There are plenty of beloved and respected genres that make up the video game market today, but you would be pretty hard-pressed to name one with as much consistent success and acclaim as the RPG genre.
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The genre has made an epic resurgence thanks to mainstream booms like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Pillars of Eternity 2.
Thanks to the flexibility of the RPG format and the scope players have to roleplay and enjoy each game their way, there are endless possibilities within the RPG genre, which is perhaps why this genre has been a staple of the industry for as long as it has.
However, making an RPG and making a beloved RPG are two very different things, and it can take a lot to win over the majority of gamers out there. However, if you’re looking for some RPGs that have done just that, then you’re in the right place.
For clarity, only games listed as RPGs via the Steam Filter will be considered. We will only be selecting games with a 96% Steam User Review score or higher. Plus, we will also be considering Action RPGs.
10
OneShot
Here Comes The Sun
Beginning with one of three RPG Maker-style games back-to-back, we have OneShot, a game that is as clever as it gets when it comes to shattering the fourth wall while offering a deeply affecting story.
Playing as both yourself and Niko, your goal is to carry the sun to the tower, restore light to the world, and fulfill the prophecy that depicts Niko as ‘the messiah.’ However, it’s not quite as black and white as that, and the feel-good factor is a fallacy.
The story forces you to make tough choices, and it’s a wonderful tale. However, the magic of OneShot lies in the way the game utilizes the player’s operating system as a means of solving puzzles.
It’s one of those games that you need to play yourself to really understand just how clever it is. But, I assure you, when you witness things like the Clover Puzzle for yourself, you’ll understand just why so many people adore OneShot.
9
Deltatune
Undertale 2.0
It’s rare that you can say confidently that an episodic game that isn’t even officially finished yet is sure to go down in history as a beloved classic, but I can say with relative certainty that Deltarune, Toby Fox’s Undertale follow-up, will.
Deltarune is essentially a natural evolution of Undertale, offering a similar combat format, various paths related to your violent or passive actions, and, of course, a lot of zany humor. However, everything has had a bit of a facelift.
Combat in particular is now party-based, retaining a bullet hell structure, but with the addition of Tension Points, spells, and more.
It’s rare that I would ever suggest anyone buy an episodic game until the collection is complete, but in this rare situation, I think Deltarune is worth the price of admission already.
8
Grimm’s Hollow
One For The Budget Conscieous
It’s not often you can include a free-to-play game on acclaimed lists like this, at least not without the caveat of battle passes or gacha mechanics. But, going against the curve, Grimm’s Hollow is an Earthbound-esque RPG that gives everything to the player free of charge.
The best way I can describe the story is a darker and more twisted version of Terry Pratchett’s Mort, where you play the role of the Grim Reaper in a place called Lavender. But, alongside your scythe-wielding duties, you’ll need to look for your brother Timmy.
I’ll grant you, this is no Undertale in terms of mechanical depth and satire. But it’s a typical RPG Maker game with a lot of charm. So much in fact that barely anyone can say a bad word about it. After all, it’s free, so what have you got to lose?
7
South Park: The Stick of Truth
Gaming Meets Comedy
While a good drama can engross people, and a thriller can get the heart racing. I don’t think there’s an easier way to get people onside than creating something that makes them laugh hysterically. So, when a South Park-themed RPG with Obsidian at the helm came along, it seemed like a surefire hit.
Granted, some were skeptical as South Park games before, and after, for that matter, had and have been pretty terrible. But, Obsidian bucked that trend with a game that did the source material proud and offered amazing, tactical turn-based combat into the bargain.
With so many excellent gags to uncover and a fully explorable South Park at your disposal, it’s very hard to dislike this one. Despite the rather unserious comedy at play, this is a seriously good RPG, and one that is well worth playing.
6
In Stars and Time
Save The World Again & Again
Time loop games are a bit of a rarity, but within that niche subgenre, you would find it near-impossible to identify a time-looping RPG. However, this weird anomaly does exist, and its name is In Stars and Time.
Playing as the leader of the ragtag heroes, Siffrin, you’ll need to use your unusual ability to inexplicably never quite stay dead to help your party save the world. But as you might expect, it’s not quite as easy as using the power of friendship to overcome adversity.
Things get pretty dark, fourth walls come crashing down, and while it’s harrowing, it’s also absolutely fantastic. Plus, it’s queer as all hell, and I’m here for it.
It’s criminal that so few people have played this indie gem, so uncover it for yourself and don’t eat the pineapple, you’re allergic.
5
Black Myth: Wukong
The Monkey King Returns
This is one of the finest examples of the disparity that often comes between user reviews and criticism from journalists. As Black Myth: Wukong was received relatively well by game journalists across the board, albeit with a few detractors who were more than happy to stick the boot in.
However, when examining the user reviews, there are very few players who have anything other than positive feedback for the monkey madness on display throughout this high-quality action RPG.
With a lot of Soulslike qualities, incredible visuals, a smorgasbord of brutal boss fights, and a compelling story, Black Myth Wukong is the whole package.
Yes, it’s a bit linear, and the invisible walls are a bit annoying. But, as a holistic experience, it’s a joy to behold. This many people can’t be wrong. It’s a modern great, and one you need to check out if you haven’t.
4
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Toss A Coin
When a long-running video game franchise catches the wind to the extent that it gets adapted into a hugely successful TV series, you know you’re doing something right as a developer. CDPR has done this twice with Cyberpunk getting the anime treatment, but The Witcher is, and will likely always be, their magnum opus.
In the shoes of Geralt of Rivia, you’ll need to slay beasts, tangle with witches and lords, and hopefully find your young protégée Ciri in the process. But, as is always the case in open-world RPGs, you’ll likely get distracted, do a lot of side-questing, and play a lot of Gwent, too.
It’s an RPG that is genuinely timeless, to the point that if it were released today, it would still be regarded as a boundary-breaking and visually staggering title, which is perhaps why the Steam community has put so much respect on its name.
3
Fallout New Vegas
High Rollers Only
It’s easy to see why so many Fallout fans and Steam users adore New Vegas more than any of the other Fallout titles. After all, you get all the fun of the Bethesda engine that galvanized the series in Fallout 3. But critically, you get a development team that knows how to write and knows the series better than most.
With the benefit of having some Black Isle alumni on staff, Obsidian produced an RPG so good that it’ll make your spurs jingle jangle jingle.
The RPG systems are more in-depth, making roleplaying more rewarding. The setting is much more vibrant and fun than dreary DC, and I know I say this a lot, but the DLC run for this game was so good that it needs to be studied.
I have my fingers crossed that The Outer Worlds 2 can be the ‘New Vegas in space’ that we all wished the first game was. But, until then, you could always just jump back into FNV again.
2
God of War (2018)
Dad Of War
If you’re someone who grew up in the same gaming era I did, you’ll probably immediately think of the relentlessly violent god-slayer version of Kratos from the PS2 era when someone mentions God of War. But, against all odds, Santa Monica managed to soften the big brute’s edges.
Offering a more narrative-focused and nuanced take on the life and times of Kratos, you take control of the beefy god killer in his later years, where he’s less concerned with vengeance and more concerned with raising his son.
This leads to an action RPG adventure steeped in Norse mythology, and a touching tale that is right up there with the best that any Sony exclusive has to offer.
But, thankfully, there is still plenty of violence and bloodshed for returning fans to enjoy, also. If you somehow missed this seminal game of the PS4 era, check it out as soon as you can.
1
Baldur’s Gate 3
DND-Fueled Excellence
It’s very hard to hate on a game that you grow with in early access. It’s also very hard to hate on a game that offers way more content than you could ever hope for from an AAA release. But above all, it’s hard to hate on a game that is arguably the best CRPG experience of all time.
It’s a big claim, but one that most people will hear and nod in agreement. Mainly because the depth of this game is unparalleled. Whether it’s the stories of the party characters, the branching paths you can take, the quality of the turn-based combat, or the vast role-playing options, the point is, there’s just so much to love here.
It’s not a game you can dip your toe into, as you need to go all in, give all of yourself, and play about 100+ hours just to roll credits. But if you’re looking for value for money, few games can compete with this RPG epic.
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