The best RPG celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025

The future of RPGs looks bright. Both JRPGs and Western RPGs seem to be putting out some of the best games in their respective subgenres over the past few years. Even if we turned back the clocks to 2015, we got pretty good results. There was something for almost every type of fan.

Some games changed the RPG landscape forever, while others heralded the ultimate return of the isometric RPG. We call them CRPGs, but considering that most of these games are also coming to consoles, that term is a bit outdated. The biggest compliment to the games on this list is how well most of them hold up today, even after sequels and spiritual successors.

8

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Developer CD Projekt Red has made a name for itself with this massive RPG. Despite being the conclusion to a trilogy, The Witcher 3 was many gamers' first experience with the franchise.

The game handles this well by consistently focusing on Geralt and Ciri's relationship, even when old faces appear that some players may not have seen before. Even by the high standards set by the genre, The Witcher 3 is huge. You may not see everything the game has to offer before you finish it.

7

fallout 4

Bethesda moved further away from the series' roots with Fallout 4, focusing more on action and dungeon crawling rather than post-apocalyptic narrative-driven outings. Fallout 4 enhances combat compared to its predecessor and adds the ability to build your own structures in your settlements. It also emphasizes gear and perks over traditional RPG statistics.

Fallout 4 was the first to feature a main character voice, and some fans didn't appreciate the change. The game has over three times as many quests as Fallout 3, but they are nowhere near as complex and in-depth as the side quests in the previous entry.

6

Undertale

Undertale was released in 2015, and the independent RPG has never been the same since. The game is the sole work of Toby Fox, who wrote the score. The game initially feels like a throwback to a SNES RPG with some quirky mechanics, but after the relatively short campaign thread ends, it begins to unravel and the game's true message is revealed.

Most people will then want to beat the game a second time with this newfound knowledge and get the more authentic second ending. The game ends up being a commentary on the medium, and the first course of action we take in the game is usually violence.

5

shadowrun hong kong

Shadowrun completed its reboot in 2015 with Shadowrun Hong Kong. The gameplay is very similar to its predecessors Shadowrun Returns and Dragonfall, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. This game is a good introduction to isometric turn-based strategy games. They tend to be more generous than other examples of the genre.

It focuses on a story that may appeal to specific gamers, and combat is relatively short. An expansion version is also available for Hong Kong, which adds a new story that takes place after the events of the game.

4

Disgaea 5

Japanese turn-based tactical RPGs are known for their heavy narratives filled with political conflicts between kingdoms. Disgaea fits firmly into this genre, but its story strays far from this stereotype. The gameplay will be familiar to those who have played Final Fantasy Tactics or Triangle Strategy, but Item Worlds add a unique layer to the proceedings.

Every piece of equipment has a dungeon to fight in, and specific items are upgraded on each floor. It's possible to beat the game without delving into this system, but if you invest a lot of time into it, you may find yourself overwhelmed early on.

3

pillar of eternity

Developer Obsidian has had an interesting trajectory, creating Fallout: New Vegas, South Park: The Stick of Truth, and the smaller Pillars of Eternity. The game is an isometric RPG reminiscent of CRPGs from the late 90s and early 2000s such as Baldur's Gate.

According to Obsidian's reputation, your decisions during the game will affect both the ending and other events midway through the story. Pillars of Eternity was released as isometric RPGs were starting to become popular again. But it would be a few more years before titles like Divinity: Original Sin 2 got any closer to the mainstream.

2

Xenoblade Chronicles

In between the proper Xenoblade Chronicles entries, Monolith Soft released this spinoff. Unlike the main game, which is separated by loading screens that make it feel like open-but-open Zeon, Xenoblade Chronicles X is a true open world game.

The world is huge and diverse, with vast plains, bodies of water with islands, and even landmasses floating in the sky. After playing this game, it's easy to see why Monolith Soft helped develop Breath of the Wild. Although there is no plot connection to the trilogy, the story still deals with existential themes typical of any game nicknamed “Xeno”.

1

Bloodborne

Bloodborne is not only remembered as one of the best games FromSoftware has ever developed; It is often known as one of the best video games ever made. Progression offers the same flexibility as the Dark Souls series.

However, firearms wielded in the left hand, along with melee weapons, encourage parrying as a key part of combat. As a result, the game feels faster and more aggressive. This setting also differs from the typical medieval fantasy settings that FromSoftware typically uses.