Valkyrie Elysium is the latest installment in the long-running Valkyrie series. The JRPG has you playing as the eponymous Valkyrie as she fights to save a world that's on the brink of destruction. It's a bit rough around the edges, but fans of fast-paced combat will find plenty to sink their teeth into with this eccentric game.  

Combat is the big draw of Valkyrie Elysium, which makes use of the new Soul Chain system. This allows you to swiftly fly around the battlefield, stringing together combos and unleashing brutal attacks to bring down even the deadliest of foes. If your own attacks don't do the trick, you can summon Einherjar to help you finish the job. These spirits grant you elemental powers and can swing the tide of battle in your favor. It's an interesting system, and one that most critics praised for adding nuance to combat without slowing down the action.

When you're not in combat, you'll get to customize Valkyrie with a bunch of unlockable skills that make it easier to complete your quest and save the world. Its story isn't quite as compelling as most people would have liked, but it still does a great job of pushing the action along and introducing you to challenging new opponents. And unlike some JRPGs, it doesn't take long to wrap up Valkyrie Elysium's narrative: You'll roll credits after around 12 hours of playtime.

Valkyrie Elysium is a great game for series veterans, but some might be left wishing for a bit more. If you fall into that camp, you'll be glad to know there are plenty of other RPGs and action games that offer a polished, well-rounded experience.

Here are 10 games like Valkyrie Elysium to play next, listed by Metascore.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Fans of mature storytelling
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The Witcher 3 is one of the best RPG games ever made. It follows the tale of Geralt, the titular witcher who is searching for the Child of Prophecy (a character that's prophesied to either save the world or destroy it). Along the way, you'll get to explore a brutal, unforgiving landscape that's filled with monstrous beasts, political intrigue, and dozens of unforgettable locales. Combat is fast and violent, with Geralt using a combination of cold steel and magical spells to obliterate anything in his path. The narrative can get rather bleak at times (and is filled with mature content), but few games manage to bring a world to life quite like The Witcher 3.

"Its shockingly cohesive world is as beautiful as it is demanding, and it's packed full of mature content that throws you from one emotional response to the next." — Push Square

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (PS5)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of emotional narratives
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Instead of offering the usual assortment of graphical enhancements and minor gameplay tweaks, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a sweeping reimagining of the original Final Fantasy VII. You'll still follow Cloud and his motley crew as they embark on a grand adventure, but this time around you'll get to use a new battle system that allows for fluid real-time combat. Its graphics have also been given more than a new coat of paint, as Remake Intergrade is currently one of the best-looking games on PS5 and PC. It'll take you around 30 hours to beat the main campaign, but you'll also get a chance to take on a side quest featuring Yuffie Kisaragi that runs for another five hours.

"The definitive version of one of the best games ever made." — We Got This Covered

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Switch)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of expansive JRPGs
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If you were disappointed in the short runtime of Valkyrie Elysium, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 should be high on your list of follow-up games. You can enjoy this third installment in the popular series as a standalone experience, and it'll take you more than 150 hours to complete everything it has to offer. And, thanks to a real-time, party-based combat system and a cast of memorable characters, there's a good chance you'll enjoy every minute of this quirky JRPG. If it sinks its hooks into you, you'll also want to check out Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, both of which also earned fantastic reviews.

"A highly unique, incredibly entertaining JRPG that provides players with hours of enjoyable content." — Impulsegamer

Monster Hunter Rise (Switch)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of gigantic boss fights
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Monster Hunter Rise is all about tracking down towering beasts, harvesting their resources, crafting better gear, then finding an even bigger beast to repeat the process. Thankfully, that core gameplay loop is all it needs to be successful. Whether you're roaming around gathering resources or flying high above monsters with your Wirebug, Monster Hunter Rise is simply a joy to play. There's a basic story that helps string together all the action, but the big draw is watching your stats increase as you put together an arsenal of gear to tackle any challenge.

"Monster Hunter Rise is, put simply, the very best Monster Hunter game to date. Everything it does, it does well, and everything it doesn't do is just around the corner." — Vooks

Tales of Arise (PS5)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of fast-paced combat
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Tales of Arise is the latest entry in the Tales franchise, and it makes some big changes to the standard formula. One of the most notable changes is the battle system, which has been simplified and is now more approachable to newcomers. There's also a new dodge button, letting you avoid incoming attacks with ease. Slick graphics and a twisting narrative round out the package, making it easy to see why Tales of Arise pulled in its stellar Metascore. Whether you're a franchise veteran or picking up your first Tales game, you'll walk away impressed with this fantastic installment.

"A masterpiece with a deep story and endearing cast that will keep you hooked as you fight for freedom from tyrants." — Video Chums

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborne (PS4)

Metascore: 86
Best for: Fans of MMORPGs
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Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is a bit different from other entries on this list, as it's an MMORPG. That means you'll get to explore its universe with thousands of other players, grouping up to take on difficult dungeons or complete a lengthy quest. After having some difficulty at launch (largely the result of technical issues and a lack of content), this installment in the long-running franchise turned the ship around and is currently one of the most popular destinations for MMO fans. Aside from questing and combat, you can also purchase different properties and build a home base to rest your head when not actively exploring.

"One of the biggest reversals in fortune we've seen for a game in many, many years. A must for MMO and Final Fantasy fans alike." — Gameplanet

Kingdom Hearts III (PS4)

Metascore: 83
Best for: Fans of the Disney universe
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Kingdom Hearts III is the final entry in the Dark Seeker Saga that began with the originalKingdom Hearts. It can be enjoyed as a standalone experience, although folks who have checked out the first two games will have a better appreciation for its characters and conclusion. However, everyone can enjoy its fantastic combat system that offers real-time battles, a huge selection of skills, and lets you add party members to your team from throughout the Disney universe. Kingdom Hearts III doesn't just feature iconic Disney faces, but it also lets you explore iconic Disney places from such films as Toy Story, Frozen, and Monsters Inc.

"The Final Chapter in the Kingdom Hearts saga comes with superb visuals, great story telling, and an excellent combat system." — GameOver.gr

Genshin Impact (PS4)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans of anime
Where to buy: PlayStation Store
Also available on: iOS, PC, PS5

Genshin Impact has seen dozens of expansions and patches since arriving in 2020, but the core concepts remain the same: You'll put together a small party of players, each of which brings their own set of elemental attacks to the battlefield. You can switch between characters on the fly, and learning how to use their elemental skills in unison is the key to survival. There's also a gorgeous open world to explore and a sprawling narrative that only grows larger with each update. Genshin Impact is a free-to-play game that makes liberal use of gacha mechanics. That means you'll likely need to drop real money to acquire some of its most powerful characters and items, but, fortunately, you can sink dozens of hours into the game without breaking out your wallet.

"With a dense open world inspired by Breath of the Wild, Genshin Impact provides hours of free entertainment with its rich combat and deep RPG systems." — God is a Geek

Scarlet Nexus (PS5)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of sci-fi epics
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Scarlet Nexus is an action-RPG set in a tumultuous, sci-fi universe. You'll play as a member of the Other Suppression Force — a group tasked with repelling an invasion of horrendous creatures known simply as Others. Its story follows two different characters, and their experiences converge to tell a sci-fi story that'll stick with you long after putting down your controller. It also benefits from stylish graphics and a fast-paced combat system that'll have you eager to run into your next group of bad guys.

"Slick, stylish, smartly executed, and just all-around cool. What I want most of all, having wrapped up Scarlet Nexus, is more." — GameSkinny

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins (PS5)

Metascore: 72
Best for: Fans of quirky characters and visceral combat
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Although its story is a bit bizarre and wildly unpredictable, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins thrives as an action game. You'll have access to a wide assortment of weapons, each with their own elaborate skill tree that gives you hundreds of ways to build your character. New gear is never far, either, with enemies dropping loot at regular intervals. If you can put up with some of the strangest characters the Final Fantasy series has ever seen, there's a lot to love about Stranger of Paradise.

"A surprisingly earnest tale tied to an astounding combat system that is impossible to put down." — RPG Fan