Kristein
The Best RPG Games are some of the only places in which you are truly free. Amidst the humdrum of the real world, the RPG world captures freedom in a way few other experiences on Earth does. Think of the time when you played Skyrim for the first time and on reaching the plains outside Whiterun, the music kicked in. Pure bliss.
The pursuit of happiness is one of the driving forces behind every emotion you feel. Joy, anger, sadness, the victory of good over evil, of camaraderie, of love, and most important of all, Friendship. RPGs tap into these emotions and take you on an adventure that will stay with you forever.
Ten years from now we will still remember the Suicide mission from Mass Effect 2. Twenty years and our exploits as Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher series will be there in our minds.
Well made RPG Games put you in the driver’s seat of an exceptional story. The most important feature is that you, as the player, shape the story in your own image.
From Fantasy to Sci-fi, from dragons, witches, and swords to spaceships and aliens, there is an RPG for you no matter what your preferred style of storytelling is.
Are you a fan of Tolkien’s masterpieces? Do you wish for an adventure featuring dragons, elves and a storyline on par with the works of the master himself? Then you must try out the aforementioned Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Or perhaps you are mystified by the great void of space. You see yourself drifting through the stars in your own spaceship with a cast of alien friends (You’ve always wanted this you Trekkie!) playing the definitive role in a battle that will decide the fate of a trillion lives. If so, have you heard of the pinnacle of storytelling that is Bioware and there stellar RPG trilogy Mass Effect?
Games like these and many others like Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights and Planescape: Torment all epitomize our skill at storytelling. We as a species have always been enamored by a well-structured story. This is evident from our fondness of Art, Cinema and the written works of legendary writers from around the world.
RPG Games capture the aspect of storytelling and adventure in its purest form. By making you, the player, live and experience it in real time.
Listed here are some of the best RPG Games ever made. These games set the bar with which every new release is measured. So let us take you back to the good old days when you spent hours dungeon crawling because you REALLY wanted to find what that lever that you activated had triggered!
Experience some nostalgia and melancholy as we sift through the titles that shaped a vital part of your life. In no particular order, let us begin!
1. Knights of The Old Republic, 2003 (XBox, PC)
What is good? What is Evil? Knights of the Old Republic gave players the opportunity to make this choice for themselves. A beautifully crafted RPG from Bioware, this 2003 masterpiece follows the moral conundrums that are presented to the force sensitive player as they are faced with the choice of being Jedi or Sith. Good or Bad. Light or Dark.
With an engrossing story featuring one of the best twists in video gaming history, KOTOR captures the excitement of Star Wars that even the movies fail to do. Not saying the game is better than the movie, but living the character is different than watching the character, right?
One complete copy of the Knights of the Old Republic script fills up 10 5-inch binders
– Darragh O’Farrell, Voice Department Manager – LucasArts
Follow an amazing adventure through the Star Wars Universe as you visit iconic planets from canon like Kashyyk, Korriban, and Dantooine. Make friends along the way. Partake in side quests and live the life of true Jedi/Sith in what is, arguably, the best Star Wars Game till date.
2. Baldur’s Gate, 1998 (PC)
Another Bioware classic, Baldur’s Gate is credited as being the title that revitalized RPG games for PC. Baldur’s Gate is a top-down isometric, fantasy role-playing game that let players carry on their progress in the first game directly into the second game by allowing them to port their save file.
This feature would become iconic for many other Bioware Games to follow.
The game followed the story of the player and his band of companions through the high fantasy campaign setting of the Forgotten Realms. Ally with NPCs, beat enemies and slowly peel away layers of the intricate story as you figure out the sinister root of the crisis facing the Sword Coast.
Baldur’s Gate and it’s sequel, Baldur’s Gate 2 are two of the greatest RPG games ever made. With enough content to lose yourself in for days along with the AD&D based gameplay, find yourself drifting off into high fantasy as you play the Baldur’s Gate Games.
3. Fallout: New Vegas, 2010 (Xbox, PC, PlayStation)
If D&D style High Fantasy isn’t your thing and you seek a more modern approach to an RPG without the quintessential Swords and Dragons, then the Fallout Series maybe what you are looking for.
Set in post-apocalyptic America, Fallout captures the bleak, somber and brutal environment of a society that is reeling from the aftermath of Nuclear War. Fallout New Vegas is set in the arid wastelands of Nevada.
I had dinner at the Ultra Luxe the other night. I Told them my steak tasted funny. They said it was a clown!……I ate a person….
– Billy Knight, Street Comedian on The Strip
It is a story of revenge, redemption and great intrigue, the last of which is fueled by the mysterious Mr.House. An ever-present character who runs the city of New Vegas. Gone are the days of grandeur for the city of Las Vegas. Postwar New Vegas is but a shade of its former self.
Add to this the two factions that are warring for control of the Hoover Dam and the greater Nevada region. The rising NCR (New California Republic) and the brutal, archaic Caesar’s Legion which is modeled after the Roman Empire. The player is caught in the middle of this conflict and is given the opportunity to pick a side.
Add to this the myriad of mutant creatures that want to rip you limb from limb and what you have in your hands is one of the best action RPGs ever made. Obsidian Entertainment truly managed to deliver a story that was original, unique and fun at the same time. It saddened us with the predicament of post-war civilization and cheered us with the fact that even in such dark times, love, humor and friendship are all just around the corner.
4. Divinity: Original Sin, 2014 (Xbox, PC, PlayStation)
Divinity: Original Sin may just be the truest RPG on this list. It is the definitive open world experience. Partially funded by Kickstarter, Larian Studios gave us this gem of an RPG in 2014. Divinity OS was the first of many attempts to modernize the RPG Genre. And we must say that Original Sin was a smash hit amongst players and critics alike.
The game was lauded for its scope and minimal hand-holding from the start. To put in perspective, Divinity doesn’t even have a clearly indicated Main Quest! Players have to find out more about the game as they play along.
The story follows the pair of protagonists in a turn-based, top-down RPG. Their sole purpose is to eradicate dangerous, volatile magic known as ‘Source Magic’. The users of this magic are called Sourcerers. How funny…
The true fun of the game though is the co-operative multiplayer mode. Players can team up with one of their friends and play together to bring down the “Source” of all evil in the land. See, we can be funny too…
The catch is that both players don’t even have to play together. You can do Quest A when your friend is on the other side of the map doing Quest X. In fact, your friend can kill a vital NPC who you needed to progress your questline. And now, you are left to find some sort of alternate method to complete your quest. The amazing thing is that in Divinity Original Sin, there is always an alternate way.
Kudos to Larian Studios for developing such an intricate, fun to play RPG that will stay in our minds for all the fun we had playing it.
5. Dark Souls Series, 2011-present (Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch)
Do you like dying? Do you like dying a lot? Are you a sucker for pain? If so, then you will love Dark Souls. This miserably difficult game is designed to torment you. But behind all the difficulty and pain this game is going to throw at you lies a finished product which is believed by many to be the best games ever made.
Dark souls was created by FromSoftware and released for Xbox, PC, and PlayStation in 2011. The game is built around the layers quest to stop the spread of the Undead Curse which grants unending life but drags its victims slowly into the pits of madness.
One of the most endearing things about the game is its high learning curve. Players coming off the back of conventional RPGs will soon realize that Dark Souls has a very steep learning curve. Every dodge, every side step and every single move you make is required to be timed to perfection.
The game prevents you from simply swinging your sword to victory through every boss battle. Speaking of which the Boss Battles are the standout feature in this game. The Bosses themselves are beautifully designed. They can easily one hit you if you aren’t meticulous in your planning.
Explore the dark and mysterious world of the Dark Souls Universe and meet a myriad of unusual characters along the way. Behind all the complexity is a beautifully designed game. The attention to detail is very much evident. If players can invest the time to learn the basics of the game then they are all set to experience one of the most unique RPG experiences available.
6. Dragon Age Origins, 2009 (Xbox, PC, PlayStation)
Dragon Age Origins is the first game in the Dragon Age Franchise. Created by Bioware, the game features a stellar story involving the fate of the fictional realm of Ferelden.
Where Dragon Age Origins shines is in all the amazing characters you run into on your adventures. The drunk dwarf with his dry humor, the Rock Golem and her witty observation of the world around her, your rebellious, borderline evil, snarky witch companion, all shine through to bring you the tapestry of well written, amazing characters that is Dragon Age Origins.
The single greatest aspect of Dragon Age Origins is it’s writing. Seldom will you find a game that is written better! The dialogues are on point as some of the best in gaming history.
Alistair: Were you really locked up in that cage for twenty days?
Sten: It may have been more like thirty. I stopped counting after a while.
Alistair: What did you do? Twenty days is a long time.
Sten: On good days, I posed riddles to passers-by, offering treasures for the correct answers.
Alistair: Really?
Sten: No.
– an exchange between Sten and Alistair, two of several companions in the game
The players quest to unite a realm divided along lines of race and pride is truly one of the more fascinating journeys you’ll set out on. Moreover, soak in the sights of the beautifully created environments of the Elven woods, the Dwarven underground cities and the eerie design of the magical dimension called the ‘Fade’ are all a feast to the eyes.
So grab your travel gear, call in your friends for some help and step into the great unknown for the journey of a lifetime. Fans of Lord of the Rings will find Dragon Age Origins to be their home away from home.
7. South Park: The Stick of Truth, 2014 (Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch)
Well, well, who do we have here! If you are tired of the classic Sword and Sheild RPG, try something different with South Park: The Stick Of Truth. Designed by Obsidian Entertainment, the same guys behind Fallout New Vegas, South Park: The Stick of Truth was a breath of fresh air to all RPG lovers.
Although there have been exceptional RPG releases in the last few years, there was a feeling of weariness amongst gamers due to all the dragon slaying and boss battles. So when South Park TSOT came out, it surprised one and all with a beautifully crafted RPG. This game is the definition of staying true to your source material.
The game recreated the fictional town of South Park from the iconic TV show flawlessly. The overall look and feel of the game made it seem like you are watching a really long episode of South Park rather than playing a video game.
All your favorite characters from the show are here. Almost every character to have featured in the show has been given a brief moment in the game. We were amused to see Al Gore’s ManBearPig. Even more so with the Aliens that featured in the first season of South Park. Apparently, they are still fond of their ‘probes’.
At the start of the game you have to pick your class. The player can pick one of 4 main classes in the game. You can choose to be a Warrior, Rogue, Mage or a Jew. Yeah, you heard that right.
The game is a turn-based strategy game where you have to face off everyone from crackheads, hall monitors and even aliens as you make your way through the game.
Don’t even get us started on the outrageous powers and abilities you have in the game. Truly this was an experience that only South Park could have delivered. We thank you, Matt Parker and Trey Stone for writing one of the funniest stories we have played in recent history.
8. Mass Effect Trilogy, 2007- Present (Xbox, PC, PlayStation)
Perhaps Bioware’s greatest work till date, the Mass Effect Trilogy has a special place in our hearts. No other game has been as influential as Bioware’s trilogy. The story of love, friendship and adventure all set in the backdrop of Space makes Mass Effect one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
Mass Effect follows the exploits of Commander Shepherd as he battles to save the galaxy from the ‘Reapers’, a race of sentient machines who are hell-bent on destroying all organic life in the galaxy.
The most endearing feature of Mass Effect is its stellar cast of NPCs who are by far some of the best voice acted characters in Video Game History. Not to mention the fact that these guys are so well written.
Lose yourself as you explore the galaxy and mend strained relations between alien species and do your best to unite the entire galaxy against the Reapers. Can Commander Shepherd do this? I guess you will have to play and find out.
The fact that the lives of all the friends that you have made rest in your actions as the leader of the Normandy (your spaceship) give players an added level of immersion.
Mass Effect will forever be a classic RPG. One that will forever live in the hearts of all those who have played the trilogy.
Now if only they could have ended the entire Series in a better way!!
9. Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim (Xbox, PC, PlayStation)
Ice-capped mountains, Dragons, Mysterious woods, Intricate dungeons, Skyrim is a sight to behold. It is quite a feat that Bethesda could even make this game. Skyrim marked the evolution of RPGs into the huge sandbox type environments that they are today.
If there is a game that will make you forget that there is a real world outside your house, it’s this one. Players have quite literally invested thousands of hours into the game to find out all of its secrets.
The game is set in the continent of Tamriel within the Elder Scrolls Universe. Where Elder Scrolls Oblivion was based in the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil, Skyrim is based in the beautiful northern province of Skyrim, home to the fierce Nords.
The game lets the Dragonborn, the protagonist of the game, make their own story as they venture through the lands of Skyrim fighting Dragons, Bandits, Giant Spiders and all sorts of creatures from Norse mythology. Play as a benevolent Warrior who fights for all that is good or be an evil sorcerer smiting down everything in their way.
Skyrim lets you be all of this and more. Want to be a werewolf and turn into a fierce beast on the night of the full moon? Skyrim has it. Want to play as a vampire, weak during the day and a God during nighttime? Done.
Quest through the beautifully crafted landscape of Skyrim while you are serenaded by one of the most beautiful soundtracks in history. The music here epitomizes the soul of the wanderer. Music that will transport you into the environment of the game.
10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, 2015 – (Xbox, PC, PlayStation)
Credited unanimously by an overwhelming majority of gamers to be the greatest RPG ever made, The Witcher 3, we must say has earned that title. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the third and final installment of The Witcher series of games. And by far, it is the best of the lot.
Set in the rich folklore of Poland mythology, the game has you play as Geralt of Rivia. Geralt is a Witcher, a human mutated to fight, ward off and guard against dark creatures and monsters. Follow his quest to find Siri who is his adopted daughter. She is on the run from the Wild Hunt who play the antagonist of the story.
One of the most fun features of this game is the monster hunting mechanics. There is an extensive in-game encyclopedia which describes the strengths and weaknesses of all the monsters that are present in the game. You are needed to refer to this codex and plan accordingly as you pick up contracts that will require you to hunt down these monsters for money.
The monsters are beautifully designed. Some of them look extremely menacing. Overall the Monster Contracts series of missions gives you an excellent side venture as you make your way through the games intricate story.
You must play the Witcher 3 as a video game lover. The fact that the game has received so many accolades is a testament to how amazing this game is.
Feel like we missed out on any your favorite RPGs off all time? Well, it was extremely difficult limiting this list to just 10 games. We can keep writing about RPGs all day, but then that would prevent all you readers from chipping in with your valuable thoughts about your favorite games in the comment section. And we urge you to comment down below so we can engage in conversation regarding our favorite Video Game genre: RPGs
