Why is the best MMORPG expansion of the year (and to some players, the best expansion in the history of FF XIV) in the #10 position? Well, although Endwalker just released a few weeks ago, Final Fantasy XIV has been around for quite some time, so it's not a "new game." Regardless, we couldn't afford not to include it in our 2021 list for anime-themed games.

Final Fantasy XIV is arguably the best MMORPG out there, and Endwalker shows it's still alive and kicking, releasing new content to make old fans happy while attracting new players as well. Sure, new players will need to play for a few weeks before getting access to Endwalker's content, but playing a game is never a bad thing!

Pokémon Snap, originally released as a Nintendo 64 game, was one of our favorite games back in the day. Pokémon battles are fine and dandy, but the idea of chilling with your favorite monsters and taking pictures sounds way better to the casual audience.

New Pokémon Snap brings back the magic but, most importantly, it updates the roster of available pokémon while also adding a few new mechanics, like the Illumina variants. All in all, New Pokémon Snap is the best Switch game for casual Pokémon fans, and we're not talking about kids alone!

NEO: TWEWY is not your typical JRPG. Instead of summoning monsters or using your own magic skills to fight against evil beasts, it relies on collecting pins and using them to have real-time battles against other users...and all in the context of an exploration game taking place in modern Japan.

But hey, NEO is way more than just a game about collecting pins. It's full of puzzles, pop-culture references, and it's a dark sequel to the already dark The World Ends with You, released in 2008. Can it be played as a standalone adventure? Sure, but you'll miss all the nostalgia blows and plot twists of the second half of the game.

Speaking of dark JRPGs, let's jump into Shin Megami Tensei V, a more classic take on the genre and arguably the best title in the SMT series (which, in case you don't know, follows the same formula of the Persona games).

With improved graphics and a brand new storyline, Shin Megami Tensei V is everything a SMT fan would expect...and more. If you manage to survive the slow start, you'll find yourself submerged into monster fusions and the grind to strengthen your team's skills and synergy. Shin Megami Tensei V is not what we'd call a short game, but be sure you'll need dozens of hours just to grind for perfection!

Scarlet Nexus was one of the most hyped-up games of the year, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the exaggerated expectations. It's a cool anime game, and the story is okay for a modern JRPG. The only issue we could mention is how repetitive the gameplay gets and how useless some mechanics are (some you unlock them near the endgame, and others—like bonding—are there just to increase game time).

For what it's worth, Scarlet Nexus is a fantastic JRPG, and it comes with stunning graphics and a killer soundtrack. Not all people are fans of modern practices in JRPGs, but at least give it a try! The two protagonists offer two available yet different-in-playstyle routes, so hopefully, you can adapt.

Continuing our JRPG journey, we have Tales of Arise. Unlike Scarlet Nexus, Tales of Arise is indeed a classic JRPG, with an equally attractive plot but a different, more traditional approach to things.

This is the story of a slave who wears an iron mask, and how he befriends a group of rebels to dethrone the evil rulers who are terrorizing the land. In our experience, Tales of Arise felt fun and rewarding, and game mechanics and how they're introduced made much more sense. That being said, you'll find several JRPGs in this list, and all of them are somewhat different takes on the same genre, so...to each their own!

So yeah, another JRPG. Unlike all the others in our Top 10, Bravely Default ditches the third-person semi-open world approach in favor of a top-down, old-school style. Graphically, it shines thanks to the painting-like environments and the use of chibi 3D models, but the best thing about Bravely Default 2 is still the gameplay.

Although the story is pretty straightforward, Bravely Default 2 is full of hidden bosses and other challenges that invite you to add dozens of hours to your run just to min-max your party, and we're not complaining. The post-game is quite enjoyable, but the whole adventure is worthy of your time.

Are you a fan of old-school fighter Melty Blood? Are you a fan of Type Moon's visual novel Tsukihime? Then Melty Blood: Type Lumina is your dream come true. Well, if you're a fan of those two games, you most certainly already played Type Lumina?

This is an arcade anime fighting game that's easy for people who don't find themselves playing more technical titles. It can get overwhelming at times, but the gameplay is pretty straightforward and the graphics are really good. Sadly, lag issues caused by Type Lumina's netcode didn't allow us to enjoy this game at its best when it was released, but the devs are committed to fixing these game-breaking problems.

So if you're into more hardcore anime fighting games, then your very best option has to be Guilty Gear -Strive-. We're talking of one of the most popular anime fighting franchises out there, and one that will offer a challenge for rookies and veterans alike.

GG Strive comes with a wonderful soundtrack, brand new characters, and flashy graphics that will make your jaw drop, as well as an in-game encyclopedia for those who want to learn more about the lore and a built-in animated series that adds to the game's narrative. Yes, Arc System Works did it again, and Guilty Gear -Strive- quickly became our go-to fighting game last year!