6 JRPGs With Soulsborne-Like Combat Systems

The JRPG genre is extremely popular, as it offers players compelling stories, likable characters, and tons of interesting game mechanics that have been emulated by other games throughout the years. Many JRPGS are part of longstanding franchises that have taken risks and created sequels that take on different directions.

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While some JRPGs have very little combat and prefer to focus on their story instead, other titles rely heavily on their combat mechanics, enemy variety, and the overall experience of fighting they can deliver. Here are some of the best JRPGs with Soulsborne-like combat systems for players who want a challenge.

6

Samurai Maiden

An Adventure Across Time And Space

• Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, GeForce Now, PlayStation 5, Windows
• Released: December 1, 2022
• Developer(s): Shade
• Genre(s): Action game, RPG
• A modern woman is transported back in time
• Decent combat mechanics

Samurai Maiden is not, by any standards, the most popular JRPG with Soulsborne-like combat. However, it does still manage to deliver an entertaining experience for players who want to pick it up.

The plot revolves around a young woman from the 21st century who finds herself transported back in time and making friends with three female ninjas. The premise is very interesting and while the execution sometimes lacks a little sparkle, the combat mechanics are there for the most part. And after all, what’s more fun than hacking away at foes with 3 good companions?

5

Valkyrie Elysium

A Valkyrie Must Fulfill the Task Set Upon Her By The Allfather

Here begins the tale of a new Valkyrie. Valkyrie Elysium is the latest title in the ‘Valkyrie’ series that depicts the ‘death of humankind’ and ‘the existence of gods’ with a unique worldview based on Norse mythology.  As the first action-RPG of the series, Valkyrie Elysium retains the familiar special attacks and combo system while taking it to the next level with a new three-dimensional, fast paced battle system. Valkyrie Elysium boasts a unique art style that beautifully depicts a collapsing world caused by the onset of Ragnarok, and composer Motoi Sakuraba (Valkyrie series, Tales series, Star Ocean series) returns to create a captivating original soundtrack.

Systems

Released

September 29, 2022

ESRB

T for Teen due to Language, Violence

• Many powerful weapons at players’ disposal
• Mixed reviews by critics and players

As its name suggests, the plot of Valkyrie Elysium follows a young valkyrie named Maria, who was created by Odin and is tasked with finding and purifying souls in Midgard.

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While the game is very fun, it received mixed reviews by both critics and players, which is unfortunate. The combat mechanics are pretty good, and they follow a similar system to other JRPGs, relying on flashy visual elements, quick attacks, and outstanding character and enemy animations that make players feel like they’re right in the action. Valkyrie Elysium features several powerful weapons that players can take advantage of to decimate their enemies and feel like the ultimate fighter.

4

Code Vein

An Endless Struggle Against Vampiric Foes

In the face of certain death, we rise.

In the not too distant future, a mysterious disaster has brought collapse to the world as we know it. Towering skyscrapers, once symbols of prosperity, are now lifeless graves of humanity’s past pierced by the Thorns of Judgment. At the center of the destruction lies a hidden society of Revenants called Vein. This final stronghold is where the remaining few fight to survive, blessed with Gifts of power in exchange for their memories and a thirst for blood. Give into the bloodlust fully and risk becoming one of the Lost, fiendish ghouls devoid of any remaining humanity. Wandering aimlessly in search of blood, the Lost will stop at nothing to satisfy their hunger. Team up and embark on a journey to the ends of hell to unlock your past and escape your living nightmare in CODE VEIN.

Systems

Released

September 27, 2019

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence

• Great combat mechanics
• Players must kill Revenants throughout the game

Set in a post-apocalyptic environment and played from a third-person perspective, Code Vein offers players an open-world action JRPG that’s lots of fun. Throughout the game, players will have to take on the infamous Revenants, who are undead humans with vampiric abilities and unmatched strength. The only way to kill them is by destroying their hearts, which is often easier said than done unless players are using an overpowered build.

Code Vein is probably one of the most popular JRPGs out there with a Soulsborne-like combat system, and it’s safe to say that the game mechanics around fighting and defeating enemies are well-developed. The game has received mostly positive reviews from players and critics, although a few outlets have given it a mixed review as well.

3

Lies of P

A Fantastic World Full Of Perils And Surprises

Systems

Released

September 19, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Violence

• Various weapons for players to upgrade
• Victorian England elements

Before saying anything else about Lies of P, it’s important to clarify that it’s not a JRPG simply because it was not made by a Japanese developer, but a South Korean one instead. However, the game does borrow a lot of elements that would be present in a traditional JRPG, which is why it’s safe to classify it under this category.

The world Lies of P is set in is very interesting, as it combines elements from Victorian England, with enemies that seem to have been pulled straight out of a dark fantasy movie. Like other similar titles in this genre, Lies of P features several weapons that players can upgrade throughout the game to raise their chances of survival. And the same goes for a ton of advanced builds that can be made. This not only gives players many options, but also greatly enriches the gaming experience.

2

Scarlet Nexus

The Others Pose A Significant Threat To The Inhabitants Of New Himuka

In the far distant future, a psionic hormone was discovered in the human brain, granting people extra-sensory powers and changed the world as we knew it. As humanity entered this new era, deranged mutants known as Others began to descend from the sky with a hunger for human brains. Highly resistant to conventional attack methods, extreme measures needed to be taken to battle the overwhelming threat and preserve humanity. Those with acute extra-sensory abilities, known as psionics, were our only chance to fight the onslaught from above. Since then, psionics have been scouted for their talents and recruited to the Other Suppression Force (OSF), humanity’s last line of defense.

Featuring a dual story, begin your adventure with either Yuito Sumeragi, an energetic recruit from a prestigious political family or Kasane Randall, the mysterious scout whose power and skill has gained great notoriety among the OSF. As their different experiences interweave with each other, it is only then that you will reveal the full story and unlock all the mysteries of a Brain Punk future caught between technology and psychic abilities in SCARLET NEXUS.

Systems

Released

June 25, 2021

ESRB

T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Violence

• New Himuka must be defended from the Others
• Excellent combat mechanics and a compelling narrative

Like other titles in its genre, Scarlet Nexus is played from a third-person perspective. During their playthrough, players can assume the role of either Kasane Randall, or Yuito Sumeragi. Both of them have been tasked to defend the city of New Himuka from dangerous creatures known as the Others.

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Scarlet Nexus features great combat mechanics that are really fun and adrenaline-rushing, which is very important for a game of this kind. Some of the Others are not very difficult, whereas others are very challenging to defeat. All in all, Scarlet Nexus is an excellent JRPG that will keep players entertained for hours thanks to its compelling narrative and immersive gameplay experience.

1

Stellar Blade

A South Korean Title That Borrows A Lot From Classic JRPGs Of Its Type

RECLAIM EARTH FOR HUMANKIND The future of humanity hangs in the balance in Stellar Blade, an all-new story-driven action adventure on PlayStation®5. Ravaged by strange, powerful creatures, Earth has been abandoned, and what is left of the decimated human race has fled to a Colony in outer space. After travelling from the Colony, 7th Airborne Squad member EVE arrives on the desolate remains of our planet with a clear-cut mission: to save humankind by reclaiming Earth from the Naytiba – the malevolent force that has devastated it. But as EVE tackles the Naytiba one-by-one, piecing together the mysteries of the past in the ruins of human civilization, she realizes that her mission is far from straightforward. In fact, almost nothing is as it seems…

Systems

Released

April 26, 2024

ESRB

M for Mature

• Made by South Korean studio SHIFT UP Corporation
• Excellent combat mechanics and a complex story

When it comes to delivering players an outstanding experience that combines a good story and adrenaline-rushing combat, Stellar Blade has it all. Just like Lies of P, this game was not developed by a Japanese studio, but rather a South Korean one, which would technically not make it eligible to fit the genre. However, it borrows several elements from JRPGs—arguably enough to make it fit the criteria.

Stellar Blade offers exciting world exploration and complex mechanics that will have players entertained for hours as they try the best gear, discover every secret in the game and face every challenge that’s been crafted for them.

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