Best Anime Games – Power levels, big hair, and glorious drama

Gripping stories, vibrant aesthetics, and plenty of hair gel: these are the core pillars of anime games that immerse us in their worlds with a distinct blend of drama and pleasing settings. From fighting games that bring iconic anime series to life to JRPG’s which evoke the same vivid emotions, there is no shortage of colorful anime-inspired worlds to explore in video games.

Here, you’ll find the best anime games available across a range of platforms. With no genre limitations, these are anime games for every type of player to enjoy. Keep in mind, this is not a definitive list, but rather a way to find what anime-inspired game is right for you to dive into next.

✓ VideoGamer Summary

• Many of the best anime games incorporate unforgettable characters and innovative twists on timeless gameplay mechanics.
• The top spots of the best Anime games combine these aspects in complementary ways, creating all-encompassing immersive experiences.
• The trick to finding your next anime-inspired adventure is to find a blend of genres, aesthetics, and character archetypes that appeal to you.

Trails in the Sky First Chapter

A modern reimagining of the first game in the Trails franchise, Trails in the Sky First Chapter makes it now easier than ever to be swept up by this long-running JRPG series. This entry is the first of 14 narratives set in the continent of Zemuria, a land with no shortage of political unrest and beautiful scenery to immerse yourself in. It follows characters like the energetic Estelle and the enigmatic Joshua, protagonists who embody classic anime archetypes in enjoyable ways that make it hard not to get attached. 

Combined with the new ability to switch between classic turn-based combat and new real-time action, it’s easy to see why this remake has received such high praise and to lose yourself in its bright, imaginative environments. With a remake of the second chapter also on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to start your Trails journey.

Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections

Undoubtedly one of the most iconic anime of all time, the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series brings the world of Naruto to life through fighting game mechanics and show-accurate battlefields. Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is its latest and greatest, amplifying the series’ customisability and engrossing stories. 

The 130 characters included from across Naruto’s vast cast mean there’s someone for series veterans and newcomers alike to pick up and play. Combined with newly added streamlined controls and playable battles from the show, this all-encompassing entry is one that fighting game enthusiasts and fans of the anime alike will enjoy.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero

Fighting games are the most self-explanatory of the many based on Akira Toriyama’s magnum opus. By introducing a plethora of original combat mechanics and new characters, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero captures the essence of the series in ways that Xenoverse and FighterZ attempted, yet never truly mastered. For what it lacks in customization, it makes up for in show-accurate spirit bombs and an addictive gameplay loop that rewards risk-taking. 

Greater accessibility features make it welcoming for newcomers without sacrificing the technical intricacies that Dragon Ball fighting games are known for. It captures the essence of the series’s iconic large-scale battles while paying homage to its legendary source material and creator.

13 Sentinels Aegis Rim

Following 13 different protagonists from various timelines in a single story may seem like an intimidating premise. Despite this, 13 Sentinels Aegis Rim uses this innovative story system to craft one of the most novel stories seen in video games. This mind-bending love letter to scifi has you flipping between uncovering the mysteries and real-time strategy. While this comes at the cost of immersion, new revelations about its story do the heavy lifting to pull you right back in. 

The switch between 13 perspectives provides every player with their own unique narrative, making the journey to understand the truth of its world feel surprisingly personal. The exponential payoff from piecing together the true plot is a reward that can only be claimed by mining Vanillaware’s Evangelion-inspired experience.

Digimon Story Time Stranger

Digimon Story games are turn-based monster-taming RPGs that rely on experimentation and customization to rival the likes of Pokémon. Inventive growth mechanics set them apart from other games in the oversaturated genre, rewarding players who experiment with different evolutions. 

In Digimon Story Time Stranger, these unique mechanics are refined to craft a one-of-a-kind experience. Fans of the Digimon anime and those seeking new creatures to befriend will find no shortage of iconic Digimon to experiment with over the course of an emotional narrative. Greater customisability and more challenging battles make it more gratifying than ever before to raise and bond with your team.

While Cyber Sleuth and Hacker’s Memory were the pioneers of this series, the quality of life improvements and the largest roster of Digimon to date make Time Stranger an impressive new entry point.

Fire Emblem Three Houses

Fire Emblem Three Houses is both a strong entry point and a grand step forward for the franchise. Its memorable cast of students from the Garag Mach monastery are influenced by your actions, taking on abilities of your choosing and growing closer to you through some of the series’ most masterfully written support conversations. This creates strong connections with each of them, making the decision of which students you align with even harder. 

Each of the three paths it offers comes packed with new juicy details and characters, making each one feel like a new game in its own right. What results is an engrossing experience that leans on its three-angled story to bring to life a fully realized world. With the upcoming Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave set to be strongly tied to Three Houses, there’s no better time to head back to class.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Presenting a philosophical narrative through the lens of its colorful yet dystopian world, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 follows the journey of Noah, Mio, and their companions as they seek to break the cycle of war between their two countries. In their world, each life lasts 10 years, a narrative element that adds a heavier weight to each battle. It’s unafraid to take risks, both in its social commentary and multitude of experimental mechanics. 

While the latest addition to the series’ already gargantuan combat systems requires time to learn, the payoff comes in mastering a slew of intricate mechanics. A deeply personal anime adventure on a grand scale, it surpasses the scope of its predecessors by bringing together elements from each to great, cathartic effect.

Metaphor ReFantazio

A politically charged triumph, Metaphor ReFantazio shows us what JRPG giant ATLUS can do when freed from the constraints of their existing IPs. Set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, this is a journey to reforge a fantasy world built on the foundations of segregation that bears an all-too-heavy resemblance to our own. These similarities provide all the more motivation to see this lengthy yet immersive journey through to its end.

By combining ATLUS’ trademark satisfying turn-based combat with new twists, you’re guaranteed to experience something new with every battle fought and landmark visited. With a party of lovable characters from all backgrounds and one of ATLUS’ best-written villains to date, this high-class fantasy is an artistic call for political change and more elves. Many, many more elves.

Persona 5 Royal

Once an offshoot of Shin Megami Tensei, the Persona games are now ATLUS’ flagship franchise, inspiring newcomers and long-time fans to find pride and power in their true selves. Persona 5 Royal follows a different group of high school students with struggles that people of any age can relate to, providing greater meaning to the social links between them.

The depth of these relationships is reflected masterfully in battles directly impacted by the bonds you form when not slashing through shadows to stop greater evils. Persona 5 Royal further refines ATLUS’ biggest hit with additional content and even more meaningful story beats through the addition of a new arc and a brand new character. This makes Royal the definite way to experience the latest entry in the Persona series.

Nier Automata

Love, death, and robots. These three elements come together to create the beauty of Nier Automata, Yoko Taro’s existential open-world hack-and-slash. The questions it poses about consciousness and the futility of war are complemented by a post-apocalyptic environment that holds endless secrets and untold riches to uncover. 

What cements its place at the peak of anime-inspired titles is the unforgettable true ending that arguably encapsulates what Nier Automata is all about: finding purpose in an unconventional, war-torn world by connecting with one another. Combined with fully customizable combat styles, it’s no secret as to why it’s a must-play for those who’ve not tried it yet. Just don’t forget to keep your OS chip in.

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