fantasy and pre-Industrial themes. As such, characters boast comfortable yet chic clothing as they roam around lively cities.
3Valkyria Chronicles
Unlike other anime RPGs that dwell mostly on fantasy,Valkyria Chroniclesoffers an alternate take on a world war. Set in 1935 E.C., the continent of Europa finds itself divided between two factions: the East Europan Imperial Alliance and the Atlantic Federation. A conflict between the two groups over a rare mineral called Ragnite leads to the Second Europan War.
TheValkyria Chroniclesgames either cover the primary conflict, its aftermath, or the smaller struggles of other nations. Befitting its military fiction theme,Valkyria Chroniclesis a tactical RPG that uses an action point system to allow players to position troops and do various actions.
2Disgaea
Tactical RPGs tend to be associated with intense and gripping narratives.Disgaeagoes down another route, presenting addictive tactical RPG gameplay alongside a compelling – yet hilarious – premise. Set in the Underworld, allDisgaeagames have protagonists that get dragged into a world-spanning conflict.
Typical of a tactical RPG,Disgaeaemploys turn-based combat, a comprehensive class system, and in-depth character growth. Unique to Disgaea, however, is its seemingly limitless Reincarnation system, ridiculous level caps, and over-the-top story. It also helps thatDisgaeaboasts an electrifyingly loud aesthetic that fits the franchise’s crazy narratives and over-the-top gameplay.
1Ni No Kuni
ForNi no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, Level-5 collaborated with Studio Ghibli for character designs and visuals. As a result, the RPG delivered a truly captivating visual experience, along with a gripping story befitting the Studio Ghibli aesthetic. While Studio Ghibli did not contribute directly toNi no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom, the sequel still retained the art style of its predecessor.
Boasting six games (including mobile releases),Ni no Kuniis set in different worlds and introduces a new cast of characters for the adventures; for example,Revenant Kingdomfollows King Evan Tildrum, a usurped king who wishes to reclaim his kingdom.
