The Xenoblade Chronicles series has become one of Nintendo's tent pole franchises, serving as a top-tier JRPG series to stand alongside other longtime greats like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Monolithsoft's latest release in the franchise, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, has come out to major critical acclaim, with some calling it the best one yet and one of the greatest games on the Nintendo Switch.
If you've dived into Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and are hungry for more, you'll be pleased to know there are numerous other games like it. Whether you're into Xenoblade for the characters or combat, there is another game out there for you.
10 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
When a game gets as much buzz as Xenoblade Chronicles 3, then there are bound to be people excited enough to pick it up on praise alone. If you find yourself in that game, then an easy recommendation is to play Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition as well.
This is a remaster of the original Wii game with updated textures, character models, gameplay mechanics, and a soundtrack. Years after its initial release, this game is still one of the best JRPGs of all time. It has a sense of scale unseen in its contemporaries, features an engrossing story from start to finish, and perhaps the best title screen in history.
9 Dragon Quest XI S
Dragon Quest XI has had a long history of re-releases on several consoles, and it's easy to see why. This game takes the classic turn-based RPG structure and refines it to a brilliant shine. Like Xenoblade Chronicles 3, it features a long story where you get to adventure with an enthralling cast of characters.
Dragon Quest XI S also includes several quality-of-life additions and extra content that will keep you busy for dozens of hours, likely past the 100-hour mark.
8 Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is still a niche game from a niche franchise. It doesn't have the pedigree or mainstream appeal of something like Final Fantasy. That said, neither did Xenoblade Chronicles when it came out.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch puts you in the role of a little boy making his way through a fantasy world, capturing monsters to use at his side. While the setup is similar to a Pokemon game, the gameplay is closer to the Xenoblade series, featuring an active battle system where you can swap characters on the fly.
7 Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
In many ways, Final Fantasy XII can be seen as the precursor to the original Xenoblade Chronicles. Featuring a radical shift for the mainline Final Fantasy series, the 12th entry restructured the gameplay to feel more like a single-player MMO rather than a turn-based RPG.
The game offers an unparalleled level of customization with the Zodiac and gambit systems, allowing you to fully tweak every aspect of your party members, including their AI. It also has many of the elements that would become staples of the Xenoblade Chronicles series, like auto-attacking and bolstering abilities and equipment.
6 Xenosaga
While Xenoblade Chronicles became Monolithsoft's claim to fame, it wasn't the first JRPG series that the company developed. Back on the PS2, they released a trilogy of games called Xenosaga. These games were before they formed a partnership with Nintendo and laid the groundwork for their future games to come.
Nowadays, there is no modern release of Xenosaga, but they're still worth revisiting to see the history of the developers. If you have a PS2 lying around and want to bolster its library, then these games should be on your radar.
5 Trials Of Mana
Seiken Densetsu 3 was the follow-up to Secret of Mana that many fans wanted. However, with it being only released in Japan, it was hard for Western players to get the chance to experience it. Thankfully, Square Enix saw a prime opportunity to remake it in the form of Trials of Mana.
This remake completely overhauls the game in a 3D action style. While fans of the original may not like the art style, those coming off of other RPGs will find much to enjoy here. There are a lot of options when it comes to combat, party members, and more.
4 Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
The Ys series is a niche RPG franchise that hasn't found a massive following. However, Falcom's flagship series continues to this day and has amassed a big following in its own right.
If you're looking for another RPG experience after you roll the credits of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, look no further than Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. The latest game in the series, it features all the modern enhancements while keeping an in-depth narrative. Ys IX also adds innovative movement for the series, making it one of the more dynamic RPGs of its time.
3 Eternal Sonata
Eternal Sonata has a lot of similarities to Xenoblade Chronicles. It had a rumored release for the PS3 for quite some time after its debut on the Xbox 360. After some back and forth with Bandai Namco, it eventually saw its way to Sony's first HD console.
The game is more turn-based than Xenoblade Chronicles 3, but it does include a tactical time system that incorporates elements of an action game. Bandai Namco does an excellent job with smaller-scale RPGs and Eternal Sonata is no exception.
2 Final Fantasy VII Remake
Final Fantasy VII is one of the biggest games in history, so it only makes sense that Square Enix would put their best efforts into its remake. Final Fantasy VII Remake ditches the turn-based system of the classic release in favor of a more dynamic and action-focused system.
Once your gauge fills up, you can use abilities, spells, or items to turn the tide of the fight. It's fast-paced, crunchy, and features impressive, orchestral remixes of some of the most iconic songs in gaming.
1 Tales Of Arise
The Tales of series is another franchise that Bandai Namco hasn't launched into the mainstream, but it has enough of a following to keep it trucking along. The latest release, Tales of Arise, is not only the most graphically impressive to date, but features a lot of exploration and dynamic combat to keep you busy for dozens of hours.
The game is also packed to the brim with a long story that you can dive into, similar to the Xenoblade series. If you're looking for another massive RPG to get lost in, Tales of Arise is a great choice.