Summary
It’s been nearly thirty years since watershed titles likeFinal FantasyandDragon Questthrust Square Enix into the mainstream. As the company has broadened and grown, it’s clear to see that there’s nothing Square Enix likes more than a solid 80-hour fantasy JRPG, typically with an expansive world and story, spawning or mirroring the gaming trends of each title’s time.
But Square Enix is far from an old dog lacking new tricks, and the game company’s catalog is filled with a broad array of more experimental titles, fromgritty sci-fi shooterstohorror-adventure mysteries. For gamers who like some extraterrestrials with their elves, here are some great Square Enix games that fuse science-fiction and fantasy.
For longtime fans of the Final Fantasy series,Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originwill prove to be a nostalgic journey through some of the game’s various iconic locations in one of thebest instances of real-time combatin the series to date.
Stranger of Paradiseacts as an exciting establishment of the events leading up to the first Final Fantasy game, and playing as Garland before he fell from grace to become the main antagonist of FF1 is the cherry on top of this sci-fi/fantasy cake. Jack Garland’s quest to take the mantle of chaos sees him fight through waves of high-tech robotic minions and ruthless, wizardly villains in equal measure.
One of the most iconic and recognizable installments in theFinal FantasySeries, the singularly distinct aesthetic and world of Midgar highlights grim, dystopian elements that scream sci-fi, while also pitting players against enemies that wield dark magic and showcasing fantasy-inspired combat with Cloud, everyone’s favorite disproportionate-sword wielding hero, in one of theseries' best stories to date.
A stark and modern setting that hosts fantastical combat, enemies, and magic are what ties together an incredible narrative of rebellion against tyranny, and the struggle of Cloud against the fearsome Sephiroth.
Square Enix’s take on the fantasy-farming-simulator genre, which has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, blends together some jaw-dropping fantasy environments with sci-fi-inspired cosmic monstrosities, fit for anybeginner to the farming simgenre. Harvestella’s central narrative hinges on Quietus, the fifth season that brings with it a calamity from the stars above - fog, crop death, meteors, and classic eldritch stuff.
The sci-fi elements inHarvestellaare not as prevalent as the other entries on this list, with the setting remaining decidedly fantastical, but Quietus brings with it a cosmic, space-inspired magic that broadens the world ofHarvestellawell beyond the ground, and up into the stars.
Chrono Crosstakes the central science-fiction trope of parallel universes and utilizes it to make a compelling story that blends the fantasy village of El Nido with incredibly distant futuristic locales, mad scientists, and mutant abominations. This title often invites comparison with theiconicChrono Trigger,but it’s clear to see early on that this is trying to be a very different game and a stark departure from titles with a more standard fantasy-grounded setting.
It’s also worth noting as players wander through both sci-fi and fantasy-aligned settings, that it’s possible to do so with around 40 recruitable characters, most of whom are locals from El Nido itself.
A standalone title in the long-runningSaGaseries,SaGa Emerald Beyondboasts an incredibly expansive narrative with a wide variety of branching paths. These paths are ingrained into the setting, known as the Junction, which acts as a hub from which players can explore 17 different worlds. It’s these worlds that makeEmerald Beyondan exemplar of the sci-fi/fantasy fusion genre. One moment, the party could be exploring an expansive world of lush forests or gruesome vampires, and the next they are in a world that’s essentially one gigantic futuristic city.
For a Square Enix title that doubles down on the world-building aspects of both sci-fi and fantasy tropes, look no further thanEmerald Beyond. Its place as a standalone title means both newcomers and veterans to theSaGaseries are more than welcome to explore the Junction.
3Lost Sphear
Golden Age Flavored Fantasy
Lost Sphearfuses a grand, high fantasy setting endemic of classic JRPGs from the 90s alongside sci-fi-flavored mech fights and an almost surreal story about magic and the fate of the universe. The main character’s ability to restore parts of the world lost to time, from villages to a day/night cycle, also blends fantastical magic with some more surreal cosmic fiction.
Lost Sphear’s emulation of Chrono Trigger, alongside some questionable gameplay decisions, has left it as a more contentious title among fans of the genre, but if players are looking for a Square Enix published JRPG that seeks to rekindle that glory of the complex 90s JRPG, then Lost Sphear might be worth a try.
Realized in Square Enix’s stunning 2.5D graphical style,Live a Liveis an absolute must for anyone looking to experience an RPG that takes place across a broad range of settings and time periods, blending several different flavors of fantasy and sci-fi into a single, time-defying title that has been lovingly remade from its Super Famicon exclusive origins. In case someone is also sifting through this list looking for a prehistoric/western/kung-fu fable/fantasy/sci-fi title from Square Enix,Live a Livehas it all.
Beginning in pre-history and chronicling the tales of heroes all the way through to the distant future, this cult classic’s revitalization on modern platforms manages to tie all its plot threads across science fiction and fantasy neatly together, numbering as one of Square Enix’smany experimental titles.
Star Ocean: The Second Story Ris the quintessential fusion of fantasy and sci-fi by Square Enix. Framed in 2.5D style,Star Ocean: The Second Story Rprepares two protagonists with distinct storylines to quest through - one an inhabitant of a magical, fantastical world, and the other a member of an intergalactic Federation from high above in the stars.
The incredibly fluid combat, a “break” mechanic that urges players to overwhelm enemies with damage in quick succession, and a brandnew “private actions” featurewill leave players fully immersed in not just the world below, but the Federation above. For gamers with a love for Square Enix’s intricate narratives, expansive worldbuilding, and picturesque 2.5D style, this is the game for them.
