All Jili Games You Need to Know: Complete List and Reviews
As someone who's spent over a decade covering the gaming industry, I've witnessed numerous visual styles come and go, but Square Enix's HD-2D approach feels different—it's become something truly special. When players ask me about must-play Jili games, I always emphasize how this visual revolution has reshaped what we expect from modern RPGs. The HD-2D technique, which combines nostalgic 2D sprites with breathtaking 3D environments, creates this magical bridge between gaming's past and present that I find utterly captivating.
Let me start with Octopath Traveler, the game that started this whole HD-2D revolution back in 2018. I remember booting it up for the first time and being absolutely stunned by how the pixelated characters moved through these lush, three-dimensional worlds with dynamic lighting that made every scene feel like a living painting. The game sold over 3 million copies worldwide, which surprised even Square Enix themselves. What makes Octopath special isn't just its visual innovation—though that's certainly remarkable—but how it uses that visual language to tell eight distinct stories that occasionally intersect in unexpected ways. The combat system, with its break and boost mechanics, remains one of my personal favorites in any RPG, though I'll admit the stories don't intertwine as much as I'd prefer. Still, wandering through those beautifully rendered snowfields and deserts while listening to Yasunori Nishiki's phenomenal soundtrack remains one of my most cherished gaming memories of recent years.
Then came Triangle Strategy in 2022, which took the HD-2D foundation and applied it to a tactical RPG framework. I've always been a sucker for strategy games, and Triangle Strategy's weighty decision-making and branching narrative paths had me completely hooked for weeks. The game improved upon Octopath's formula by creating more cohesive storytelling while maintaining that gorgeous visual style. The way light filters through castle windows during strategic deliberations or how fire spells illuminate entire battlefields demonstrates how much the developers refined their technique. I particularly appreciated how your choices genuinely matter—my first playthrough resulted in what I later discovered was the "worst" ending, which honestly made the experience more memorable. The tactical depth here is substantial, with elevation and environmental factors creating battles that require genuine strategic thinking rather than just brute force.
The Live A Live remake deserves special mention for how it revitalized a game that many Western players had never experienced. Originally released only in Japan back in 1994, this collection of seven distinct stories across different time periods showcases the versatility of the HD-2D style. What blows my mind is how each chapter feels visually distinct while maintaining cohesive artistic principles. The prehistoric chapter with its minimalist communication and the distant future chapter with its tense, atmospheric storytelling demonstrate remarkable range. I found myself particularly drawn to the Edo period narrative, which plays like a classic martial arts film brought to life through this unique visual filter. The way these disparate stories eventually converge still gives me chills thinking about it.
Beyond these flagship titles, the HD-2D influence has started spreading throughout the industry, including several Jili-developed games that have adopted similar visual principles. While I can't share exact sales figures for Jili's catalog, their adoption of these techniques speaks volumes about how influential this style has become. I've noticed their puzzle RPG "Chrono Quest" uses layered 2D characters against 3D backgrounds to create depth without sacrificing that nostalgic charm. Another title, "Mythic Guardians," employs perspective tricks during boss battles that make the screen feel alive with movement and energy. These implementations may not be as polished as Square Enix's first-party titles yet, but they're getting remarkably close.
What fascinates me most about this trend is how it satisfies both older players who grew up with pixel art and newer generations accustomed to modern graphical fidelity. The technique manages to feel simultaneously retro and cutting-edge—a difficult balance to strike. I've spoken with developers who explain that creating these games actually requires more technical sophistication than one might assume. The lighting systems alone involve complex calculations to make pixel art characters feel naturally integrated into three-dimensional spaces. This isn't just throwing filters over sprites; it's a deliberate artistic methodology that requires tremendous skill to execute properly.
Looking ahead, I'm incredibly excited about where this style might evolve. We're already seeing variations emerge, like the upcoming "Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake" that appears to be refining the formula further. Personally, I'd love to see this approach applied to different genres—imagine a horror game using these visual techniques to create unsettling perspectives, or a racing game with sprite-based vehicles navigating fully 3D tracks. The possibilities feel endless when developers understand both the technical and artistic potential of this style.
Having played through virtually every major HD-2D release and numerous Jili games inspired by this movement, I'm convinced we're witnessing the emergence of what future generations will regard as a distinct visual era in gaming history. These games prove that technological advancement doesn't necessarily mean abandoning artistic traditions—sometimes the most innovative approaches involve reimagining what came before. For players looking to experience the best of what Jili and similar developers have to offer, understanding this visual revolution provides crucial context for why these games feel so special. They're not just riding a trend; they're participating in an ongoing conversation about what makes video games uniquely compelling as an artistic medium.