Highlights

• RPGs offer unique combat systems that combine strategy, timing, and skill appealing to all gamers.
• From turn-based classics like Dragon Quest to real-time favorites like Ys, RPGs continue to innovate.
• Games like Elden Ring evolve combat systems, offering diverse playstyles in challenging and rewarding experiences.

There was a time when the roleplaying genre never used to reach the same heights as pure action games in their combat systems. However, RPGs can offer unique takes on these systems that pure fighting or shooting games cannot. More recently, the genre has incorporated combat systems that often find ways to integrate the need for number-crunching and a hybrid fighting system that is appealing to all gamers.

Japanese developers appear to be looking at Western action RPGs like The Witcher 3, with even the Final Fantasy series leaning toward the action genre. At the same time, Western RPGs are streamlining their once complicated leveling systems for something more straightforward like those seen in JRPGs. Whether fans want a superb action-based fighting system or something tactical and turn-based, this list has some of the best.

Updated April 10, 2024 by Michael Llewellyn: Japanese and Western RPGs offer unique experiences in their combat systems. Whether they are utilizing turn-based or real-time fighting systems, the games have an element of strategy and planning that separates the genre from arcade and action games. This list has been updated to include more games with excellent fighting systems and the specs for each title.

26 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

A Classic Turn-Based System Modernized For New Players

Next to Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest is the most well-established Japanese RPG series in the world. However, instead of reinventing the combat system with every new entry, Dragon Quest sticks to the classic turn-based formula with a few modifications to make the experience more cinematic and appealing to modern audiences.

Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age is traditional but makes the system fun and accessible to modern gamers accustomed to the action genre. The characters can move within the battle space to recover and gain a strategic advantage. It's a stunning game with a beautiful fighting system that opens up as the story progresses.

25 Ys 8 & Ys 9

A Combat System That Stands The Test Of Time Across Several Generations

This entry bundles Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana and Ys 9: Monstrum Nox because both titles feature similar combat. However, both RPGs feature some of the best and fastest real-time combat systems in RPGs. It is fast-paced, responsive, arcade-like, and accessible, especially on the PS5, running at a smooth 60 FPS.

The long-running Ys series has always made it easy for players to pick and play, but the challenge is there with the increased difficulties. Both titles are worth exploring for fans of the RPG genre. Ys 8 has an intriguing and explorable island with a story that develops over time, and Ys 9 is slightly darker with more focus on character development.

24 Nier: Automata

A Brilliant Combat System That Merges Multiple Genres

Nier: Automata is a sequel to Nier Replicant - the remastered Nier (2010) - it has some of the best real-time combat in a JRPG. It is developed by PlatinumGames and merges genres in exciting ways where the protagonist engages in swordplay, battles with giant mechs, top-down shooting, and platforming.

In addition to having slick combat, Nier: Automata has an in-depth story that questions what it means to be human, morality, and much more. It has multiple endings, and the character development of 2B and 9S as androids with human emotions call upon questions raised in the icon Blade Runner movies.

23 Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

A Stunningly Fast Fighting System Where Timing And Speed Is Paramount

Team Ninja's Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an action RPG similar to the Nioh and Sekiro. Fans of the swordplay focus on deflections and counters in Sekiro will love the combat in Wo Long. It is a faster and more fluid RPG than most Souls-likes and will challenge the most seasoned veterans of the genre.

The first boss battle against the General will test the patience of most players, but it allows Wo Long players to become accustomed to the fighting system. The fights become more challenging, but it's rewarding when players get skilled enough to defeat multiple enemies and bosses with deflections and counters.

22 Elden Ring

An Epic Evolution Of The Souls Series Combat System

Elden Ring is the latest game coming out of FromSoft's Soulsborne franchise. It is arguably the best and most ambitious game the studio has created and features a ton of playstyles to choose from. The combat is an evolution of everything the studio has worked on, with only Sekiro having better-dedicated swordplay mechanics.

The tough but fair philosophy is present in every fight, forcing players to learn the patterns and animations of enemies. There is a fun PVP, but it can feel unbalanced in favor of magic users. Ultimately, Elden Ring is at its best when playing the single-player mode because the scope and scale offer so much flexibility in the fighting systems.

21 Tales Of Arise

A Stunning Combat System With Special Team-Based Attacks

The Tales series has always stood out because of its character development and combat systems. Tales of Arise is no exception and has one of the best and most visually impressive combat systems. Tales of Arise has the most cinematic combat system in the series, making players feel like they are in the middle of an anime fight scene.

The combat is challenging but easy to pick and learn with team abilities and characters that feel different and unique in battle. There are lots of monsters and engaging enemies to fight, and each fight feels rewarding in its own right.

20 Scarlet Nexus

A Stunning Title With The Speed Of Devil May Cry And The Depth Of A Classic JRPG

2021 was a vintage year for Bandai Namco, with two big hits from the studio. The first is Tales of Arise, and the most recent is Scarlet Nexus. Scarlet Nexus was a brand-new IP for the studio that uses the best elements from Tales and the action genre.

A team of veteran developers who worked on several Tales games, Code Vein, and the God Eater series developed Scarlet Nexus. The combat system in Scarlet Nexus is one of the best in recent times. It plays and feels like a Devil May Cry game while implementing telekinetic powers to use environmental objects like broken-down cars to smash enemies.

19 Cyberpunk 2077

Gives Players The Creative Freedom To Be As Violent As They Want

Released in December 2020, the long-awaited Cyberpunk 2077 had a troubled launch, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions plagued with bugs and glitches. It was clear the work went into the PC versions of the game. After several patches and a launch on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, Cyberpunk 2077 is a more polished and enjoyable experience.

The combat system is flexible and adjusts to the style of the player. Whether attacking enemies with stealth, using brute force, melee, hacking, and more, Cyberpunk 2077 allows players to be as creative and as violent as they want.

18 Final Fantasy 15

A Fast-Paced Combat System With An Amazing Final Showdown

Final Fantasy 15 launched in 2016 for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. It was later released on the PC in 2018 as part of the Royal Edition, which included all the DLC except the Episode Ardyn DLC. The game is controversial because, in addition to fans feeling it was unfinished, many felt the combat system played too much like a mindless button masher.

However, the system is far more in-depth than it appears and shines more in challenging encounters. Players can opt for real-time combat or the Wait Mode option, which works like a modified version of the ATB (Active Time Battle) System featured in its predecessors. Final Fantasy 15 also looks flashy, making it somewhat reminiscent of the fight scenes from the movie Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children.

17 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla

A Brutal Fighting System That Gets Better As The Game Progresses

Released as a launch title for the Xbox Series and the PlayStation 5 along with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is a Viking saga more vast than its predecessors. With several expansions and a standalone DLC called Dawn of Ragnarok, which delves even further into Norse mythology.

The combat takes some time to get used to because the camera system has a knack for panning out a little too far. Unlocking skills can be lengthy and tiresome, but the mechanics improve as players progress. Learning to counter attacks and create openings is satisfying to execute. Furthermore, Valhalla becomes even more interesting as more skills become unlocked, creating opportunities for brutal finishers.

16 Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning

An Arcade-Like Combat System With Deep Mechanics And Customization

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning first launched on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the PC in 2012. It was developed by 38 Studios and created by a dream team of developers like Ken Rolston from The Elder Scrolls, famed comic book artist Todd McFarlane, and fantasy author R.A. Salvatore.

Reckoning features one of the most accessible and enjoyable combat systems seen in a Western RPG. It plays like a 3D action game similar to the God of War series but allows the player incredible flexibility in character statistics growth. A remastered version of the game launched in 2020 for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.

15 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Timing-Based Combat With Epic Battles Against Humans And Monsters

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt launched in 2015 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It is based on fantasy novels written by Andrzej Sapkowski and also saw a Netflix adaptation starring Man of Steel actor Henry Cavill.

The combat system in The Witcher 3 is visually impressive and surprisingly simple to pick up. Geralt’s magic system never feels overly complicated, and his ability to pull off combinations is simple yet satisfying in their effectiveness. Parrying and defeating a crowd of enemies with skill and timing is cinematic to pull off.

14 Resonance Of Fate

Challenging Matrix-Style Combat In A Steam Punk Setting

Developed by Star Ocean developers Tri-Ace, Resonance of Fate was first released in 2010 on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 before getting a full 4K/HD remaster on the PlayStation 4 in 2018. Resonance of Fate launched around the same time as Final Fantasy 13. As a result, the excellent RPG went overlooked by all but hardcore JRPG fans.

The combat system in Resonance of Fate takes inspiration from bullet-time action films like The Matrix and John Woo classics like Hard Boiled. Unlike most JRPGs, the combat combines elements of real-time and turn-based combat. There is a steep learning curve, but those who stick with it will find one of the most in-depth and rewarding systems in an RPG.

13 Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Classic Final Fantasy Combat Adapted To Real-Time Combat

Released in 2020, the Final Fantasy 7 Remake was one of the most hotly anticipated RPGs ever. The game achieved the impossible by meeting the expectations of a very hardcore and dedicated fanbase with its story, characters, and combat system.

The remake does an impressive job of modernizing the turn-based combat system in the original by merging real-time combat with an ATB-like pause system. Some boss battles do tend to go on for a long time. But thanks to the challenging fights and the special attacks, Final Fantasy 7 never gets boring.

12 Dark Souls 3

The Most Polished Dark Souls Combat In The Trilogy

Dark Souls 3 was released on the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2016. In terms of the combat system, all the Souls games are near-perfect. However, the third game in the trilogy perfected the strategic stamina-based fighting system.

The system in Dark Souls 3 is mechanically more sound than previous titles in the Souls series. The fighting is more responsive and fluid, while the satisfaction of timing the perfect parry on even the most dangerous enemies is almost unrivaled by any action game.

11 Tales Of Graces F

The Best Real-Time Combat System In The Tales Series

• Released: 2010
• Developer: Bandai Namco
• Platform: PS3

Tales of Graces f was launched in 2010 and developed by the Namco Tales Studio and has arguably the best and most accessible battle system in the series. All the Tales games by Namco use a version of the Linear Motion Battle system, unlike most JRPGs, which works like a real-time beat 'em up system.

The Graces f system feels far more refined and is called the Style-Shift Linear Motion Battle System. Shift between characters is far smoother than in previous Tales games, and the ability to combine moves by chaining them together is where the fighting system gets interesting. Battles have the speed of a fighting game instead of a traditional JRPG. Furthermore, a second player can join the combat for some local play during fights.

10 Bloodborne

Challenging And Reactive Combat In A Lovecraftian Soulslike

Created by Dark Souls developers FromSoftware, Bloodborne launched in 2015. While it shares similar mechanics with the Souls games, it is not as slow or as methodical as its sister series, as the combat favors speed, timing, and visceral action. However, Dark Souls fans will find the systems at play familiar.

There is no playing it safe with Bloodborne. Players need to be quick, and dodging is the best defense. The idea of using dodges and quick-thinking featured in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and just like that game, Bloodborne feels more in line with 3D action games than an RPG like Dark Souls with a heavy focus on classes.

9 Star Ocean 3: Till The End Of Time

Excellent Real-Time Combat In Science Fiction RPG

Science fiction JRPG Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2003. Using the now-popular Tri-Ace system, the action-based combat was unlike the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series.

The system works similarly to the Tales games, where players can switch characters during battles and freely move around the battlefield to attack in real-time. Star Ocean has an arcade-like system accessible to gamers disinterested in the turn-based menu systems found in traditional turn-based RPGs.

8 Grandia: The HD Collection

A Fast And Tactical Turn-Based System That Keeps The Action Flowing

• Released: 2019
• Developer: Game arts
• Platform: PC and Switch

Grandia: The HD Collection is a combined release of the first two games in the Grandia series remastered in HD for the Nintendo Switch. Developed by Game Arts, the series gets praised for having one of the best turn-based combat systems in a JRPG, which was way ahead of its time.

The combat in Grandia is turn-based, which places the characters on a turn gauge, allowing players to plan their attacks, but it adds the element of speed, timing, and strategy.

The bar works similarly to the ATB system in the Final Fantasy series, but the turns are queued in the bar instead. However, if a character gets attacked, their next turn can be interrupted on the action bar. Strategy, speed, and quick thinking are needed to land critical and more powerful attacks. The system gets more in-depth and enjoyable as both Grandia titles progress in their campaigns.

7 Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Classically Inspired Turn-Based Combat Adapted To Street Wars

Yakuza: Like a Dragon took the long-running gangster series and featured a brand-new protagonist and a classically inspired turn-based battle system. Yet, despite switching to a turn-based fighting system, it is unmistakably a Yakuza game. The sequel Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth continues with a bigger and bolder game with better game mechanics. The game features dual protagonists, Ichiban Kasaga and Kiryu Kazama, and features a change of scenery by relocating to Honolulu, Hawaii.

The combat is strategic where the party can focus on enemy weaknesses, utilize the environment, and hit enemies with chain attacks for more carnage. Forming bonds with the party members will unlock new tag team moves, and more side content.