Best RPG games

RPGs come in many styles. Some are turn-based: battles pause while you choose each action, so they reward planning more than quick hands. The original Pokémon Red and Blue on the Game Boy and Final Fantasy VII on the first PlayStation are famous examples. Others are open-world action RPGs, such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, where you fight in real time and explore huge maps full of side stories and characters.

RPGs usually take many hours to finish, often dozens, so it helps to know what kind of experience you are choosing. For each game in this category we explain how combat and progress work, how long a typical playthrough is in general terms, the platforms the game first appeared on when we are certain, and who it suits. Some RPGs include mature themes, so check the age rating of your edition. Ratings are our own editorial opinions. We do not sell or host these commercial games; this guide only introduces them.