Final Fantasy 6 is widely regarded as one of the best games in the series and a true gem of a JRPG. The game boasts an epic story that follows an ensemble cast of diverse and engaging characters as they confront an evil empire seeking to dominate the world, only for the story to spiral into something else entirely. The game's plot is full of surprising twists and turns, memorable moments, and touching character interactions that make it a timeless classic.
The game also features a great combat system that is both deep and rewarding. It allows players to customize their party members with a vast array of spells, skills, and equipment, with the equipped Espers also being quite important in their own right. Fans of Final Fantasy 6 will be glad to know that there are many other games that evoke a similar feel. Players who love the engaging story, dynamic characters, and a satisfying combat system that of Final Fantasy 6 will surely love the following games.
10 Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is a classic JRPG that pretty much everyone has heard of. This game is one of the very few titles in the genre that allowed players to avoid enemies by running around them, making it pretty revolutionary for its time.
On top of this, Chrono Trigger featured a unique time-traveling mechanic, a memorable cast of characters, and a beautiful soundtrack. The game's sheer level of quality has stood the test of time and it is widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
9 Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment is technically the third game in the series, continuing the story from Original Sin. The game's wide cast of characters is a blast to engage with, and the story is full of twists and turns that will keep players on their toes.
The game's combat is easily one of the very hardest in the entire series, and players will have to build up their party wisely to avoid any frustration in the title's many battles. The mature story and unique setting make it a great title for fans of Final Fantasy 6 who want to try out more classic JRPGs.
8 I Am Setsuna
I Am Setsuna is an homage to the golden age of JRPGs, with its charming and melancholic nature making it a joy to play through. The game's beautiful soundtrack and visuals set the tone for a touching story about sacrifice and love.
There are some people who find this game to be a rip-off of Final Fantasy 10 at times, which is understandable criticism. However, aside from these comparisons, I Am Setsuna is actually a blast to play through and one of the best modern JRPGs around.
7 Chained Echoes
Speaking of indie JRPGs, it would be a crime to not mention Chained Echoes, an indie title that combines retro-inspired graphics with the many modern gameplay mechanics devised in this genre. Equipment plays a huge role in this game and decides whether players will be able to overcome the many challenging encounters in Chained Echoes.
The combination of an epic story and engaging combat makes for an unforgettable time. Fans of Final Fantasy 6 will find Chained Echoes to be right up their alley, given the many common elements across both games!
6 Suikoden 2
Fans can't wait for the remaster of the Suikoden games, with the second title being especially enjoyable for all the right reasons. Suikoden 2's cast of characters is huge, and players can recruit over 100 party members, which was simply unheard of in most RPGs at the time.
The politically-charged story and the depth of the title's gameplay helped Suikoden 2 attain a reputation as one of the greatest JRPGs ever made. The idea of recruiting so many characters may seem overwhelming, but most people who get over this hurdle will enjoy a thrill ride from start to end.
5 Octopath Traveler 2
Octopath Traveler 2 is pretty much a perfect sequel that addressed most of the complaints from the first game while adding several new elements of its own. This beautiful and engaging RPG utilizes the 2.5D art style to great effect, with its visuals being quite striking in every way.
The game features multiple playable characters with their own unique storylines and abilities. The soundtrack of this game is a masterpiece that hypes every battle to kingdom come, while the combat system is easy to get into but quite rewarding to master.
4 Shadow Hearts: Covenant
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The idea of playing a Lovecraftian JRPG is pretty engaging, and Shadow Hearts: Covenant definitely does justice to this concept. The first game is pretty engaging in its own right, but the second game perfected the formula in many ways.
This dark and atmospheric RPG explores themes of horror and the occult, making it quite different from the usual titles in the genre. The game's combat system uses the Judgment Ring that rewards players with a risk-taking appetite who can precisely time their button presses.
3 Xenogears
Xenogears is one of the most complex and thought-provoking games on this list. It explores mature and complicated themes of identity, religion, and the very nature of humanity itself.
The game is clearly heavily inspired by Neon Genesis Evangelion, with its use of mechs in battle being quite interesting. It's a shame that the game ran out of money midway into development, turning the latter half of the game into an uninspiring slideshow interspersed with random dungeon-crawling segments.
2 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is considered by many to be one of the very best games in the series, building up a rich and vibrant world which players can get quite immersed in. The turn-based combat is engaging, with this epic story spanning two games and being quite satisfying to see unfold.
The game's characters are well-developed and memorable despite adhering to several cliches that some people may not be the biggest fans of. It really can't be stated enough that the game's world-building is among the best in the genre and the biggest reason why fans of Final Fantasy 6 should check this title out for themselves.
1 Final Fantasy 4
It's only fitting that a classic Final Fantasy game would be perfect for fans of the sixth mainline entry. Final Fantasy 4 is a classic JRPG that has an unflinching focus on the story, actually weaving gameplay elements into the narrative as well!
Multiple re-releases have ensured that Final Fantasy 4 remains widely accessible to this day, with the Pixel Remaster being the most recent one of the lot. Regardless of which version players check out, they should strap themselves in for an amazing experience that is full to the brim with many twists and turns.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster was re-released for consoles on April 19, 2023, and is available on PS4 and Switch. The game was originally released and is still playable on PC and Mobile.