The 10 Best JRPGs Without Turn-Based Combat, Ranked

For decades, games similar to Final Fantasy have been a beloved category in video gaming. Although Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) are often linked with turn-based battles, there’s an expansive range of gameplay within this genre. Series such as Ys have provided real-time combat since their inception.

While not all gamers prefer games with turn-based combat, titles like “Visions of Mana” and “Tales of Arise” are excellent choices for those seeking more action-oriented experiences. In fact, the quicker gameplay can enhance the narrative for some players. If you’re tired of traditional turn-based battles, these action RPGs from the JRPG genre could be worth exploring.

This Mana Game Has a Simpler Real-Time Combat System

The Mana franchise kicked off as a spin-off from the Final Fantasy series in 1991, beginning with the game Final Fantasy Adventure. By 1993, it had established itself as an independent series by shedding the characteristics of Final Fantasy with the launch of Secrets of Mana. The most recent addition to this series is Visions of Mana, which was released in 2024.

This game incorporates a character classification system based on elements, along with real-time battle mechanics. Switching between elements alters the character’s class and abilities. Compared to other games in the same genre, the combat system is more streamlined, yet it provides an engaging option for those seeking something different from traditional turn-based fights.

This Ys Game Features Two Main Characters

Nordics” is the newest installment in the extended Ys role-playing game (RPG) series, which first debuted in 1987. The most recent addition to this series was launched in 2023. Unlike many games in its genre, “Ys X: Nordics” offers only two playable characters.

In this game, battles happen in real-time, focusing on employing individual or team tactics. Characters Adol and Karja each possess unique abilities for battle, but they also share duo skills that engage both characters simultaneously. A Mastery system is included, which boosts your skills’ effectiveness when consistently utilized during combat.

Players Have Many Combat Choices in Granblue Fantasy

Granblue Fantasy: Relink stands out due to its heavy emphasis on battle sequences. While it incorporates elements typical of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), such as a narrative adventure, character progression, and equipment customization, these aspects generally take second stage to the intense combat and repetitive gameplay post-completion of the main storyline.

In the game titled “Granblue Fantasy: Relink,” the combat experience is fluid and entertaining, making it a compelling reason to play. You can unlock a total of 15 characters, including 12 base ones and 3 downloadable content (DLC) characters. Each character possesses a unique weapon and gameplay style, enticing players to experiment with them all. The primary challenge lies in defeating particular bosses and creatures, offering an engaging grind for gamers.

It Expands on the Tales Franchise’s Linear Motion Battle System

As a diehard fan, I’ve been captivated by the enchanting world of the Tales JRPG series ever since its debut with “Tales of Phantasia” in 1995 on the Super Nintendo. It wasn’t until the release of “Tales of Symphonia” for the Nintendo GameCube that it truly gained traction in North America, interestingly enough, this game is set in the same universe as the first one. The latest addition to the series, “Tales of Arise”, has significantly refined the real-time battle system, known as LMBS or Linear Motion Battle System, enhancing my gaming experience.

In Tales of Arise, the action takes place in real time, with characters moving side to side in sequence. Most other games feature multiplayer modes where different players manage other combatants during fights. However, unlike many other titles, Tales of Arise is a single-player game due to its unique Boost Strike mechanism, which enables multiple characters to execute a synchronized attack simultaneously.

This Square Enix JRPG Has a Unique Setting, Story, and Combat System

The World Ends With You” is the 2021 follow-up to the original game released in 2007 called “The World Ends With You”. Both games are set in an unusual world, a parallel reality of the Shibuya district in Tokyo, Japan. In these games, characters take part in a competition known as the Reaper Games, where individuals who have recently passed away compete against each other to stay alive.

In NEO: The World Ends With You, I found the real-time combat to be exceptionally unique. Instead of using traditional controls, each party member is assigned to a specific button. At first, it’s manageable, but as the game progresses, there are up to 6 playable characters that need their own buttons. This results in a battle system that’s incredibly fast-paced and chaotic, yet offers a great deal of customization for an immersive gaming experience.

The Original Was a Highly Acclaimed JRPG

The Star Ocean series originated in 1996, with the most recent release, “Star Ocean: The Second Story R,” being a remake of the second installment. This game offers real-time battles and characters you can recruit, although these additions are optional. It’s important to note that only the main duo, Rena and Claude, are compulsory in the story.

In Star Ocean: The Second Story R, battles unfold swiftly, enabling players to respond to and halt specific enemy assaults. A Break feature is integrated, permitting players to shatter opponents’ defenses for increased damage in subsequent strikes. Additionally, an Assault function lets you call upon teammates who aren’t actively fighting to unleash a potent group attack. The intricate blend of these systems and intense combat earns this JRPG a place among the best, deserving recognition in the top 5 list.

It’s Fun Trying Out Different Combinations in This Xenoblade Game

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 represents the most recent installment in the series, following the debut of Xenogears back in 1998. In this third game, a unique aspect is introduced: the ability to swap and command any character within the game, marking the first time such an option has been available in the series. Additionally, it boasts an intricate class system, enabling players to unlock multiple classes and switch between them for each party member at will.

As a devoted fan, I’ve discovered that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers a diverse array of roles for its classes: Attacker, Defender, or Healer. Each one is distinct, with certain characters excelling in specific class types, and they all level up independently. The combat system is dynamic, providing ample opportunities to strategize by leveraging skill synergies between the classes and characters. It’s a mostly real-time experience where players can roam freely and pick skills at their leisure. However, while waiting for abilities to recharge, characters will automatically attack.

The Weird Mash-Up in the Kingdom Hearts Games Really Worls

The combination of Disney and Final Fantasy characters gives the Kingdom Hearts series an absolutely one-of-a-kind flavor. This series follows Sora, a character who wields a powerful magical artifact called the Keyblade, as he journeys through diverse Disney realms to close Keyholes. Despite its unusual premise, it’s remarkably engaging, and the Disney settings always seem perfectly fitting within the storyline.

In simple terms, Kingdom Hearts III concludes the initial trilogy and offers some of the quickest battles in the game series. The player primarily controls Sora, who boasts an extensive repertoire of skills and spells to maintain combat diversity and excitement. Donald and Goofy make a return as sidekicks, both equipped with customizable gear and abilities. So, if you’ve been waiting for the ideal moment, this could be your chance to delve into this fascinating title!

Fans of the Original FFVII Will Have Plenty to Do

As a devoted fan, I’ve been captivated by the universe of this iconic role-playing game since its debut in 1987. Over the years, we’ve seen numerous main installments and offshoots, with the seventh one being particularly beloved by fans worldwide. Spinoffs like “Crisis Core” and remakes of the original have added layers to the game’s richness. Now, I’m thrilled about the upcoming releases in the planned remake trilogy, starting with “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth”.

The fundamental plot remains consistent with some tweaks, yet the setting and combat mechanics have been significantly enhanced. Unlike its predecessor which employed traditional turn-based combat, the FFVII remakes feature a dynamic real-time battle system. Engaging in combat involves a team of three characters, with the player allowed to switch between them at will during battles. Additionally, there are Synergy abilities that enable simultaneous attacks from two characters. The variety of these combinations and moves changes according to the party composition, ensuring each battle offers a unique experience for players.

The Second Nier Game Has Multiple Gameplay Mechanics and Styles

NieR: Automata boasts an engaging and moving narrative, a variety of characters, weapons, and skill sets for progression, and top-notch combat. It’s intriguing that this game is a sequel to NieR, which is itself a spinoff from the Drakengard series. What makes NieR: Automata stand out is its multiple endings and the fact that it encourages multiple playthroughs.

To fully immerse oneself in the game’s narrative, players must progressively play through NieR: Automata as characters 2B, 9S, and A2. The primary gameplay involves dynamic real-time hack-and-slash battles, yet it seamlessly blends elements from various genres such as text-based adventures and retro arcade shooters. This fusion of storyline, characters, environment, and combat mechanics catapults NieR: Automata to the pinnacle of exceptional JRPGs that eschew the conventional turn-based combat system.

2025-07-07 01:38