Summary

  • RPGs offer captivating gameplay, mechanics, and stories that keep players glued to their screens for hours.
  • Titles like Dragon Age: Origins and Final Fantasy 6 offer immersive worlds, captivating stories, and engaging gameplay.
  • Games like Mass Effect Legendary Edition and Baldur's Gate 3 provide compelling narratives and gameplay elements that hook players for hours on end.

Role-playing games feature many complex elements that will grab a player's attention from the very moment they check in for the first time. The amount of time players can spend becoming stronger and taking out massive foes in these titles is genuinely incredible.

The best RPGs are so mesmerizing to play that players will find themselves stuck to their screens as they make slow yet steady progress in these titles. The mechanics and stories, among other things, are so incredible to behold that players will lose track of time as they get immersed in these adventures.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

An Absorbing Fantasy World That's Full Of Things To Do

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Metaphor: ReFantazio
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10 /10
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Released
October 11, 2024
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SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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ESRB
T For Teen // Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Genre(s)
RPG, JRPG, Action, Adventure

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a new IP by Atlus, the makers of the Persona series, that features their patented Press Turn system. Players will love mastering the combat mechanics of this title, but it's the story and daily life gameplay that will keep them hooked.

Trying to win the election and stop Louis makes for a great time, and players will discover a ton about the game's many races along the way. Their multi-cultural party is full of amazing characters, and getting closer to these people is so captivating that it becomes hard to stop playing at any time.

Dragon Age: Origins

Establishes One Of The Most Iconic Dark Fantasy Worlds In Gaming

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Dragon Age: Origins
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9 /10
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Released
November 3, 2009
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DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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ESRB
M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content
Genre(s)
RPG

Dragon Age: Origins is one of the greatest video games ever made, with players being wowed by this RPG from the very moment they saw that it boasted one of six unique origin stories. This was just the start of what would prove to be a captivating adventure, as players slowly but surely become familiar with the world of Dragon Age.

The story in Origins is incredible, and the companions ensure that players will be more than invested in this epic adventure. Making progress is very satisfying and can make it hard for players to stop playing this game as time flies by at a breakneck pace.

Final Fantasy 6

The Game Becomes Impossible To Put Down After The Onset Of The World Of Ruin

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Final Fantasy 6
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Released
October 11, 1994
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DIGITAL
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ESRB
T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
Genre(s)
RPG

There are many reasons why fans consider Final Fantasy 6 to be the best title in the series. The World of Balance feels like a typical JRPG experience that has been executed to perfection, but players have no idea what's in store for them once the World of Ruin rears its destructive head.

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All of a sudden, the game becomes a non-linear adventure for the ages as players bring the gang back together, recruit new heroes, and stage one final assault on Kefka's tower. The story may sit at a standstill with the onset of this ruined world, but the rest of the gameplay is so tantalizing that players will love re-recruiting the heroes as quickly and efficiently as they can. Even if they've spent an unhealthy amount of time on this game as is, sticking with it to the closing moments is all but essential.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Commander Shepard's Trilogy Makes For One Of Gaming's Best Sci-fi Stories

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Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
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9 /10
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Released
May 14, 2021
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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ESRB
M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Genre(s)
Action, RPG

Commander Shepard's adventures in the original Mass Effect trilogy are legendary for all the right reasons. With the Citadel DLC and the improvements made to the ending of Mass Effect 3, the experience of playing all three games feels better now than ever before, and ensures that players will be glued to their screens when playing Mass Effect Legendary Edition.

The first game underwent many improvements to make the gameplay less frustrating, while the other two titles have aged better and benefit from simple visual upgrades. Shepard's incredible journey takes players across several planets, where they'll meet a bevy of riveting characters, consuming a player's time as they become immersed in this fantastic trilogy.

Persona 5 Royal

The Life Sim Elements Merge With The Game's JRPG Trappings To Make For A Delectable Combination

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Persona 5 Royal
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Released
October 31, 2019
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DIGITAL
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ESRB
m
Genre(s)
JRPG, Adventure
Persona 5 Royal

The life-sim elements of the Persona series were addictive from the moment they were introduced in the third mainline entry, and Persona 5's striking art style and improved combat ensured that more and more people would understand why this spinoff series is so captivating.

Maxing out Confidants, completing requests in Mementos, living the life of a regular high school student, and masquerading as the Phantom Thieves all make for a tantalizing gameplay loop. Numerous hours will fly by in no time as players strive to complete everything possible in the limited time they have.

Disco Elysium

This Game's Incredible Setting Will Keep Players Engaged For Hours On End

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Disco Elysium
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9 /10
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Released
October 15, 2019
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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ESRB
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
Genre(s)
RPG

Disco Elysium is a perfect example of how important good worldbuilding, lore, and writing are for enhancing what may seem like a relatively simple video game. Without any combat, the game's story does the heavy lifting, as players become engrossed in a wide variety of scenarios.

8-Best-RPGs-That-Get-Better-As-You-Play,-Ranked
8 Best RPGs That Get Better As You Play, Ranked

These excellent RPGs are good from the start, but they continue to get better and better as players delve into their intricate worlds.

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From helping anodic music enthusiasts turn a church into a nightclub to taking out a physically imposing racist without being beaten to a pulp, there's no shortage of ways players can get invested in Disco Elysium. The hours will fly by as the story grabs the player's attention and never lets go.

Bloodborne

Boasts The Best World In Any Modern FromSoftware Game

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Bloodborne
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Released
March 24, 2015
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SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
Genre(s)
Action, RPG, Soulslike
Bloodborne-maintenance-times

Bloodborne is one of the greatest Soulslikes ever made, with many people considering it to be FromSoftware's magnum opus. What starts as a challenging, fast-paced action game against maddened beasts turns into a Lovecraftian horror masterpiece as players must deal with horrors so unnerving that trying to process what is happening causes them no end of trouble.

Miyazaki's incredible direction ensures that players will be totally captivated by this game once they grasp the basics of the combat. Making progress, finding unique NPCs, and getting their hands on powerful weapons is something that players will love so much that they won't want to stop playing this game, no matter how many deaths they suffer.

Baldur's Gate 3

One Of The Greatest Modern RPGs And A Testament To The Power Of Player Choice

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Baldur's Gate 3
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9 /10
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Released
August 3, 2023
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
Genre(s)
RPG

Many people consider Baldur's Gate 3 to be one of the greatest modern RPGs ever made, and understandably so. Every act in this game feels like a self-contained experience that poses its fair share of challenges without losing track of the overarching story.

While some people may feel that Act 3 exhausts them, given the absurd length of the game, the rest of the package is solid, and players won't want to tear themselves away from this game for a single second. It helps that the story and characters are so riveting that players will be hooked on the experience for hours on end.

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7 Best RPGs If You Like Cinematic Storytelling, Ranked

Looking for RPGs with cinematic storytelling? These games deliver a movie-like experience, as interesting to watch as to play.

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