10 More Action-Packed Adventures To Dive Into
Final Fantasy 16 is finally here and with it, a completely revamped style of play with very different mechanics, leaning much more heavily into action territory. However, the story beats have familiar themes, with ideas of heritage, war, loss and one’s purpose in the world explored.
If you’ve finished playing this one, you may be itching for more of the same. Well, we’ve gathered together our 10 top choices to play to whet your appetite. Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
So without further ado, we present 10 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Final Fantasy 16.
Kingdom Hearts III
Sora, alongside his friends Donald Duck and Goofy, embarks on a perilous adventure across multiple Disney universes to find seven Guardians of Light and stop the nefarious Xehanort’s plan to ignite another Keyblade War.
While Kingdom Hearts II is arguably better, the third game refines the gameplay nicely, adding in all sorts of intriguing little gimmicks along the way.
The game stands out with its visually appealing graphics that bring various Disney worlds to life, while the enjoyable combat system is enhanced by “attraction flow” attacks and a deeply emotional, complex storyline.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Mercenary Cloud Strife joins eco-terrorist group Avalanche in their fight against the corrupt Shinra corporation, unraveling a deeper plot involving his past and the fate of the planet.
The Remake marks the first part of Cloud’s journey, taking place right in the heart of Midgar. The detailed and visually stunning recreation of the game’s original world is an absolute joy to behold, while the revamped combat system blends real-time action and command-based gameplay. Just like the original game, there’s plenty of compelling character development and an engaging storyline to boot as well.
The updated soundtrack beautifully reinterprets the original score, evoking nostalgia while adding a modern touch.
Devil May Cry 5
Devil Hunters Dante, Nero, and newcomer V team up to stop the demonic Urizen from destroying the human world. It’s a simple set-up but when it comes to gameplay, this is the one that’s going to invoke the most similar feel to Final Fantasy 16.
The game boasts plenty of over-the-top, fast-paced action, with three distinct playable characters each with unique gameplay styles. Its visual design is striking, with detailed environments and character models, while the rock-themed soundtrack enhances the high-octane combat.
Dragon’s Dogma
Dragon’s Dogma centers on a lowly villager known as the Arisen, who embarks on a quest to slay the dragon Grigori, whose heart the villager possesses, while navigating a world teetering on the edge of chaos.
Dragon’s Dogma is known for its unique pawn system, where players can train and customize AI-controlled partners. The game’s large open world, day-night cycle influencing enemy behaviors, and deep, strategic combat system make it an absolute must-play. If that wasn’t enough, the darker fantasy art style and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to a grim and immersive world.
Final Fantasy XII
In the world of Ivalice, street urchin Vaan becomes embroiled in a struggle for freedom against the mighty Archadian Empire, joining a ragtag group of rebels and outcasts.
Final Fantasy XII may not be the most memorable of the series, but it does share some similarities to FF16. The politically charged and intricate story is one such example, while the ability to “see” enemies on the battlefield is a new addition not seen in the series before. The combat plays out in real-time, with a pause combat system (“Active Dimension Battle”), and also has a license board system for character progression.
Tales of Arise
Alphen, an amnesiac slave, and Shionne, a cursed noblewoman, join forces to free the planet Dahna from the oppressive rule of Rena. Along the way, this anime-styled story explores themes of oppression, self-identity, and liberation. There’s no doubting that when it comes to the story, Tales of Arise has similar narrative beats to FF16.
The game elevates the series with improved graphics and a more mature storyline than previous Tales titles. The combat system is engaging too, mixing traditional Tales mechanics with new ones. The character interactions and development are key aspects of the game, and it’s a long one too, clocking in at around 40 hours or so.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Geralt of Rivia, a seasoned witcher, embarks on a journey across the war-torn Northern Kingdoms to find his adopted daughter, Ciri, while contending with the otherworldly threat of the Wild Hunt.
The game’s complex narrative, rich character development, and morally ambiguous choices make it an absolute must-play. There’s a vast, beautiful open world here, filled with detailed quests and intriguing lore.
The combat is strategic and brutal, while Gwent, an in-game card game, provides a welcome diversion. However, it’s the games politics and warring nations (not to mention Clive’s similar gruff voice) that stand out as parts similar to Final Fantasy 16.
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Young king Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum is back in this sequel, but he’s been ousted from his kingdom. As a result, he embarks on a journey to build a new kingdom free of strife while facing threats from an emerging evil force.
The game features a heartwarming story with a return of the welcome Studio Ghibli-style art direction. Its real-time combat is engaging and enjoyable, with many refinements over the first game, along with the ability to switch between characters.
The kingdom-building mechanics add an extra layer of depth, while the different areas are well-designed and beautifully rendered. The soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaishi, imbues the game with a fairy-tale charm that tops it all off in the best way possible.
God of War (2018)
Kratos, haunted by his violent past, lives in the realm of Norse mythology with his son, Atreus. After the death of Atreus’ mother, the pair embark on a journey to fulfill her wish to have her ashes scattered from the highest peak in the realms. However, the pair are forced to face gods and monsters of Norse legend along the way.
God of War is well-known for its deep, emotional narrative and character development, especially the evolving relationship between Kratos and Atreus. The over-the-shoulder, single-shot camera style enhances immersion, while the action-based combat is brutal and satisfying, shifting from previous entries in the series to more strategic, intimate battles.
Exploration and puzzle-solving elements enrich the game world, and the detailed environments beautifully represent Norse mythology.
Final Fantasy X
Tidus, a sports star from the futuristic city of Zanarkand, is transported to the world of Spira after a monstrous creature called Sin attacks his city. In Spira, he joins summoner Yuna on her pilgrimage to defeat Sin and bring about a period of calm.
The game is notable for its turn-based combat, sphere grid level-up system, and inclusion of “Blitzball,” a hybrid of soccer and water polo. Its narrative is driven by strong character relationships, especially between Tidus and Yuna. The latter, being a summoner, shares some similarities to Clive in the way she goes about her journey, while ideas of facing one’s past and trying to control summons makes it one of the more endearing entries in the Final Fantasy series.
So there we have it, our 10 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Final Fantasy 16.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!