11 Games with a sci-fi 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 11 that fit the “Sci-Fi” 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

The best games with a sci-fi setting like Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

11 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.

#1NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...

iRank85

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction 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

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction 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

Details →

Steam Xbox

#3Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

iRank84

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction 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

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction 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

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#5Final Fantasy XIII-2

iRank64

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreTurn-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

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreTurn-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

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction 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

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#8Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Reunion

iRank85

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiFantasyThird Person

Steam👍 90%· 8.5KIGDB82· 6OC80· 128

Year 2022Dev Tose · Square EnixOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: combat tactical, combat magic and visual 3d, while skipping open world exploration

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based JRPG

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldFantasySci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 88%· 9.4KRAWG👍 86%· 423MC90

Year 1999Dev Square · Square EnixPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS

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

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, card game strategy and visual isometric, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based JRPG

SoloNarrativeSci-FiAnime

Steam👍 59%· 117

Year 2014Dev Winter WolvesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings visual novel storytelling and turn-based strategy, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloNarrativeSci-FiDarkCozy

Steam👍 98%· 20KRAWG👍 87%· 248IGDB93· 1OC85· 16

Year 2017Dev X.D. NetworkPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, dark, oppressive atmosphere and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam GOG

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