Summary
Therole-playing genreis one of the most beloved in the industry, and for a good reason, as they typically offer hundreds of hours worth of things to see and do and bring a level of immersion to the table that sucks you into an otherwordly experience for hours on end.
While this list won’t focus on JRPGs,we already covered the must-play releases on that front;there are still loads of other RPG releases from this year that should be experienced by fans of the genre or those looking to break into it for the first time!
Even with its relatively rocky launch and questionable handling of its Seasonal Content,Diablo 4is a solid dungeon crawler that brings a lot to the action RPG genre, offering loads of build options for each Class and grueling challenges that are likely best tackled with a committed team.
Diablo 4 undoubtedly stumbles a lot, but it ultimately offers one of the best RPG experiences of the year and is one of the best dungeon crawlers since its predecessor. And the good news is that it will only get better from here!
Starfieldis a frustrating title to add to this list, as it doesn’t really do anything spectacular in comparison to its predecessors, such as Skyrim or even Fallout 3, but what it does do is solid and worth seeking out if you want to travel the stars and shoot laser guns.
Unfortunately, one massive downside is how long it takes before truly opening up, which can be upwards of 15 to 20 hours, which is a tad extreme. However, once that moment happens, you will be in for that good Bethesda RPG you all know and love!
Despite being heavily influenced by JRPGs, we’ve decided to saveSea of Starsfor this list, as it doesn’t have much of the JRPG identity outside of its turn-based combat. Still, that doesn’t stop it from being one of the year’s best releases.
Sea of Stars is an exceptionally gorgeous game with an engaging combat system and a fascinating world and story that will satisfy and reward you. Sea of Stars should be your next title to play if you love turn-based games!
Perhaps one of gaming’s best ‘redemption’ stories isCyberpunk 2077, which had one of the worst launches you could ask for, and it took nearly forever to get up to what you might consider acceptable. Even then, it wasn’t until thePhantom Libertyexpansion that it became a must-play release.
Bringing much-needed quality-of-life fixes, updates to the NPCs and overall AI, and much MUCH more to the table, Phantom Liberty is a must-play for anyone interested in the immersive sim RPG sub-genre, as it offers an unforgettable story with some of the best combat and encounters!
Remnant 2takes everything its predecessor nailed - which was A LOT - and simply further improves upon it, trims the portions that didn’t work off, and delivers yet another solid experience, blending a third-person shooter with a Soulslike/Action RPG for a unique and exhilarating experience.
It’s crucial to note, however, that Remnant 2 is at its best when playing co-op with friends but can also be a blast when trudging through the main story solo. The boss encounters are relentless and challenging, so be prepared before diving into the madness!
Last but certainly not least, we haveBaldur’s Gate 3, likely this year’s best release regarding pretty much everything, but especially in the RPG category. This game offers hundreds upon hundreds of hours worth of things to encounter and has one of the best cast of characters you could ask for.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s combat is engaging, its plot is gripping and interesting from beginning to end, and its world feels organic, lived in, and alive, which only elevates the writing and immersion. If you’re a fan of the genre, Baldur’s Gate 3 will provide you with an unforgettable experience!
