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Games Like 'Soul Hackers 2' to Play Next

Once your quest comes to an end, there are plenty of games that can fill the void left by 'Soul Hackers 2.'
by Jon Bitner — 
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Soul Hackers 2

Atlus West

After more than two decades of waiting, Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers finally received a sequel in this year's Soul Hackers 2. There's a new cast of characters taking the stage this time around, although Soul Hackers 2 still has its fair share of cyberpunk stylings, demonic themes, and intricate RPG mechanics.

Soul Hackers 2 focuses on the war between two different groups of Devil Summoners: the Yatagarasu and the Phantom Society. You'll get to explore a futuristic, cyberpunk version of Japan as you unravel their secrets and try to save the world from an impending disaster. There are a lot of moving pieces to the narrative, but if you love complex JRPGs that dabble with the supernatural, you'll be enthralled by Soul Hackers 2.

Outside of its stylish setting and deep storyline, Soul Hackers 2 gives you a surprisingly fast-paced, turn-based combat system to master. Each member of your party has their own special abilities that can turn the tides of battle, and it'll be up to you to figure out how (and when) to best use all the weapons at your disposal. Throw in some slick animations and flashy special effects, and it's easy to lose track of time during these intense encounters.

Soul Hackers 2 isn't a short game. It'll take you around 30 hours to roll credits, although it's not uncommon to stick around for much longer as you track down side quests or explore more of the map. But once your quest comes to an end, there are plenty of games that can fill the void left by Soul Hackers 2.

Here are 10 games like Soul Hackers 2 to play next, listed by Metascore. 


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Persona 5 Royal

Atlus

Persona 5 Royal (PS4)

Metascore: 95
Best for: Fans of incredible storytelling
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS5, Switch, XB1, XBX

Persona 5 Royal is an enhanced version of the original Persona 5. It leaves the emotional storytelling intact, but brings new locations to explore, new characters to meet, and additional quest lines to tackle, among several other updates. If you're unfamiliar with the original, it follows a group of high schoolers known as the Phantom Thieves. These adventurous youths can explore a supernatural place called the Metaverse, and they use it to change the mindset of powerful people with wicked hearts. It sounds a bit quirky (and it is), but the top-notch storytelling, engaging combat, and memorable characters make this one of the best RPGs of all time.

"Persona 5 Royal improves on the original in almost countless ways, big and small, to deliver a top-notch RPG for new and old fans alike." — GameSkinny


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Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition

Square Enix

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition (Switch)

Metascore: 91
Best for: Fans of iconic JRPGs
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS4, Stadia, XB1

Don't let its horribly long name put you off, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition is a wonderful game. You'll watch as the peaceful kingdom of Erdrea falls to a corrupted ruler, before banding together with other outcasts to restore the land to its former glory. Combat plays out in a standard turn-based format, but the ability to automate basic encounters means you won't have to spend much time grinding through boring battles before getting to an exciting boss fight. Colorful graphics, lovable characters, and the ability to play in a retro 2D mode make Dragon Quest XI stand out in a sea of similar JRPGs.

"This game is a masterpiece, and it sets a new high standard for not only the series, but console RPGs in general." — RPGamer


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Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Nintendo

Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of strategy games
Where to buy:


Also available on: N/A

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a turn-based strategy game that sees you training a group of students before taking them onto the battlefield. You'll need to worry not only about which attacks to use and when to heal, but also how you want to move around the map. Proper positioning is half of what makes Three Houses so challenging, as there's nothing worse than finding yourself surrounded by the enemy, but there's nothing better than outmaneuvering an overpowered army and walking away victorious. When you're not out fighting, you'll get to roam the expansive Garreg Mach Monastery, taking on various quests, chatting with your peers, and gearing up for your next quest.

"An inspired innovation of a time-tested franchise, providing the same tactics fans love in a much more inviting package." — Screen Rant


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Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Nintendo

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Switch)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of lengthy RPGs with shocking plot twists
Where to buy:


Also available on: N/A

If you're looking for a game to really sink your teeth into, it's hard to do better than Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The main quest line will take you at least 50 hours to complete, and there's enough side content to have you playing well beyond the 100-hour mark. It's all time well-spent, however, as the game follows a group of characters that come together despite hailing from two warring factions. What follows is a sweeping tale that deals with themes of friendship, mortality, and challenging the status quo. You can play the first two games (Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition and Xenoblade Chronicles 2) to gain better insight into the world, although newcomers will be just fine picking this up as a standalone experience.

"Monolith Soft has crafted a JRPG that is so colossal yet also intricately focused. It delivers an experience that iterates upon everything its predecessors managed to achieve, resulting in a masterpiece." — TheGamer


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Nier Automata

Square Enix

NieR Automata (PS4)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of flashy action and evocative narratives
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC

NieR Automata takes place in a future where humans no longer live on Earth. After being forced off the planet by a hostile, robotic force, humankind has decided to send a group of androids to try and take back their home. What follows is an incredible tale that asks big questions about what it means to be human and finding purpose in a world filled with despair. Its narrative alone is worth the price of admission, but NieR Automata goes the extra mile to give you fast-paced combat, deep RPG mechanics, and eye-catching graphics.

"An absolute masterclass in game design. It surpasses expectations time and time again resulting in an experience not to be missed by fans of action titles." — GameGrin


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Tales of Arise

Bandai Namco

Tales of Arise (PS5)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of fast-paced combat
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS4, XB1, XBX

Unlike most games on this list, Tales of Arise doesn't feature turn-based combat. Instead, after encountering an enemy on the overworld map, you'll enter an instanced zone that pits you against your target in real time. There's even a dodge button to evade incoming attacks, and learning to use it could be the difference between life and death. Pushing the action forward is an engaging story that's held together by great characters and slick graphics, making Tales of Arise a well-rounded JRPG. It's not as demonic or cyberpunk as Soul Hackers 2, but fans will still find much to love with this action-packed romp.

"The battle system, anime-inspired visuals, and a story full of lovely characters are the stars of the show, which ultimately make a game that shouldn't be overlooked." — RPGamer


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Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn

Square Enix

Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn (PS4)

Metascore: 86
Best for: Fans of sprawling MMORPGs
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS3, PS5

As an MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV is quite different from Soul Hackers 2. But if you can look past the obvious differences (such as all the other players running about), there are a lot of similarities. Final Fantasy XIV offers a fast-paced combat system, deep customization options, and is loaded with quirky charm and endearing characters. Its world is also just as much fun to explore as Soul Hackers 2, with bustling cities, sun-filled beaches, and underwater villages scattered throughout the land. As long as you don't mind the fact that it's an MMO with a monthly subscription, Final Fantasy XIV is worth picking up.

"New players jumping aboard the A Realm Reborn train will find a huge game filled with content which will keep them busy for a very long time." — Multiplayer.it


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Shin Megami Tensei V

Nintendo

Shin Megami Tensei V (Switch)

Metascore: 84
Best for: Fans of traditional turn-based battles
Where to buy:


Also available on: N/A

Soul Hackers is technically a spin-off of the Megami Tensei series, so it should come as no surprise that Shin Megami Tensei V has a lot in common with its newest sibling. This post-apocalyptic JRPG takes place in both Tokyo and the Netherworld, with a story that sees humanity on the brink of joining an ongoing war between demons and angels. The narrative is just as wild as you'd expect from the franchise, with plenty of twists and turns throughout its 40-hour runtime. Combat is surprisingly challenging, although you'll have a large degree of freedom to customize your party and play on your own terms.

"If you have enough patience to survive this apocalypse, you'll find a deep story and very challenging gameplay based heavily on strategy." — TierraGamer


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Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Sega

Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS4)

Metascore: 84
Best for: Fans of absurd humor and hilarious side quests
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS5, XB1, XBX

Instead of the real-time combat engine typically found in the series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is turn-based. But despite the change of pace for battles, Like a Dragon is every bit a Yakuza game. You'll find a wealth of mini-games and side quests scattered throughout the bustling map, each one a bit more hilarious than the last. The story is a tad dark (it follows Kazuma Kiryu as he investigates why he was betrayed by his former boss), but comical dialogue and an overall goofy tone helps keep the action from becoming too bleak.

"A great detour from the classic Japanese series, which shows that the Yakuza can work with turn-based battles and a ton of bizarre humor." — LEVEL 


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Scarlet Nexus

Bandai Namco

Scarlet Nexus (PS5)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of sci-fi stories and frantic combat
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS4, XB1, XBX

Scarlet Nexus is set in a futuristic world where humans have gained extra-sensory powers. Shortly after gaining these new abilities, the planet is invaded by strange beings called Others. You'll follow Yuito Sumeragi and Kasane Randall of the Other Suppression Force as they fend off these intruders and try to make sense of the invasion. Sci-fi fans will appreciate the innovative narrative, although everyone should find something to love about its chaotic combat system, which lets you use telekinesis to sling objects at your enemies. If that doesn't do the trick, you can finish the job with an arsenal of melee and ranged weapons.

"Scarlet Nexus turned out to be a lovely combination of quick gameplay and an intriguing story of betrayal, conflict on a large scale full of plot twists and surprises." — XGN