Role-playing games make up some of the most popular video games of all time. This can boil down to a number of reasons, but being given a playable character with a rich backstory and putting them into an expansive world with its own lore is a major selling point.
Getting to control every aspect of a character helps to immerse players within the particular game they are playing. RPGs generally encourage hours upon hours of refreshing gameplay and exploration. While there are certainly numerous franchises that are considered among the best for RPGs, critics can often root out games that don't necessarily have the same exposure or recognition as the bigger titles.
10 Knights Of The Old Republic Remains One Of The Greats As Its Long-Awaited Remake Edges Closer (94)
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic has become a popular video game series since the original was released back in 2003. The original KOTOR is still talked about to this day, to the point that a modern remake is expected to come to the PlayStation 5 in the near future.
The original KOTOR was a different way for fans to experience the Star Wars franchise at the time, and a remake will make it playable in the modern era. While its graphics haven't aged all that well, the original KOTOR will always be considered one of the best ever RPGs.
9 Final Fantasy IX Is One Of Many Strong Entries From The Franchise (94)
The Final Fantasy series is seemingly eternal, still going since the original was released back in 1987. Most entries have received stellar reviews and the franchise as a whole is considered one of the best in fantasy role-playing games.
Released in 2000, Final Fantasy IX earns itself a 94 on Metacritic for its PlayStation version, thanks to its imaginative new take on the series. It has a well-paced story and a refined battle system, which make it one of the standout entries of the franchise. A likable cast of characters also helps its overall appeal.
8 The World Ends With You: Solo Remix Flaunts This Terrific Title On iOS (95)
Anyone who hasn't heard of The World Ends With You isn't exactly alone. However, upon its initial release for the Nintendo DS in 2007, it hit the ground running with good sales and a generally positive reception. It just suffers from being a Square Enix product that is often overlooked for the likes of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts.
But The World Ends With You couldn't be any more different from those two franchises. It boasts a rich art style and an innovative combat system. It ultimately saw a Final Remix released on Nintendo Switch and a Solo Remix on iOS. The latter is the version that has received a 95 Critic Metascore, but every iteration of the game deserves its own recognition and admiration.
7 Persona 5 Royal Is An Improved Version Of An Already-Epic Game (95)
Released in 2016, Persona 5 is considered among the best JRPGs of all time and for good reason. The Persona games are known for their length and depth, but never drag thanks to captivating style, gameplay and interactions. In 2019, Persona 5 got an enhanced version with extra content titled Persona 5 Royal.
Royal presented an improved version of an already-beloved masterpiece, and is set to be made available on other consoles in 2022. Everything from the style to the soundtrack help to enhance the overall experience.
6 Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn Is The Pinnacle Of The Franchise (95)
Since the original Baldur's Gate was released on PC back in 1998, the franchise has grown and released multiple subsequent additions. In 2000, BioWare introduced Shadows of Amn to the series.
Baldur's Gate II is another strong isometric perspective RPG for players to enjoy around 60 hours of gameplay directly related to quests. This sequel has an expansive world with plenty of dynamic mechanics that support the stellar gameplay. Baldur's Gate III, in beta now, is planned for a 2023 release, but Shadows of Amn raised the bar so high that subsequent RPGs have struggled to live up to its legacy.
5 Skyrim Is One Of The All-Time Greats (96)
The Elder Scrolls games have been around since 1994, but Oblivion and Skyrim have catapulted the franchise to the moon. Initially released in 2011, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim quickly became a huge hit, with the anticipation for the next Elder Scrolls game building with every passing year.
Skyrim is now cemented within the legacy of Bethesda, meaning that despite the games that they don't get quite right, they will still be remembered for success stories like Skyrim. Simply put, Skyrim is the action RPG that everybody turned to for sword, magic and dragon-based chaos before Elden Ring surfaced in early 2022.
4 Mass Effect 2 Is The Exceptional Sequel In A Strong Space RPG Series (96)
The Mass Effect franchise deserves to be remembered for more than the hilarious memes that came out of Andromeda. The original trilogy and its subsequent remaster with the Legendary Edition are some of the best RPG games out there.
Mass Effect 2 finds itself as the highest-rated out of the three, thanks to its compelling story, stunning visuals and generally huge jump in quality from the original installment. Since its various fixes, No Man's Sky has been built to a stage where it can challenge Mass Effect in satisfying the player's needs for exciting space immersion, but Mass Effect has been well-established for longer.
3 Elden Ring Has Changed The Game For RPGs (96)
Since its release towards the beginning of 2022, Elden Ring has wowed players with its expansive world, intense enemies, and extensive character customization. The latest of FromSoftware's notoriously difficult games, Elden Ring made the Dark Souls series formula more accessible to a wider audience.
With Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin being involved, it was always going to have creative depth, yet it still transcended all expectations. The game can be played however the player wants, as long as they are not impeded to the point that they can't get past the formidable bosses. Elden Ring will undoubtedly be the main contender for game of the year.
2 Disco Elysium: The Final Cut Is An Exceptional Game All Round (97)
Despite its rave reviews and strong ratings on Metacritic, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is still largely underappreciated. Its place at the top above other stellar role-playing games is certainly deserved but somewhat surprising given how many players worldwide still haven't heard of the game.
Disco Elysium is a murder mystery experience with an isometric perspective, but players can ultimately explore other avenues. Regardless, it is still captivating throughout. The Final Cut made Disco Elysium available on all consoles, where the original had been a PC exclusive.
1 Divinity: Original Sin II On iOS Has The Highest Metascore For RPGs (98)
Divinity: Original Sin II is a tactical-RPG that easily earns its place at the top. From its detailed environments and riveting plot to the generally engrossing gameplay, Original Sin II is a huge hit not just on PC and console, but also on iOS.
In fact, it is iOS version that has a Critic Metascore of 98, compared to a 95 for PC. Divinity: Original Sin II is thoroughly enjoyable and really needs to be played to be believed. The game has considerable replayability, giving players a hunge amount of flexibility with each successive playthrough.