The whole genre ofRole-Playing Gamescan be hard to encapsulate at times, since you can consider that all games are played while having a role within them. What the RPG label tends to mean, is a game where character expression and story are at the forefront, either through your own build, a customizable character, or both.
Both the Indie and AAA scenes showered us with fantastic RPG titles this year, and since they are known for taking several hours to beat, no one really has time for them all. But don’t worry, since with this handy list you’ll know which ones you just can’t miss.
While the soulslike genre has its own fanbase, it falls within the realm of RPGs, and each year more and more people try their own take on the formula set byFromSoftware. With the release ofElden Ringlast year, the bar is higher than ever, and not every game released under the soulslike umbrella meets player’s expectations.
Lords of the Fallenisn’t the best soulslike released this year, but it is a great example of how to push the formula forward. It delves into its own brand of exploration, with enough depth into its combat to keep players coming back for more, andunlocking each ending.
TheFinal Fantasyfranchise has given us classic after classic, having an entry on every single console generation. The 16th entry is no different in terms of quality, but it does feel worlds apart from its predecessors, since it does things like ditching the turn-based combat that marked the series from the beginning.
Yet the title maintains the feeling of strategy from the games of old, deciding to take its own action-packed take on high fantasy tales. Since the old titles are still perfectly playable, it’s nice to see a game series that spans decades still try to keep things interesting.
Being the newest Bethesda IP in over 20 years, a lot was dependent onStarfield’s success. And while it isn’t a bad game by any means, it failed to impress fans of the genre, who’ve been spoiled by other RPG experiences, and, of course, the wonderful space travel systems of No Man’s Sky.
Yet there’s still a gem to be found under all the criticism, warranted or not. The universe presented by Starfield is still one you’re able to let yourself get lost in, and there are not that many games that delve this deep into the space exploration theme.
As the soulslike genre evolves, studios that delve into it evolve with it, andTeam Ninjahas found their own way to capture the FromSoftware magic with theNiohseries.Wo Longfollows in the steps of Nioh while still pushing the difficulty forward, and the influence of Sekiro is clearly felt in the title.
The game’s story leans more on the cheesy side, but for fans of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, there are plenty of references to enjoy. Sadly, they don’t evolve into something beyond references, but having a chance to fight alongside Guan Yu or Cao Cao is memorable enough.
The main appeal ofOctopath Traveler 2lies, much like its predecessor, in its art style and story. You pick one of the eight main characters, and use them as a way to get to know all the other members of the party, until you end up knowing all eight paths.
While not innovating anything since the last entry, Octopath Traveler 2 takes the approach of not fixing something that isn’t broken, and focuses on delivering a new story with a fresh cast. There are plenty of references to the original Octopath Traveler, so if this is a series that interests you, be sure to start from the beginning.
As RPG games, thePokemonseries makes it onto plenty of lists, mostly due to nostalgia. WhileCassette Beastsis certainly banking on the nostalgia factor, it isn’t the only thing going for it, since it shakes up the mechanics of what has become a stale creature collecting system.
First off, you collect the forms of monsters, transforming into one like a Druid from D&D, meaning that you’re not some tyrannical master of battling pets in this title. Then there’s what the game does with the mechanics, changing elements as the battle progresses, like setting a plastic enemy on fire and changing its element to poison.
The Legend of Zeldahas been a staple of RPG games ever since the series began all those years ago. The latest title expands many of the ideas presented in Breath of the Wild, while making new auditions like the construction mechanic, making people wonder how that is even possible on the Switch.
Still, while the game is indeed impressive, it isn’t the absolute masterpiece of innovation that Breath of the Wild was. That doesn’t make it a bad game by any means, but it does leave it below some other titles that embrace truly new horizons.
Lies of Pis not only the best non FromSoftware soulslike to be released this year, it’s the best of them all. It nails, seemingly without effort, the combat balance and level design, all while still putting on a lot of added style and identity of its own.
While many call the game the Bloodborne for PC that we never got, Lies of P goes beyond the inspirations. It adds rewards for constant parrying beyond more damage, weapon customization that changes movesets, and strikingly difficult two-face bosses that will have you dying over and over again.
2Sea Of Stars
Working as a prequel toThe Messenger,Sea of Starsis an RPG that looks to evoke the feelings of the classics, while still having something unique to add to the table. The turn-based battles of the game are filled with deep mechanics of parrying and timed button pressing, making the experience not as passive as in other similar games.
This is all complemented by a beautiful art style that shows how pixel art has nothing to envy from other art styles. Add a deep story to it all, and you have an instant classic that will have RPG fans begging for more titles like it.
In a year of beyond amazing games, few managed to get close to the achievement that isBaldur’s Gate 3. This tactical RPG has earned its reputation, being played and loved by people with all manner of tastes, from fans of the genre to newcomers alike.
This is thanks to the outstanding combination of approachable yet deep combat, and a thoroughly engaging story. Each choice step will have you on your toes, with very few moments of fake options; nearly everything you do matters, and no two players have the same experience with the game.
