Role-playing games, or RPGs, have been a beloved genre in the world of video games for decades. These immersive games allow players to create their own characters and embark on epic adventures in richly detailed worlds. From classic titles to modern masterpieces, the RPG genre has produced some of the most memorable and engaging games of all time. In this article, we will explore the 25 best RPG games of all time, taking a journey through the history of this beloved genre and celebrating the games that have captured our imaginations and kept us playing for hours on end. Whether you’re a seasoned RPG veteran or a newcomer to the genre, there’s something for everyone on this list. So grab your sword, don your armor, and let’s dive in!
25 Best RPG Games of All Time
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII is widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, Final Fantasy VII features a compelling story, memorable characters, and a unique blend of turn-based combat and real-time action. With stunning visuals and an unforgettable soundtrack, this game is a must-play for any fan of the genre.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
This critically acclaimed game is set in a vast open world, allowing players to explore and interact with a richly detailed environment. With a deep and complex story, endless side quests, and a wide variety of weapons, spells, and abilities to master, Skyrim is a true masterpiece of the RPG genre.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
This epic open-world RPG follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter with supernatural abilities. With a vast and immersive world, unforgettable characters, and a deep and engaging storyline, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a modern classic that continues to captivate players years after its release.
Chrono Trigger
Originally released in 1995, Chrono Trigger is widely considered to be one of the greatest RPGs of all time. With a time-traveling storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics, this game set the standard for the genre and continues to be revered by players and critics alike.
Mass Effect 2
This action-packed RPG allows players to create their own character and lead a team of space explorers on a dangerous mission to save the galaxy. With a gripping storyline, memorable characters, and a wide variety of choices that affect the outcome of the game, Mass Effect 2 is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Fallout: New Vegas
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, this game allows players to explore a vast and dangerous wasteland, encountering a wide variety of factions, enemies, and challenges along the way. With a deep and engaging story, memorable characters, and a wide variety of weapons and abilities to master, Fallout: New Vegas is a true classic of the RPG genre.
Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn
This classic RPG is set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of Dungeons & Dragons, allowing players to create their own character and embark on an epic adventure filled with magic, danger, and adventure. With a deep and engaging storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics, Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn set the standard for the genre and remains a beloved classic to this day.
Planescape: Torment
The innovative RPG is set in the Planescape campaign setting of Dungeons & Dragons, offering a unique and immersive world filled with strange and fascinating characters, creatures, and locales. With a deep and complex storyline that focuses on philosophical themes and questions of identity, Planescape: Torment is a true masterpiece of the RPG genre.
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is known for its punishing difficulty, this action RPG has captured the hearts of players around the world with its atmospheric world, challenging gameplay, and deep lore. With a minimalist storyline that relies on environmental storytelling and a unique multiplayer system that allows players to interact with each other’s worlds, Dark Souls is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Persona 5
Persona 5 is a stylish and engaging RPG follows a group of high school students who use their supernatural powers to fight evil and change the world. With a deep and engaging storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics, Persona 5 is a modern classic that continues to captivate players around the world.
Diablo II
The classic action RPG features fast-paced gameplay, deep customization options, and a dark and atmospheric world filled with demons, undead, and other dangerous creatures. With a gripping storyline, memorable characters, and addictive gameplay mechanics. It remains a beloved classic of the RPG genre, and its influence can still be felt in modern games to this day.
World of Warcraft
The most popular MMORPG of all time, World of Warcraft has captured the hearts of millions of players around the world with its vast and immersive world, deep lore, and engaging gameplay mechanics. With a variety of classes, races, and professions to choose from, as well as a thriving community of players, World of Warcraft remains a defining game of the RPG genre.
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
It is widely regarded as one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, Dragon Quest V features a gripping storyline, memorable characters, and a unique monster-taming mechanic that allows players to recruit and train their own team of monsters. With a classic turn-based combat system and a charming visual style, Dragon Quest V remains a beloved classic of the genre.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
This classic RPG takes place thousands of years before the events of the Star Wars movies, allowing players to create their own character and embark on an epic adventure in the Star Wars universe. With a deep and engaging storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a must-play for fans of the franchise.
Deus Ex
The groundbreaking action RPG features a complex storyline that explores themes of conspiracy, transhumanism, and artificial intelligence. With a variety of ways to approach each mission, as well as a deep and immersive world filled with secrets and hidden agendas, Deus Ex is a true classic of the RPG genre.
Ultima VII: The Black Gate
This classic RPG is set in the world of Britannia, allowing players to create their own character and embark on an epic adventure filled with magic, monsters, and mystery. With a deep and engaging storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics, Ultima VII: The Black Gate is a must-play for fans of classic RPGs.
Xenogears
The classic JRPG features a complex and mature storyline that explores themes of identity, philosophy, and religion. With a unique battle system that combines turn-based combat with giant mechs, as well as a memorable cast of characters, Xenogears is a true masterpiece of the genre.
Earthbound
This quirky and charming RPG follows a young boy named Ness as he embarks on a journey to save the world from an alien invasion. With a memorable cast of characters, a unique visual style, and a charming soundtrack, Earthbound is a beloved classic of the RPG genre.
Suikoden II
The classic JRPG features a sprawling storyline, memorable characters, and an innovative recruiting system that allows players to build their own army of characters. With a classic turn-based combat system and a charming visual style, Suikoden II remains a beloved classic of the genre.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
This action RPG is set in the world of the tabletop RPG Vampire: The Masquerade, allowing players to create their own vampire character and explore a dark and atmospheric world filled with political intrigue and supernatural danger. With a deep and engaging storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is a must-play for fans of the RPG genre.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
It is a modern RPG that features a deep and engaging storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics that allow players to approach each situation in their own way. With a variety of classes, races, and abilities to choose from, as well as a vibrant and immersive world, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a modern classic of the RPG genre.
NieR: Automata
The action RPG takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been driven to the brink of extinction by robotic invaders. Players control a female android named 2B as she fights to save humanity alongside her companion 9S. With a deep and thought-provoking storyline, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, NieR: Automata is a true masterpiece of the genre.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
It follows Link, the series’ protagonist, as he wakes up from a hundred-year slumber to defeat Calamity Ganon and save the land of Hyrule. The game is notable for its open-world gameplay, which allows players to explore a vast and immersive world filled with secrets, puzzles, and hidden treasures. With its beautiful graphics, memorable characters, and engaging gameplay mechanics, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a true masterpiece and a must-play for fans of the series and the action-adventure genre.
Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is a unique RPG that takes place in a surreal and dystopian world where players control a detective trying to solve a murder case. What sets the game apart is its innovative gameplay mechanics that allow players to approach each situation in their own way, with choices that can have significant consequences on the outcome of the story. The game’s deep and thought-provoking storyline, memorable characters, and immersive world make it a true masterpiece of the genre. With its noir-inspired visuals, haunting soundtrack, and engaging gameplay, Disco Elysium is a must-play for fans of RPGs looking for something truly different and thought-provoking.
Pillars of Eternity
Set in the world of Eora, players create their own character and embark on an epic adventure filled with magic, monsters, and political intrigue. The game features a deep and engaging storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics that allow players to approach each situation in their own way. The game also features a unique system called “soul reading” that allows players to delve into the memories of NPCs to learn more about the world and its lore. With a vibrant and immersive world, Pillars of Eternity is a modern classic of the RPG genre.
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