When it comes to RPG video games, it’s really hard to top Square Enix’s “Final Fantasy” franchise. Starting in 1987, “Final Fantasy” has undergone a stunning transformation from a turn-based RPG experience into one that’s spread into the action RPG and MMO space. That led the series toward becoming one of the most iconic video game franchises around, thrilling millions of fans worldwide. With a whole line of mainline “Final Fantasy” games, Square Enix’s series has been a prominent presence in the industry for decades.
With the countless amount of RPGs that have surfaced for the past 40 years, we’re highlighting the best outside of Square Enix’s flagship franchise. This includes other properties developed by Square Enix, but also acclaimed RPG experiences by a number of prominent outside parties. For this list, we’re looking at RPGs that evoke the classic gameplay that “Final Fantasy” is best known for; less so than more action-oriented titles like “Diablo” or “The Elder Scrolls.” These are the five best RPGs that aren’t “Final Fantasy,” each bringing epic stories and distinctly engaging gameplay to the genre.
Secret of Mana
Another beloved Square Enix RPG franchise is the “Mana” series, itself a spiritual successor to “Final Fantasy” via a spin-off called “Final Fantasy Adventure.” That game became better known in remakes as “Sword of Mana,” firming up its pedigree as the origin of the “Mana” franchise. The bar against which the rest of the series is judged is the 1993 installment “Secret of Mana” for the Super Nintendo, however. The game does use real-time combat, but incorporates other classic RPG elements similar to Square’s other titles at the time. One of the game’s biggest innovations is the availability of three-person co-op, provided players have the Super Nintendo’s Super Multitap peripheral.
Before “Final Fantasy” moved into the action RPG space with its more modern entries, “Secret of Mana” led the charge. The game takes full advantage of the SNES hardware, with a gorgeous presentation and sound design that stands among the console’s best. Moreover, the idea that this sort of RPG could feature a local multiplayer experience was revolutionary for its time. A highlight for ’90s RPGs, “Secret of Mana’ is one of the best games Square has ever made.
Chrono Trigger
Before Square moved from Nintendo to focus on developing games for Sony’s PlayStation, it provided several major gems for the Super Nintendo. Among these was the 1995 game “Chrono Trigger,” which provided its own standalone RPG adventure. The game’s protagonist Crono is accidentally transported through time, eventually ending up in a post-apocalyptic future. Determined to stop this disastrous future from coming to pass, Crono recruits allies from throughout history to confront and defeat the villain responsible for armageddon.
“Chrono Trigger” is not only a ’90s RPG that aged surprisingly well, it’s arguably the ’90s RPG that aged the best. With seven different time periods to explore and seven playable characters to recruit, the game boasts an impressive scope. This is underscored by the game possessing multiple endings that depend on the player’s choices, including a wild secret ending many “Chrono Trigger” fans missed. One of the greatest 16-bit games ever made, “Chrono Trigger” proved Square could make stellar RPGs outside of its “Final Fantasy” franchise.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Nintendo brought its own flagship franchise “Super Mario” into the RPG space with 1996’s “Super Mario RPG,” developed by Square for the Super Nintendo. The company has since published further RPG adventures for its iconic mascot, including the “Paper Mario” and “Mario & Luigi” series, but the pinnacle of this bold direction for Mario and his friends is the 2004 GameCube title “Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.” The game’s story has Princess Peach kidnapped by a mysterious group of villains known as the X-Nauts, with Mario setting out to rescue her, encountering new friends along the way.
“The Thousand-Year Door” perfects the timed turn-based style introduced by “Super Mario RPG” and refined by the original N64 “Paper Mario.” Beyond the gameplay, the story presents players with several twists and a relatively darker sense of humor than most of the “Super Mario” franchise. The game received a remake for the Nintendo Switch in 2024 which wisely stayed very faithful to the original title’s gameplay and presentation. The ultimate RPG experience from Nintendo, “Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door” is a triumph of what Mario can do with this kind of gameplay.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D
The “Dragon Quest” series technically predates “Final Fantasy” when it comes to long-running RPG franchises. Starting in 1986, the series was a staple for Enix long before the company merged with Square, which brought both RPG properties together under Square Enix. The classic “Dragon Quest” game that every RPG fan should start with is “Dragon Quest III,” which was remade in HD in 2024. A prequel to the first two games in the series, the player character recruits a small party of allies to save the world from, ostensibly, the villainous Baramos. Naturally, there’s a little more going on.
Some would say “Dragon Quest IV” is the best in the series while others would say “Dragon Quest XI.” Those are all valid opinions, of course. We’re going with “Dragon Quest III HD-2D” because it reinvigorates one of the franchise’s most enduring entries for modern audiences beautifully. The larger story remains intact while the presentation and quality of life improvements make this the perfect jumping-on point for newcomers to the series. An exemplary showcase for the franchise in its grand entirety, “Dragon Quest III HD-2D” makes the venerable classic feel new again.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The French developer Sandfall Interactive has delivered one of the best modern and original RPGs in years. In a world inspired by the Belle Époque period, the game follows adventurers trying to destroy a powerful figure known as the Paintress to prevent her from erasing reality. The game features a turn-based combat system like classic RPGs, albeit with real-time elements, including quick-time events. While progression through the main story is relatively linear, the overworld environment is wide enough for players to explore while and taking on side quests.
“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” is one of the best video games of 2025 and a landmark achievement for modern RPGs. The game has a sweeping story set to the rhythm of major emotional beats and offers one of the most stunning art designs found in the genre. But for all its bells and whistles, the game retains the classic hallmarks of an RPG, proving that turn-based combat can be just as engaging today. If there was ever a game to reaffirm faith in the future of conventional RPGs, “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” is the title for the job.
