10 Best Sci-Fi JRPGs, Ranked (2024)

Science fiction is one of the most popular genres across various media, invading cinema with numerous quality films and even video games. The setting in futuristic scenarios, filled with the possibilities that humanity may achieve in the future, stirs the imagination of players.

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In video games, sci-fi titles are closely intertwined with JRPGs, often blending futuristic elements with high fantasy to create some of the best games in the industry. The chance to explore these diverse universes, which often present unique visions of humanity's future alongside fantastical worlds, combined with well-crafted stories, allows players to immerse themselves in epic and thrilling adventures.

10 Soul Hackers 2

Neo-Noir And Apocalyptic Mysteries

Soul Hackers 2

JRPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Rating:75/100 Critics Recommend:64%

Platform(s): PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC
Released: August 26, 2022
Developer(s): Atlus

Shin Megami Tensei is a franchise known for exploring different settings, and Soul Hackers 2 stands out by immersing players in a sci-fi world with neo-noir touches. In this JRPG, the plot unfolds in a future where advanced technology and mysticism collide, creating a dark and intriguing setting.

As the war intensifies in the shadows between Yatagarasu and the Phantom Society, the artificial intelligence Aion predicts an imminent apocalyptic disaster. To prevent this end, Aion creates Ringo and Figue, agents tasked with investigating and preventing events that could trigger the world’s destruction. The game offers a deep narrative that explores the impact of technology on humanity and the power of hidden secrets in the neon lights of a cyberpunk Japan.

9 Final Fantasy 7 Remake

A JRPG With Strong Steampunk Influences

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade

JRPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Rating:86/100 Critics Recommend:92%

Platform(s): PC , PS5
Released: June 10, 2021
Developer(s): Square Enix

The aesthetic of the Final Fantasy games varies with each title in the series, with some opting for high fantasy settings, while others, like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, adopt a sci-fi scenario. In this JRPG from Square Enix, players take on the role of Cloud Strife, who starts as a mercenary working for a resistance group called AVALANCHE.

The game stands out for its futuristic urban setting, where advanced technology coexists with fantasy and steampunk elements, creating a unique atmosphere. The narrative explores themes like rampant corporatism, environmental destruction, and the fight for freedom, making Final Fantasy 7 Remake an essential work in the sci-fi JRPG genre, challenging players to reflect on contemporary issues through its rich story and setting.

8 Parasite Eve

Biological Horror And Science In Conflict

Parasite Eve

Horror

Action RPG

Systems

7 Rogue Galaxy

A Space Odyssey Full Of Adventures

Rogue Galaxy

Action

JRPG

Sci-Fi

Systems

Platform(s): PS2 , PS4
Released: January 30, 2007
Developer(s): Level-5

A classic released on PlayStation 2, Rogue Galaxy invites players to embark on an epic journey across the stars. This sci-fi JRPG follows Jaster Rogue, a young adventurer, as he explores exotic planets and faces challenges that could define the future of the galaxy.

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The narrative of Rogue Galaxy is filled with intergalactic intrigues and discoveries that question humanity’s place in the cosmos. Each encounter and revelation throughout the journey expands the game’s universe, offering a rich experience in exploration and character development, making it an indispensable reference in the sci-fi JRPG genre.

6 Star Ocean: The Second Story R

An Epic Sci-Fi JRPG

Star Ocean: The Second Story R

JRPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Rating:85/100 Critics Recommend:96%

Platform(s): PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch
Released: November 2, 2023
Developer(s): Gemdrops, Inc.

The Japanese market has also produced many great science fiction games, and Star Ocean is a prime example, mixing fantasy elements with a futuristic setting to create an incredible game. It takes players into a distant future within a vast and detailed universe.

5 Phantasy Star 4: The End of the Millennium

The Climax Of An Intergalactic Saga

Phantasy Star 4

RPG

Systems

Platform(s): PC , PS3 , Genesis , Switch , Wii , Xbox 360
Released: December 17, 1993
Developer(s): Sega

Phantasy Star 4: The End of the Millennium is one of the masterpieces of the JRPG genre with a strong vein of science fiction. Set in the Algol solar system, the game explores a future where advanced technology coexists with mystical forces, creating a fascinating and contrasting universe.

The plot unfolds with the protagonists facing a cosmic threat that endangers the existence of the entire system. The deep and complex narrative addresses themes of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and the struggle between man and unknown forces, reflecting humanity's anxieties and hopes in the face of the unknown.

4 Xenogears

A Philosophical And Epic Journey In Mechas

Xenogears

JRPG

Systems

Platform(s): PS1 , PlayStation 3
Released: October 20, 1998
Developer(s): Square

Released by Square in 1998, Xenogears is a sci-fi JRPG that follows the complex journey of Fei Fong Wong. Living in a peaceful village, Fei is suddenly drawn into a global conflict, discovering that his past and true identity are tied to powerful and mysterious forces. Throughout the game, Fei faces questions of identity, destiny, and morality while confronting global conspiracies and divine beings.

The narrative of Xenogears stands out for its depth, exploring philosophical and religious themes through the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery. Combining this rich plot with mecha battles and the innovative Active Time Battle system, Xenogears has established itself as a timeless classic in the JRPG genre.

3 Chrono Trigger

Epic Story About Time Travel

Chrono Trigger

RPG

Systems

Platform(s): SNES , PlayStation (Original) , PC , Nintendo DS , Android , iOS
Released: March 11, 1995
Developer(s): Square Enix

Created by what many players consider the Dream Team of 90s JRPGs, Chrono Trigger is an ode to science fiction. Here, players experience a story where the main theme is time travel, taking characters from the Stone Age to the distant future, where they must prevent Lavos, an alien creature, from destroying humanity.

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Due to the influence of the game’s villain, when players reach the future, they find only destruction. The few humans who survived the apocalypse live isolated in small, destroyed domes, while decaying robots try to eliminate the remaining life on the planet. Additionally, the game also addresses the consequences of changing the timeline, creating a sci-fi classic.

2 Xenoblade Chronicles X

A Sci-Fi Masterpiece

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Action RPG

Open-World

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:87%

Platform(s): Nintendo Wii U
Released: December 4, 2015
Developer(s): Monolith Soft , Nintendo SPD

Xenoblade Chronicles X stands out as one of the deepest explorations of science fiction in the Xenoblade franchise. Set on the alien planet Mira, the game places players in the midst of humanity's struggle for survival after an interstellar war. With a strong focus on colonizing new worlds and adapting to hostile environments, the title produced by Monolith offers a rich and realistic vision of the future.

While other games in the series mix fantasy and sci-fi, Xenoblade Chronicles X focuses exclusively on technological and alien elements, providing a unique experience of exploration and survival. Every detail, from the city architecture to the creatures that inhabit Mira, reinforces the atmosphere of a distant and challenging future.

1 Nier: Automata

A Reflection On Humanity And Destruction

NieR: Automata

Action RPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Rating:89/100 Critics Recommend:93%

Platform(s): PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Switch
Released: March 7, 2017
Developer(s): Platinum Games

For players interested in a philosophical story, experiencing Nier: Automata is an incredible journey. The game tells the story of an endless war between robots and androids, diving into a narrative that questions the essence of humanity. This sci-fi JRPG guides protagonists 2B and 9S through a post-apocalyptic world where each battle reveals layers of a deep and philosophical narrative.

The plot addresses themes like identity, purpose, and morality, challenging players to reflect on the meaning of life in a world devoid of humanity. Nier: Automata establishes itself as a masterpiece in the sci-fi RPG genre, offering a narrative experience that goes beyond mere survival.

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