Summary
- Sometimes, RPGs' quality can surprise and engage players beyond expectations.
- BioWare sequels like Dragon Age: Inquisition left fans pleasantly amazed.
- South Park: The Stick of Truth showcased unexpected RPG brilliance.
Western RPGs can keep players engaged for hours on end if everything clicks. Players love the sheer amount of love and work that goes into breathing life into these massive worlds and their characters, making for a riveting experience where players save the world or complete a gargantuan task they were assigned to.
There are times when some Western RPGs can be way more compelling than fans expected. The sheer quality on display in these titles exceeded fan expectations and ensured that they would be absorbed in these role-playing games for a long time without any issues.
8 Dragon Age: Inquisition
Beat The Odds To Become A Tantalizing Dark Fantasy RPG Fans Are Fond Of
Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Released
- November 18, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
The problems surrounding Dragon Age: Inquisition's development led to many fans getting worried about the end product. Dragon Age 2 had left a bad taste in the mouths of fans, and Mass Effect 3's ending did nothing to bolster the studio's reputation.
Thankfully, despite some MMO side quests that are nothing short of an annoying grind, Dragon Age: Inquisition was a fitting entry in the series. The plot did justice to the series' history, and the plot twist at the end was received positively, even if players hated the idea of shelling out money for DLC to see the true ending.
7 South Park: The Stick Of Truth
No One Expected This RPG To Become One Of The Best Licensed Video Game Of All Time
South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Released
- March 4, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Stick of Truth is one of the best video game adaptations of an existing IP. Previews were impressive, but players had no idea just how faithful The Stick of Truth would be to the world of South Park until they gave this title a shot.
The hilarious humor, fun combat, wacky scenarios, and gut-busting humor all help elevate this title as one of the best comedy RPGs fans can get their hands on. The fact that this game was responsible for causing new and returning fans to get into modern South Park speaks volumes when it comes to its success.
6 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
The First Game From Warhorse Studios Turned Into An Amazing Medieval RPG With A Focus On Realism
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
- Released
- February 13, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is one of the best realistic medieval RPGs of all time, an achievement that is made even more impressive when players learn of the new studio that developed this title. Sure, Warhorse Studios had employees experienced in game development, but crafting an epic open-world RPG that took more than a hundred hours to complete was no mean feat.
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Certain elements of this restricted budget could be seen in the game's repetitive animations, but this was a minor complaint. The tough yet rewarding combat, immersive game design, and a riveting story ensured that players would fall in love with Kingdom Come: Deliverance, a game they didn't have the highest expectations for.
5 GreedFall
Filled The BioWare Void That Had Been Left Behind
GreedFall
- Released
- September 10, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Spiders
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
With the once-great BioWare losing a ton of its goodwill following the disasters that were Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda, there was a void left behind in the Western RPG genre that someone needed to fill. However, fans didn't expect Spiders, of all developers, to rise to this challenge.
Most of their titles have been entertaining yet janky AA RPG experiences. With GreedFall, the studio perfected their formula while letting fans enjoy a game that channeled the old energy of BioWare, something that no one felt a Spiders game could achieve. Thankfully, the eurojank of GreedFall added to its charm, making it clear why fans are hyped for its sequel.
4 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Players Knew This Title Would Be Great, But They Had No Idea Just How Legendary It Would Become
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(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 hype for The Witcher 3 was through the roof, with the marketing team doing a great job of attracting new eyes toward this franchise. Expectations were high for this title, yet CD Projekt Red managed to shatter everything that fans thought this game could be in the best way possible.
The amazing sandbox design made every region a joy to explore, and the side quests featured such amazing writing that it arguably marked a major shift in how developers view side content in their video games. Geralt's final journey was an epic one full of major highs and sad lows, and the expansions went a step above to surpass fan expectations once again in terms of their quality and length, especially when it comes to Blood & Wine.
3 Disco Elysium
An RPG Without Any Combat Became One Of The Best Titles In This Genre
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Developer(s)
- ZA/UM
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
While an RPG without combat made for an interesting pitch, fans expected Disco Elysium to be little more than a novelty. So, when ZA/UM released their epic title, fans were floored by the sheer oddness and quality of the game's writing.
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Every dialogue exchange had the potential to make fans laugh their heart out without taking away from the seriousness of the situation. Harry Du Bois is an enigma, whose eccentric personality helps every aspect of Disco Elysium stand out as one of the best modern story-driven RPGs fans can get their hands on.
2 Baldur's Gate 3
Larian Studios Shattered All Expectations With What Might Be The Greatest Modern RPG Of All Time
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
With Divinity: Original Sin 2, Larian Studios had set a high bar for its role-playing gameplay. However, Baldur's Gate 3 would also mark a massive upgrade for the visuals that this studio employed in its games, making for a dazzling RPG that only comes once in a blue moon.
Not only did Baldur's Gate 3 live up to the standards set by its lauded predecessors, but most people would argue that it went above and beyond to become a tour de force of the modern Western RPG landscape. The fact that players can sink a thousand hours in this title and still find something new is a testament to how incredible this title's scope is.
1 Gothic
What Should've Been A Typical Eurojank RPG Turned Into A Cult Classic In No Time
Gothic
- Released
- November 23, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
It's hard to believe that a janky game made by Piranha Bytes would end up turning into a cult classic, but there are many reasons why Gothic deserves this moniker. From the moment players are unceremoniously dumped into an elaborate prison structure, they must scratch and claw their way to reach a camp for the very first time, dying innumerable times in the process.
This just adds to the satisfaction that players feel when they finally figure out how to improve their combat skills and attain the confidence required to challenge some of the game's harder enemies. Before players even know it, they'll be thoroughly immersed in an amazing Western RPG they considered to be little more than a novelty to pass the time with.
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