'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMNlxX//xAAfEAACAgEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEEQAFBiIjQaH/2gAIAQEAAT8A27kvHEpUYruyeeuhzNFFF3f0WBHYasWqck8jpA6qzEgYQY+a/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABH/2gAIAQIBAT8Aj//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEA/9oACAEDAQE/AFv/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The year 2025 is set to be stellar for action JRPGs, with a mix of reboots, sequels, and fresh entries hitting the scene. The genre has never been better, offering a mix of real-time combat, epic stories, and worlds that suck you in. From fresh titles to some timeless classics, these games are bound to make your JRPG year unforgettable.
We list the seven best action JRPGs you should try out in 2025.
Note: The article is subjective and reflects the writer's views. The entries are in no particular order.
Looking for Crossword hints & solutions? Check out latest NYT Mini Crossword Answers, LA Times Crossword Answers, and USA Today Crossword Answers
Metaphor: ReFantazio and 6 best Action JRPGs you should try out in 2025
1) Metaphor: ReFantazio
Kicking things off is the 2024 RPG winner at TGA, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Developed by Studio Zero and published by Atlus, this game merges traditional turn-based mechanics with real-time action combat. Set in the land of Euchronia, players step into the shoes of Will, an orphaned boy from the magical Elda tribe.
Trending
The twist? Players also engage in social simulation elements, a hallmark of the Persona series. As you journey through the game's regions, you’ll forge relationships to gain public favor in a Royal Tournament that will decide the next King. With over one million copies sold on release day, it’s clear that Metaphor is a hit for both its combat system and emotional depth in action JRPGs.
2) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Another TGA 2024 winner for best score and music, this sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake brings players back into the epic journey of Cloud Strife and the rest of the Avalanche crew. Released in 2024 for PS5, this action-packed RPG focuses on stopping Shinra’s exploitation of the planet’s Lifestream.
Players will continue their fight against Sephiroth, one of the hardest video game bosses, experiencing enhanced real-time combat with a mix of strategy and seamless action. This installment in action JRPGs was the highest-selling new release in Japan, with over 260,000 units sold in it's first week.
3) Fate/Samurai Remnant
If you love action JRPGs with a historical twist, Fate/Samurai Remnant is an intriguing option. Released in 2023, this game takes players through an open-world Edo-era Japan, where they embody Miyamoto Iori in a hack-and-slash action RPG.
The combat system is fast and fluid and quite similar to musou gameplay like the upcoming Dynasty Warriors Origins, with dodging and exploiting enemy weaknesses playing a critical role. If you’re a fan of the Japanese visual novel series Fate, this game will feel right at home, blending historical fiction with the magical and supernatural elements the franchise is known for.
4) Granblue Fantasy Relink
Composed by Tsutomu Narita and featuring art design by the legendary Hideo Minaba, Relink offers an action-packed experience. As part of the Granblue Fantasy franchise, this game follows the Captain and their crew, including iconic characters like Lyria and Vyrn, on their quest to find the mythical Astral Realm of Estalucia.
The battles are fluid, fast-paced, and involve strategic team play, making it a must-try for fans of action JRPGs. Plus, with a sales hit of one million within 11 days of launch, this title is one you don’t want to miss.
5) Nier: Automata
Even years after its 2017 launch, Nier: Automata remains one of the most innovative action JRPGs ever made. Players follow android 2B and her team as they battle alien-made machines in a story that requires multiple playthroughs to fully uncover. The blend of hack-and-slash combat, shoot 'em up mechanics, and rich narrative makes it stand out.
Designed by Akihiko Yoshida (of Final Fantasy fame), the characters are visually striking. With its award-winning soundtrack, which earned Best Score/Music at TGA 2017, Nier: Automata has sold over 9 million copies by 2024, cementing its place as a top-tier game.
6) Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Monolith Soft's Xenoblade Chronicles series has long been a favorite for action JRPG lovers, and this third installment continues the trend. Set in the war-torn world of Aionios, you follow Noah and his friends, who discover they have the power to fuse together as Ouroboros, leading to epic battles.
The soundtrack, composed by Chrono Trigger's Yasunori Mitsuda and others, adds emotional weight to the experience. With over 1.86 million copies sold and the Future Redeemed DLC expansion, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers a rich story and immersive gameplay that will keep you hooked until the very end.
7) Persona 5 Strikers
Persona 5 Strikers is the perfect blend of musou-style combat and the iconic Persona universe. A crossover with Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors franchise, this action-packed RPG continues the story of the Phantom Thieves six months after the events of Persona 5.
Developed by Omega Force and P-Studio, the game features the iconic characters as they embark on new adventures across Japan, solving mysteries and uncovering a deeper conspiracy. Having sold over 2 million copies, Persona 5 Strikers is definitely a must-try for action JRPGs fans of the series.
Also check out: 5 best action games that mix guns with melee combat
These JRPGs make 2025 a great year for indulging in the genre.
Are you stuck on today's Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.
