What are the best RPG games? The roleplaying genre of games has come a long way since the days of turn-based battles and character creation, and our list of the best RPG games reflects that. While there are a lot of games that still feature these elements, it has become an umbrella for additional sub-genres, like action RPGs, or MMORPGs.
While they all have their differences, the best RPG games aim to keep you immersed and playing for dozens – if not, hundreds – of hours. Of course, if you get tired of roleplaying, you can always have a look at our general best games list, take to the race track with some of the best racing games right now, or you can take on some terrifying enemies and locations by playing some of the best horror games. However, if you’re ready to head into some of the greatest RPG stories and worlds, look no further.
These are the best RPG games:
- Elden Ring
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
- Final Fantasy 16
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
- Genshin Impact
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition
- Tales of Arise
- Final Fantasy XV
- Monster Hunter Rise
- Honkai Star Rail
- Diablo 4
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
1. Elden Ring
Elden Ring is known for its brutal combat, seamless open world, and in-depth class and builds system. It ruled the 2022 Game of the Year discussion, and for good reason. FromSoftware brought us its magnum opus, a role-playing game so beloved and difficult that once you sink your teeth into it, you won’t want to stop. And no matter which Elden Ring boss order you decide to take, you’ll be treated to some amazing, memorable, and challenging encounters.
There’s a good reason this game won the highly coveted The Game Awards’ Game of the Year 2022, as well as the fact it came out top in our The Loadout Awards 2022 as GOTY too.
Check out our Elden Ring review to see exactly why we adored it so much.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The third game in The Witcher series, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is renowned for its incredible narrative and amazing world, among many other things. The game is so incredible that The Witcher series went from niche to pop culture fame, catapulting CD Projekt Red into stardom.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the best RPG games out there, and it’s usually on sale too.
You can pick it up on all major consoles – even on the switch
3. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
Sucker Punch hit us with, well, a sucker punch, when it dropped Ghost of Tsushima. This hit game sees you take the role of Jin Sakai, a Samurai and last descendant of the Sakai clan. When the Mongol Empire, lead by Khotun Khan, attacks the island of Tsushima, Jin will have to become the Ghost of Tsushima, bending and breaking the Samurai code.
Ghost of Tsushima has very exciting combat, faithful to the Samurai style, as well as the fact that the Director’s Cut boasts a decently sized expansion of a new island for those on PS5 wanting extra content.
It’s one of the best PS5 RPG games, and is exclusive to the PS4 and PS5.
4. Final Fantasy 16
If the more modern Final Fantasy games haven’t been to your taste, then you’re in luck. FF16 puts you in the boots of Clive Rosfield, the first son of an empire at war in a medieval setting. Of course, in a high fantasy setting it’s not any old war, and the protagonist must call on the powers of the gods – Eikons – to exact his revenge.
In our Final Fantasy 16 review we praise everything from its dynamic, Devil May Cry-style combat, to the impressive depth of its narrative. Should you choose to pick up one of the best PS5 games, then be sure to bring our Final Fantasy 16 walkthrough with you on your adventures throughout Valisthea. You won’t regret parting with your pennies.
5. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
The remake of the hit classic Final Fantasy VII isn’t exactly a cut-and-dry version of the game brought up for the current generation, but rather a retelling of the incredible ‘97 game.
The classic crowd is still here, including Cloud, Aerith, Tifa and more, alongside a new and improved combat system which focuses on real-time battles. There are a few subtle changes, which we won’t spoil here, but with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth release date around the corner, you should play the first one now.
Those who want to give the Final Fantasy VII Remake a try can purchase a copy on PC, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation 5.
6. Genshin Impact
While Genshin Impact may often be overlooked due to its gacha mechanics gating characters behind a luck-of-the-draw, a rich RPG experience lies under the surface that is consistently being built upon and expanded.
Besides the story and world, which are key to any RPG experience, Genshin Impact also boasts fast-paced combat. Making use of an ever-expanding roster of Genshin Impact characters, you’ll assemble a team and make use of various Elemental Reactions to devastating effect.
You can also use some Genshin Impact codes to get you started when you first arrive in Teyvat. Start playing Genshin Impact for free on PC, mobile, or PS4/5.
7. Cyberpunk 2077
Despite a rocky launch, Cyberpunk 2077 is definitely the best it has ever been. With a next-gen update and the Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty release date coming up, Night City is more enticing than ever before.
The story follows V as they grapple with the light and shade of the neon-lit city and their eventual entanglement with Keanu Reeve’s character, Johnny Silverhand.
It may not be CD Projekt Red’s best project to date, but it certainly ranks as one of the best RPG games to play on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
8. Mass Effect Legendary Edition
What’s better than one great RPG game? Well, three of course! The Mass Effect trilogy is consistently praised and loved for being one of the best RPG series out there, with this sci-fi RPG offering a variety of incredible planets, an interwoven narrative with consequential moral choices, and a crew of characters worth taking a bullet (or laser) for.
While Mass Effect 3 was controversial for how it ended the trilogy, it is still absolutely worth playing, and the Legendary Edition is the perfect package for newcomers, especially as we approach the Mass Effect 4 release date. You can pick it up on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, and the last-gen consoles.
9. Tales of Arise
The Tales series is a franchise that has gone under most mainstream players’ radar. However, Tales of Arise changed that, with Bandai Namco pushing a big marketing campaign for the game around launch.
Tales of Arise is a story of two worlds, Dahna and Rena, where a man and a woman from these opposing worlds must work together to stop the Renan’s reign of oppression on the Dahnans.
It might sound like a simple story, but the cast of incredible characters, and the fact the combat system is one of the best out there, makes Tales of Arise worth playing.
10. Final Fantasy XV
The Final Fantasy series is one of the biggest and most celebrated in the world, so it’s no surprise that Final Fantasy XV is the third Final Fantasy game to appear on our best RPGs list.
Final Fantasy XV features Noctis, heir to the throne of Lucis, who is on a quest with his friends to defeat the empire of Niflheim, which seeks to control a powerful Crystal protected by the royal family of Lucis.
Final Fantasy XV stands out from the crowd because it’s the first game in the series, which can be played on PS4/5, Xbox, and PC, that allows you to fight in real-time. And since it’s the last major Final Fantasy game to come on Xbox, it definitely stands out as one of the best Xbox RPG games.
11. Monster Hunter Rise
Sometimes, fun can simply come in the form of killing large things. Enter the Monster Hunter series, a set of games that offers hundreds of hours of fun, so long as you have the time.
Monster Hunter Rise, the latest in the series, is by the far the best as it eats away at the time sink required by its predecessors, allowing you to explore worlds and hunt creatures in half the time.
If you love using a variety of incredible weapons, crafting specific gear, and taking on big monstrosities in their habitats, Monster Hunter Rise is likely for you. You can play the game on all major platforms (soon, with the Monster Hunter Rise release date for PS4/5 and Xbox coming up), and Game Pass subscribers will be able to find it as part of the all Xbox Game Pass games list.
12. Honkai Star Rail
If you’re a weeby, turn-based RPG enjoyer, then Honkai Star Rail is undoubtedly the game for you.
Boasting a great cast of Honkai Star Rail characters to meet, a compelling story, and some of the most forgiving gacha mechanics in the genre, there’s a lot to like – our Honkai Star Rail review can attest to that.
You can currently play Honkai Star Rail on PC or mobile, with the Honkai Star Rail PS5 release date arriving soon. To help get you started, check out our Honkai Star Rail codes guide – you’re going to want to pick up as much extra Stellar Jade as you can to ensure you get the characters you want as the Honkai Star Rail banner schedule rotates.
13. Diablo 4
The long-awaited sequel to one of the best action RPG franchises of all time, Diablo 4 has not disappointed so far. If big damage numbers and mounds of loot are to your liking, then Blizzard’s game is for you.
Should you travel to Sanctuary, then be sure to bring our Diablo 4 walkthrough with you. You’ll be thankful for it when you’re tearing up the Diablo 4 endgame. Diablo 4 is available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
14. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom turns the dial up a notch on many of the accomplishments of Breath of the Wild to create arguably one of the best games ever made.
With a new toybox of Tears of the Kingdom powers and a huge open world calling your name, TOTK encourages a sense of exploration and discovery that is very rare to come by. Match that creative flair with a more intimate and involved story, with so many interesting Tears of the Kingdom characters, and you’re in for an open world adventure you won’t forget. Somehow, TOTK manages to top its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, which was already a strong contender.
You can find out more in our Tears of the Kingdom review.
Those are the best RPG games that you can play right now, but if you want something a little different to pass the time, you can check out our best competitive FPS games for those who love a bit of competition when they play games.
