Since the release of Dragon Quest put the RPG video game on the map, most RPGs have had a noticeably similar setting. That is, the medieval fantasy world full of knights, magic, dragons, and the like. While this setting was no doubt enjoyable enough, too much of the same can get dull — enter the sci-fi RPG.

RELATED: 10 Best Secrets In JRPGs, Ranked

A modernized, futuristic take on RPGs has propelled the genre even further and brought them to an entirely new audience. The heavy narrative, story-centric direction RPGs took always allowed for unique takes in the genre; it just took some bold game series to break it out of its shell. Some of the greatest RPGs of all time have since been sci-fi, though they still feature many classic RPG elements.

10 Xenoblade Chronicles Earned Its Place Among RPG Royalty

Shulk and Melia looking out over the horizon in Xenoblade Chronicles.

Xenoblade Chronicles revived the classic JRPG experience for modern audiences. Originally released on the Wii U, it has been ported to two more systems and spawned multiple sequels.

Combat in Xenoblade consists of real-time action RPG elements where the characters' auto attack and the player can move and input special attack commands. One of the defining characteristics of Xenoblade is its large, immersive environments which players can explore. Though the second entry in the series, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was the highest-selling game Monolith Soft created. Its success was largely thanks to the reputation the first game had built.

9 Nier: Automata Offers A Unique Perspective On The Classic RPG Experience

Nier Automata 9S and 2B.

Nier: Automata has made an amazing impact on the gaming world since its initial release on the PS4. Automata's introductory sequence set the tone for the game by taking players through a sort of history of gaming. Beginning with a space invaders-esque scene, it grows progressively complex until 2B finally emerges from the ship.

RELATED: 10 Hardest Fights In JRPGs, Ranked

Parallel to its interesting intro is Nier: Automata's ever-changing ending. Nier has numerous endings players can unlock that push the story forward. Players will want to complete multiple run-throughs of the game in order to discover the truth behind its story.

8 Earthbound's Influence Hasn't Wavered

Ness visiting the Market in Twoson in Earthbound.

Earthbound has become a classic despite its unpopularity upon release. People fear what they don't understand, and not many people seemed to understand Earthbound when it first came out. However, it developed a cult following and had a strong influence on many games that would come after it.

Ness and friends battle a wide array of enemies in Earthbound, including robots, aliens, and dinosaurs. The strange spectrum of monsters in Earthbound perfectly illustrates its quirky personality and sense of humor. Ness' popularity has transcended the Earthbound series by becoming one of the well-known poster children of Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. series.

7 Fallout: New Vegas Was More Than Just A New Setting For A Beloved Franchise

The NCR Ranger on the cover of Fallout: New Vegas.

Fallout: New Vegas has become the most celebrated of the Fallout titles, which is itself an amazing accomplishment. All Fallout games are set in a dystopian future, as indicated by the very title of the series.

Aside from its obvious setting, New Vegas departed from earlier entries in the series by allowing for more exploration, more decision-making, and an overall better storyline. The story in New Vegas is a continuation of the first two Fallout titles. The gameplay in New Vegas also included many improvements over previous titles, including more emphasis on crafting, better combat design, and a more dynamic third-person view.

6 Mass Effect 2 Let Players Choose Their Own Path

Cast and characters of Mass Effect 2.

Mass Effect brought RPG gameplay into the realm of the third-person shooter. Its combat retains the RPG element of commanding party members, but brings it into real-time along with the expected shooter elements, such as taking cover and stealth-based tactics.

RELATED: 10 Games Turning 30 Years Old In 2022 That Are Worth Replaying

A major draw for many gamers has been Mass Effect 2's multiple possible endings and morality mechanics based on dialogue choices. This gave the game a replay value that has immortalized it alongside the other entries in the series. Mass Effect 2 has not only been lauded as the best game in the franchise, but also the best of developer BioWare's impressive catalog.

5 Phantasy Star Online Brought The Online Experience To Consoles

The main character art from the original Phantasy Star Online.

Phantasy Star Online is a spin-off of Sega's well-received Phantasy Star series, which consisted of four mainline entries. Phantasy Star Online took the series into a whole new domain by making it into the first console MMORPG on the Sega Dreamcast system.

Phantasy Star Online's gameplay consisted of action RPG elements with unique classes and weapon types. Its emphasis on quick missions with a central space hub made it simple enough to pick up and play while still complex enough with weapon upgrades and customization to keep players coming back.

4 Chrono Trigger's All-Star Team Was Bound To Create A Classic

Official artwork depicting the main characters from Chrono Trigger.

There is perhaps no better sci-fi representation than Chrono Trigger for fans of old-school JRPG gameplay. Chrono Trigger has consistently made its way onto lists of the greatest RPGs of all time.

Chrono Trigger's all-star cast of creators included Hironubi Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, and Yuji Hori, the creator of Dragon Quest. They ensured that Chrono Trigger would continue to play like a timeless classic. Chrono Trigger's art, which Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball fame created, gave the game a light-hearted quality that fans of any demographic could enjoy.

3 Star Wars Brought The Old Republic To A New Audience

A poster showing key characters from the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games.

Star Wars is already one of the greatest sci-fi franchises of all time, so it was only a matter of time before a video game really captured George Lucas' mythos in all its glory. With an already fully fleshed-out sci-fi backdrop, Knights of the Old Republic was able to focus on incredible action RPG gameplay.

Not only did Knights of the Old Republic consist of great gameplay, but its story provided a unique backdrop for its world. Set in the distant past from the events of the movies, Knights of the Old Republic gave a deeper glimpse into Star Wars' lore.

2 Deus Ex Redefined What It Means To Be An RPG

An image from Deus Ex.

Deus Ex redefined what the RPG genre was capable of while also blurring the lines of specific genre boundaries. It also provided the perfect post-Matrix storyline and style that Neo fans would certainly appreciate.

RELATED: Top 10 JRPGs For Playstation 5 Fans (According To Metacritic)

Taking place from the first-person perspective, players control JC Denton in an entirely immersive cyberpunk world. The combat is distinctly first-person shooter in Deus Ex, but its emphasis on player choice and character customization makes it still very much an RPG at heart.

1 Final Fantasy VII Still Hasn't Been Topped

Cloud Strife in the iconic image of Final Fantasy VII.

Final Fantasy has become the epitome of the console RPG, and Final Fantasy VII was the point where the series hit its stride. Final Fantasy VII consists of classic turn-based RPG action with an amazing storyline and character development.

The characters and backstory of Final Fantasy VII are so well-constructed that they have continued to be made into spin-offs, movie renditions, and remakes even 30 years after the game's release. While the Final Fantasy franchise has a plethora of games that are widely considered classics in the RPG genre, Final Fantasy VII remains a defining turning point in the history of RPG gaming.

NEXT: 10 RPGs Everyone Should Play At Least Once