A gaming topic we can all get behind.. RPGs!

20. Hogwarts: Legacy

 Hogwarts Legacy Gameplay 

A young wizard finding themselves face-to-face with a dragon in the wild.

Hogwarts Legacy came to us with a hype that is well deserved. This game is an open-world action RPG set in the Wizarding World well before the widely popular book and movie franchise storyline. You play as a newly inducted 5th year student to Hogwarts and are immediately thrown into a darkened plot threatening the safety of, not only the school, but the world. 

This game is set in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800’s, focusing mostly around the fantastical magical school of Witchcraft and Wizardry known as Hogwarts Castle. You come into the storyline as a fresh 5th year student and can be inducted into one of four houses- Gryffindor, Slytherin, Huffelpuff or Ravenclaw. Your house decides your Common Room, your story and even gives you a unique quest that differs between each house.

From your first moments getting to Hogwarts, you are thrust into a devilish plot by a magic-hungry goblin and a Dark Wizard, heavy on your heels as you come into lost and seemingly forgotten magic. Holding the key to unlocking the secrets of this lost magic threatens to tear the world apart. Balancing that along with your regular Hogwarts studies, discovering all the magical locations, encounters and magical beasts this game has to offer.

Hogwarts Legacy Revelio’ed the wizarding game we’ve been waiting for. It offers the magic, wonder and plot that only a game set in this world could give. Even set a century before the storyline we’re all familiar with, they still lightly tie in certain aspects, such as family names, the ghosts that haunt the halls and even the Fat Lady portrait that still hangs to protect the Gryffindor Common Room. 

 

19. The Elder Scrolls: Online

 The Elder Scrolls: Online Gameplay 

A set of adventuring fighters facing off with a Chimera

The Elder Scrolls: Online is an open-world MMORPG game that has kept players engaged since their launch in 2014. This game takes us back into the worlds of Elder Scrolls to do amazing world quests- now with our friends online to bring along the way. 

Set on the continent of Tamriel during the Second Era, you create your own character withup to 10 different races, 7 different classes and 7 different crafting skill lines. No matter what character you bring into the world, you will find no lack of quests, story and adventure around every turn. Without giving too much away- your first true encounter involves going toe-to-toe with a Daedric prince’s evil plot, exciting!

First and foremost, your main goal is to enjoy the game. With the amount of content at your gaming fingertips, you can morph and become whatever hero, or villain, you want to be in this fantastical world. 

Bringing the world of Tamriel in an MMORPG game that is constantly getting updates, expansions and patches makes it feel like everytime you come back to it, you’re walking into a new game. It’s a nice breath of fresh air and allows the game to remain fresh and new. We are all excited to see what else this game will give us in the years to come.

 

18. Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

 Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord Gameplay 

Opposing sides of a thrilling battle in Mount & Blade 2 ready to go to war.

This strategic action RPG goes deeper than picking a faction and pitting them against enemie forces. Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord goes a step farther as you can build up a clan, battle bandits and rule the lands. You can be as peaceful or destructive as you wish when it comes to your reign.

Taking place on the continent of Calradia in the year 1084, Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is set in another beautiful landscape with interesting battlefields. This along with engaging interactions with NPCs that you can ally with along with way make this world as interesting as their predecessors. 

From the moment you load into the game, you decide what your main goal will be for a good beginning portion of the game.Your character and their sibling must do everything they can to save your family. From there on, you build an army to defeat enemies that treck across the lands. You can show your strength in the arenas across the lands as well as you establish your clan and defend your family name.

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlords melds the critical-thinking skills of a strategy game along with an RPG as you take your character through the lands of Calradia. It is a must-play RPG that goes deeper than it appears, in gameplay and game experience.

 

17. Monster Hunter: World

Monster Hunter: World Gameplay

The start of a tough battle with a monster!

Welcome back into the world of Monster Hunter in their newest addition to their franchise, Monster Hunter: World. You come into the game as a hunter, itching for the glory of monstrous battle and the rewards it brings.

Astera is the main city location for this game, where you can accept monster quests, craft weapons and armor, eat a hearty meal before a great battle and buy potions and tools. From there, you can go on as many harrowing monster adventures as your gaming heart desires.   

You are tasked with going out into the wilderness and defeating gigantic monsters. Using your sheer willpower, the help of a companion or using the terrain around you- whatever it takes to conquer your beast of prey. 

Monster Hunter: World brings the best of both parts to gaming- destroying monsters and having an open world concept to do it in. Not to mention the locations and monsters are both engaging and stunning to look at. Even if the monsters are charging right at you!

 

16. Divinity Original Sin 2

Divinity Original Sin 2 Gameplay 

A fiery and electrifying encounter in the Divinity Original Sin 2 world

We love the emergence of a turn-based tactical RPG with a flair for character development and open-world setting. Divinity: Original Sin 2 has helped bring these types of wonderful games back on the map. You come into the game as a fledgling adventurer and end as a hero of your own story- one way or another!

In the world of Rivellon centuries after the storyline of the first Divinity game, Divinity: Original Sin 2 brings us back to a world that’s familiar, yet not. Times have changed though, and new adventures await in Rivellon. Through the Hold to the prison Fort Joy, going aboard another ship before more islands after that. There are never not enough island locations to explore.

You, as the player, are tasked with the destruction of the Voidwoken, creatures of an unknown origin whose only desire is the destruction of all living things. You must do so before it kills the Seven so you can grasp your powers of the Source. Using the Source, you can expel the darkness of the Voidwoken. 

Divinity: Original Sin 2 gave new life to turn-based RPGs with everything else it has to offer- the plot already existing, the story you can mold with your choices in the world, and more.You also have a ton of control over your character’s class- that’s a first to be seen in games such as this. 

 

15. Lost Ark

 Lost Ark Gameplay 

A team of main protagonists onlooking a new area of adventure in Lost Ark.

Another action MMORPG to add to the list, Lost Ark has more than earned its place.  The nice thing about this one is that it is free-to-play. There are microtransactions in-game to help you customize your character with unique weapons, armor and skins. But the base game is more than enough fun without all the extra frills.

Arkesia is one of the main locations for Lost Ark, from there you are open to go wherever the adventure takes you in order to combat evil. There are so many incredibly stunning locations that take you through the Ark locations that it’s hard to keep track of. However, they are oh so very engaging

Delve into the secrets of Arkesia! Prove yourself in battles and raids or compete against other players in PvP. Travel to distant islands in search of hidden riches, glory and wonder. Face packs of enemies and colossal bosses in the open world, and more!

Lost Ark offers a fast-paced, dynamic combat system with beautiful graphics to boots. The storyline alone is enough to keep players engaged for hundreds of hours. This is a game that does focus on raids as well. Overall, a great choice for this list and to play. 

 

14. Dave The Diver

 Dave The Diver Gameplay

Dave has found himself in a darkened cavern with a lurking sea monster!

Dave, a hard working diver, goes on quests to collect all kinds of fish, solve quests and manage a sushi restaurant in Dave the Diver. This beautiful mix of 2D and 3D graphics shows off an expansive world both above and below deck in this underwater adventure RPG.

The most of your gameplay will be spent in the depths of the oceans, exploring the reefs, locations and, most importantly, the fish! You can explore near the surface area or as deep as the dark depths. The more exotic the fish- the better your dishes for your restaurant.

Your main objective is always the supplement and success of your sushi shop with the fresh catches you make in the water during the day. You then get to run your sushi shop at nighttime with all of the tasty fish!

A combination of 3D graphics and pixels provide an art style that showcases breathtaking underwater scenery in a new and innovative way. A spin on your usual RPG game as well, in a cozy-feel game.

 

13. New World

 New World Gameplay 

Watching on as a spire explodes in New World, ready to face what’s ahead,

New World came to us with a few bumps in the road when it was first released. However, the action MMORPG from Amazon has turned into a well-rounded game that is well worth the play. The graphics alone are enough to at least get your gaming feet wet.

Set in the 17th century, during the Age of Exploration, Aeternum has much to offer. Each large town or territory is ruled by a certain faction that you can ally with. Those factions being Syndicate, Covenant and Marauders. Choose the one that best fits your game style and have fun!  

You can explore a beautiful open world, discover new items and quests and level crafting skills. You can do this all in a historical setting with age-accurate items with a twist for magic. Should a twist of magic be in your interest.

New World offers us a look at what an MMO created during the Age of Exploration with an additional historical feature could be. As stated before, it came to us with more than a few bugs to start but has grown into a game well worthy of the top tier.

 

12. Persona 5 Royal

 Person 5 Royal Gameplay 

Let us start this Persona 5 game!

Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG on our list that is visually and masterfully done. While Persona 5 Royal is a remake of the original Persona 5, it brings more to the table and sets it a step above its predecessor. Something nice that this game offers is that if there is an enemy that is a few levels lower than you and you’re just passing through, instead of going into continuous combat, you can just plow right through them and keep going onto bigger- and stronger enemies!

Taking place in urban Tokyo, you are a new student at Shujin Academy. The local area gives it a sense of the modern-day cityscape. You also get new locations unlocked that differ from the original game which just add more to an already well-fleshed out story. 

You come in as a second-year high school new transfer student to the academy. You then join the Phantom Thieves and expose corruption across Tokyo with your fantastical team. 

While Persona 5 Royal is a re-release of Persona 5, it does bring us a few new changes. We get revamped boss fights, a new Phantom Thief and more. You can also do new combo finisher moves on your enemies! Join the Phantom Thieves and experience justice yourself. 

 

11. Kenshi

 Kenshi Gameplay

A bloody battle with a farmer fleeing in Kenshi.

Free roaming-squad based RPG, Kenshi is a dystopian game where the rest of the game continues to go on even if you aren’t there to do anything about it. You start off as a simple adventurer who is looking only to survive. Anything beyond that is a bonus.

The true setting of Kenshi can be hard to determine. Set around 5000-6000 AD on a newly formed island, either from a landmass that is uncovered by receding water levels. In a post-apocalyptic setting, borders and lands become one large setting. 

You can become the greatest warrior in all the lands or the largest criminal mastermind. You can even continue to live the simple life of a farmer. There is no true “ending” as it were for this game. You come into Kenshi ready to play whatever type of dystopian character you want to bring to a dying world.

Kenshi is a great mix of some of the funnest parts of an RPG, squad-based control and some city-building features. This dangerous world can either make or break your adventurer. All the different avenues you can take to your destiny are your own to decide.

 

10. Vampire Survivors

 Vampire Survivor Gameplay 

Our main heroine getting ready to take on an entire deadly horde

Hordes of monsters summoned by Draculó taunt you in this indie RPG game. Vampire Survivors has you battle waves and waves of monsters while leveling up your abilities to best combat the enemies. This would seem to be a simple “stand in one spot and farm XP” type of game but, the more you move, the more you gain power to survive to the end.  

Rural Italy 2021- not an area you may think that you’d be coming face to face with monsters. That’s where our 2D gothic horror casual game is set and where the mob of monsters try to take you down. 

Being a part of the Belpaese family, you start as Antonio and can buy new heroes from there to combat the bats, undead, vampires and more. If you survive 30 minutes with one character, you win that level! Then it’s time to move onto the next character, the next map and the next monsters. 

Vampire Survivors makes you think more about strategy than you may realize. You only gain more health, abilities and weapons the more enemies you kill. Keep moving, make smart leveling choices and never go light on the garlic.

 

9. Kingdom Come Deliverance

Kingdom Come Deliverance Gameplay

Soldiers from differing houses faces off in a duel of bloodshed. 

The story based open-world RPG, Kingdom Come Deliverance, is another historical timeline game. In this game you play as the heroine named Henry in a small village outside of the main city to a blacksmith father and homemaker mother. From there, Henry’s life takes a turn when his family is slaughtered by an invading army and his home burned to the ground. 

Set during the times of the Roman Empire, Bohemia is the mainlands where the game takes place. This is also located in the current-day Czech Republic. It’s masterfully done up with the graphics and whoever was in charge of the period-accurate setting gets an A+ in my book. This is beautifully represented!

You must avenge the death of your parents as you combat invading enemy forces, embark on quests and make choices that will change the lands and story for the better- or worse. This world is at your fingertips. 

Kingdom Come Deliverance gives us another great open-world game and amazing questlines. The period-accurate themed weapons, clothing, and quests make sure you stay immersed in that storyline the entire time. 

 

8. Starfield

 Starfield Gameplay 

Our main protagonist is standing amongst a museum of mysterious items.

A new release to be added to our list, Starfield came with such large hype for being one of the largest space open-world games to date. Another action RPG game but with a huge emphasis on space exploration. 

Outerspace is your new home and exploration is the game. You are a brand new explorer in the vast Milky Way system. Hundreds of planets in hundreds of systems! You can make your new travel home in space on your customizable spaceship as well. Who doesn’t like an interstellar home away from home?

You are tasked with exploring many different aspects of space to find unique and mysterious artifacts- the first being from your very first job with Argos Extractors. The expanse of space from there on is there with the help of your ship as you find and solve humanity's greatest mysteries. 

Everything about this RPG is at your fingertips from the moment you start playing. Your character’s features, their specialties when leveling up, your spaceship and even your weapons. You also can travel to over 100 different solar systems- that’s the potential of thousands of locations to explore! With a game this large as well, the possibilities of even more places to discover are potentially just around the horizon.  

 

7. Valheim

 Valheim Gameplay 

A beautiful castle built in the world of Valheim.

An open-world third person RPG set during the time of Vikings, Valheim is an open-world survival game played from a third-person perspective. Valheim also has a great building mechanic for full customization. You can build the most basic cottage to the most vallant castles. 

The very obvious Viking-themed game is based during those times, when new adventurers  roamed the world and used the resources around them to build their homes. It’s another game that does a period-time piece such as this absolute justice. 

Valheim’s main goal is to take your character through the game with the hopes of doing enough to earn your place in the halls of Valhalla at the end of your days. To do so, you must defeat the Forsaken evils of the lands surrounding Also getting the chance toestablish and protect your home.

Where Valheim falls in a similar category as some of the other games on our list, this is the only one that’s set during the Viking era. The graphics and theme make it a homely game with a Nordic twist.

 

6. ARK: Survival Evolved

 ARK Survival: Evolved Gameplay 

 

Title art for Ark: Survival Evolved as two heroine’s sit atop mounts looking at a looming Tyrannosaurus Rex, a smoking volcano and an Ark tower. 

Ark: Survival Evolved brought us an action-adventure survival RPG with, wait for it- dinosaurs! You can even create a world with your friends to build massive bases, small hovel homes or large breeding areas. Those breeding areas would be for the multitude of different species of animals, or monsters, you can tame in this game. 

You are given the option of your starter location. That could be on the beach, more inland, in the forest or in the middle of nowhere. Depending on the starting point depends on what resource will be the hardest for you but, each starting point has its advantages and disadvantages. I’d encourage you to try each- they’re all beautiful spots irregardless!

In this game, you must survive the environment, roaming dinosaurs and monsters and even potential other humans who wish to have whatever resources you have. The dinosaurs or monsters that you can tame or breed can also be used to defend your home base as well. There’s also the ability to craft fantastical weapons and defenses to carry or mount on your beasts.

Even though you are limited to what appears to be a small area, make no mistake that there is always something hidden just around the corner. Or in the sky or  in a volcano. Even hidden under the ground in long forgotten caves. You never know where you may find the next part of the story for Ark: Survival Evolved.

 

5. Elden Ring

 Elden Ring Gameplay 

 

The mounted Tarnished looks onto the vast wasteland of the Lands Between.

Elden Ring brings us a dark fantasy action RPG where you must fight your way through the Lands Between for glory. Or loot- whatever tickles your RPG gamer heart. The darkened world is yours to explore and conquer.

The Lands Between is ruled by several demi-gods at the time of the game, previously ruled by Queen Marika, keeper of the Elden Ring. You must travel your way through the Lands to level to potential god-hood. 

Going through the Land Between, you have to find all the Great Runes. Those Great Runes are being held by the demigods in different locations across the Land Between. With those Runes, you can then become the Elden Lord. 

Most people would put Elden Ring and Dark Souls in the same sentence, as they bring very similar things to the gaming table. Make no mistake, Elden Ring allows you the freedom to go your own way to become the character you want to be. With more combat options, better boss encounters and more fleshed out story, you are settling in for a more enjoyable game experience. 

 

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Gameplay 

 

Geralt of Rivia faces off with a few flying monsters at the base of a snowy mountain

Geralt of Rivia comes back to the big screen in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. New and old characters come back into the story as well to help, or hinder, the Witcher. A new adventure awaits him in this new riveting open-world RPG.

Bringing us back to a familiar world with all new, stunning places, we step into a vast number of open world locations. From the city of Novigrad to the Skellige islands. We even get a glimpse into Kaer Morhen, the Witcher stronghold. 

Geralt is tasked with one of his most important contracts to date. Tracking down the Child of Prophecy, both a weapon and the potential solution to a problem threatening all of man-kind. This Child turns out to be even more than he bargained for and he will do everything in his power to find and protect her.

Being the third installment in the Witcher series, a lot was expected when this game was released. What makes this game step out from the others in the franchise, or other RPGs like it, is how fleshed out the world and characters, both new and old, are. It also brings a complex storyline while giving us a beautiful landscape to do it in.

 

3. Terraria

 Terraria Gameplay 

 

Standing in front of a massive fortress- a 2D battle commences in Terraria.

This 2D game that reminds us of the days back to playing the Super NES, Terraria is a sandbox game that focuses on exploration, survival, building, crafting, combat and more! 

Terraria is set in a World, one that you create at the beginning of the save. The World is totally customizable to you. You can build it up or break it down as much as you want. It is quite literally your very own blank canvas to treat as you see fit.

You’re main objective is to defeat Cthulhu’s fragments. Banish corruption across your land and uncover the World’s origin. All of these things to be done with the quests you do just to progress further in your hobbies or things that keep you alive in the game

You come into Terraria with the ability to start in different biomes. Doing this can change not only your environment but the enemies you may face. Step into this 2D game and make a name for yourself in your own Terraria World.

 

2. Cyberpunk 2077

 Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay 

 

V, our main character, overlooking Night City wielding a katana-like weapon

Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action RPG set in a mega metropolis obsessed with power and glamor in the form of body modification. Take V, your main character, through the City and its outskirts on amazing adventures through this amazing game.

Night City is the main location where this game takes place.here is also no shortage of locals in said City. It is easily one of the most realistic and futuristic locations ever made. 

V has been infected by a Relic that held the engram of Johnny Silverhand, a famous singer and a figurehead who fought against the corruption of the government system of Night City.You spend a majority of the game trying to separate V and Johnny Silverhand from one another so they both don’t get destroyed, or to be sure that one or the other is the only one standing on top.

This game brings incredibly immersive quests, both main and side quests. The world is so easy to fall into and get wrapped up in as well while giving us the freshness of a cyberpunk game. 

 

1. Baldur's Gate 3

 Baldur's Gate 3 Gameplay 

 

Iconic character art depiction of characters from Baldur’s Gate with a flaming Nautiloid coming from a portal with dragons.

Adding another turn-based party-based RPG to our list, the 2023 game of the year has more than earned its place as first on our top 20 list. Baldur’s Gate 3 takes a pre-made playable character or you can make your own character, known widely as Tav, through the outskirts of Baldur’s Gate. 

Starting in a flaming Nautiloid that is being attacked not only by dragons from the Astral plane with Githyanki atop them but devils and demonic beings as well. After you crashland back into the Sword Coast, your path is your own. . You can then decide to stay above ground and visit a Githyanki creche or go through the Underdark to make your way to Baldur’s Gate. What may appear to be two paths may lead to so many more.  

Your first and foremost mission that always simmers on the back burner is finding a way to get rid of the mind flayer, or Illithid, tadpole that’s infected your brain. Most people who are infected by the tadpole go through ceremorphosis almost immediately and transform into Illithids themselves. Something about your tadpole is different though. You have yet to transform- and a mysterious Guardian is to thank for that. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 gives us a riveting RPG with hundreds of options for completing the same quest, unique characters to play as or play with and patches for the game that continue to improve the experience. You can play this game dozens of times and still find new ways to complete the same quest, whether it be character development, story-based or world-based quests.