[AnimeGamer]

Anime Games to Play When Bored in 2025-2026

If we go back to the history of anime games in the 1990s, JRPGs or visual novels always dominated the mainstream of anime games history since the first anime visual novel release named Angels' Afternoon in 1985 or popular JRPG named Dragon Quest in 1986. Because these genres have the environment to convey the best stories to gamers in a well arranged form. In the past, there were famous JRPGs such as Breath Of Fire, Langrisser, and Shining Force, etc. There were mainly adult games on PC in terms of visual novels, but due to the influence of consoles that do not allow adult versions (e.g. Isaku, Toheart, Nonomura Byōin, etc), there are also many visual novels that focus only on the story on consoles (e.g. Sentimental Graffiti on PC and SEGA Saturn). There was even an esports scene in anime gaming through tournaments like EVO. We introduce you 2025-2026 anime games that you must play when bored that kill your time.


Table of Contents

1. JRPG
   
2. Visual Novel
   
3. Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games (MMORPG)
   
4. Esports Games
   
5. Waifu Games
   
6. Dress Up Games
   
7. Games With a Decent Character Creation System
   

JRPG

• Metaphor: ReFantazio
  

Figure 1-1. Metaphor ReFantazio Cover Art

Players who prioritize game plots above everything in anime games would love to have Metaphor: ReFantazio in their library. It is a 2024 turn-based JRPG by ATLUS and is available to play on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

As the story unfolds, your king has fallen prey to an assassination attempt and your kingdom lies on the verge of destruction. Not long ago, the heir to the king, the prince, also fell victim to an assassination attempt that cursed him, putting him to a seemingly everlasting slumber.

Figure 1-2. Metaphor ReFantazio Gameplay

Since the fight for the throne has begun, you find yourself in the shoes of Will, a dutiful citizen of the Kingdom and also a childhood friend of the prince. In your quest to rally support for him, to what extent will you go to ensure that the rightful heir to the throne succeeds the fallen king?

If that got you excited, I bet you will find Metaphor: ReFantazio even more exciting!

Visual Novel

• Fate/Stay Night Remastered
  

Figure 2-1. Fate/Stay Night Remastered Cover Art

Fate/Stay Night Remastered is a modern re-release of the 2004 visual novel anime game from TYPE-Moon. Released on Steam and Nintendo Switch, this remastered version contains full HD sound and textures, celebrating the game’s 20th anniversary. 

In this highly engaging visual novel, players control Shirou Emiya, a young man caught up in the Holy Grail War, a potentially lethal battle of magi and their summoned Heroic Spirits fighting to the death for the prize of an omnipotent Grail. There are three major routes: Fate, where Shirou travels alongside Saber; Unlimited Blade Works, as people come to learn about Shirou's intentions and connections to Rin Tohsaka; and Heaven's Feel, where the most sinister elements of the Grail War and Shirou's affection for Sakura Matou are uncovered.

Figure 2-2. Fate/Stay Night Remastered Gameplay Footage

You'll play through chapters to advance the plot, make critical decisions to change the direction to your benefit, and ultimately achieve one of many endings. The remastered edition features translations in English and Simplified Chinese so that not many people will be left out from this great experience. With perfect plots and intricate character development, any fan of the Fate/Stay Night series must experience this game.

Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game (MMORPG)

• Genshin Impact
  

Figure 3-1. Genshin Impact Cover Art

If fast-paced action-filled anime games are not your cup of tea, then we recommend you try Genshin Impact, a popular MMORPG game by miHoYo. It has been around since 2020 and is available to play on almost every major platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and even iOS and Android.

Genshin Impact takes place in the fictional realm of Tevyat, divided into 7 different nations. Each of the nations is associated with an element and ruled by a god called archons. You arrive at Tevyat but get separated from your sibling along the way.

Figure 3-2. Genshin Impact Gameplay

In your journey to find your lost sibling, you venture through all 7 realms where you befriend many people and engage in activities like exploration, combat, in-game TCG, crafting, cooking, fishing, and even dungeons. Long before you know it, you will have already invested countless hours into Genshin Impact. It’s that good of an anime game to pass your boring time!

Esports Games

• Guilty Gear Strive
  

Figure 4-1. GGS Cover Art

If you think your keyboard is strong and durable, Guilty Gear Strive is about to change that! It is a 2021 action fighting anime game from Arc System Works that can be played on a wide range of platforms such as PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and even Arcades! 

What’s great about this anime game is that despite being a top-notch eSport title, the battle mechanics employed are fairly simple and welcoming for newbies. It packs a power punch of striking visuals and flashy moves pulled on battlegrounds designed to awaken the inner fighter spirit inside you! You don’t have to worry about pressing a complicated combination of keys to pull off powerful combos.

Figure 4-2. GGS Gameplay

Although there is a dedicated story mode, I’ll be honest here. Guilty Gear Strive is best when played against other online players. That’s the primary reason why every now and then, you see a Guilty Gear Strive tournament ongoing, such as the Frosty Faustings XVI 2024.

Figure 4-3. GGS Tournament Frosty Faustings XVI

• Eternal Return
  

Figure 4-4. Eternal Return Cover Art

Developed by Nimble Neuron in 2020, Eternal Return is a dream come true for fans of battle royale games. As of writing, this anime game is currently available to play on Windows only. 

What makes Eternal Return unique when compared to its competitors is its rich cocktail of survival, crafting, and battle royale mechanics. Developers have put all their heart and soul into ensuring seamless gameplay on the Lumia Island. There are currently 81 different characters (test subjects) in the anime game, all of whom have unique abilities and powers. Where you would typically see ever-enclosing circles in a battle royale, Eternal Return makes use of restricted areas to limit the accessible areas as time goes by.

Figure 4-5. Eternal Return Gameplay

Due to its popularity, Eternal Return holds many tournaments every year. One such example is the 2024 ER Masters Season 5 Finals. It’s a great game to kill time when bored; we guarantee you no less than an electrifying experience should you try this anime game!

Figure 4-6. ER Master Season 5 Finals

Waifu Games

• Zenless Zone Zero
  

Figure 5-1. Z.Z.Z Cover Art

One of the top waifu anime games to play is Zenless Zone Zero. It is an action role-playing anime game by miHoYo which is currently is playable on Windows, iOS, Android, and PS5. 

Although gamers search for and play this title for a variety of reasons and features; the most sought-after is the waifu gacha system which enables players to essentially unlock and level up customized characters, known as Agents, who become part of their roster/party.

Figure 5-2. Z.Z.Z Gameplay

Set in a dystopic New Eridu far in the future, players assume the role of Proxies, helping others navigate through Hollows (alternate realities). There are two gameplay modes in Zenless Zone Zero: TV Mode is a 2D dungeon crawler where players solve puzzles and seek treasure, while Combat Mode is a 3D hack-and-slash where players must protect themselves from attacking monsters (Ethereals) upon first sight.

The narrative revolves around Phaethon (the protagonist's in-game name and the name of the user who plays him) and two sibling Proxies who visit different levels of the Hollow in life-threatening endeavors. An integral waifu gacha system promotes emotional connections and leveling of one's favorite Agents for a compelling game experience born out of both strategy and attraction.

Figure 5-2. Z.Z.Z Waifu Train in USA

Dress Up Games

• Love Nikki-Dress Up Queen
  

Figure 6-1. Love Nikki-Dress Up Queen Cover Art

Love Nikki-Dress UP Queen is a mobile game developed by Paper Games (formerly known as SuZhou Nikki Co., Ltd) and published by Elex Technology; the game is accessible on iOS and Android operating systems. It is a dress-up game with RPG elements and over 10,000 styles of clothing to create a unique fashion experience. 

You take on the role of Nikki, a seemingly average girl, who is transported to the world of Miraland. The primary gameplay goal consists of Styling Battles against NPCs and other players, requiring players to ensure Nikki is appropriately outfitted to meet her goals. Players can enter competitions in the Starry Corridor and events to vote for winning clothing.

Figure 6-2. Love Nikki-Dress Up Queen Dressing Room

Moreover, the Free Dressing feature also allows players to choose an outfit, hairstyle, makeup, accessories, and background from seemingly millions of combinations. Dye items let players dye clothes, while design recipes and ingredient items reveal what is needed to piece together beautiful, original outfits.

An engaging storyline, console-quality graphics, and thematic gameplay make Love Nikki: Dress Up Queen a compelling dress-up game for anyone who loves dressing up and/or playing RPGs.

Games With a Decent Character Creation System

• Freedom Wars Remastered
  

Figure 7-1. Freedom Wars Remastered Cover Art

FREEDOM WARS Remastered is a dystopian action/adventure RPG. It is currently in development by Dimps Corporation and the anticipated release date is all set for January 10, 2025. The publisher, Bandai Namco, plans to roll out the game on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5. 

The premise is a bit complicated, as players are "Sinners," sentenced to a million years in prison for simply the crime of existence. Therefore, to avoid the prison sentence, players engage in all forms of combat-oriented gameplay, such as bringing freedom to civilians from their giant, mechanical mutant kidnappers called Abductors.

Figure 7-2. Freedom Wars Remastered Gameplay

The gameplay features quick, 3D battles with a hand grappling hook-type device known as the Thorn. There are weapon and character customization options for the player and the AI partner (the Accessories) to boost combat efficiency.

When it comes to character customization, it's no different in FREEDOM WARS Remastered. You can create your character, such as by choosing face, body type, clothing options, initial skills, and abilities to name a few parameters. Accessories can also be customized with clothing and abilities, so there's a good range in personalizing your team.

Figure 7-3. Freedom Wars Remastered Character Creation

[AnimeGamer]

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