Action RPGs Worth Playing Just For Their Stories

Action RPGs Worth Playing Just For Their Stories

Highlights

  • While Final Fantasy 15 offers thrilling combat, some players prefer narrative-driven games like .hack//Infection for a deeper story experience.
  • Dark Cloud 2’s time-traveling adventure and unique storytelling elements make for a compelling RPG experience beyond just combat gameplay.
  • Fans of Final Fantasy 7 Remake appreciate the retelling of events using the multiverse concept, providing new insights into characters and a fresh take on the original story.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that this list is a veritable treasure trove of gaming delights! Each game offers a unique storyline and immersive gameplay that caters to different tastes.


As a passionate gamer, I’ve noticed that action RPGs like Final Fantasy 15 can captivate us for different reasons. For me, it was the exhilarating gameplay that drew me in – the ability to zip around areas using the protagonist’s arsenal of weapons in combat was a thrill. However, some aspects of the storyline didn’t resonate with me as deeply as I had hoped. Nevertheless, Final Fantasy 15 remains a remarkable game, striking a chord through its engaging combat mechanics.

One of the standout action gameplay systems in the Final Fantasy series is what you’ll find here. However, not all gamers crave thrilling gameplay. Some might just be interested in an action RPG for its captivating story and breeze through battles as if they were mere chores to reach the next scene. If this sounds like your playstyle, then you should explore these games that emphasize their narrative. Who knows? You might even find yourself getting engrossed in the combat as well.

8 .hack//Infection

A Four-Part MMO Mystery

Action RPGs Worth Playing Just For Their Stories

“.hack//Infection” marks the commencement of a four-part series on the PlayStation 2, eventually expanding into a quadrilogy. The narrative and character designs exhibit strong anime influences. In the multiplayer online game known as “The World,” our protagonist Kite experiences the tragic loss of his friend Orca. Kite also obtains a mystical bracelet, capable of shielding him from a digital virus that is erasing players in the game and causing them to fall into comas in reality. The intriguing mystery unfolds in “.hack//Infection,” propelled by mounting tension and the support of Kite’s companions.

7 Dark Cloud 2

Time Traveling To Fix The World

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: In contrast to its predecessor, Dark Cloud 2 offers a fresh narrative, but retains familiar gameplay mechanics. This time, I find myself as Max, an inventor who stumbles upon an unexpected time-traveling escapade when I cross paths with Monica, a princess hailing from the future. She’s on a mission to prevent someone from altering history’s course. Each timeline and locale we visit has been wiped clean, but delving into nearby dungeons can restore these areas to their pristine states. The chemistry between Max and Monica is palpable, and each location feels like its own self-contained adventure, much like episodes in a serialized TV show that keeps you hooked with its weekly monster mysteries.

6 Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Going Back To The Past To Create A Multiverse

The first installment, “Final Fantasy 7 Remake,” is actually just one piece of a planned trilogy that reimagines the PlayStation 1 classic. Interestingly, this game doesn’t follow the traditional remake approach, instead opting to recount the story using the concept of multiple realities or universes. Throughout the game, Cloud and his companions encounter ethereal beings known as Whispers who aim to keep them on track with the original narrative, but things frequently deviate from plan.

It was a bold move for Square Enix but fans generally were into it. It was another reason to check the remake out without it being a rehash. It delved deeper into the characters too, offering new and more insightful interpretations.

5 Kingdom Hearts

Disney And Final Fantasy Team Up To Stop The Darkness

Even after two decades, the collaboration between Disney and Square Enix in creating Kingdom Hearts continues to astonish. Initially, it seemed like a jest, yet it has blossomed into a significant franchise for both parties. A novel character named Sora found himself in a strange realm where he encountered Donald and Goofy, who were on a mission to find their monarch, Mickey Mouse. Equipped with the Keyblade, a powerful magical artifact, the trio journeyed through various Disney worlds, from Aladdin’s to The Little Mermaid’s, in an attempt to halt an encroaching darkness from devastating these realms. Simultaneously, they kept watch for King Mickey, as well as Sora’s companions Kairi and Riku. Although the storyline became more intricate over time, Kingdom Hearts remains a compelling standalone tale.

4 NieR: Automata

Robots Come Back To Earth To Reclaim It For Humans

NieR: Automata unfolds in a future where humankind exists mostly as instinctual beings, with their remaining numbers living in space. A governing council dispatches robots to Earth, tasked with exploring and potentially reclaiming it. The story revolves around 9S and 2B, the latest models sent for investigation. Initially, 2B takes center stage, but subsequent campaigns offer players a chance to experience the game from different perspectives. Known for its immersive gameplay that can be quite time-consuming, NieR: Automata draws players in with its intriguing mystery, which becomes more captivating as they progress. The climax offers a surprising twist.

3 Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

The President Gets Transported To A Magical World

In Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom, one of the most daring and surprising openings for an RPG unfolds. Suddenly, President of the United States, named Roland, finds himself in a realm inhabited by creatures such as monsters, cats, and rats who are anthropomorphic. This unusual turn of events occurs after a blast near him in the city, causing him to lose consciousness.

Roland forms a friendship with the young prince, Evan, and aids him in restoring his kingdom that was overtaken by an invasion. Essentially, this is a partnership between two leaders working toward a common goal, and it presents intriguing themes related to multiple dimensions or realities.

2 Scarlet Nexus

Two Protagonists, Two Campaigns, And One Shared Fate

Scarlet Nexus represents another exciting action RPG where players get a comprehensive experience by assuming the roles of both Yuito and Kasane. The game is set in a future where society has crumbled, leaving only one city standing. In this setting, soldiers venture into the field to combat monsters, save people, and collect resources. Each character, Yuito and Kasane, leads their own team, with one pursuing the other in different campaigns due to a perceived scandal. The game is teeming with ferocious creatures and unexpected twists that will captivate anime enthusiasts.

1 Yakuza 0

How Kazuma Got His Groove

Yakuza 0 marks the debut of the protagonist Kazuma within the Yakuza series, set in the 1980s when the influence and wealth of the Japanese Yakuza were at their peak. In an era of economic prosperity, Kazuma aims to establish himself within the organization, but is denied his victory due to a hidden act of betrayal. Despite its dramatic nature, which is characteristic of this series, it is remarkably engaging, owing to Kazuma’s badass persona even as a young delinquent. The game also has a humorous side with numerous side activities, making it an ideal starting point for players.

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2024-08-22 04:33