Summary
There are a lot of great action RPGs from Japanese developers out there for fans to enjoy.Elden Ringis a recent hit, part of the Soulslike genre from the very makers that helped create the genre, FromSoftware. Then there’sFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthwhich is getting a second chance at life thanks to its PC port.
Both of these examples are great, but it brings to mind that there haven’t been as manytop-down JRPGsrecently. Most are from the golden era of the 90s and maybe the early 2000s. With that in mind, let’s look back and rank some of thestandout top-down action JRPGhits that fans may or may not remember.
Community Pomis probably a game most have not heard of. It was released in Japan exclusively on the PS1, but thankfully, there’s not much dialogue to prevent importers from checking it out. Players assume the role of amagical witch girlwho embarks on a top-down adventure with a heavy emphasis on combat over puzzles.
Monsters aren’t the average lot, as they include, for example, talking watermelons to smash. Players will gain EXP through monster bashing and there’s an equipment system too. It’s not a revolutionary action RPG, but it still holds up thanks to the visuals and easy gameplay setup.
Alcahestis a lost hidden gem from Squaresoft’s publishing contributions to the SNES. The character sprites are large and more detailed than most action RPGs of the time. It’s also rather linear, but that just means it’s a quicker game to get through nowadays.
Players begin as a young adventurer with a sword and shield who is aided in most dungeons by companions ranging from other warriors to mages. It has the feel of a more Japanese-centricDungeons & Dragonscampaign mixed withThe Legend of Zelda. While it was never released officially in the West, there is an English fan patch out there for those interested in checking out thisforgotten SNES game.
There have been a million and oneDragon Ballgamesand quite a few have been RPGs.Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku 2was a top-down action game for the GBA set during the Cell Saga arc. Players would control multiple characters as the game progressed linearly through the story. Trunks and Gohan are two examples, but there were some side exploration opportunities too.
Players could fly around the world map, similar to how airships work in olderFinal Fantasygames. The combat wasn’t as intense as aDragon Ballfighting game, butDragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku 2managed to create some lasting memories for players who enjoyed it back in 2003.
Crystaliswas ahead of its time on the NES. Players may have looked at the back of the box and scoffed at it for being just anotherZeldaclone at the time, but those who played it know there was much more to it. Players could roam around an open world and go into dungeons to solve light puzzles, mostly framed around the elements.
Players would gain elemental blades that could perform tasks like fire melting ice or ice creating a bridge over water. It’s nothing new for modern games, but again, this was the NES generation.Made by SNK, the game was ported to the Game Boy Color, but there was never a sequel.
Alundrais a forgottenZeldaclone that was exclusive to the PS1. The titular Alundra is gifted with the ability todive into dreams, which is both a gameplay and story mechanic. Players will get an assortment of weapons, from swords to flails, along with sub-weapons like bombs as they explore. They will also solve puzzles, which is a particular emphasis in the dungeons.
What Alundra has above a hero like Link fromThe Legend of Zeldais the ability to jump.Alundrawas a bit underappreciated back in the day because it wasn’t pushing graphical limits, which made it look like a SNES game. Decades later, RPG fans can better appreciate it and its unique ideas.
Lunar Knightsis the fourth and final entry in theBoktaiseries, which began on the GBA. This entry eliminated the need for the cartridge solar panel, although players could still use an old cartridge on their DS to absorb the sun if they wanted. Gimmicks aside, players assumed the role of two vampire hunters: Aaron and Lucian.
They shared an item pool, but leveled up separately, and could be swapped out mid-battle. Aaron used guns, from pistols to flamethrowers, while Lucian was melee-focused and had weapons like a sword and a scythe. Even thoughthis Konami seriesnever made a huge splash,Lunar Knightsis easily the best RPG in the franchise, and hopefully, one day more people can enjoy it without the need for emulation.
Terranigmais one of the best RPGs on the SNES, action or otherwise, but it sadly only went to European regions when leaving Japan. That at least meant players could enjoy it in English without having to resort to fan patches or emulation. It was an Enix-published game set in a dark world where players could traverse dungeons and level up through the expected means.
One of the most unique things about it was the cylindrical world map that made it look like players were exploring the ring worlds from Halo. Those who have never played it before should rectify that error, as 2025 is the 30th anniversary of the original Japanese release.
Secret of Manais probably the most well-known entry in theManaseries. It was released for the SNES and gathered critical acclaim. There was a sequel,Seiken Densetsu 3, which was and improvement but was never released outside of Japan. That is, until theCollection of Manawas released for the Switch in 2019 in North America.
Seiken Densetsu 3was retitledTrials of Mana,and it gave players multiple characters to follow right from the start. This player choice added to the replay value thatSecret of Manalacked. Both games are great top-down action RPGs, but if players had to choose one, it should beTrials of Mana. The character choice, combat improvements, music, and pixel-perfect art easily make it a must-play.
