Square Enix is one of the largest developers and producers in the gaming industry right now. Although it covers several genres, they are most well-known for role-playing games (RPGs). While Final Fantasy is the most mainstream franchise, it is hardly the only RPG attached to the Square Enix brand. Squaresoft and Enix merged in 2003, and hundreds of RPGs have been developed under their name since then.
With so many games in the catalog, many of them would inevitably be exceptionally well-received. Although not all releases were positively received, many games were top of the charts, while others are beautiful hidden gems worth experiencing. Square Enix offers games for everyone, in all different styles, that are still accessible on at least one of the current generation consoles. With that in mind, here are eight of the best Square Enix releases that you can play today, not necessarily in ranked order.
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
This could not be a Square Enix RPG list without a Final Fantasy entry. Final Fantasy X HD Remaster is one of the highest-rated Final Fantasy entries and the highest one published by Square Enix. The game combines a strong, emotional, and enthralling storyline with smooth turn-based combat. Players are immediately drawn into the character development.
Creative leveling through the sphere grid allows for customization, and the game adds challenge without being impossible. Even though the game is older, it still holds the test of time thanks to the strong foundations it was built on and the HD Remaster for graphic enhancements.
The game is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
I Am Setsuna
I Am Setsuna is one of the lesser-known gems that Square Enix put out in 2016. I Am Setsuna takes inspiration from another Square game, Chrono Trigger, utilizing simplistic, smart turn-based combat. The music is classically Japanese and both soft and beautiful. The visuals, utilizing the HD 2D style that Square Enix has become famous for, are equally simple but breathtaking.
Utilizing the concept of snow to back the storyline of sorrow and heartbreak, the game pulls you in from the first moment and keeps you gripped the entire way through. The game is more challenging than some other Square Enix franchises, but the payoff is worth it.
The game is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Triangle Strategy
First released in 2022, Triangle Strategy is a fantastic example of a modern tactical RPG that just works. Taking inspiration from Squaresoft’s iconic Final Fantasy Tactics, Triangle Strategy utilizes a similar turn-based chessboard battle system.
What Square Enix does especially well in this entry is the multiple paths in the storyline. Like many great RPGs, the decisions you make in each scenario impact the direction of the game and storyline. The visuals continue the retro-modern feel that Square Enix has perfected, and the overall growth and job system are also well thought of within the genre. Triangle Strategy isn’t just one of Square Enix’s best tactical RPGs but one of the best of the era.
The game is currently available on Nintendo Switch, PC, and Meta VR.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age
If not for the existence of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest would likely be Square’s most well-known franchise. Dragon Quest XI is the game that truly popularized the series in North America and is one of the best entry points for newcomers to the series. Like all entries in the series, it utilizes turn-based combat.
Fully released in 2018, the game took off across regions. Its combination of classic combat, 3D cartoon-style graphics, and character-driven plot made it appealing to a wide variety of gamers, including those new to the Dragon Quest franchise. The game played it safe, which could be seen as a negative, but in doing so, it made the game approachable and enjoyable for any type of player. That choice played well in its favor.
The game is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata is an action-based combat game that was released in 2017. It received critical acclaim, winning multiple game awards throughout the year. It has since received additional content and multiple specialized releases. Although, it is technically a sequel to Nier, which received a remaster called Nier: Replicant.
Utilizing a sci-fi, machine-based war story, Nier: Automata offers a unique, compelling, and thought-provoking storyline. The combat combines elements from multiple different genres, offering a different look at what an RPG can be. While it is faithful to the original Nier, it offers a more polished, improved system. The release was not perfect, but the overall package of storyline, powerful themes, fun combat, and beautiful music make it a highly enjoyable experience.
The game is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
NEO: The World Ends With You
Neo is a lesser-known gem of an action RPG that was released by Square in 2021. While technically a sequel to the original The World Ends With You game, it can be played on its own. Utilizing 3D graphics, the game has a distinctly Japanese anime art style, making it especially appealing in the Asian markets but enjoyable to all gamers.
Neo received favorable reviews thanks to a combination of strong elements. The gameplay, built on multi-party action combat, allows for strategic set-ups and character-building. It takes the action genre and challenges it with unique, experimental combat that pays off. The storyline and vibrant setting also help the game stand out from the pack and make playing it a truly memorable experience.
The game is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Fantasian: Neo Dimension
The lead director for Fantasian: Neo Dimension previously worked on some of the most iconic Final Fantasy games, so it should be no surprise that the game feels like an ode to the classics. Originally developed in 2021 as a two-part mobile game simply entitled Fantasian, it received a console reimagined release at the end of 2024 with quality-of-life improvements and added voice acting.
Combat, like many classic Final Fantasy games, utilizes turn-based mechanics and classic RPG growth. The storyline focused on interdimensional concepts, lost memories, and machine-based danger creates an inspiring dialogue, one that feels both familiar and unique. There is a comfort to this game that brings nostalgia to gamers, uniting the best of modern gaming with iconic classics.
The game is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Octopath Traveler II
Octopath Traveler was one of Square’s recent projects designed to test the marketability of turn-based mechanics in a modern gaming scene. Evidently, Square felt it worked, as they made a sequel and a mobile game based around the original. Octopath Traveler II took the base of the first entry and improved upon it in pretty much every way.
Once again, Square leaned into nostalgia here by combining turn-based gaming elements with its HD 2D graphic format. Having 8 separate storylines to follow can be overwhelming at first, but you quickly pick up the patterns in character development. What places this game on the list, though, is not the storyline but rather the thoughtful, intentional combat mechanics that allow for creativity and strategy building. The team took feedback and enhanced all elements of this sequel, setting the franchise up for continued development opportunities.
The game is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Square Enix Remains At The Top Of The RPG World
This list holds some seriously entertaining gaming, covering a player for hundreds of hours of content. This still doesn’t even cover all that Square has to offer. Honorable mention franchises include Kingdom Hearts, Bravely Default, Mana, SaGa, and Star Ocean, and the newly remastered Super Mario RPG is a proven classic as well. Other companies are making a strong push into the space, including Atlus Games, creators of Persona and Shin Megami Tensai, and Sega, which develops the Yakuza: Like A Dragon series but also supports Atlus in the production of their games. However, Square Enix still owns the space in sales, releases, and diverse options, leaving it to remain at the top of the pack.
