Atlus JRPGs With The Best Combat

RPGs, as far as combat was concerned, used to be very rudimentary. If they had action gameplay there wasn’t a lot of nuance to them like the early Ys games. For turn-based games like Dragon Quest, there was a lot of grinding involved. Things have certainly changed over time and Atlus has been at the forefront of changing how combat can feel in a game.

Atlus has helped pave the way for innovative active and support systems to make their games feel wholly unique. That’s not to say they haven’t published some great games with interesting combat mechanics too. Let’s look at their history to find the must-plays for RPG fans who love combat and Atlus collectively, ranked by how interactive the gameplay is whether the stories are good or not.

7 Persona 5 Strikers

The Series Gets A Dynasty Warriors Spinoff

Persona 5 Strikers is a spinoff from the Dynasty Warriors franchise with similar gameplay. However, the Persona team at Atlus had close ties to the developer, Omega Force, to help it fit with the timeline of Persona 5, making it feel like a real sequel. Players can take on the role of several key party members from the original game like Joker and Queen.

They can fight waves of enemies with new weapons or they can cast spells and exploit enemy weaknesses like in the main game. It was a great blend of the two games and while it may be repetitive for some, fans will probably dig this spinoff if they missed it originally.

6 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

A Hardcore Tactical RPG

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is a spinoff of the main Shin Megami Tensei series that, like Etrian Odyssey, is presented in first-person. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor instead is a top-down tactical RPG set in the then modern-day Japan.

A group of teens get a mysterious app on their phones when an incident goes down. This incident allows them to summon demons into battle. Again like Etrian Odyssey, this game is beyond hardcore and even tactical RPG veterans may struggle. The sense of danger players can get from missions is exhilarating though when victory is awarded.

5 Dragon’s Crown

A Spirutal To Classic D&D Arcade Games

Dragon’s Crown is like a spiritual sequel to the Capcom-made Dungeons & Dragons games for the arcade. It has a similar 2D style to a brawler/hack and slash game. In each level, players can find dozens of secrets and alternate pathways to unlock new dungeons. Players can choose one of the main characters who each adheres to a typical RPG class like a ranger or mage.

There’s not much of a story and it’s technically short although infinitely replayable thanks to the co-op support. Vanillaware has made some amazing games under the guidance of Atlus, but Dragon’s Crown feels like such a pure experience that, sadly, it never got a sequel.

4 Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends Of The Titan

Simplified Dungeon Crawling

This series was Dark Souls even before fans knew about that franchise. They are hardcore turn-based RPGs with little story but a great amount of customization options. Players can create a party and then level them up with stat boosts and equipment. Exploring the dungeon is in first-person along with the battle presentation.

They are beyond hardcore but Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends of the Titan made some innovations to help it cater to a newer crowd. While not a cakewalk, it’s a high point for the series without a doubt thanks to the pure creation behind the classic gameplay.

A Classic Turn-Based System With Classes And An Action Twist

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a good splicing of battle systems based on Persona and Shin Megami Tensei games. Players can get into a turn-based battle with four party members who have access to physical skills and magic. Magic is dictated by what Archetypes they have equipped which are the classes of Metaphor: ReFantazio.

It’s a deep class system for an RPG but the surprises don’t end there. If players are of a high enough level, they can attack enemies in the field. The action-based combat isn’t that deep but it helps with the repetitive grind players can often find themselves in with a JRPG like Metaphor: ReFantazio.

2 Unicorn Overlord

2024’s Biggest Hidden Gem

Besides Dragon’s Crown, Vanillaware needs to be commended on their latest game, Unicorn Overlord. It’s a mashup of tactical RPGs and RTS games. Players can explore an overworld from a top-down perspective and interact with icons to gather items. They can also talk to NPCs and take on side quests before moving on to the main campaign.

On missions, when two opposing units touch, the gameplay perspective will switch to 2D wherein two parties will fight automatically. Players can set up their units beforehand in Unicorn Overlord and depending on the order and characters chosen, different effects will occur from erecting shields to blasting foes with magic. It’s one of the most unique tactical RPG systems in years and hopefully, it gets recognized as such in the upcoming Game of the Year discussions.

1 Persona 3 Reload

Elevated Turn-Based Gameplay

Persona 3 Reload is the latest game in the series, technically. Even though it’s a remake of a PS2 game that came out in 2006 in Japan, it still feels fresh even without the fresh coat of paint and quality of life improvements. This is the entry that changed everything, shifting focus to teens going to high school and experiencing paranormal activities. Besides that, Persona 3 began Social Links, a sort of dating and hang-out mini-game wherein players could form bonds with NPCs which would then lead to upgrades.

Players could be normal high schoolers during the day and then go out to explore a seemingly never-ending dungeon at night. Battles were turn-based and players could collect Tarot cards to befriend new Personas and add them to the list. Personas could level up, swap abilities, and be fused to create new ones. There are systems on top of systems in this game and yet somehow it never felt like too much thanks to the pacing. Did this game need to get remade? It very easily answers that question: yes.