Summary
- PS5 RPGs have evolved to offer immersive narratives, challenging gameplay, and high-quality visuals, catering to fans of the genre.
- Titles like Lost Judgment and Cyberpunk 2077 showcase unique storylines and engaging combat mechanics, setting them apart from other RPGs.
- Elden Ring, Persona 5 Royal, and Baldur's Gate 3 stand out as some of the best RPGs on the PS5, offering rich storytelling and captivating gameplay.
With each new home console generation, developers have become more and more adept at crafting compelling narratives for players to enjoy. This has benefited many different genres, but perhaps none more so than the humble RPG. After all, role-playing games have always relied on their stories to draw players in and keep them playing, and a more immersive and more engaging narrative can definitely help in this regard.
The Best PS5 Adventure Games, Ranked
Those who are keen to experience the best adventures on the PlayStation 5 should be sure to check out these excellent titles.
The PS5 is home to many great role-playing games, some of which can only be played on Sony's latest home console. The best PS5 RPGs find ways to push the console to its limits, providing players with an engrossing experience that is unlike anything else that came before it. For fans of the genre, the PlayStation 5 has an awful lot to offer, with many more big-budget RPGs expected in the coming months and years.
27 Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
OpenCritic Rating: 75
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a love letter to what many consider to be the golden age of RPGs, borrowing elements and ideas from its spiritual predecessor Suikoden as well as numerous other nineties RPGs. The end result is one of the most charming role-playing games in recent memory and a must-play for fans of the genre's earliest offerings.
Visually, the game is a little reminiscent of the Octopath Traveler series, but when it comes to gameplay and mechanics, it's Suikoden through and through. In any other game, finding and recruiting 120 potential party members would probably feel like a chore, but Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes somehow manages to keep players engaged right through to the very end of their adventure.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
- Released
- April 23, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rabbit and Bear Studios
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Genre(s)
- RPG
26 Rise of the Ronin
OpenCritic Rating: 77
Though there are a few obvious similarities between the two games, those who go into Rise of the Ronin expecting a Ghost of Tsushima-like experience are going to come away disappointed. It's not nearly as well-polished, nor is its narrative quite as gripping. However, when taken on its own merits, Rise of the Ronin is still a very good game and arguably Team Ninja's best in a very long while.
Combat is incredibly satisfying and offers a ridiculous amount of variety, and the main gameplay loop is pretty enjoyable as well. Missions are exciting and exploring the game's world can be both fun and rewarding, which isn't always the case with a lot of modern open-world games. It's great to see the developer stepping cautiously out of its comfort zone and a timely reminder of what this talented team is capable of.
Rise of the Ronin
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure, Open-World
25 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
OpenCritic Rating: 73
It's difficult to think of too many stories that have been retold quite as many times as Dragon Ball Z's. Since the original manga and its anime adaptation, there have been countless video games based on the series, ranging from more traditional one-on-one fighting games to fully fleshed-out RPGs. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an example of the latter, and a pretty good one at that.
As its name might suggest, the game allows players to relive every saga of Dragon Ball Z; starting with the Saiyan saga and ending with the Majin Buu arc. Pretty much every major fight and character is included, with more available via the game's two DLC season passes. The PS5 port of the game doesn't offer much in the way of improved visuals, but it does drastically cut down on loading times, making it the definitive version of the game in the eyes of many.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
- Released
- January 16, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CyberConnect2
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Stadia, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
24 Lost Judgment
OpenCritic Rating: 83
The Like a Dragon series has changed a lot in recent years, with the series' eighth installment switching to a more traditional JRPG-style turn-based combat system despite most other long-running RPG franchises having ditched the system in favor of a more fluid approach to battles. Thankfully, for Yakuza fans who prefer action RPGs, there are still plenty of alternatives; one of which is the excellent Lost Judgment spin-off.
Like the first Judgment game, Lost Judgment puts players into the shoes of Takayuki Yagami: a former lawyer who now works as a private detective. The crimes and mysteries that they'll need to solve are both engaging and entertaining, and, in true Yakuza fashion, the game is full to the brim with side content that should keep players busy for countless hours. It's one of the most action-packed PS5 RPG games around in this respect, with about 100 hours worth of content in total.
Lost Judgment
- Released
- September 24, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Platform(s)
- Amazon Luna, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
23 Black Myth: Wukong
OpenCritic Rating: 81
Black Myth: Wukong is a pretty interesting proposition, as it straddles the borders of two fairly distinct genres. It isn't really a Soulslike, but its uber-difficult boss fights and intricate combat system make it a lot more challenging than your typical action RPG, which might make it a tough sell for fans of either of the aforementioned genres.
For fans of well-honed combat systems, though, Black Myth: Wukong should hopefully help scratch that itch, particularly if players also happen to have an interest in Chinese mythology. There's a surprising amount of flexibility when it comes to builds as well, which, together with the game's New Game Plus mode, makes this a highly replayable experience.
Black Myth: Wukong
- Released
- August 20, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Game Science
- Publisher(s)
- Game Science
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
22 Disco Elysium - The Final Cut
OpenCritic Rating: 92
Few PS5 role-playing games can compare to Disco Elysium when it comes to narrative, with the 2019 title boasting some of the best video game writing of all time. The original script contained over one million words, which the game's developers ZA/UM used to paint one hell of a picture. This is a title that eschews tropes and tradition at just about every chance it gets, leading to one of the most singular RPG experiences in recent memory.
Players are placed into the shoes of Harrier "Harry" Du Bois, who, after a drunken two-day bender, wakes up in a trashed hotel room with a killer hangover and no memory of who he is or how he came to be there. The game sells itself as a detective RPG, but most of its mechanics are lifted right out of table-top games as opposed to traditional point-and-click titles as one might expect. This all works surprisingly well though and ensures that no two playthroughs are exactly alike.
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- ZA/UM
- Publisher(s)
- ZA/UM
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Genre(s)
- RPG
21 Tales of Arise
OpenCritic Rating: 87
Bandai Namco's Tales series has been around since the mid-nineties and, together with the likes of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, was one of the most popular and most prolific JRPG franchises throughout the early two-thousands. After a five-year hiatus, the series returned in 2021 with the highly anticipated Tales of Arise, which many consider to be one of the best Tales games of all time.
Players take control of Alphen, a mysterious masked man with no recollection of his past. Together with the rag-tag group of misfits that he encounters throughout his journey, the ashen-haired protagonist must bring down a series of powerful enemies in order to free the people of Dahna from their Renan overlords. The plot can be a bit wacky in places, but the gameplay remains thoroughly enjoyable throughout, helping to set the game apart from other RPG games on the PS5.
Tales of Arise
- Released
- September 10, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
20 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition
OpenCritic Rating: 81
When Skyrim was ported to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles in late 2021, it became one of only a handful of games that have been released across three different console generations. Sadly, the release was not without its issues, with an assortment of bugs and an overall lack of polish leading to negative reviews from both players and critics alike.
However, while it's certainly true that more could have been done to make The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition feel like a true next-gen title, there's still an awful lot to like about this timeless classic. It's one of the best RPGs ever made, and although the PC version is undoubtedly the best way to play it, it still ranks pretty high when it comes to the best role-playing games on the PS5.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium (Special Edition)
19 Persona 3 Reload
OpenCritic Rating: 88
Although it's always been popular among certain circles, it wasn't until the success of its fifth mainline installment that the Persona franchise really started to take off. Since then, many of the JRPG series' earlier games have been rereleased, remade, or remastered for modern audiences, resulting in the likes of Persona 4 Golden and the 2024 title, Persona 3 Reload.
Those looking for the definitive way to experience this beloved PS2 classic can definitely find that in Persona 3 Reload. The revamped battle system completely transforms the experience, while the Episode Aigis DLC promises to further flesh out the game's story. As one might expect, everything looks and sounds a lot better too, and is now a lot more accessible thanks to a slight decrease in difficulty.
Persona 3 Reload
- Released
- February 2, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- P-Studio
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
18 Octopath Traveler 2
OpenCritic Rating: 85
The first Octopath Traveler game is a must-play title for any true JRPG fan, exploring ideas and concepts first introduced decades prior in games like Live A Live, while also serving as a poignant reminder that there's still a place for well-implemented 2D graphics in the modern age. The sequel improves upon the original in most areas, with even more impressive visuals and a more refined combat system.
Like its predecessor, Octopath Traveler 2 excels in the narrative department and boasts an equally loveable cast of characters. The soundtrack is top notch too and perfectly complements some of the game's more impactful story beats. It's certainly not without its flaws, most of which relate to pacing, but the good parts more than make up for the bad and help to make this one of the best RPGs on the PS5.
Octopath Traveler 2
- Released
- February 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Acquire
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Genre(s)
- RPG