Summary
- Bethesda's deep storylines in RPGs leave a lasting impression on players.
- Compelling narratives enhance the post-apocalyptic setting in RPGs like Horizon Zero Dawn.
- Fallout: New Vegas features excellent role-playing elements that shape the future narrative.
Post-apocalyptic settings are always riveting in most gaming genres, and RPGs are no exception. Players love checking out intricate titles set in hostile, desolate worlds where they slowly but surely become stronger over the course of a memorable adventure.
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Many post-apocalyptic RPGs are a blast to play for their settings and lore, but all of this may not have the impact developers desire if the story itself doesn't strike a chord with players. Thankfully, the following role-playing games ensure that both the story and the setting will leave a lasting impression on players.
Horizon Zero Dawn
The Worldbuilding In This Game Enhances The Story's Quality
Horizon: Zero Dawn
- Released
- February 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Horizon Zero Dawn could've fallen into the trap of crafting a compelling post-apocalyptic open-world game without doing a lot to justify it. Thankfully, the impressive lore and captivating storytelling ensure that fans will have a great time figuring out the mysteries present in this game. While it may no be the deepest RPG around, the dialog choices and skill trees do enough to let players craft Aloy and her journey how they see fit.
From figuring out Aloy's origins to uncovering the reason for the planet's demise, there's no shortage of compelling answers that fans will find in Zero Dawn. It ensures that players will be hooked as the narrative unfolds piece by piece.
Final Fantasy 6
Turns Into A Post-Apocalyptic Adventure After Kefka Gets His Way
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The World of Balance feels like a classic Final Fantasy game, with the sixth game's memorable characters and great story ensuring that fans will be hooked in their quest to stop the Gestahlian Empire. However, Kefka is the one everyone should have watched out for, as he betrayed his liege and disturbed the balance of the Warring Triad.
This causes the world of Final Fantasy 6 to change into the post-apocalyptic World of Ruin, a bleak landscape that Kefka and his Light of Judgment constantly oppress. Celes must bring the band back together and mount one final assault on Kefka's Tower, as the story reaches an emotional climax that gives every character the closure they deserve.
Fallout 2
Frank Horrigan's Imposing Presence And The Series' Signature Dark Humor Make For A Gripping Narrative
Fallout 2
- Released
- October 29, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- RPG
A legendary CRPG that was crucial for the series, Fallout 2's signature dark humor shows Interplay's writing at its very best. The story of this game was off the charts, and one needs only look at Frank Horrigan's impact as an antagonist to see why this is the case.
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This super mutant shows the power of the Enclave firsthand and is a thorn in the Chosen One's side every step of the way. Despite the game's old-school difficulty, the story and writing will ensure that Fallout 2 will leave a major impact on players.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The Quest To Stop The Paintress Is Riveting
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of 2025. Fans love the incredible setting of this game, with its take on a post-apocalyptic France being both unique and riveting.
The story sees the members of Expedition 33 trying to stop the Paintress from killing off anyone above a certain age in this desolate world. However, as the story progresses, revelations come to light that recontextualize the game's events and make for an incredible narrative that is just one of Expedition 33's many highlights.
NieR: Automata
The Unique Ending Structure Enhances The Plot's Impact
NieR: Automata
- Released
- March 7, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
NieR: Automata is one of the most unique action RPGs players can get their hands on. 2B's journey is a riveting one. It serves as just a taste of things to come, with the game's multiple consecutive endings marking a new beginning for other characters as the story continues to expand.
Eventually, the emotions of the narrative will make for a spellbinding experience. This, coupled with the game's tantalizing hack-and-slash combat and gameplay switch-ups, shows why NieR: Automata was such a massive hit when it came out and is considered a modern classic today.
LISA: The Painful
Brad's Adventure To Rescue His Daughter Is Both Hilarious And Sad
LISA: The Painful
- Released
- December 15, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Players who want to check out a post-apocalyptic RPG that's bleak and hilarious in equal measure will love what LISA: The Painful brings to the table. While the gameplay can be brutal at times, players can still power through most of the game's challenges with high levels and a decent strategy.
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This allows them to experience a deeply human story set in a post-apocalyptic world where all the women have vanished from the face of the Earth. After Brad finds an abandoned girl and decides to become her father, he embarks on a quest to save her after she's kidnapped. However, as certain revelations come to light, it's hard to discern who is the hero and villain of this tale after a point.
Chrono Trigger
A Time-Travel Story Where Players Can See Lavos' Impact On The World, And Their Own
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Chrono Trigger's fascinating story structure ensures that fans will be on the edge of their seats as they figure out the best way to save the world from Lavos' imposing threat. The Epoch allows them to time travel, reaching a version of the future that has devolved into a post-apocalyptic state after Lavos leeches the life out of the planet.
This, coupled with a well-paced story full of numerous highlights, ensures that fans will have a blast playing Chrono Trigger. For a JRPG that came from the golden era, it does very little to waste a player's time and will keep them hooked with both the overarching plot and riveting character stories that help each and every member of the main cast feel lovable.
Fallout: New Vegas
Incredible Role-Playing Elements Ensure That The Plot Will Have A Lasting Impression
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- RPG
It would be impossible to talk about post-apocalyptic games with great narratives without talking about Fallout: New Vegas. Obsidian Entertainment's magnum opus sees the Courier embark on a journey of revenge, heading to New Vegas to face the man who shot them in cold blood.
Events spiral after this point, and the Courier has the power to shape the future of New Vegas and the Mojave as they see fit. The DLCs are also full of excellent writing, and the game's deep role-playing options ensure that players will have a blast playing through New Vegas.
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