Final Fantasy 7 Remakestill has a long way to go before the original story is fully realized. Though it is only the first part in the much longer story still to come, many fans of the originalFinal Fantasy 7have praised it for its ability to keep everything from the combat and story feeling fresh. The remake still has a lot more story and the world of Gaia to show the player in the upcoming sequels, but so far it seems quite promising. The only downside for fans at the moment is the inevitable wait before they can get their hands onFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2as it will surely be some time before it releases.
Even though the remake has gotten a lot of praise, a good reason for that is the source material it is based on. The originalFinal Fantasy 7was critically acclaimed for its storyand gameplay, as well as the characters that were introduced. ThoughFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeplays quite differently than the original, there is no doubt that both have been received favorably by fans and critics. BothFinal Fantasy 7iterations offer their own unique blend of gameplay and storytelling, which can only be experienced for the first time once. For those who are waiting with bated breath forFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, here is a small list of other RPGs to give a try in the meantime.
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For Fans of Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Final Fantasy 7 Remakeboasts many necessary changesand tweaks from the original making it wholly a new experience. The change in combat from an Active Time Battle system much likeFinal Fantasy 6to a more action-oriented battle system was drastic for those used to the original, but it is done in a way that also incorporates the new Materia system flawlessly. The storytelling is more focused leaving the player less free to explore right away, but with such a large game it seemed almost necessary. These changes makeFinal Fantasy 7 Remakefeel truly different than the original but are welcome additions. As such, here is a list of RPGs that are similar toFinal Fantasy 7 Remake.
Dragon Quest 11- Since 1986 theDragon Questseries has been releasing quality titles in its series, and it hasn’t stopped.Dragon Quest 11is the last main entryin the series for now, withDragonQuest 12on the horizon. The sequel promises a darker tone with more meaningful choices, however,Dragon Quest 11sticks to its roots and does so without skipping a beat. It keeps what made the franchise unique with its quirky enemies and characters, all while emboldening the main character to set off on a long journey. Though the battle system is reminiscent of olderDragon QuestandFinal Fantasytitles, it still showcases proper depth as well as upwards of 100 hours or more of gameplay for completionists giving fans of this genre plenty to do.
Nier Automata-Nier Automatahas a more hack and slash focus for its combat, but it is indeed an RPG in true form. The player takes on the role of combat androids as they explore a desolate post-apocalyptic open-world that takes place in the year 11945AD.Nier Automata’sstorycenters around human-made androids and an invading space army of machine robots. This combination of fast-paced hack and slash elements mixed with character customization through installed Chips makes for a unique RPG experience. If the player falls in battle, they can go back and retrieve the items left on their corpse, or attempt to revive it as an ally, but failing to do so will turn the player’s old body into an enemy.
Xenoblade Chronicles- Xenoblade Chroniclesfeatures a real-time action-oriented battle system where the player can move around and strike freely, while their allies automatically attack enemies who get too close. The game features Arts as battle commands that the player can input, with Battle Arts functioning similarly to Arts, though with a cooldown. The world ofXenoblade Chroniclestakes place on the back of two colossal titans that the player can freely explore. This unique world setting along with its involved combat system and long gameplay makesXenoblade Chroniclesa good choice to invest a lot of time in,not to mention its sequel.
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Resonance of Fate- Resonance of Fateis considered an underappreciated game that isoverlooked by many fans of JRPGs.It uses a combination of real-time and turn-based controls within its combat system, mixing the ability to use guns and other firearms with a movement system. The combination of moves and actions set in combat by the player and their party members makes for a very unique combat system. Set in the distant future where pollution has nearly wiped out life on Earth, the player controls a group of 3 mercenaries who do odd jobs until a much larger threat takes center stage.
Kingdom Hearts 1and2- For RPG fans theKingdom Heartsfranchise probably needs no introduction, but for those looking for an easy-to-follow story with solid gameplay and a strong roster of characters, then look no further than the first two in the series. Though there have been numerous spinoffs, the original 2Kingdom Heartsgames could almost be considered a self-contained story in their own right. With an action-focused combat system very similar toFinal Fantasy 7 Remake,Kingdom Hearts 1and2boasts lengthy gameplaywith simple RPG mechanics. If players want to continue the daunting story of these games, they are free to attempt the laundry list ofKingdom Heartsspinoffs and their sequel.
For Fans of the original Final Fantasy 7
The originalFinal Fantasy 7was regarded as a masterpiecefor its story, gameplay, music, characters, and world-building.Final Fantasy 7was a lot of players' first time with a Japanese RPG and cemented their expectations for what a JRPG should be like. Though there are countless JRPGS of varying quality and gameplay features, it goes to show that the genre is stronger than it has ever been before. Though for those fans who are looking for a more refined and classic approach when it comes to getting their JRPG fix, this modest list might satiate that craving for more like the originalFinal Fantasy 7.
Final Fantasy 10 -Final Fantasy 10is the onlyFinal Fantasygame on this list, but much likeFinal Fantasy 7,it is beloved by many. Not only does it stay true to its JRPG roots, but it also nails every other aspect a fan would want when it comes to classic JRPG. The story inFinal Fantasy 10is simple at first and becomes deeper as the player progresses. The gameplay features a simplistic yet challenging at times turn-based combat system, with a large skill and ability grid for players to customize each of their characters however they see fit. The freedom of gameplay and customization together with thequality of voice acting and storytelling makeFinal Fantasy 10a must-play for fans ofFinal Fantasyand JRPGs in general.
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Breath of Fire 3- Breath of Fire 3is the third game in theBreath of Fireseriesdeveloped by Capcom and originally released for the PlayStation1 and rereleased on the PSP.Breath of Fire 3has the player playing as the last of the dragons known as the Brood in a journey from childhood to adulthood trying to find answers to their past. The world takes place in a mix of typical fantasy with sci-fi as there is ancient tech that is discovered and dug up. The battle system is similar toBreath of Fire 1and2where the player takes turns issuing commands with an auto-attack option.Breath of Fire 3has many unique features to help grow a character however the player sees fit, with a quirky story that ends up becoming much more somber as the game progresses.
Chrono Trigger-Chrono Triggeris usually somewhere on top of many fans' favorite RPG lists and it’s no surprise as the game is highly regarded as one of the best in the genre. For those who are fans of the originalFinal Fantasy 7and are looking for a unique story featuring time travel as the main plot element, then look no further. Much like the originalFinal Fantasy 7,Chrono Triggerfeatures an ATB system that forces a player to think on their feet. It also has a proximity element where if an enemy is out of range then certain attacks will simply be unusable.Chrono Triggerfeatures no random encounters, but instead, players can see and avoid enemies if they’re cunning enough not to get tricked into battle.
Radiant Historia-Radiant Historiamuch likeChrono Triggerheavily features time travelas its main plot thread, though there is a large emphasis on reexploring timelines in order to see multiple endings. Though the gameplay follows two strict timelines, the player can diverge into alternate paths to see different outcomes to the choices made. The player will acquire abilities from both timelines in order to progress further in each, while also avoiding a character who attempts to interfere in the player’s efforts. Also much likeChrono Trigger, the player can interact with the enemies in the overworld first, either to avoid them altogether or stun them to pass by.Radiant Historiawas originally on the Nintendo DS but a much more enhanced port was released with extra content on the Nintendo 3DS and is worth the pick up for fans of this genre.
Final Fantasy 7 Remakeis available now on PS4.
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