While the full Square Enix brand we know today has only been around since 2003, its full history actually dates as far back as the 1970s.
Both prior to the merger between Square and Enix and since, the cumulative brand has churned out games across numerous consoles and generations.
Of course, we all remember the heavy hitters like Final Fantasy VII or Dragon Quest.
15 Best Square Enix Games, Ranked
Square Enix has a storied history of many great gaming franchises, but which games are the best of the best?
However, Square Enix actually has quite a few other IPs in its repertoire that couldbenefit from a resurgence.
These games would be perfect for the full remake treatment, or at the very least, an updated port with improved graphics and gameplay.
10Parasite Eve
More And More Mitochondria
Parasite Eve
When it comes tounderrated RPGs, a name that frequently comes up is 1998’sParasite Eve.
A sequel to a sci-fi/horror novel of the same name, Parasite Eve explores the concept of living bodies and the many organisms that actually make them up.
It had a fascinating encounter-based combat system where you could run around a set area and queue up attacks against moving enemies.
Parasite Eve’s contemporary setting is just begging for a remake. Though if it ever got one, odds are good we’d all be shouting “mitochondria” at each other for at least a few months.
9Drakengard
It Makes NieR Easier To Understand
Drakengard
The NieR series, including Replicant and Automata, is one of Square Enix’s big names in action RPGs.
However, there are actually several other games in this series, specifically theDrakengardgames.
The original NieR’s story is actuallybased on one of the endings of the original 2003 Drakengard, so bringing it into the modern age would help the series’ overall cohesiveness.
It certainly helps that Drakengard had an interesting three-pronged gameplay design of ground combat, aerial combat, and free exploration that’d fit in perfectly with modern sensibilities.
8Breath Of Fire
You Can Never Have Enough Dragons
Breath of Fire
Everyone loves having dragons in their fantasy RPGs, Square Enix especially. There’s certainly no shortage of dragons in Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
If you want a little more draconic action in your life, though, that calls for a return ofBreath of Fire. While developed by Capcom, the game was published in the west by Square, so it still counts.
While amostly-traditional JRPGat a glance, the original 1993 Breath of Fire has several distinctive wrinkles.
This includes the ability to transform your protagonist into a dragon himself, as well as Personal Actions that each party member brings to the table for puzzles and exploration.
7Threads Of Fate
A Transformative Action RPG
Action RPGs were a little simpler in the PlayStation days, but they weren’t any less fun.
One good example of this is 1999’s Threads of Fate, a dungeon-crawling action RPG made by Square.
In this game, you control siblings Rue and Mint, each of whom have unique combat and exploration abilities.
Rue can transform himself into monsters that he defeats and use their abilities, while Mint can cast a variety of helpful spells.
Besides basic top-down exploration, the game would occasionally shift to other frameworks, such as sidescrolling platforming to mix things up.
6Valkyrie Profile
A Different Kind Of Turn-Based Combat
Valkyrie Profile
Turn-based combat has been a staple of RPGs since their inception, and barring some slight variations, it’s generally the same between games.
One major exception to this came about in 1999’sValkyrie Profile.
Combat is still technically turn-based, but rather than strict turns, everyone’s moves are controlled by a filling action bar.
When the bar is full, your inputs decide who gets to go next and do what.
Technically, this game did get a port for the PSP in 2006, which was then brought to the PS4 and PS5 in 2022, but this port had very few changes or improvements.
5Radiata Stories
Kick It Good
More and more games have been tinkering with the idea ofconstant, living worldswhere NPCs go about their own schedules independent of player actions.
One game that made a big effort toward this design was 2006’sRadiata Stories.
Every NPC has their own things going on, following a schedule through a day/night cycle and requiring you to work around them.
10 Amazing Video Game Hub Worlds
A place you’re able to call home
One amusing feature is the ability to kick stuff, whether it be inanimate objects or NPCs.
You can uncover items in this way, as well as pick risk-free fights with randos for some quick EXP.
4Brave Fencer Musashi
Square’s Own Zelda
Brave Fencer Musashi
While many JRPGs have at least some emphasis on puzzle solving and exploration, few did quite as well as 1998’s Brave Fencer Musashi.
This game features many systems similar to those of the Legend of Zelda series, including large, multi-leveled dungeons, frantic sword-based combat, and various fun mini games.
You also gain more exploration abilities over the course of the game, including double-jumping and wall climbing.
Interestingly, in addition to a day/night cycle, this game also features a fatigue system, requiring you to rest periodically or risk having Musashi collapse on the spot.
3Vagrant Story
Build Your Own Experience
Vagrant Story
Have you ever actually thought about how scary delving into a dungeon in search of riches and monsters would be?
Well, you can get a good idea of it by playing 2000’sVagrant Story, a proper labyrinthine dungeon-crawling experience.
What makes this game unique is that there are no item shops and very little interaction with other characters.
This means that, if you want new weapons and armor, you’ll have to craft it all yourself in designated workshop areas, fine-tuning their parameters to your precise wants and needs.
2Infinite Undiscovery
A Game With Real Consequences
Some JRPGs have titles that might make you roll your eyes a bit, as they sound somewhat nonsensical.
2008’s Infinite Undiscovery is a good example of weird, overly-flowery titles, but behind that weird title is a surprisingly deep RPG.
This game is all about the impact that you have on the world, with every decision you make having subtle or overt impacts on how the greater story unfolds.
Additionally, you need to be able to command an AI-controlled party of as many as 18 characters, working them in concert while keeping them out of trouble.
1Final Fantasy Tactics
Surprisingly Underutilized
Final Fantasy Tactics
It might be surprising to call a Final Fantasy game “forgotten.” The fact of the matter, though, is that there hasn’t been a newFinal Fantasy Tacticsgame since 2007.
This is despite the fact thattactical, grid-based JRPGsare still alive and well in series like Fire Emblem.
Whether it’s a remake of the original game or a new game entirely, Square Enix would definitely benefit from bringing back Final Fantasy Tactics.
Its strategic, squad-based gameplay, paired with Final Fantasy’s classic Job system, gives you an impressive degree of customization and optimization.
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