Summary
There’s no question thatSquare Enixis the most prominent developer of role-playing video games, ever since the days ofSquaresoftandEnix. With game-changing franchises likeFinal FantasyandDragon Questto their name, this is the company that most players go to when looking for a solid RPG adventure.
Whereas mostpeople may associate Square Enix with turn-based RPGs, the truth is that this company has also revolutionized theAction RPG. They have built entire franchises that feature some of the best real-time action combat in the entire industry, to the point that they even influenced other games in the same genre.
Based on the novel of the same name,Parasite Eveis reminiscent of the popularResident Evilseries, but it switches things up by having a bizarre hybrid of third-person survival horror but with RPG mechanics. Oddly enough, it worked, seeing asthis game has gained a cult following.
The player controls Aya Brea as she goes through a terrifying adventure in the streets of New York. There’s exploration, item management and unique combat mechanics, like theActive Time Bar or the Range Dome.Parasite Evereally felt like the best of both worlds.
Parasite Eve 2felt much bigger than its predecessor, but it was not without its controversies, since this game leaned more into the action part of its genre, while leaving some of its more beloved role-playing mechanics behind, like the Active Time Bar or the Action Dome.
What’s left is a solid action game thatfeels more likeResident EvilthanFinal Fantasy. It was even directed by Kenichi Iwao ofResident Evilfame. This is a divisive title among fans but, since it kept some RPG elements, like unlockable abilities and an EXP System,Parasite Eve 2is still considered a solid entry in the Action RPG genre.
Back in the days of the SNES, players would be delighted by the release of iconic turn-based RPGs likeFinal Fantasy 6orChrono Trigger. ButSquaresoft’sSecret of Manamanaged to stand out from the rest, thanks to its innovative action gameplay.
Maintaining the top-down perspective of its contemporaries but switching it up by having real-time combat,Secret of Manawas a huge success among players, inspiring an entire franchise (despite the fact that it was technically a sequel). Its best feature was definitely the co-op multiplayer that let up to 3 players control the entire party at the same time.
While the fifth generation of consoles was renowned for the introduction of revolutionary 3D graphics, the truth is that systems like the PlayStation were where sprite-based games reached their highest point, andLegend of Manais a perfect example of their evolution.
This game takes everything that madeSecret of Manaso goodand elevates it to the next level:with a bigger story, more detailed sprites, and, of course, a more dynamic combat system that feels much better on this new console. It even kept its unique multiplayer aspect.Legend of Manais currently available on modern systems, yet it feels like it hasn’t aged a day.
During the early 2000s, Square joined forces withDisneyin order to create a brand-new 3D game with characters that could rival Mario in popularity. The result wasKingdom Hearts, a strangely charismatic action RPG that was like nothing players had seen before, and it was the start ofone of Square Enix’s most profitable franchises.
WithKingdom Hearts, it seemed like Square took everything they had learned fromFinal Fantasyand theManaseries and used it to create a thrilling role-playing experience with action combat that a wider audience could enjoy.Soracan perform swift combos with his Keyblade, use magic spells, team up with Donald & Goofy, and even summon other Disney characters, all in real time. And it would only get better from there as the series progressed.
One of the best aspects about theFinal Fantasyseries is how each game can be something completely new and different from what came before, andFinal Fantasy 15was the first time this franchise went full-on Action RPG. Despite some development issues, this was a truly unique game that a lot of people enjoyed, thanks to its plot, characters, music, and its combat.
The inspiration from theKingdom Heartsfranchise is quite evident, as Noctis can fight in real time by summoning an array of different weapons. Later updates even added the option to control other members of the party, which was a breath of fresh air that kept the gameplay diverse. The incredible bosses not only looked impressive, but they were so satisfying to take down.
For years, fans had been clamoring for a remake ofFinal Fantasy 7with modernized graphics and mechanics. Yet, they were surprised when Square Enix releasedFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, which wasn’t a proper remake, but it also switched from being a conventional turn-based RPG to an Action RPG.
Despite this sudden change in genres,Final Fantasy 7 Remakewas well received by audiences because of how solid the real-time combat is. Players can now control Cloud Strife and other members of his party, with dynamic action, Materia management, an Active Time Battle system, and Limit Breaks. Square Enix managed to implement most of the classic mechanics from the original release into this unexpected remake, and it worked extremely well.
After many years of waiting, fans of this franchise finally saw the release ofKingdom Hearts 3.While it was not without its flaws, this was an excellent Action RPG that managed to combine all the best mechanics from previous installments intoone tight package.
Aside from its dynamic base combat in real time,Kingdom Hearts 3also featured Drive Forms, Shotlocks, Situation Commands, Flowmotion, and much more. As the closing chapter of the Xehanort Saga, it was evident that Square Enix wanted to pay homage to the entire series. On top of that, subsequent updates and DLCs added more incredible boss fights and new interesting mechanics that made this great game feel even better.
Final Fantasy 16was yet another main title in this franchise that combined real-time combat with classic role-playing mechanics. It was developed by designers that worked on some of the most influential hack & slash series, likeDevil May Cry,Bayonetta,andKingdom Hearts. And it shows, because the combat inFinal Fantasy 16is a truly incredible experience.
Clive Rosfield is equipped with the powers of the mighty Eikons that let him perform a variety of abilities. It is up to the player how and when to use them to their advantage,which can lead to impressive combinations. The best parts ofFinal Fantasy 16are its amazing boss fights, in which the player can control Ifrit to take down gigantic creatures. These are definitely some of the best bosses Square Enix has ever made.
Kingdom Hearts 2not only managed to improve on everything that the original game did wrong, but its combat system was so amazing that it influenced the design of modern Square Enix titles, like the aforementionedFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeandFinal Fantasy 16.
The action inKingdom Hearts 2is flawless.Every single mechanic, like Drive Forms, Reaction Commands, or Revenge Values, works perfectly in sync in order to create a combat system that feels dynamic, customizable, and incredibly satisfying. Not to mention that the Final Mix version added some of the best & most challenging battles in the entire franchise, which are the perfect place to put all of these mechanics to the test. There’s a reason there are so many fans online that stream and speedrunKingdom Hearts 2, even to this day.
