If you’re a fan of Japanese role-playing games that lets you cross over different magical realms, then you’re definitely on the lookout for games like Kingdom Hearts.
Kingdom Hearts is one of Square Enix’s most beloved franchises. It’s a unique game that blends action RPG with the astonishing worlds created by Walt Disney.
In it, we follow Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy as they venture across multiple Disney and original worlds to bring light back into the universe.
If you’ve finished playing Kingdom Hearts and are looking for alternatives, fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top five picks for games like Kingdom Hearts.
Five games like Kingdom Hearts to reignite your belief in magic
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is a wonderful JRPG developed by Level-5, the same people behind Yokai Watch and Professor Layton.
Each game in the series boasts a captivating narrative. However, Ni No Kuni II revamps the game’s combat system and feels more action-heavy, similar to Kingdom Hearts.
While Kingdom Hearts is a mashup between Disney and role-playing games, Ni No Kuni feels like a mix between Studio Ghibli and role-playing games.
The game follows Roland and Evan, two characters from different worlds who come together to build a kingdom.
Fans of Kingdom Hearts will appreciate the gorgeous art style, colorful characters, and empowering storytelling. The RPG-like elements may feel overwhelming to newcomers, but players will get accustomed to them after several play sessions.
The chemistry between Roland and Evan mirrors the dynamic between Sora, Donald, and Goofy, making it a must-play for fans of games like Kingdom Hearts.
The game is playable on Xbox One and Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam.
Final Fantasy 15
Final Fantasy 15 is conspicuous entry on this list, not just because both games were made by Square Enix, but also due to their similar gameplay mechanics.
Final Fantasy 15’s battle system, known as the Active Cross Battle system, is reminiscent of Kingdom Hearts 2’s system. It is quite simplistic, allowing Noctis to perform basic attacks, parry, warp, and use items.
Nonetheless, the combat can be as deep as the player wants it to be, with special moves like Blindside and cooperative attacks adding layers of complexity.
Final Fantasy 15 allows players to enjoy an open world during the first half of the campaign, permitting Noctis and his friends to cook, explore, and discover everything the universe has to offer.
If you loved the blend of exploration and action in Kingdom Hearts, you’ll feel right at home with Final Fantasy 15.
You can play it on Xbox One and Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Steam.
Epic Mickey
Turning our attention to something more Disney-like, Epic Mickey is an intriguing platformer that lets players control Mickey Mouse.
In this game, Mickey embarks on a quest to redeem himself for causing mass destruction to a world created by Yen Sid. While Epic Mickey feels more like a platformer compared to the RPG elements of Kingdom Hearts, it shares a similar charm with its Disney-centric narrative.
The game features clever puzzles, a unique art style, and enjoyable platforming elements. The world of Epic Mickey is darker than the colorful settings of Kingdom Hearts, yet both games feature dark sub-plots.
If you’re looking for a great and darker Disney game to play besides Kingdom Hearts, Epic Mickey is worth checking out.
Epic Mickey is available on Xbox One and Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
The World Ends With You
Developed by Square Enix and Jupiter, The World Ends With You has a direct connection to Kingdom Hearts, as its characters appeared in Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance.
Originally launched on the Nintendo DS and later on the Switch, this game centers around the Reapers’ Game, a competition that pits the deceased against each other to determine who can come back to life or transcend to a higher plane.
The combat is brilliant but quite unique, and the story is considerably darker than that of Kingdom Hearts. Despite these differences, both titles deliver a sense of wonder and exploration.
If you enjoyed the unique combat and storyline of Kingdom Hearts, The World Ends With You is a must-try.
The game is available on iOS, Android, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo Switch.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth are two Square Enix titles that fans of Kingdom Hearts will love.
Directed by Tetsuya Nomura, who also worked on Kingdom Hearts, this game mixes real-time combat with the ATB system from the original Final Fantasy 7.
Many were worried that the gameplay would be too similar to Kingdom Hearts, but it manages to creatively marry elements from both franchises.
Even though the remake titles are still expanding with upcoming sequels, it’s worthwhile to play the original Final Fantasy 7 to fully appreciate the newer games.
The blend of real-time combat and strategic gameplay makes Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth fantastic choices for fans looking for games like Kingdom Hearts.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is available on PlayStation 4 and Steam, while Rebirth is a PlayStation 5 exclusive.
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