Best Character-Driven RPGs With No Open World

Players love RPGs that place a major emphasis on their characters and let them form a meaningful connection with a lovable gang of adventures who put everything on the line to save the world from a massive threat. The stories of these games are driven by these characters, with their struggles and motivations tying in with the main narrative to make for a compelling story that fans can't get enough of.

Most players won't mind that these games don't have an open world with a ton of busy work. The idea of playing through a fairly linear game with memorable personalities is more alluring in the eyes of many. As long as the game features great pacing and meaningful character development, people will have no issues with a lack of a sandbox. In fact, this may be downright appreciated in the eyes of many.

5 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

One of the Best Character-Related Twists of All Time

BioWare is a studio known for being one of the biggest players in the Western RPG sphere, with a litany of classic games making it clear why fans love this developer despite a less-than-stellar track record in recent times. When BioWare was at the top of its game, fans were treated to some of the best character-driven role-playing experiences they could get their hands on, with Knights of the Old Republic being one of their most celebrated and popular games by a country mile.

The fact that many people consider this title to be the greatest Star Wars ever game is lofty praise that proves why Knights of the Old Republic has such a loyal fanbase. Each and every character players can recruit has a compelling story and is relevant to the plot in some manner, especially when it comes to Bastila Shan, one of the greatest BioWare companions of all time.

4 Final Fantasy 7

Cloud's Personal Struggles Are A Driving Force Of The Narrative

From the moment players leave Midgar and experience a flashback detailing Nibelheim's incineration at the hands of Sephiroth, players are given a glimpse of Cloud's unreliable narration and Tifa's growing doubts. Every character gets their moment to shine in the game, with Barret's confrontation against Dyne and the massive sidequest where Yuffie steals the party's materia in Wutai being major story highlights in a memorable game. However, the dynamic between the protagonist and the main villain is what makes Final Fantasy 7 tick and adds a ton of weight to a major revelation later on that completely flips the script.

3 Planescape: Torment

The Nameless One's Amnesia Fuels The Story's Intrigue

One of the greatest classic CRPGs of all time with incredible writing that is still compelling to this day, it's easy to see why fans can't get enough of Planescape: Torment to this day. The central plot revolves around the protagonist and his journey to regain the memory of his past lives and the mystery surrounding his immortality. It's an intriguing setup that is further enhanced with a unique world and immersive writing, with combat taking a backseat to the game's brilliant story.

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Throughout the Nameless One's journey, he is joined by people he has interacted with or influenced in his past lives, further adding to the rich and layered narrative of this series. It's a generational CRPG that fans should check out as long as they're willing to look past its dated design.

2 Persona 5 Royal

The Dynamic Between The Phantom Thieves Serves As The Beating Heart Of An Engaging Tale

Persona 5 Royal is one of the greatest JRPGs players can get their hands on. This enhanced version of Atlus' stylistic game is oozing with charm and lets players control the Phantom Thieves who gain the power to summon Personas in the Mind Palaces of other heinous adults to change their minds. As one would expect, the main characters and the antagonists serve as the beating heart of this narrative, with their motivations and complexities shaping the conflicts that arise.

Most Mind Palaces build on a villain's personality to make for intriguing dungeons that players will love to infiltrate. While the game's focus on godlike beings and the like — an endgame trope almost every JRPG relies on — can take away from its character-driven narrative at times, the bulk of Persona 5 is carried by these colorful personalities who are a joy to witness on-screen every single time their personality gets a chance to flourish.

1 Pyre

Players Form Genuine Attachments With Characters As They Fight For Their Freedom

The idea of a sports RPG is quite odd, making it clear why Pyre is one of the most unique games in this genre fans can get their hands on. Players control a group of exiles seeking their freedom by completing Rites and emerging as the victorious team, following which one party member is chosen to leave the group and escape this purgatory to resume a normal life. Given how players form a connection with these exiles from both a narrative and gameplay standpoint, it's easy to see why these choices are far from easy.

What makes Pyre such an intriguing character-driven narrative is that the members of opposing teams also have likable motivations of their own, to the point where players won't mind losing or throwing games as long as a worthy character gets their chance to escape. The tough choices that must be made in this game help Pyre stand out as a unique character-driven RPG that players should check out, even if the execution of its gameplay may not be the smoothest.

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