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Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

30 Games with a anime setting like Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII that you should try

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We filtered the 48 games similar to Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII down to the 30 that fit the “Anime” category. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., NieR:Automata™ and Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.

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GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG
Tags
NarrativeSolo
Year 2013Dev Square Enix 1st Production Department
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Quick answer

Within the “Anime” category, the closest game to Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... — scoring 93/100 on our similarity scale. NieR:Automata™ and Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot follow close behind.

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The best games with a anime setting like Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

30 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Each one has been evaluated across 14 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSci-FiAnimeFantasyExplorationThird Person
Steam👍 88%· 28KIGDB82· 12OC83· 135
Year 2021Dev Toylogic · Square EnixOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of action JRPGs: deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Stands apart with shooter, punishing difficulty and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping skill tree progression

NieR:Automata™
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSci-FiFantasyAnimeExplorationThird Person
Steam👍 87%· 151KRAWG👍 86%· 2.2KMC86IGDB86· 24OC89· 157
Year 2017Dev Platinum Games · Square EnixPlaytime ~13hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Its own twist: punishing difficulty, dark, oppressive atmosphere and ranged combat, while skipping skill tree progression

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyAnimeSci-FiExplorationThird Person
Steam👍 93%· 58KIGDB78· 12OC73· 166
Year 2020Dev CyberConnect2 · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Stands apart with fighting mechanics, multiplayer gameplay and visual isometric, while skipping skill tree progression

Final Fantasy XV
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasySci-FiAnimeExplorationThird Person
Steam👍 83%· 57KIGDB81· 25OC81· 149
Year 2016Dev Luminous Productions · Square EnixOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, sandbox freedom and sandbox world, while skipping skill tree progression

Final Fantasy XIII-2
RPGJRPGTurn-Based JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasySci-FiAnimeSkill TreeExplorationThird Person
Steam👍 58%· 6.2KIGDB75· 11
Year 2011Dev Square Enix 1st Production Department · Square EnixOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Xbox

✓ Like Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, it's known for deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy and turn-based strategy, while skipping action RPG combat

Scarlet Nexus
RPGJRPGTurn-Based JRPG
SoloMeleeOpen WorldAnimeFantasySci-FiExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Steam👍 81%· 18KIGDB81· 10OC79· 145
Year 2021Dev Bandai Namco Studios · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, expect deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, turn-based strategy and punishing difficulty, while skipping strong narrative focus

Persona 5 Strikers
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeAnimeFantasyThird Person
Steam👍 87%· 18KIGDB81· 13OC83· 131
Year 2020Dev Omega Force · SegaOn PS4 · PC · Switch

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation and visual 3d, while skipping open world exploration

Trials of Mana
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloFantasyAnimeThird Person
Steam👍 91%· 5.7KIGDB78· 10OC75· 97
Year 2020Dev Square Enix Creative Business Unit IV · Square EnixOn Xbox · PS4 · Android

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling.

≠ Missing: strong narrative focus.

Eternal Senia
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeAnimeFantasy
Steam👍 97%· 12KRAWG👍 62%· 44
Year 2015Dev Holy PriestPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of action JRPGs: deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, visual isometric and visual 2d, while skipping adventure storytelling

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldAnimeFantasyExplorationThird Person
Steam👍 84%· 11KIGDB86· 14
Year 2018Dev LEVEL-5 · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of action JRPGs: deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, cozy, relaxing feel and loot and gear systems, while skipping setting scifi

CrossCode
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiAnime
Steam👍 93%· 18KIGDB81· 8OC84· 71
Year 2018Dev Radical Fish Games · WhisperGamesOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of action JRPGs: deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, shooter and punishing difficulty, while skipping open world exploration

Tales of Arise
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldAnimeFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person
Steam👍 87%· 36KIGDB87· 6OC87· 144
Year 2021Dev Bandai Namco Studios · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are action JRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with combat magic, while skipping setting scifi

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyAnimeExplorationThird Person
Steam👍 62%· 3.1KIGDB75· 11OC72· 76
Year 2015Dev HexaDrive · Square EnixOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings linear, story-driven structure, combat magic and visual 3d, while skipping setting scifi

Ys Origin
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeFantasyAnimeExplorationThird Person
Steam👍 93%· 3.6KRAWG👍 77%· 94MC76IGDB80· 10OC81· 64
Year 2006Dev DotEmu · XSEED GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, punishing difficulty and loot and gear systems, while skipping strong narrative focus

Fortune Summoners
RPGJRPGAction JRPG
SoloMeleeAnimeFantasyExploration
Steam👍 85%· 879
Year 2012Dev Lizsoft · Carpe FulgurPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are action JRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, Metroidvania exploration and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping strong narrative focus

Complete list of games with a anime setting like Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

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