Best RPGs

You are a big video game enthusiast and recently you have found yourself a big fan of  RPGs , role-playing games. Intent on recovering so many valid titles belonging to this genre, which you surely had missed up to now, you did a search on the  best RPGs  on Google and you ended up here, on my blog. This is how things are, am I right? Then you will be happy to know that you are in the right place at the right time!

In today's guide, in fact, I will show you different RPGs to buy and play on consoles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, Switch) or computer. And if you prefer to play on the go, don't worry: I will also show you some video games for smartphones and tablets, compatible with both Android and iOS / iPadOS. First of all, however, I will give you some useful information to deepen your knowledge of RPGs and their main characteristics.

If, therefore, you are impatient to read this guide, then I would say not to waste any more precious time in chatting and to start immediately. Sit down comfortably, turn on your console or the device you intend to play on and get ready to try the cobs I'm about to recommend. Having said that, I just have to wish you a good read and, above all, a good time!

Preliminary information

Before getting to the heart of my guide, in which I will tell you about the best RPGs to play on your console, on your PC or on your mobile devices, I would like to explain to you what distinguishes this videogame genre.

Well, first of all you need to know that  RPG stands for Role-Playing Game . If you were wondering what this term means in Italian, know that it refers to role-playing games ( RPGs ), a genre of video games where the player impersonates an avatar (or more avatars) with a specific role in the context of the fictional world in which he is. immersed the narration of events.

In general, based on the subgenre to which the RPG belongs, you can have fantasy or Sci-Fi settings, just to name a few, taking control of characters who have unique abilities based on the context in which they are inserted. You can then use characters who cast spells or others who use futuristic technologies to make their way through enemies.

Each RPG has a similar gameplay structure: due to events that are unleashed at the beginning of the narrative, the player must impersonate an avatar and accept missions, which will lead him to face enemies, until the final objective is reached.

In this succession of clashes and researches, you can get experience points , which increase the key characteristics of the character (e.g. life points) and / or equipment that, after wearing them, guarantee the avatar greater power to face battles always more challenging. While some classic RPGs are also based on the customization of some vital parameters of the avatar that improve some aspects of the skills, more modern RPGs are based instead on the customization of the fighting style, choosing only the type of skill to be used in battle.

For the rest, RPGs can have different combat mechanics (e.g. the classic JRPG, i.e. Japanese RPGs, have turn-based combat, while Western RPGs have action-style combat, in real time), settings more or less open and other characteristics that make this genre much larger and more varied than what a novice might think.

But now enough talk: now that you know what an RPG is, let's move on to the games! In the next chapters, I will show you some titles of this genre that you absolutely must try. It's just a small selection of the many RPGs that would be worth trying, but as a starting point for a new fan of the genre they are more than enough.

Also, let me make a small clarification: for convenience, I have divided my selection by platforms, focusing on some exclusive titles available on the various consoles, on PC and on mobile; however many of the titles that I will propose to you are actually multi-platform and therefore playable on multiple systems. In short, read everything carefully and do not immediately jump to the chapter dedicated to the console in your possession, as you could miss out on some extremely interesting titles!

Best PS4 / PS5 RPGs

I open the recommendations for the best RPGs with a cross-platform title (therefore available on both PC and PS4 / PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S) that has a practically perfect metascore on Metacritic, the well-known review aggregator, and has been praised by international critics. Of course I'm talking about Elden Ring , the latest work created by FromSoftware creators of that genre of video games known as Soulslike. These are games where the challenge is at the center of everything and where even the smartest player will find bread for his teeth.

In Elden Ring all this is placed in a complex medieval fantasy universe conceived by a master of the genre: George RR Martin . Yes, I'm talking about the writer who created the famous Game of Thrones and who in Elden Ring was responsible for writing the background and the lore of the game.

Playing Elden Ring you will find yourself in a gigantic open world, full of locations to explore, bosses to take down and objects to find. There will be numerous secondary characters ready to offer their help or guide you on dangerous missions where gigantic dragons are nothing compared to the scary creatures you can find. If you were looking for an action RPG ready to envelop you with an immense world, in continuous expansion and that can also be experienced in multiplayer, Elden Ring is the maximum expression of FromsSoftware works and I advise you not to let it escape.

I continue the review of role-playing games with a great PlayStation 4 exclusive always made by FromSoftware. One of the best RPGs for the old Sony console is in fact  Bloodborne , an action RPG that has managed to establish itself thanks to a game mechanic that requires skill and strategy from the player to be applied during the clashes.

Sure, the avatar will be defeated repeatedly during a fight, but it is precisely from the defeats that it is possible to analyze the errors and apply different strategies to overwhelm the enemy. In reality this type of mechanics could exasperate or satisfy the player, considering the fact that a fight could be repeated several dozen times before coming out victorious.

If you are someone who likes challenges, Bloodborne is definitely the game for you. Also consider that it is made up of a game world full of secrets to be revealed, which encourage exploration, as well as satisfying graphics.

Another RPG that I can recommend is Horizon Forbidden West . This is another PS4 and PS5 exclusive that improves on the minor issues seen on its Horizon Zero Dawn predecessor. In fact, there were some flaws related to the artificial intelligence of the enemies that have been completely resolved and now the combat system goes perfectly with the new and varied weapons sector that Aloy, the protagonist, can show off in this second title.

The story then picks up where the first episode left off: Earth is still far from safety and Aloy must travel to the Forbidden West in search of a way to reactivate the Gaia Terraforming system and save the life of her planet. In doing so, however, he will have to deal with the misunderstandings of the western tribes and with some new enemies.

The plot of the game is deep and well structured, perhaps it gets lost a bit in some dialogues but if you are a lover of science fiction you cannot but appreciate the work done by Guerrilla Games in creating such a varied universe. Universe that is then reflected on the gameplay of the gamer, offering an open world full of thematic areas that can be tackled on the saddle of the most disparate machines (yes even the flying ones) and which is beautiful to see not only on PS5.

Furthermore, if you have never heard of Aloy, I suggest you also recover the previous title Horizon Zero Dawn which can now be purchased at a really bargain price including all the DLCs released.

Returning to the FromSoftware stable, another noteworthy title is Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice . This video game is also cross-platform and in addition to PS4 you can also play it on Google Stadia , Xbox One and on PC.

The plot of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is set in 16th century Japan, where they take on the role of a shinobi. The player will therefore have to face increasingly difficult challenges that will require a lot of patience, skill and commitment, in order to be able to get the better of the enemy. Unlike the other developer titles, this one has a less smoky storyline and the main character cannot be customized.

At times it might seem like an RPG similar to Bloodborne , but its difficulty level is more punishing if you don't learn how to block and break the opponent's posture right away, just like in a real sword fight. It is certainly a game that will discourage less patient players. While it could be a delight for all those hardcore players who want numerous challenges with high difficulty, especially if surrounded by a combat system that requires a certain skill in mastering it.

I close this section dedicated to the best Playstation RPGs with another exclusive (but also available on PC as well as on Playstations). This is Final Fantasy 7 Remake , a video game that certainly needs no introduction and that has made the history not only of Playstation but also of the RPG genre.

The plot follows the mercenary Cloud Strife, whose stories will intertwine with a group of environmentalists ready to do anything to save their planet from the exploitation that the multinational Shinra is making of it. During the adventure Cloud will meet many characters who have become true icons of the world of video games such as Aerith , Tifa and above all Sephiroth .

The remake version of the game is a complete remake of the classic 1997 title Final Fantasy VII . The game naturally features modern graphics and a more action-packed combat system than the turn-based one of the past. Unlike its predecessor however, this title only tells the first part of the story which has been expanded to become a standalone game. The following chapters will arrive in the future and will make Final Fantasy VII a real video game series. In the meantime, however, you can enjoy this episode, full of side missions, secrets to discover and powerful weapons to obtain.

The PS5 version of the game with the Intergrade subtitle also features a new story arc that expands the story of the base game and features the historic character of Yuffie .

If you want to know which are the best RPGs on PC , know that there are so many titles that you can try and, above all, enjoy. In fact, since PCs have no hardware limitations, as it is possible to upgrade their components compared to consoles, you can set the maximum video quality in video games and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and the meticulous details of which the graphics are made.

Among the best RPGs available on PC, I recommend those from the Mass Effect series . This Sci-Fi RPG series has made history with its immersive storytelling and longevity, as well as a combat system that makes fighting rewarding. As I have already mentioned to you, the video games of this RPG series are also very appreciated for their longevity, as it is possible to replay them to face the missions in a different way, which lead to a different evolution of events, such as to unlock alternative endings.

On PC you can play all the titles of this series, namely Mass Effect , Mass Effect 2 , Mass Effect 3 which have been collected within a remastered version in 4K Ultra HD called Mass Effect Legendary (also available on Xbox One, Series X / S and PS4), a real must for any RPG enthusiast.

Furthermore, although considered qualitatively lower than the first three chapters of the trilogy, there is also Mass Effect: Andromeda which moves away from the mother saga for setting and some gameplay choices, but still offers a good variant on the Mass Effect theme.

Another video game that has been thrilling gamers around the world for over 10 years is World of Warcraft . This title belongs to the MMORPG genre , that is an RPG consisting of an online multiplayer sector that can host hundreds, if not thousands of players at the same time.

Although graphically it does not reflect the modern canons of the usual triple-A games that you are used to playing, today it is considered one of the most complete and long-lived video games. It consists of a fantasy setting in which the player must impersonate an avatar of a specific race and with a specific role, such as that of warrior, sorcerer, druid or thief, just to show you someone.

World of Warcraft is one of the best online RPGs that turns out to be played a lot and, for this reason, still supported with periodic expansions that expand the playable content together with other users. In case you are interested, I warn you that you can play World of Warcraft on both PCs with Windows operating system and macOS.

In addition to the titles that I mentioned in the previous paragraphs, the video games of the Diablo series are also noteworthy , which have gone down in history for the quality of the narration, playability and, above all, innovation in the period in which they were made available.

You must know, in fact, that the Diablo RPG series is characterized by the isometric perspective that holds the frame of the game room at an angle of about 45 degrees, which allows a greater view of the environment surrounding the avatar. If you want to experience the best of the Diablo series, you definitely shouldn't miss Diablo II: Resurrected . It is in fact the remaster version of the famous 2000 title, now enhanced with updated graphics and a re-rendering of the original movies.

The game adds a whole series of improvements also in the management of some menus, in the aesthetics of weapons and armor and makes it possible to cross-progression between the different platforms on which it is available (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S and Nintendo Switch) as well as more in-depth controller management. I leave you the link of the official page to find out more about the game .

As for the other chapters in the series: Diablo I is a fairly dated title that you can find on PC. While Diablo III , you can always play it on Windows PC and macOS or on PS4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One consoles thanks to the Diablo III Eternal Collection which includes the game and all the DLC released for it.

If you are interested in knowing what are the best RPGs that you can play on Xbox One , know that in the next paragraphs I will point out some titles that could certainly interest you. Also know that the video games that I will propose to you are not only available for Xbox One, but also on PS4 and PC.

Among the best Fantasy RPGs for Xbox One you can play, I recommend The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt . This video game, inspired by the literary saga of Andrzej Sapkowski, has been a huge success, such as to sell over 20 million copies.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a video game that contains all the typical elements of an RPG and consists of a spectacular and evocative graphic sector, which makes the gaming experience satisfying. Furthermore, the different degrees of difficulty that can be set allow any kind of gamer to find a satisfying degree of challenge.

As already mentioned, the setting of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is of a fantasy type, leading the player, who plays the role of a mutant warrior, to sink men and fantastic creatures, using the synergy between medieval weapons, spells and alchemical potions .

Cyberpunk 2077 is also available from the developers of The Witcher . An action RPG first-person shooter that, despite failing to meet the expectations of users upon release, now offers extremely improved graphics, varied gameplay and the resolution of practically all the technical problems that once plagued it.

Cyberpunk 2077 takes players to the world of the paper role-playing game of the same name where the player plays V, the protagonist who will have to work his way to fame and power in Night City and get rid of an annoying brain implant that has the features of Keanu Reeves . The game's plot is very deep, full of numerous narrative crossroads, endings and side missions that expand the main storyline and provide information on the Cyberpunk universe.

Its shooter nature makes it one of the few RPGs other than the crowd that often prefer white weapon combat. Shooting isn't the only way to fight in Cyberpunk 2077, though. There are several skill trees that can be upgraded to suit the player's play style. Not only firearms but also hand-to-hand combat and even hacking of electronic devices to fight with machines. If you love Blade Runner atmospheres , I highly recommend you try Cyberpunk (available on PS4, Xbox One and PC and also coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X / S).

Another noteworthy RPG video game is Fallout 4 , one of the newest cross-platform video games in the Fallout series . These are all characterized by the same setting: due to a nuclear war, the world we know has changed and is completely contaminated with radioactivity. The latter has caused mutations in the survivors, which will also involve clashes with mutated and very powerful creatures.

Although Fallout 4 is not solid in the narrative sector, through its huge map, it offers many places to explore and many missions that make the game very long-lived, also thanks to the additional contents (DLC) that have been published for this video game.

Also from the Fallout series there is also the most recent Fallout 76 . While not considered a masterpiece and initially one of the most disastrous launches for the series, after several improvements and additions it has become an enjoyable game set in the Fallout universe. The game is in fact designed to be a multiplayer RPG experience, set in an extremely vast contaminated world full of things to do. I recommend it if you want to try an alternative Fallout experience to the usual.

When it comes to the best RPGs, we cannot fail to mention one of the most talented game creators of the last decade, namely Yoko Taro . This game designer has in fact created the universe of Nier that with the latest chapter  Nier Replicant Ver.1.22474487139… brings the RPG genre to a new level.

The title is set in a ruined universe that looks like our world but isn't, where monstrous creatures have taken over. It's up to a group of androids to put things right but in the plots hatched by Platinum Games, the studio behind masterpieces like Vanquish and Bayonetta , but nothing is as it seems and the truth is hidden under a heap of pitfalls.

If you like RPGs with a deeply Japanese twist , I recommend that you try both chapters of Nier Replicant.

Additionally, you might also consider buying the previous chapter, Nier: Automata , in its game edition of the year. It is a game very similar to the other for gameplay and themes and as per RPG tradition it offers dozens of alternative endings, extra missions and a world to discover in continuous evolution.