Scarlet Nexusis an action JRPG developed by Bandai Namco. It was created by a team that worked on theTales ofseries,God Eater,andCode Vein. The setting is a total departure from the fantasy setting seen in theTalesseries. Its producer and director, Keita Iizuka and Kenji Anabuki, respectively, have coined their own self-styled genre “Brainpunk” forScarlet Nexus’world setting.
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The term Brainpunkis a spin on the “Internet of Things” idea where society is connected to everything. In this reimagined world, humans developed a link between psychic powers and technology in the 1990s. Of course, there were massive consequences that lead to the events ofScarlet Nexus. With the level of talent involved, it’s unsurprising thatScarlet Nexuswas one of the nominees for the best RPG in 2021. For those looking for something to satiate the need for more anime-styled action until the inevitable sequel is released, here are some of the action JRPGs available.
Updated June 21, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn:As one of the best and most original JRPGs released in 2021, Scarlet Nexus has proved to be a success story for the developers. With the original setting, fast-paced combat, and a script that’s capable of surprising even veterans of the genre this new IP seems to be here to stay.
Scarlet Nexus is a lengthy game with dualling protagonists for a lot of replay value and story beats that make playing both worthwhile. However, when all is said and done there will be many players still wanting more that’s why this list has been updated with more action JRPGs to keep adventurers of all types busy until the inevitable sequel is released.
13Kingdom Hearts 3
After a long wait,Kingdom Hearts 3was finally released in 2019. It’s a stunning achievement and easily one of the best-looking games on any system. LikeScarlet Nexus,it runs on Unreal Engine 4, and the developers at Square Enix get the best out of it.
The story and its timeline are complexbut it does a good job of bringing the player up to speed with the game’s predecessors and spin-offs. However, for newcomers, there’s nothing wrong with switching off the brain and immersing oneself in the beautifully crafted Disney worlds fromTangledtoToy Story.It also has the best combat system in the series to date, feeling more dynamic and responsive as a result.
12Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of Dana
Developers Falcom may not have the AAA budget that Square Enix can afford, but they should be credited for doing things their way. They created worlds, characters, and stories that are unique to them with both theLegend of Heroesand theYsseries.
They have also refined the combat system to make it one of the best and most accessible fighting systems in the genre. WhereYs 8succeeds is in its simplicity and the fun mechanics that harken back to old-school arcade fighters.
11God Eater 3
Released worldwide in 2019,God Eater 3is an action RPGin the same vein as theMonster Hunterseries. While there are obvious connections to its predecessors when it comes to world-building,God Eater 3is an easy game to jump right into.
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Visually, it has a beautiful anime-based art style that is very similar to that ofScarlet Nexus.In addition, the combat is fast-paced, it has epic monsters to fight, and hours of content to keep players busy after completingScarlet Nexus.
10Tales Of Graces F
Released in the West in 2012,Tales of Graces fis an action RPG developed by the Namco Tales Studio. Its tone and style are far more traditional and light-hearted than the apocalyptic/dystopian “Brain Punk” setting inScarlet Nexus.
However, the combat inTales of Graces fis considered by many fans as the best in the series. Its “Chain Capacity” mechanic allows players to chain together combinations in a fluid way that improves with the character’s weapons. Furthermore, there is a lot of content and post-game content to keep players busy for at least 40 hours.
9Star Ocean: The Second Story/Second Evolution
First released worldwide in 2000,Star Ocean: The Second Storyis an action RPG developed by tri-Ace. It was remastered with brand new content and voices for the PSP in 2009 but both are worthwhile if one can find themselves a copy of either version.
Like its predecessor,Second Storyusesa science fiction fantasy settingthat felt unique at the time of its release. The combat system set itself apart with its action-oriented real-time battles and the ability to create strategies for the AI-controlled party members. Thanks to its two main characters Claude and Rena the player can choose from two different story paths for replayability. The dual story paths also feature inScarlet Nexusby allowing players to choose either Yuito or Kasane.
8Astral Chain
It’s not strictly a JRPG butAstral Chaindeveloped by PlatinumGames for the Nintendo Switch is one of the best games of the generation. It’s primarily an action game but there are enough RPG mechanics forAstral Chainto qualify.
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There are elements of exploration in its futuristic city and the story progression perfectly complementsAstral Chain’samazing hack-and-slash gameplay mechanics. Fans of Platinum’s other titles likeTransformers: DevastationandBayonettawill feel right at home withAstral Chain.
7Radiata Stories
From the creators of theStar OceanandValkyrie Profileseries,Radiata Storiesis a PS2 action RPG set in the fantasy world of Radiata. Its combat system shares many similarities to tri-Ace’sStar Oceanseries and theTales ofseries Linear Motion Battle System due to its arcade-like nature. The story will keep players hooked and despite its light-hearted nature, it has lots of twists and surprises in store.
It is possible to recruit over 150 characters and even pick fights with NPCs in towns and the surrounding world. Fans of theValkyrie Profileseries will also be delighted to know that Lenneth will make a cameo appearance as a boss fight and can be recruited as a party member.
6Ys 9: Monstrum Nox
TheYsseries is one of the longest-running action RPGs in gaming. The series began on the PC in 1987 with many of its entries getting remastered and remade over the years while fans waited for the next mainline entry.
Even though are occasional allusions to past titles due to their recurring character Adol, each new game functions very much as its own story.Ys 9: Monstrum Noxis no different and is arguably the best entry in the series yet. Not only isYs 9a darker tale than its predecessors but it also has the best narrative yet. Thecombat is fast, responsive, and dynamicbut it’s very easy to pick up and play for newcomers and like its predecessors,Ys 9is simply a lot of fun to play.
5Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Released on the PlayStation 4 in 2020, theFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeis the first episode in what is to become a series based on theFinal Fantasy 7universe. It lived up to the lofty expectations of fans by being a fitting tribute to a timeless classic while building toward something new in the princess.
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Its dark tone and cyberpunk-like setting make it a great fit for fans ofScarlet Nexus’setting and its science fiction themes. In addition, the action-based combat system and inventive boss battles are very much in line with what has been shown of Namco’s next big JRPG. Even though the art design is quite different,Scarlet Nexusand theFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeare built using Epic’s Unreal Engine 4 and the smoothness and responsiveness are on par.
4Code Vein
If there is one recent JRPG that shares an almost identical art style toScarlet Nexusit’sCode Vein.Released in 2019, it was produced by Keita Lizuka who is also serving as the producer forScarlet Nexus.
Stylistically,Code Vein’smechanics have more in common with theDark Soulsseries but in terms of atmosphere,progression, and charactersCode Veinwill appeal to fans ofScarlet Nexus. Once again the studio managed to make the player feel like they are a part of epic anime series.
