For a long time, Square and Enix were bitter rivals, especially in the JRPG field. When the two merged in 2003 to create a single gaming juggernaut, it was a big deal. It brought some of gaming’s most beloved series and franchises under one roof. The list of popular gamesSquare Enixhas released is staggering.
Known for itsmassive JRPG franchises, Square Enix has released a ton of games as both a publisher and developer. Many have gone on to affect not just their genres, but the gaming industry as a whole. The games on this list have been chosen based on how influential they’ve been, and an attempt has been made to limit multiple entries from the same franchises. The examples below cover a range of genres, not just JRPGs (that could be a whole list on its own). Finally, games have been included by both Square and Enix from before their merger, but not games made by publishers acquired since, like the originalTomb Raider. These may not be the best Square Enix games, but they’re responsible for helping shape the gaming landscape as we know it today.
There’s a lot of argument as to whichFinal Fantasygame is the best, with the most heated competition being betweenFinal Fantasy 6andFinal Fantasy 7. Which is better is a matter of personal opinion, but it’s easier to argue thatFinal Fantasy 7is one ofthe most influential Turn-Base JRPGs ever made.FF6might be the pinnacle of the old sprite-based JRPGs, butFF7ushered in a whole new era.
The game was incredibly influential in pioneering 3D graphics and full-motion video. Costing $45 million to develop, it was the most expensive RPG ever made at the time. Its story was well-written and emotionally charged, showing the potential for games as a storytelling medium. The game was also packed with now-iconic characters that are just as popular now as they were 30 years ago. Perhaps most importantly, the game’s massive success on the PlayStation in the West introduced an entire generation of Western gamers to a once-niche genre.
Originally known asDragon Warrior, whenDragon Questcame out in 1986, it wasn’t technically the first ever JRPG. It did, however, set the template for JRPGs going forward. Its turn-based combat, level grinding, and epic quest story were all genre-defining. It may not bethe bestDragon Questgame ever released, but it was the most important.
Much likeFinal Fantasy 7in the West,Dragon Quest’ssuccess in Japan was pivotal in shaping the gaming landscape as we know it today. Much of this success was down to its mechanics, which were deep for the time while still approachable, and its charming story. Ever since, theDragon Questseries has been the poster child for the “stereotypical JRPG.” An honorable mention goes toDragon Quest 8, which revitalized the genre for the PS2 era.
Just Cause 2was released one year after Eidos was acquired by Square Enix, meaning it just squeaks onto our list. The game went a long way in defining modern open-world sandbox gameplay, which it did by being absolutely bonkers. At the time of its release,Just Cause 2had one ofthe biggest open-world maps ever, and it filled that map with over-the-top action.
The game emphasized player freedom like never before. Its grappling hook and parachute mechanics allowed for unprecedented mobility. The game wanted the player to be as chaotic as possible, and its sandbox-style action set new standards for open-world design. In a time when games were marching towards realism,Just Cause 2reminded publishers that it was okay to focus on fun and freedom. While later games in the series may have gone over the top,Just Cause 2laid the foundations for many sandbox games players enjoy today.
Life is Strangeisn’t revolutionary because of its gameplay. Rather, it’s a standard adventure game full of impactful choices and branching storylines that change depending on the player’s decisions. What madeLife is Strangeso influential is its story. The game’s narrative follows Max Caulfield, a troubled teenager who discovers she has time manipulation powers.
The developers used that setup to tell an emotionally driven, well-written story full of realistic characters.Life is Strangewas devoted to an authentic representation of sometimes controversial topics like mental health and LGBTQ+ characters. It took an inclusive approach that resonated with people, because these topics felt like an organic part of the story. The franchise’s success reinforced the idea that games can tackle real-world issues and provide meaningful experiences without feeling forced.
Final Fantasy 14remains one of thebiggest MMORPGs in the world, over ten years after its initial release. It’s one of the most influential MMORPGs ever made and continues to shape the genre with each content drop it receives. While MMORPGs traditionally focused on keeping players engaged via their grind,Final Fantasy 14has kept its players coming back with an emphasis on an ongoing, enjoyable story. Its frequent, sizable updates have proven that it’s possible for an MMORPG other thanWorld of Warcraftto stick around without going stale.
What makes the game truly influential, however, is its catastrophic start. WhenFinal Fantasy 14first launched, it was so universally panned that Square Enix pulled the plug until it could be relaunched as “A Realm Reborn.” It was one of the biggest comebacks in gaming history, and showed that a disastrous launch didn’t mean publishers had to give up on a title. Later disasters likeNo Man’s SkyandCyberpunk 2077learned this lesson, and both games went on to enjoy comebacks of their own.
When talking about influential JRPGs,Final FantasyandDragon Questtend to dominate the conversation, and people tend to forget the originalRomancing SaGa. These days, non-linear gameplay isn’t just taken for granted, it’s downright expected. But back in 1992,Romancing SaGa’sapproach to non-linearity was groundbreaking.
The game introduced the “Free Scenario System,” which allowed players to choose from multiple protagonists, each with their own arc and branching storylines. It was one of the first times in an RPG that a player’s decisions could truly shape the narrative they experienced, allowing for untold replayability. Gamers today are used to playinggames where their decisions truly matter, a trend thatRomancing SaGaarguably started.
The originalTomb Raider, published by Eidos, is one of, if not the most influential, action games ever released. It makes sense, then, that the 2013 reboot would also be influential.Tomb Raider (2013)redefined Lara Croft for a new generation by focusing on her origins and humanizing her journey. While gamers are used to seeing action heroes gunning down countless enemies, this was one of the first games to explore a protagonist’s first time killing and the emotional toll it takes.
The game’s cinematic presentation, exploration mechanics, crafting, action-packed gameplay, and stealth system all went on to impact other action-adventure titles. Outside of gameplay elements,Tomb Raider (2013)helped to kick off the current reboot/remake trend in gaming. Whether that’s good or bad is up for debate.
Hitman: Absolutionis probably the most controversial game in theHitmanfranchise. It was a departure from earlier games in the franchise, and influenced the stealth genre in both positive and negative ways. On the positive side, its AI was sophisticated compared to many earlier stealth games, with NPCs responding to the player’s actions in realistic ways. Its level design was impressively intricate, with each mission offering players multiple (and often imaginative) paths to completion.Absolutionalso introduced the “Contracts” mode, which lets players create and share their own challenges. Later games copied this community-driven experience.
On the downside, the game’s levels were also much smaller than those of earlier entries, and some players complained they were too linear. Furthermore, the game had a much more action-oriented approach to gameplay, where running and gunning was a viable option. This, combined with the new “Instincts” mode (which made stealth much easier), left some feeling thatHitman: Absolutionhad dumbed down its stealth gameplay to tempt a wider audience. Other stealth-focused franchises copied this approach.
Chrono Triggeris widely regarded as one of the best RPGs ever made. Anincredibly innovative RPG, the game was responsible for introducing several groundbreaking features that set new standards for RPGs going forward. While it wasn’t the first game to have an active time battle (ATB) system,Chrono Triggerrefined the mechanic so that it offered a more engaging and strategic experience.
The real standout, though, was the game’s non-linear, time-traveling story. After a certain point,Chrono Triggerlets players jump between separate timelines at will, with their actions in the past having consequences in the future. That could be as small as a chest being empty, to as large as unlocking a whole new ending or preventing certain characters from dying. This focus on player choice was backed up by a compelling story set in a detailed, immersive world. Even more impressive, each different era felt distinct. In a way,Chrono Triggeroffered more than one world to explore. Much like withRomancing SaGa,Chrono Trigger’semphasis on player choice and a branching storyline deeply affect games to this day.
In the gaming industry, there’s little reason for big developers and publishers to take risks. They know what sells, and they know that recycling the same handful of ideas will net them profits, even if some gamers complain about the lack of innovation. With that in mind, it’s hard to believe that the weird and ambitiousNieR: Automataever got off the drawing board. It’s a brilliant action RPG (most of the time), whose philosophical narrative explores themes like consciousness, and the nature of humanity through its android protagonists.
NieR: Automataintegrates other genres of gameplay, including hack-and-slash, bullet hell, and platforming. It also featured multiple protagonists, all of whom are controlled differently. The result is a game that ends up feeling like a dozen games in one, yet feels cohesive. Upon release, the game garnered almost universal praise and is considered by some to be the gold standard of action RPGs. Its combat has influenced countless action games since 2017, while its bold narrative and design choices showed other big-name publishers that it’s okay to take risks.
