13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim was arguably one of 2020's sleeper hits, drawing fan attention for its time travel themes, character-focused storytelling, and unique handling of its nonlinear narrative. The game, which combines visual novel-like storytelling segments with real-time strategy combat elements, chronicles the interlocking adventures of the titular 13 teenagers, who are forced to pilot giant robots to save their city from alien invaders. Players who finished 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and found themselves looking for a similar experience can try out these games, which also feature fleshed-out character interactions and non-standard storytelling methods.
Developed by Vanillaware and published by Atlus, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is set in a fictional area of Japan during a time period ranging from mid-World War II to the distant future. Hailing from across time, thirteen students each find themselves piloting one of the titular Sentinels to fight off the invading Deimos. Each of the thirteen characters has a personal story, with themes and genres ranging from hard sci-fi to whimsical mystery to romance. Combat segments involve a team of player-picked Sentinels utilizing their unique abilities to defend an area of the city against the Deimos. The game received praise for its nonlinear storytelling and character segments as well as its overarching mystery, but reception to the combat segments was more mixed. Ultimately, though, it is a strong game that could push players to seek out similar experiences, and thankfully there are some out there.
Zero Escape Series
Players who enjoyed the nonlinear narrative of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim should try out the Zero Escape series, a trilogy of games developed by Kotaro Uchikoshi. The story of each game, like that of 13 Sentinels, focuses on interacting with different characters in often out of order segments alternating between visual novel-like dialogue sequences and escape room-inspired puzzles. The series is complete at three games - 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, Virtue's Last Reward, and Zero Time Dilemma - and the first two games can be bought together as The Nonary Games.
Like 13 Sentinels, the Zero Escape games feature a central mystery that players have to piece together as they move through the story. In particular, the third game, Zero Time Dilemma, shares a major similarity with 13 Sentinels in that it does not reveal the story's true timeline until the very end. Even the most avid detectives will find themselves puzzled as they work their way through this trilogy of tricky mysteries.
Digimon Survive
Hyde, the developer of 2022 release Digimon Survive, actually cited 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim as a source of inspiration. Like 13 Sentinels, Digimon Survive requires players to alternate between visual novel-inspired storytelling segments and combat sections, although Survive's combat takes inspiration from tactical role-playing games rather than real-time strategy. It also features a stand-alone story, and does not require players to have experienced prior Digimon games in order to enjoy Survive.
Digimon Survive, similar to 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, features a compelling mystery at the center of its plot. A group of human students and their Digimon partners find themselves trapped in another world, and must uncover the secret of this strange world while also gathering supplies and fighting to survive. Along the way, players are able to bond with and raise Digimon from throughout the series' history, including the iconic Agumon, the powerful Beelzemon, and many more.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Shortly after 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim's release, critics were praising it as one of the most unique games from a major studio in years. Another game which received similar praise upon its initial release is Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, a collaboration between Atlus and Nintendo featuring elements of the Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei series. Although its combat is significantly different from 13 Sentinels, featuring human characters battling alongside summoned Fire Emblem characters called Mirages, Tokyo Mirage Sessions shares the former game's focus on character interaction and a modern, urban setting.
With more and more visual novels releasing for the Nintendo Switch and other consoles every year, players who enjoyed 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim will find many more similar games to enjoy. Hopefully, in the future more developers will take inspiration from 13 Sentinels' unique storytelling, blend of combat and character building segments, and experimental nonlinear narrative centered around a compelling mystery.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is currently available for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.