Tales of Symphonia Remasteredbrings one of the best games in the series and genre to modern platforms, enabling newcomers to fall in love with the world and character as many did years ago. But what happens when you finally roll credits and even take on its New Game Plus mode?
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Fortunately, tons of JRPGs can deliver a similar experience to what you received in Tales of Symphonia. This genre is overflowing with fantastic characters, interesting gameplay systems, and unique worlds that will pull you in the moment you boot it up.Whether you like Symphonia’s real-time battles or want a more traditional turn-based experience,there is undoubtedly something for you to sink your teeth into that you will enjoy.
8Tales Of Arise
Kicking things off is one of the more apparent picks inTales of Arise, the latest installment in the long-running series. Not only is Tales of Arise an excellent JRPG, but it is one of the best games in the series, sporting a wonderful cast of characters, a gorgeous world, and a gripping story that will keep you engaged the entire way through.
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If that wasn’t enough for you, the gameplay is fluid and surprisingly deep, encouraging you to experiment with different Artes and go off the beaten path to bump into unique monsters or interesting people. The world of Dahna is dense and full of things to see and do, and if you’re a fan of what Symphonia has to offer, Tales of Arise is a clear frontrunner for your attention.
7Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Speaking of a fascinating world with a near-endless stream of excellent characters,Final Fantasy 7 Remakeeasily checks all of these boxes. And it only takes place in Midgar. If you were a fan of the original or missed the boat but always wanted to see what everyone has been praising for nearly three decades, FF7 Remake will be an excellent way to introduce yourself to this phenomenal universe.
Every character is represented with care and heart, which bleeds through to the overarching narrative and gameplay.Their interactions during combat never get old, and all the heartwarming and heartbreaking moments you experience will have you begging for more when you finally roll the credits. There’s never a bad time to jump into the shoes of Cloud Strife, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake makes that leap easier than ever before.
6Dragon Quest 11
Despite being a turn-based JRPG,Dragon Quest 11puts in a lot of effort to ease you into its many systems and mechanics while simultaneously presenting you with one of the most gorgeous worlds in the genre. While not for everyone, if you enjoyed the charm of Tales of Symphonia, its world, and its characters, then Dragon Quest 11 may be the one for you.
There’s nothing quite like a Dragon Quest game, and 11 is an excellent installment into the legendary series that fans of the series or genre should experience at least once. Overall, this game oozes charm and personality, making it an obvious choice despite its combat system.
5Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Yes,Yakuza: Like a Dragonis yet another turn-based JRPG, but hear us out. It’s an excellent one and may even be the best one of the past half-decade. If it’s quirkiness you want, Like a Dragon offers that in spades while also offering emotionally rich moments that will have you rooting for or sobbing alongside Ichiban.
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When we said there is nothing quite like a Dragon Quest game, while that is true, there is absolutely nothing else like the Yakuza games,and Like a Dragon is one of the best ways to dip your toe in this universe if you are a fan of the JRPG genre. The gameplay, characters, world, and overall vibe of Like a Dragon are so wonderfully weird that it is a must-play for fans who loved Symphonia’s more goofy and lighthearted moments.
4Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of Dana
Though not the most recent installment in the series,Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Danastill remains one of its best, and its recent port to modern consoles makes it accessible to even more players. If you enjoyed the combat of Symphonia, you would be relieved to hear that Ys 8’s is very similar in comparison.
Not only that, but this game also has an excellent cast of characters and an intriguing story that you will want to see through to the end because of. All in all, Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana checks off pretty much every box you could possibly think of when looking for a game that is similar to Symphonia but different enough to be exciting and stand on its own.
3Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 3is a tricky one and nearly made the cut on this list,but with its undeniably outstanding cast of characters and devastating narrative, we could not exclude it.The combat is extremely different than what’s present in Tales of Symphonia Remastered. Still, its world and how it handles and treats its core cast is what makes it a great candidate for fans of Symphonia who fell for their party members and got deeply invested in what was happening.
However, that isn’t to say that the combat or gameplay is bad in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 by any stretch. It’s actually quite the opposite and is one of the most engaging JRPG combat systems you could ask for. It just does not compare to the systems and mechanics present in Symphonia, so it’s hard to recommend it based on gameplay alone. But if you want a rich narrative with some of the best characters in the genre, we say go for it!
2Secret Of Mana
Secret of Mana is one of the best JRPGs with real-time combat from its era, and it still holds up today thanks to its recent 3D port to modern consoles. Like Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana, Secret of Mana more or less checks every box you could ask for, offering an enchanting world with lovable characters and a gripping story.
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Whenever the “Best JRPGs of all Time” discussion comes up, Secret of Mana is always near the top, and there’s a very good reason for that: It rules. If you have yet to give this classic a shot and loved your time with Tales of Symphonia Remastered, Secret of Mana may fill the void left in your heart after you finished your time in Sylvarant.
1The Legend Of Heroes: Trials In The Sky FC Evolution
Last and certainly not least isThe Legend of Heroes: Trials in the Sky FC Evolution,a recent remake of the original Trials in the Sky game that was released in 2004. While the combat is turn-based and not even remotely close to what’s found in Tales of Symphonia Remastered, the stunning world has lots to offer that will have you hooked immediately if anyone or anything in Sylvarant grabbed your attention.
Trials in the Sky is the first game of the Trials of series but the sixth in the overarching meta-series of The Legend of Heroes. It is often praised for its deep and expansive world, immensely gorgeous art, and rewarding gameplay. If you were a fan of Symphonia’s character interactions, world-building, and overall design, this will likely blow you away just the same!
