JRPGs On Steam With The Best Combat Systems

PC gaming is a booming scene that has shown no signs of quietening down anytime soon, and it’s easy to see why this is the case. From the powerful nature of these machines to the inherent preference that most people have towards gaming on a platform they’re more comfortable with, most console-only franchises that had remained on exclusive platforms for the longest time are quickly realizing just how valuable the PC is as a platform.

The JRPG genre has also seen a ton of representation on this platform, with the ever-popular Steam hosting a bunch of games from this genre that have been quite notably excellent in their own right, especially when it comes to flaunting some truly amazing turn-based and real-time battling systems. Suffice it to say, the best JRPGs on Steam are the ones with amazing combat across the board.

Updated January 2, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat: Every year, many JRPG titles hit Steam from big little studios located in Japan, but it is safe to say that we always have at least a few of them stand out and become an icon of the year, be it from a well-known series like Final Fantasy, or a brand-new IP like Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Steam is home to a lot of JRPGs, and for newcomers to this genre, the long list of games on the market could be overwhelming and confusing. The truth is that JRPGs worth playing are numerous, but everyone has a deciding factor. So, what if the deciding factor is the combat system?

33

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Excellent Combat With Shades Of Monster Hunter Thrown Into The Mix

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Released

February 1, 2024

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Developer(s)

Cygames

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Granblue Fantasy

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

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Featuring a wealth of interesting characters with diverse movesets and great combat that’s a blast to get into, it’s easy to see why Granblue Fantasy: Relink is so hard to put down. The sheer amount of variety in the combat alone makes it clear why PC players looking for a JRPG with strong gameplay mechanics should give this title a shot.

The boss fights are especially noteworthy and have clearly taken a page out of Monster Hunter‘s combat mechanics. Players must fight through these epic encounters using all the tools in their arsenal to destroy enemies who are kicking up too much of a fuss, showing them who’s boss with a repertoire of visually dazzling moves that look like they hurt…and they certainly do!

32

Tokyo Xanadu eX+

An Action-Packed Real-Time Combat System

Tokyo Xanadu eX+ takes place in a fictional version of Tokyo, where high school student Kou Tokisaka discovers a mysterious dimension called the Eclipse. The combat system in Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is real-time and action-oriented, with players controlling one character and issuing commands to their party members.

Players can attack, use skills, and dodge in battles, with the ability to combo attacks for more damage. Along with this, players can activate their X-Drive at regular intervals to become even stronger!

31

Bravely Default 2

A Classic Take On The Beloved Job System

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Bravely Default 2

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Released

February 26, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

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Bravely Default is a great JRPG series that harkens back to the old-school nature of the genre without sacrificing any modern innovations. The result is a JRPG that is wonderfully unique and engaging despite its misleading title.

Bravely Default 2‘s release on Steam was a source of great joy for many fans. This game improved on its predecessor in every way and boasts a wonderful combat system that is easy to get into and slowly lets players master its many complexities.

30

Resonance Of Fate

Makes Gunplay And Turn-Based Combat More Cinematic Than Ever Before

Resonance of Fate is one of the most underrated JRPGs on this list, and it’s a shame that more people don’t know about this great game. While the aesthetics of the game might seem a bit wearisome, the game’s amazing combat system and the off-beat story will keep players hooked.

Resonance of Fate‘s combat system is pretty hard, and players need to be quite smart with their strategies. The tougher battles in this game can be absolutely brutal if the player hasn’t mastered the combat system and understood its nuances.

29

Scarlet Nexus

Fun Real-Time Combat That Rewards Skill

Scarlet Nexus‘ unique dual campaign and dark setting would draw many people into playing this title. However, it’s the action-packed combat system that will keep them hooked to the very end.

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Using ally abilities and unleashing damaging combos is important to win some of the tougher battles in this game. Once players get into the meat of this game, they’ll have a hard time dropping Scarlet Nexus.

28

The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky

Simple Combat With Fun Mechanics To Enhance One’s Effectiveness In Battles

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Released

June 24, 2004

Developer(s)

Nihon Falcom

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Franchise

Trails

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OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

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The Legend of Heroes series can seem rather cliched at first glance, and it is to an extent. However, underneath a seemingly unimpressive exterior are some deep and engaging games with amazing characters and a tactical combat system.

Trails in the Sky is a fan-favorite courtesy of a riveting story and engaging combat. The battle system isn’t too complex and lets players enjoy a brilliant experience that never lets up from start to end.

27

I Am Setsuna

A Loving Homage To Chrono Trigger With A Similar Combat System To Boot

I am Setsuna channels the brilliance of Chrono Trigger in its design, so it’s easy to see why the combat would be great. Just like Chrono Trigger, battles happen on the overworld and the player has access to several combination attacks based on the number of people in the party.

It helps that the story of I am Setsuna is also pretty great, even though it might tread a lot of the same ground as Final Fantasy 10. Regardless, the snowy landscapes and fun characters make this game an absolute treat indeed.

26

Tales Of Symphonia

Features The Patented Real-Time Combat Present In Most Tales Games

Tales of Symphonia is a classic JRPG that follows the journey of Lloyd Irving and his friends as they attempt to save the world of Sylvarant. The combat system in Tales of Symphonia is real-time and action-oriented, with players controlling one of four party members and issuing commands to their AI-controlled companions.

Players need to use EX Gems to set their skills and be more effective against tough enemies. The game also features a unique Unison Gauge mechanic, which allows players to perform a powerful attack with their entire party when the bar is full.

25

Persona 5 Strikers

Combines The Aesthetics Of Persona 5 With Musou Combat

The shift to a hybrid real-time action game was something that many fans were skeptical about when it came to Persona 5. However, for what it’s worth, Persona 5 Strikers is a brilliant addition to the series that does a great job of changing up its gameplay!

The musou gameplay coupled with the casting of spells and like makes combat a blast in this game. While Persona 5 itself hasn’t come on PC yet, Strikers is a wonderful title that expands on the story of this amazing title while having some great original inclusions of its own!

24

The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel

Classic JRPG Combat Exectuted To A T

The Legend of Heroes is easily one of the most underrated franchises of all time. Out of all the games released in this series, the latest arc deserves praise for being the most technically advanced of the lot.

All the games in Trails of Cold Steel are worthy of praise, although the last two games are particularly notable for featuring several notable improvements in the combat system. All in all, the Trails of Cold Steel arc is a great series of JRPGs to try out for any player who wishes to enjoy a deep JRPG with excellent worldbuilding and enjoyable combat.

23

Final Fantasy 15 Windows Edition

Cinematic Combat That Feels Like A Power Fantasy Done Right

Final Fantasy 15 featured one of the longest development cycles for any Final Fantasy title. Given the troubled nature of this title’s development, it’s surprising to see just how competent the game’s combat system is.

While most people might argue that Final Fantasy 15‘s combat is rather easy to get through, there’s no denying that the fights in this game are quite entertaining to play through. There was a lot of work put into the combat system, and it shows whenever the player manages to pull off amazing link combos or warp strikes.

22

Persona 3 Portable

The Classic Persona Combat Still Holds Up

Persona 3 Portable is a tweaked version of the original game that was released on PC and consoles. It follows the story of a high school student who discovers the ability to summon Personas, leading to them joining the fight to save the world from the looming threat of the Dark Hour.

The combat system in Persona 3 Portable is turn-based and allows players to either directly issue commands for each party member or automate their movements. Exploiting enemy weaknesses and keeping the party healthy at all times is critical to make every expedition into Tartarus a successful one.

21

Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Perfects The Combat System From The First Game

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was certainly an interesting title with a bunch of unique and quirky facets but there was one aspect of the game that was almost universally reviled — the combat system.

Thankfully, the second game in the series ends up learning from its mistakes and ends up developing a new combat system that is genuinely a blast to play through. While other facets of Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom might not compare well to its predecessor, the battling is easily a major positive to take away from the overall experience.

20

Tales Of Berseria

A Dark, Mature Title With A Cathartic Combat System

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Released

January 24, 2017

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Strong

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Tales of Berseria is the latest game in the highly underrated Tales of series, featuring a haunting revenge plot that is easily one of the strongest parts of the overall experience.

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However, the combat doesn’t slouch in this regard either — controlling Velvet and the other members of Magilou’s Menagerie by using the unique Liberation Linear Motion Battle System is a blast every time.

19

Final Fantasy 8 Remastered

Breaking The Combat System With Junctions Is Quite Satisfying

As a remaster, Final Fantasy 8 doesn’t accomplish all that much when it comes to improving the visuals of the game aside from a few updated character models. The backgrounds of the game look even blurrier than the original version, which is downright shameful.

However, it’s a great thing that the combat system of the game has been left virtually untouched. While it might sound like a drag to draw 100 stocks of each element to max out everyone’s stats, the introduction of speedups and workarounds has made this task infinitely easier. This ultimately allows players to make the most of Final Fantasy 8‘s combat and junction systems without having to grind too much.

18

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin

Combines The World Of Monster Hunter With Monster-Catching Turn-Based Combat

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Released

July 9, 2021

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OpenCritic Rating

Strong

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The idea of a JRPG spinoff of the Monster Hunter series is a notion that most people might not have paid too much attention to. This, coupled with the rather muted release of the first Monster Hunter Stories, meant that most people didn’t realize just how much potential this series had.

However, with the comparatively high-profile release of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, players finally realized just how great this idea was. The sheer number of options in combat coupled with an excellent presentation has made Monster Hunter Stories 2 one of the best Steam JRPGs.

17

Octopath Traveler

A Modern Take On Turn-Based Combat That’s As Enthralling As It Gets

Octopath Traveler‘s reveal easily made it one of the most hotly-anticipated releases at the time, but people were saddened to know that the game would be inaccessible for anyone who didn’t own a Nintendo Switch. So, when the game was slated for a PC release as well, fans were extremely jubilant indeed.

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Upon its release on PC, fans were treated to one of the greatest modern JRPG experiences in quite some time. Octopath Traveler might not have trodden any new ground — with its draw of controlling eight characters through their journeys falling flat from the get-go — but there’s no denying the fact that the combat system is fun, exciting, and challenging enough to make up for these shortcomings.

16

Chained Echoes

Pays Respect To Chrono Trigger While Adding Some Innovations Of Its Own

Chained Echoes is a modern JRPG that has become a sleeper hit because of how it elicits the magic of its obvious inspiration, Chrono Trigger. The game prioritizes getting the best gear for every section so that players can deal with the challenging combat system.

The Overdrive meter in the game makes for a distinct balancing act, encouraging players to make combat more diverse to prevent this gauge from ‘leaking’. The unique changes it integrates into the usual JRPG structure make it a treat to play through.

15

Tales Of Arise

The Latest Tales Game With The Most Updated Version Of This Series’ Real-Time Combat

The latest game in the Tales series marks a huge step forward for one of gaming’s more underrated JRPG franchises. Tales of Arise features a riveting story, amazing graphics, and a fun combat system that makes the most of its real-time roots.

Combat isn’t as button-mashy as most people would assume, with some battles demanding the player’s attention and making it downright necessary to employ certain strategies. The DLC for this game may have been a letdown, but that shouldn’t take away anything from the triumphs of the base game.

14

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion

Updates The Combat Of Crisis Core To Make It More Enjoyable To Play

Crisis Core is regarded by many as one of the greatest Final Fantasy spinoff titles ever made. So, when players found out that this game would enjoy a remake that modernizes the combat system and makes it more enthralling to play through, it’s only a given that fans were excited.

Suffice it to say, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion didn’t disappoint. Zack’s story is a tale rife with emotional highs and lows that features engaging real-time combat that feels tactical and cathartic at the same time.