Seven Games Like Expedition 33 to Check Out if You love JRPG styled games

If you love JRPG styled games, here are seven games like Expedition 33 you should check out, especially if you loved playing Clair Obscur Expedition 33, the award winning RPG. 

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did not just arrive and leave quietly. It exploded onto the RPG scene of the year 2025, shocked players with its haunting art direction, emotional storytelling, and stylish turn based combat, and then went on to win Game of the Year 2025. Nobody believed that an indie game would win GOTY, and that too, in nine categories!

That win felt deserved. Expedition 33 proved that RPGs do not need bloated open worlds or endless padding to feel grand. It focused on atmosphere, party chemistry, emotional weight, and a clear vision. Naturally, players now want games like Expedition 33 that capture a similar feeling. Not clones, but RPGs that treat story, characters, romance, and identity the same way. Below are seven carefully chosen RPG games similar to Expedition 33 that have those same emotional moments, especially for fans of JRPG styled games with strong party dynamics.

Octopath Traveler (2018)

Octopath Traveler tells eight separate character stories set across the fantasy world of Orsterra, each driven by personal motivations like revenge, faith, ambition, or survival. Instead of one central plot, the game focuses on intimate journeys that slowly reveal darker forces shaping the world.

You can choose one of the eight protagonists to start with, and play the game in the order that you want. Combat is fully turn based and built around exploiting enemy weaknesses through the clever Break and Boost system, making every fight feel tactical rather than automatic. Despite being an amazing RPG, it might not be for those who prefer realistic visuals.

Romance is not a core mechanic here, and party bonds are mostly thematic rather than deeply personal or romantic. This game resembles Expedition 33 in its artistic confidence, melancholic tone, and focus on character driven storytelling, even though its visuals and its top down presentation makes Octopath Traveler  feel less cinematic than many other games like Expedition 33.

Eternights (2023)

Eternights is set during a supernatural apocalypse where humanity is slowly collapsing under monstrous threats, and the story leans heavily into fear, loneliness, and emotional survival. You play as a young boy who gets a magical arm and now you need to use it to defend and restore humanity. Rather than epic politics, it tells a grounded story about a group of young people clinging to connection at the end of the world.

Gameplay mixes real time action combat with dungeon exploration, and while it can get repetitive, it stays fast and filled with action. Romance is a major system here, since it is partly a dating sim as well, letting you build relationships with party members that affect endings and the emotional payoff. Although the game is enjoyable, the story can feel somewhat predictable.

Eternights feels like one of the most emotionally aligned games like Expedition 33, prioritizing mood, vulnerability, and character intimacy over mechanical complexity, which is why it should definitely come up in discussions of RPG games similar to Expedition 33.The game was also provided for free by Epic Games on December 2025. If you were fast enough to grab it, make sure to give it a try! You can read our review of Eternights here.

Tales of Arise (2021)

Tales of Arise follows a group of rebels fighting against centuries of oppression between two worlds, Dahna and Rena, while slowly unpacking themes of freedom, pain, and identity. The story starts personal and gradually expands into something much larger without losing its emotional core.

Combat is fast paced and real time, focused on combos, dodges, and coordinated party attacks that keep fights energetic. Romance is present in a more subtle way, with strong emotional bonds and character relationships developing naturally rather than through explicit systems.

It resembles Expedition 33 because of its strong party chemistry, emotional storytelling, and its ability to balance spectacle with quieter character moments, making it one of the more accessible JRPG styled games for people looking for games like Expedition 33.

Jade Empire (2005)

Jade Empire- a game that came out long back, but it still stands out due to its story, characters and gameplay! Jade Empire tells a fantasy story inspired by Chinese mythology, where you uncover your true identity while navigating through philosophy, power, and moral balance. Even after two decades, its themes of choice and consequence still feel quite thoughtful and more mature as compared to many modern games.

Combat is real time and style based, allowing different martial arts techniques. Despite being a 2005 game, it doesn’t really feel outdated. Romance is fully integrated, with romanceable party members offering meaningful relationship arcs that influence the main character’s journey and ending.  What’s amazing is that if you choose to follow the “Way of the Closed Fist” (the darker path where you focus on yourself rather than being generous), you can convince your romance partner to follow the same path as well. You can play the game again and again, and to be honest, no playthrough will be the same.

It resembles Expedition 33 in spirit rather than mechanics, as both games value philosophy, character driven storytelling, and emotional decision making over empty scale, which is why Jade Empire still belongs among RPG games similar to Expedition 33.

Metaphor: ReFantazio (2024)

Metaphor: ReFantazio is set in a fantasy kingdom destabilized by political collapse, racism, and fear after the king’s death, where you take on the role of a young outsider who must travel the realm, gather allies, and shape the future of the kingdom. Combat is turn based and refined, blending traditional JRPG mechanics with modern presentation and strong party synergy.

Romance exists through deep bonds and relationship building rather than dating sim style systems, keeping the focus on emotional trust.This is one of the closest games like Expedition 33 in tone, ambition, and artistic confidence, and easily one of the strongest jrpg styled games for players looking for RPG games similar to Expedition 33.

Persona 5 Royal (2020)

Persona 5 Royal follows a group of students who rebel against societal corruption by entering supernatural worlds born from distorted human desires. Beneath its stylish exterior lies a story about trauma, rebellion, and moral responsibility.Combat is classic turn based JRPG gameplay with deep systems, elemental weaknesses, and strategic party builds.

Romance is a major feature, allowing meaningful relationships that enhance both narrative and gameplay depth. If you are planning to play this, keep in mind that the game is extremely long. With over 100 hours of content, even if you play several hours everyday, it might take you upto 2-3 months to finish the game entirely! Though the story is quite unique and interesting, you might feel a bit boring mid-game as it can get repetitive at times! Persona 5 Royal resembles Expedition 33 through its emotional weight, unforgettable party members, and its ability to blend personal struggles with larger themes, securing its place among elite games like Expedition 33 and defining modern jrpg styled games.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 tells a dark fantasy story where you and your companions are infected by a mind controlling parasite, forcing you to travel to distant lands seeking a cure. Combat is fully turn based and deeply tactical, rewarding creativity, positioning, and smart party builds. Romance is said to be one of the deepest ever seen in RPGs, with companions reacting organically to your choices and behavior.

While more systemic than cinematic, it resembles Expedition 33 through its intense focus on party relationships, emotional consequence, and narrative commitment, making it one of the most respected RPG games ever. It is one of the games similar to Expedition 33 even outside the JRPG styled games space.

Final Thoughts

If Expedition 33 reminded you why you fell in love with RPGs in the first place, these seven games carry a similar soul in different forms. Whether you want emotional intimacy, philosophical storytelling, romance driven parties, or stylish turn based combat, these games like Expedition 33 should give you what you are looking for!

You can check our list of the worst games of 2025 here.