Kingdom Heartshas been pleasing RPG fans since its2002 inception on the PS2.Even though it has sometimes been many years between mainline entries and spin-offs, the series has never left the limelight. The combat is simple on the surface, but extremely fun and comes with a depth of its own.
RELATED:Things To Know Before Playing Kingdom hearts On PC
While no game is exactly like it, any fan might find some enjoyment from the games below. Some of them are simple hack-and-slash RPGs, while others are more advanced and offer a significant challenge. Even more so than turn-based RPGs, action RPGs live and die by their combat.
Updated July 25, 2025 by Jason Wojnar:The originalKingdom Heartswas a PlayStation 2 exclusive. Now, the entire series is playable on many platforms, making it more accessible than ever before. Once a new legion of gamers and fans have devoured the game, they might be looking for something in a similar vein.
Those players can read the updated version of this list to know what they can play next when in the mood for moregames like Kingdom Hearts. Many of the games on this list are not exact copies, but they all have in-depth, real-time combat with a heavy dose of RPG elements.
15Darksiders
What could make gamers feel more powerful than stepping into the shoes of one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse?Darksiderslets players do just this.
The adventure takes the protagonist, War, through a post-apocalyptic hellscape where they explore and make their way through numerous dungeons. The combat is a big part of the equation, reminiscent ofKingdom Hearts. Several sequels have come out sinceDarksiders,including a co-op spin-off.
14God Of War (2018)
In the PS3 era, people thought Sony had put theGod of Warfranchise to rest afterAscension. It came back stronger than ever in 2018 with the arguably confusingly titledGod of War. This time, Kratos is older, wiser, and plagued with the guilt of his past actions while trying to raise a son on a better path.
As notable as the narrative is, it is the gameplay that puts this sequel on the list. This new incarnation ofGod of Waris a genuine action RPG complete with EXP, currencies, and equipment to upgrade. Players can get by on the essentials, but those willing to see everything there is to see are able to access a variety of different abilities and armor thatchanges Kratos' effectiveness in combat.
13Hades
Supergiant Games came out of the gate swinging withBastion. It is almost hard to believe the developers could top themselves, but they managed to with Hades, which many considerone of the best roguelikes ever made.
The gameplay is fast and engaging and there is just enough progression between runs to keep players going andnot make it feel hopeless. The narrative is also a real highlight. It feels like there is endless dialogue and character interactions.
12Demon’s Souls
Demon’s Soulsdoes not have a lot in common withKingdom Hearts, but it is still an action RPG at the end of the day.Though there are a lot of systems in play under the hood, the gameplay still consists of simple swing attacks and magic spells.
RELATED:Easter Eggs In Demons Souls On PS5
Players cannot move as fast as Sora and they do not travel with party members, though. IfKingdom Heartsis too easy, tryDemon’s Soulsor other games from the same developer, includingDark Soulsand the upcomingElden Ring. The game is obtuse on purpose so gamers might be tempted to use a guide. The best way to play, however, is to just jump in and discover as much as one can on one’s own.
11Ys
The firstYsgame distinguished itself from other action RPGs by making attacks automatic. Players simply bump into enemies to initiate damage.
This mechanic has not carried on throughout the entire series, but any entry will be good for fans ofKingdom Hearts. The aesthetic will be especially pleasing to those who like Japanese RPGs. The most recent release,Ys IX, is out on PS4, Windows, andNintendo Switch.
10Secret Of Mana
TheManaseries feels like the closest to a trueKingdom Heartspredecessor. On the SNES, it was easily one of the finest real-time action RPGs. Players could also go through to story with at least one friend withconvenient cooperative play options.
Many of the games have seenremakes in recent years as well. None of the games will challenge your skills, but they are all smooth and fun experiences, especially with a friend.
9Persona 5: Strikers
Kingdom Heartsis far from a musou, butPersona 5: Strikersis not the average game from developer Omega Force. This action RPG carries many elements signature to thePersonaseries and serves as a direct sequel toPersona 5, one of the most celebrated RPGs of the generation.
RELATED:Mistakes Everyone Makes While Playing Persona 5 Strikers
Fortunately, it does not take 100 hours to beat and is instead amore manageable 30 to 40 hours. For an Omega Force game, the narrative is surprisingly deep.
8Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Few towns exist inKingdom Hearts, meaning most of your gameplay time is spent going from room to room taking out enemies. For an even more concentrated combat experience, we’d suggest a dungeon crawler likeMarvel: Ultimate Alliance.
Even if you are not a Marvel fan, it should still provide some solid entertainment. The most recent release,Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. The multiple characters also lend to gameplay variety.
7Bloodborne
Souls-likes might not be on the top of everybody’s minds when thinking aboutKingdom Hearts, but similarities exist. The combat is way deeper, of course, and gameplay is given precedence over the story, but it is an action RPG nonetheless.
Character builds are more customizable as well, and each weapon has its own distinct move set.Just be wary of the game’s extreme difficulty.Bloodborneand other games from Hidetaka Miyazaki are renowned for their challenge.
6The World Ends With You
The World Ends With Youisworth playing for more reasons than the combat. This 2007 Nintendo DS game was produced by Tetsuya Nomura, the creator of theKingdom Heartsseries.
The combat is reliant on touchscreen controls, so it differs slightly fromKingdom Heartsin that respect. The game was re-released on Nintendo Switchwith updated gameplay and visuals, and a sequel is in development for both the Switchand PS4.
