There have been some incredible RPG’s released over the last 2 decades. Incredible games with fantastic worlds, intense combat and hard choices.
Companies such as: BioWare, Bethesda Game Studios, Obsidian Entertainment, Larian Studios and more have all graced our screens with some of the best RPG’s ever. Their games are unique and interesting with vast areas to explore, characters to interact with and choices to make.
The core of an RPG is freedom for the player, allowing them to direct the flow of the plot and how the game will unfold, these are the 10 Greatest RPG’s of the last 20 years.
10. Elden Ring (FromSoftware)
This will no doubt be a slightly controversial pick. Elden Ring only released a short time ago and whilst although many love the game, one of the bigger questions is whether or not it can be truly considered a ‘role playing game.’
This is a valid statement, Elden Ring is not like any conventional RPG. But unlike the games counterparts such as Dark Souls or Bloodborne, Elden Ring has something else entirely. Choice is built into Elden Ring’s dna, right from the character creation to the games world. Almost ever NPC can be killed, their quests also have secrets that can be uncovered.
It may be new and it may not be conventional to the common RPG structure, but Elden Ring is one of the best RPG’s I’ve played.
9. Pillars of Eternity (Obsidian Entertainment)
The game that revived the CRPG genre singlehandedly.
Pillars of Eternity is fantastic game filled with interesting characters and questlines. It’s main plot is one of the best in RPG history and beyond that the game is one of the most versatile in gaming. The player controls almost everything about themselves, including backgrounds, race and more, each impacting how the characters are viewed and perceived. It is truly a marvel in the world of RPG’s.
8. Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic (BioWare)
At number 7 we have a phenomenal game. The best Star Wars game ever made, Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic is an incredible experience. The characters are incredible, the worlds are fantastic, every part of the game feels carefully cultivated to make a wholly unique Star Wars experience.
The main story is near impeccable, with every twist and turn feeling earned. Whilst the combat may have aged rather poorly over time, the game still stands as an apex in Star Wars games and beyond.
7. Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire (Obsidian Entertainment)
We have already found a sequel in the midst of these games. If Pillars of Eternity revived the CRPG genre, then it’s sequel continued to improve it. There is a constant argument as to which one is the superior game and while Deadfire is marred by a rather short campaign, it is more made up for with the huge number of side quests, difficult choices and some of the best dialogue to be found in an RPG.
In addition to this, the somewhat janky-esque combat in Pillars of Eternity was refined in it’s sequel also featuring amazing opportunities for multiclassing allowing players to create a huge variety of unique builds and characters. It is an incredible game.
6. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Game Studios)
At some point an Elder Scrolls game was going to have to appear. The question was which one. Whilst Skyrim is undoubtedly the most approachable and Morrowind has one of the best ‘game worlds’ and is arguably the most ‘free’ of the games. It is my opinion that Oblivion may be the best Elder Scrolls game. Why? Well it is one of Bethesda’s few games that does not suffer from a poor main plot, which is a commonality across their games.
In addition to this, whilst Morrowin and Skyrim have many iconic and beloved quests, almost every Oblivion quest is in some way iconic. Every. Single. One. Whether people are discussing the Dark Brotherhood questline, being abducted by pirates, or killing the gladiatorial orcish son of a vampire… The game is riddled with some of the best quests ever made.
5. Dragon Age: Origins (BioWare)
It would be impossible for me to do this list without referencing this game. Dragon Age: Origins is superb. A game that took ‘background’ from so many other RPG’s ran with it and made every origin story a unique and interweaving web that connected into the main story in so many brilliant ways.
Because of this the game feels endlessly replayable with the urge to go back to try a different character style or perhaps a chance to experience how a different origin interconnects (My personal favourite is the Dwarvish noble.) Ultimately, it is this that makes Origins so unique and how it is able to stand so tall amidst a pantheon of RPG greats.
4. Mass Effect 2 (BioWare)
BioWare have been spread all over this list, but it is my belief that this is their apex. One of the greatest games ever made, Mass Effect 2 is the pinnacle of a Sci-Fi adventure with some of the best companions found in any game, ever. Period. The gameplay is fun and frenetic, the dialogue some of the best in any RPG.
Mass Effect 2 has the best companion quests in any game and also allows players to travel to some of the most interesting and stunning worlds in any game never mind just an RPG.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (CD Projekt Red)
Geralt and his cohorts were going have to find their way into this list at some point and here they are. One of the greatest games ever made The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is almost a game without an equal. A massive sprawling open world, incredible characters, well written and thought provoking quests all wrapped up in this adult fantasy setting, The Witcher 3 is filled with all sorts of things an RPG fan can enjoy.
In addition to all of this, I have to mention that it probably has the greatest array of DLC in any game ever. Hearts of Stone is a fantastic addition and Blood and Wine could have quite easily earned it’s own separate spot on this list for just how good it is.
2. Fallout: New Vegas (Obsidian Entertainment)
Fallout’s white whale.
Fallout: New Vegas is a game that all of RPG’s are enviably chasing. The best Fallout game with some of the greatest questlines, a fantastic soundtrack and one of the best main plots in any game ever. Fallout: New Vegas is a masterpiece.
It improves on Fallout 3 in almost every way whether it is the gunplay to the way the story unfolds to how much of ‘themselves’ players can put into their own characters. It is a game that is a true example of an RPG and one that should be lauded by all as one of the greatest RPG’s of all time.
1. Divinity: Original Sin II (Larian Studios)
I know many would have been wondering what would be number 1. Well here it is.
The greatest RPG ever made, not just in the last 20 years.
Divinity Original Sin II truly embodies what it is to be an RPG. Freedom of Choice. A game that allows players to traverse the landscape at their own pace and do almost whatever they want. The game features the most freedom a game could possibly provide you. If you want to throw a box at someone, guess what you can? Want to talk to a sheep? If you have a perk you can, Want to kill everyone? Guess what… you can!
This game is a huge breath of fresh air for players who are ever feeling constrained by some of the linear titles out there. Whilst there is nothing wrong with linearity at all, there is something irrevocably enticing about being able to do ‘what you want’ in a game world, with little to no limits.
This is why Divinity Original Sin II sits at number 1 on this list.
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