Summary
- JRPGs like Persona 5 Royal and Final Fantasy 7 are iconic must-plays for fans of the genre.
- Cyberpunk 2077's redemption arc showcases its unique futuristic RPG experience with stellar writing.
- Baldur's Gate 3 stands out as one of the greatest Western RPGs ever made, offering rich storytelling and turn-based combat.
Labeling any title as a must-play game can be a bit hard to justify. After all, players don't necessarily need to play any game to prove that they love a genre, but there's a reason why some titles are so amazing that fans can't help but recommend these titles to anyone they can find.
8 Best RPGs With Time-Based Combat, Ranked
While a bit rarer than some other systems, some of the best role-playing games use turn-based combat with timed inputs.
This is especially true in the case of role-playing games, with some titles being in a class of their own that fans should rightfully appreciate. From genre-defining JRPGs to scintillating Western RPGs and everything in between, these games will leave fans coming back for more.
8 Cyberpunk 2077
An Amazing Futuristic RPG With Stellar Writing
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Cyberpunk 2077's redemption arc is a tale of the ages. After the game failed to live up to the hype set by its amazing marketing campaign, CD Projekt Red went into full damage control mode to make players realize that, beneath all the bugs and glitches, there lies an incredible RPG that is in a class of its own.
Cyberpunk 2020's tabletop universe is done justice to in this game, with V's struggles to regain control of their body after a botched Arasaka heist making for a compelling plot. The various updates and the Phantom Liberty expansion pack did a great job of modernizing the gameplay and making it more appealing than ever.
7 Dragon Age: Origins
The Numerous Origin Stories And Incredible Writing Makes The First Dragon Age Entry A Must-Play
Dragon Age: Origins
- Released
- November 3, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
There's a reason why fans consider Dragon Age: Origins to be one of the most important Western RPGs of all time. BioWare's painstaking work to craft a dark fantasy world with multiple origin stories for the hero was simply astounding.
Every playthrough starts with a unique introduction before players embark on a journey where they will eventually be crowned the Hero of Ferelden. The amazing role-playing options, excellent worldbuilding, captivating story, and memorable characters all work hand-in-hand to help Dragon Age: Origins stand out as one of the best RPGs ever made.
6 Persona 5 Royal
An Excellent Modern JRPG That Is A Perfect Entry Point Into This Legendary Genre
Persona 5 Royal
- Released
- March 31, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Atlus, P-Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Players who always found the JRPG genre to be a bit unwelcoming will find Persona 5 Royal to be the perfect game for them. This updated version of a modern classic lets players enjoy a unique mix of JRPG and life-sim elements to make for a delectable combination.
8 Best RPGs With No Leveling Up, Ranked
Some may consider leveling up as integral to an RPG, but as these games prove, RPGs can still thrive even without a leveling-up system.
Maxing out Confidant bonds, fusing Personas, and tackling labyrinthine Mind Palaces are a blast as players enjoy the slow-burn plot. Joker and his friends will become beloved characters that fans can't get enough of as they take down corrupt adults and make Japan a better place for everyone.
5 Mass Effect 2
The Best Mass Effect Game With Stellar Storytelling
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
Mass Effect 2 is one of the best RPG sequels of all time, taking everything that worked from the game and improving on the things that fans complained about. The end result is an action-packed adventure where Shepard must try and combat the threat of the Reapers by any means necessary.
The Illusive Man is an interesting character who technically forces Shepard to work for him as they combat the threat of the Collectors together. To do so, the game is structured around recruiting a team of experts to help in the fight to save the galaxy. All of this ends in a memorable Suicide Mission that is perhaps the best final segment to ever feature in a Western RPG.
4 Baldur's Gate 3
One Of The Greatest Western RPGs Ever Made
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Baldur's Gate 3 set the world ablaze with its incredible scope, rich writing, fun characters, and a unique turn-based combat system. Larian was a name that CRPG faithful were already familiar with, but the release of Baldur's Gate 3 cemented this studio as one of the GOATs in the industry.
The amazing role-playing goodness of Baldur's Gate 3 was rife across all three chapters, with players helping their party become stronger as they tackled tougher threats and won by the skin of their teeth. Every playthrough in Baldur's Gate 3 feels unique, to the point where fans must theoretically clock in a thousand hours or more to witness every permutation and combination in this game.
3 Final Fantasy 7
An Extremely Important JRPG That Popularized The Genre In The West
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
One of the greatest JRPGs ever made, Final Fantasy 7 was responsible for ushering in the golden era of JRPGs on the PS1. This amazing game lets players control Cloud in his quest to stop Sephiroth from destroying the planet.
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For impatient players, some RPGs let you skip the endless grind by giving you power as soon as you press start. Here are some of the best.
Final Fantasy 7 may not necessarily be the best game in the series, but the sheer importance of this game makes it a must-play for any RPG fan worth their salt. The materia system has aged like fine wine, to the point where the remake games haven't really changed a lot about how this crystallized mako lets players utilize a wealth of powerful abilities.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red's Claim To Fame Features A Tale To Remember
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is CD Projekt Red's magnum opus, with many players loving the immense scope and beauty of this title. After finally regaining his memories, Geralt goes on an adventure of a lifetime as he strives to save Ciri from the clutches of the titular Wild Hunt.
He explores numerous notable locations on the Continent, meeting both new allies and old friends in his quest to find his adopted daughter. Once players are done with the main story, they should definitely check out the brilliance of Hearts of Stone and Blood & Wine to enjoy the full Witcher 3 experience.
1 Chrono Trigger
The Greatest JRPG Ever Developed In The Eyes Of Many
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- SNES, PlayStation (Original), PC, Nintendo DS, Android, iOS
Chrono Trigger is a JRPG that everyone has heard of. The dream team trio of Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yuji Horii, and the late great Akira Toriyama collaborated to create what is easily the greatest Japanese role-playing game ever made.
It's a testament to the game's superb pacing that Chrono Trigger never overstays its welcome, dishing out one set piece after another that keeps players digging deeper into this time-traveling epic. Despite being nowhere near as long as most modern JRPGs, Chrono Trigger makes it feel like fans have gone on the adventure of a lifetime.
8 Best Turn-Based RPGs Where Speed Matters
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