Western RPGs are usually lengthy experiences that can take a lot of hours to complete. Games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 give players access to such an overwhelming amount of content that they can start to become downright exhausting and intimidating. Sometimes, you just want a straightforward, linear RPG.
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Fortunately, not all Western RPGs need to be time-consuming adventures full to the brim with so much content that they can overwhelm players. Sometimes, the best RPGs know how to respect the player's time by making shorter experiences that are jam-packed with interesting content.
Just to avoid any confusion, we are talking about RPGs by Western developers. So, not games set in the Wild West.
10 Disco Elysium
A Story-Driven RPG Full Of Branching Paths And Excellent Writing
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- ZA/UM
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Disco Elysium is one of the best RPGs ever made that doesn't feature any form of combat. The story at the heart of this game is engrossing, with the city of Revachol brimming with tantalizing opportunities to experience unique content.
The game world itself may feel small in comparison to other RPGs, but it's the dense nature of this experience that will win over most fans. Disco Elysium has a ton of unique and meaningful interactions that players can experience over multiple playthroughs if they want to enjoy everything this special game has to offer.
9 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2025's Best RPG Is Pure Quality Over Quantity
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
Taking inspiration from JRPGs while incorporating a European flair, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has earned praise for nearly everything it does. The turn-based combat incorporates real-time inputs in a way that heightens both aspects, while each party member has unique mechanics that come with their own nuances. The story starts with a flawless intro and largely maintains that standard throughout the 30-hour campaign, and even its divisive beats tend to inspire discussion. The graphics are generally gorgeous, especially for a smaller budget production like this. The soundtrack is brilliant.
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With many impressive games under the RPG banner in 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, The Outer Worlds 2, and more offer outstanding experiences.
However, perhaps more importantly than everything else, Clair Obscur is a fairly streamlined experience that rarely halts its momentum to have players commit pointless fluff. Even if you ignore all the side quests and just play through the main quest, you should be able to complete the game, although you will definitely need to master blocking and dodging.
8 Mass Effect 2
One Of The Greatest Sequels Ever Made Is Jam-Packed With Entertaining Set Pieces
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
The Mass Effect games are known for being many things, and one thing fans can't accuse them of is being overly long. Commander Shepard's adventures take place over three amazing games that respect the player's time and let them spend as much time as they want in the universe before moving on to the end.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in Mass Effect 2, where a player's urgency determines critical elements in the plot. Players who make a beeline for the end can potentially save everyone kidnapped by the Collectors, but there's nothing wrong with experiencing the detailed and engaging side content of this game that lets players explore numerous companion relationships before they eventually head to the Suicide Mission.
7 Alpha Protocol
Respects The Player's Time With A Series Of Entertaining Missions That Are Fast-Paced And Entertaining
Alpha Protocol
- Released
- June 1, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
It's a shame that Alpha Protocol launched with so many bugs, which prevented this title from enjoying the attention it deserved. The idea of playing an espionage RPG is a tantalizing one, with Michael Thorton embodying one of the three major JBs of the espionage genre in his interactions — James Bond, Jason Bourne, or Jack Bauer.
The missions are captivating and let players interact with their fair share of memorable characters without taking too long to complete. If players don't mind playing through a game with admittedly clunky gameplay, they'll love what Alpha Protocol brings to the table.
6 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
An Engrossing Star Wars RPG With A Story That Moves At A Breakneck Pace Before Delivering A Massive Plot Twist
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Released
- July 15, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
Knights of the Old Republic is one of the best Star Wars games players can get their hands on. BioWare's amazing RPG is loaded with content that's meaningful and doesn't waste the player's time.
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It helps that the story is so captivating that players will be invested at every step of the way, culminating in a mind-blowing reveal that cements this title's legendary stature. Players who want to check out BioWare's stellar history will have a great time playing through Knights of the Old Republic.
5 Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
A Perfect Example Of A Classic RPG
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
- Released
- September 21, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- RPG
While sharing its name with Larian's recent-ish masterpiece, Baldur's Gate 2 is a widely different experience from its sequel, to the point that they can barely be compared to each other. BioWare's original two entries are far more concise than most modern RPGs, delivering comparatively streamlined experiences that are almost entirely devoid of filler content. While BG2 has optional quests, they tie into the world and character building, often incorporating moral choices that have an impact. Like BG3, BG2 has a great range of companions that are given full arcs, and at no point do they feel like they are just there to complete your party.
Although decently large by the standards of its era, Shadows of Amn's world is compact and precise, with every hub area featuring dense story beats and rich lore, all the while facilitating exploration. Repeat playthroughs also emphasize BG2's mechanical and role-playing depth, as you can get a widely different experience by going with a few other choices.
Honorable mention to Planescape: Torment, which is also a fantastic old-school RPG.
4 South Park: The Stick Of Truth
An Authentic Adventure With A Ton Of Entertaining Content To Discover
South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Released
- March 4, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Genre(s)
- RPG
South Park is one of the most hilarious TV shows of all time, with The Stick of Truth serving as an accurate rendition of this town and how an RPG adventure would play out in this world. The game's bizarre and controversial nature makes it a unique game that is enjoyable regardless of whether people are fans of the IP or not.
The beauty of South Park: The Stick of Truth stems from the enjoyable main and side content of this title that doesn't feel tacked on. Even something that seems boring, like hunting certain enemies or finding collectibles, is engaging in its own way because of how the game presents these tasks.
3 Tyranny
Aside From A Hasty Ending, The Game's Stellar Writing Is Prevalent Throughout A Unique WRPG
Tyranny
- Released
- November 10, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Tyranny is one of the most unique Western RPGs players can check out, exploring what it means to be evil in a game that is full to the brim with amazing writing. The game's runtime isn't unreasonable and ensures that both its story and gameplay remain fresh for the vast majority of the experience.
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It's a testament to the quality of this title that the rushed ending took many fans by surprise. They wanted to experience more of this detailed world, but Tyranny ends at a point when players feel like the story is kicking it into the highest gear, which is the only negative in an otherwise brilliant experience.
2 Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic
The Role-Playing Elements Are Entertaining Enough To Make The Most Of This Focused Experience
Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic
- Released
- October 24, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Arkane Studios, Ubisoft Annecy
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360
Before turning into masters of the immersive sim genre, Arkane Studios experimented with RPG elements in their first-person games. This can be seen in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, which may not have the most captivating story but more than makes up for it with incredible gameplay that fans can't get enough of.
Kicking enemies and using the environment to thin out waves of foes is a huge part of what makes Dark Messiah such an engaging experience. It helps that the game manages to captivate players with its interesting levels, making up for its flaws with excellent combat where players can unlock abilities from one of three classes to wreak havoc on their enemies.
1 Deus Ex
An Action RPG That Is Full Of Entertaining Missions And Clever Dialogue From Start To End
Deus Ex
- Released
- June 23, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ion Storm
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS, Stealth
An immersive sim that does a great job of making its RPG elements feel meaningful, Deus Ex's progression system lets players palpably feel JC become more of an expert in the field of his choice as he becomes efficient at breaking into restricted areas or taking out his foes.
It's amazing to see just how rich and rewarding the content of Deus Ex is. JC Denton's missions take some wild turns as certain conspiracies come to light and he's forced to switch allegiances, making for an engaging level that turns a friendly base into a hostile one. Reusing assets and levels can lead to accusations of padding, but Deus Ex manages to turn this into a memorable moment that shows how the game's presentation helps the game's incredible content stand out even more in a game that is paced brilliantly.
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