15 Essential RPGs You Need to Play at Least Once in Your Life

Trying to narrow down the best RPGs of all time is a nearly impossible task. Role-playing games encompass everything from dice-driven fantasy adventures and turn-based Japanese classics to sprawling open worlds, interstellar soap operas, as well as whatever Disco Elysium is doing. And while everyone has their personal favorites, certain games have earned their place among the genre’s essential experiences.

These 15 RPGs represent some of the finest adventures gaming has ever produced, featuring unforgettable characters, stupendous storytelling, ingenious gameplay mechanics, and the occasional controller-endangering boss fight. They aren’t ranked, and no two are essential for quite the same reason. Of course, playing them just once might be easier said than done.

1

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Release Date: July 15, 2003

Original Platform: Xbox

While Star Wars video games were hardly uncommon in the early 2000s, the prospect of a sprawling, choice-driven RPG set in George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away was something rather different. So when BioWare, the same developer responsible for the first two Baldur’s Gate games and the original Neverwinter Nights, announced its take on the Star Wars universe, RPG fans sat up and took notice. That game, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (often shortened by fans and devotees to KOTOR), lived up to the hype, and then some.

Among the vast and varied Star Wars video games that exist, this is the one that truly makes you feel like a living, breathing, and actively important part of the universe. Set roughly 4,000 years before the original film trilogy, KOTOR takes players on a galaxy-spanning adventure featuring ancient Jedi mysteries, warring Sith, and a terrific assortment of familiar and unfamiliar alien species. Whether you’re exploring the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk or wandering the Sith Academy on Korriban, there’s an unmistakable sense that you’re truly helping shape the fate of the galaxy rather than simply tagging along for someone else’s story.

Beyond the astounding worldbuilding, masterfully constructed plot, and thoughtful side quests, KOTOR is home to some of the best and most interesting party members in RPG history, from the hilariously homicidal assassin droid HK-47 to the gifted and conflicted Bastila Shan, a Jedi Sentinel who drives much of the game’s early plot. Then there’s Jolee Bindo, a wonderfully cantankerous and morally grey Jedi hermit whose philosophical musings offer some of the game’s most interesting dialogue.

And when you finally encounter the game’s fabled twist, you’re well and truly in its clutches, compelled to keep playing to discover what happens next. That’s the mark of a supreme RPG. Ultimately, no other game in history makes you feel more like a lightsaber-toting Jedi (or Sith) than KOTOR.

2

Mass Effect 2

Release Date: January 26, 2010

Original Platforms: PC, Xbox 360

While BioWare’s abrupt closure and the cancellation of its upcoming Mass Effect game have left fans reeling, the franchise’s devotees aren’t taking the news lying down. Commander Shepard voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer have joined calls to save the series, while the burgeoning #SaveMassEffect campaign has drawn comparisons to the fan-led revival of The Expanse. Whatever the future holds, there’s still plenty of opportunity to revisit the developer’s finest sci-fi adventure: 2010’s Mass Effect 2.

The first game set the scene with a far more traditional RPG experience, replete with inventory management, plenty of stat tweaking, and an abundance of character customization. But it was the sequel that truly upped the ante in terms of action RPG brilliance, replacing some of its predecessor’s clunkier systems with tighter combat, more cinematic storytelling, and a delightfully perilous final mission to save humanity from the mysterious Collectors.

Of course, this game wouldn’t be on this list were it not for one of the best ensemble casts in gaming history, something BioWare had long since mastered. Whether it’s the tragic backstory of Drell assassin Thane Krios, the guns-blazing bloodthirst of the Krogan Grunt, the troubled and immensely powerful biotic Jack, or the return of beloved characters from the first game such as Garrus Vakarian and Tali’Zorah, Mass Effect 2’s cast of characters has it all.

Even better, the game’s celebrated loyalty missions allow you to explore these characters’ personal demons with more depth, and your decisions throughout the campaign can have devastating consequences during the extraordinary final Suicide Mission. Few RPGs have made their players so desperately invested in the survival of their digital companions.

Also, who could forget this magnificent moment featuring the motor-mouthed Salarian scientist Mordin Solus?

Gilbert and Sullivan have never sounded quite so extraterrestrial.

3

Baldur’s Gate 3

Release Date: August 3, 2023

Original Platform: PC

With incredible character customization, outstanding writing, and some of the most captivating companions in gaming history (a recurring motif among these selections), Baldur’s Gate 3 was a deserving mega-hit and critical darling following its full release in 2023. More than two decades after BioWare’s Baldur’s Gate 2, Larian Studios delivered a sequel that somehow managed to satisfy longtime devotees of the franchise while introducing an entirely new generation to the pleasures of Dungeons & Dragons.

A truly engrossing story, coupled with wildly different experiences depending on player choices, means no two playthroughs of BG3 need ever unfold quite the same way. You might save the Tiefling refugees sheltering in the Emerald Grove or betray them to Minthara’s goblin forces. You might embrace the murderous impulses of the Dark Urge, talk your way out of an otherwise deadly confrontation, or discover that an inconveniently placed enemy can be dispatched with a well-timed shove. The possibilities frequently border on the ridiculous, and the game is all the better for it.

Then there’s the spectacular supporting cast, including the magnificently theatrical Astarion, the perpetually prickly Lae’zel, and the enormously endearing Karlach. The voice acting is astounding, the visuals are a pleasure to pore over, and the first time you hear Amelia Tyler’s beguiling narration accompanying the roll of a 20-sided die, you’ll understand why so many players have sunk hundreds of hours into this extraordinary adventure.

Now, about that Honour Mode playthrough…

4

Dragon Age: Origins

Release Date: November 3, 2009

Original Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

If you couldn’t tell already, BioWare certainly knew a thing or two about producing top-tier RPGs at their peak, whether traditional high-fantasy adventures or ambitious sci-fi epics.

The company followed up the original Mass Effect not with its sequel, but with the extraordinarily detailed, lore-drenched fantasy RPG Dragon Age: Origins. Released in 2009, the game introduced players to the kingdom of Ferelden, a troubled nation facing political upheaval, betrayal, and the imminent arrival of the Fifth Blight, an apocalyptic invasion of grotesque creatures known as darkspawn.

Players assume the role of a newly recruited Grey Warden, a member of an ancient order sworn to combat the Blights and the monstrous Archdemons responsible for them. However, before you’re even properly introduced to the overarching storyline, Origins allows you to experience one of six distinct character backgrounds, with your chosen race and social standing dramatically influencing the opening hours and numerous interactions throughout the game. Playing as a human noble, a city elf, or a casteless dwarf can feel like experiencing entirely different stories.

The kingdom of Ferelden is equally impressive, from the subterranean dwarven city of Orzammar to the troubled mage-centered Circle Tower, and the sprawling capital of Denerim. Political machinations, morally uncomfortable decisions, and increasingly desperate attempts to unite a fractured kingdom ensure there’s rarely a dull moment, even when you aren’t slicing darkspawn to ribbons.

Once again, the characters are utterly captivating. Whether you’re trading sarcastic barbs with the charming Alistair, trying to decipher Morrigan’s increasingly complicated motivations, or discussing matters of faith and morality with Leliana, you’ll find yourself saving the game before conversations with your companions just so you can replay particularly amusing moments or avoid upsetting your digital friends. The writing and characterization really are that good.

5

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Release Date: March 20, 2006

Original Platforms: PC, Xbox 360

While Skyrim is surely the more widely recognized Elder Scrolls game thanks to its myriad ports, mods, and disparate versions, and Morrowind might be the most thoroughly traditional role-playing experience of the franchise’s modern entries, it is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion that deserves its place at the table of essential RPGs you simply must play at least once.

The fourth mainline entry in Bethesda’s celebrated fantasy series throws players headlong into the sprawling province of Cyrodiil, where the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII triggers a series of cataclysmic events involving demonic portals, Daedric invasions, and the potential destruction of Tamriel itself. Fortunately, you’re free to ignore much of this impending catastrophe in favor of becoming a master thief, joining a clandestine assassins’ guild, or exploring the countryside in search of particularly interesting caves.

The scope of Oblivion is truly admirable, and while simply playing it would certainly suffice, beating the game and earning every achievement (as this writer did with the 5th Anniversary Edition on Xbox 360) is arguably the most satisfying way to explore Cyrodiil and its many enticing quests, powerful artifacts, and intriguing locations. The Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood questlines, in particular, contain some of the most ingenious and heart-pounding missions in RPG history. And that’s before accounting for the wonderfully bizarre Shivering Isles expansion.

A remastered version of this masterpiece arrived in 2025, making now an excellent time to revisit the Imperial Province, stumble upon some gloriously eccentric NPCs, and discover what Patrick Stewart is doing in an Elder Scrolls game.

6

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Release Date: September 12, 2009

Original Platforms: Nintendo DS

The Pokémon games have often been criticized for adhering to the same (admittedly massively successful) formula time after time with comparatively little variance. Catch Pokémon, train Pokémon, defeat Gym Leaders, become Champion. Rinse and repeat.

Some games follow that formula so exquisitely, however, that it would be asinine to question Game Freak’s choices. The 2009 Nintendo DS remakes of Pokémon Gold and Silver, appropriately named Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, surely fall into that category.

The original Generation Two games (including Crystal) are frequently cited among the finest entries in the franchise’s storied history, and these remakes improve upon virtually every aspect of that cherished foundation. The requisite quality-of-life improvements are accompanied by contemporary gameplay mechanics, including Pokémon abilities and the physical/special split, while the delightful addition of Pokémon following their trainers around the overworld gives the journey an added dose of personality and charm.

And what a journey it is. After conquering Johto’s eight Gyms and defeating the Elite Four and Champion Lance, players discover that their adventure is far from finished, with the entirety of Kanto waiting to be explored. Sixteen Gym Badges, the charming Pokéwalker accessory, a fantastic soundtrack, and an unforgettable final confrontation atop Mt. Silver make these the definitive versions of the Johto games.

Even if you only have a passing interest in the franchise, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you haven’t given these remarkable remakes a proper go.

7

Deus Ex

Release Date: June 23, 2000

Original Platform: PC

While this masterwork from developer Ion Storm could surely have been included among the best shooters of the 2000s, Deus Ex fits even more comfortably among the greatest RPGs ever created. Released in 2000, this deliciously paranoid sci-fi adventure blends shooting, stealth, character progression, and conspiratorial intrigue into an experience that still feels remarkably ambitious more than a quarter-century later.

Players assume the role of JC Denton, a nanotechnologically augmented counterterrorism agent who gradually uncovers a tangled web of corporate and governmental conspiracies. The game’s real brilliance lies in its extraordinary flexibility. Hack a computer, sneak through ventilation shafts, talk your way past an obstacle, or simply introduce your enemies to some heavy weaponry.

Denton’s customizable skills and augmentations accommodate wildly different approaches, while player decisions influence subsequent events and interactions. Director Warren Spector’s original postmortem of Deus Ex described its ambitious combination of immersive simulation, role-playing, shooting, and adventure gaming. Few games have so enthusiastically encouraged players to think outside the box, particularly when that box can be hacked, circumvented, or simply blown to smithereens.

8

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Original Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Geralt of Rivia has never been particularly good at staying out of trouble. Fortunately, his endless procession of monster contracts, political entanglements, and catastrophically complicated romantic relationships makes for one of the finest RPGs ever created.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt follows the grizzled monster hunter as he searches for his adopted daughter Ciri, encountering a spectacular cast of characters along the way. The formidable Yennefer, the roguish Dandelion, and the profoundly troubled Bloody Baron are particular standouts, with the latter’s storyline representing one of gaming’s most harrowing explorations of familial dysfunction.

But the game’s greatest strength might be its ability to make even seemingly inconsequential excursions feel worthwhile. A missing frying pan might lead to an investigation involving murder and international espionage, while a straightforward monster contract can conceal a troubling moral quandary. Add an enormous, beautifully realized world, the endlessly diverting card game Gwent, and two magnificent expansions in Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, and you’ve got an adventure that could easily consume hundreds of hours.

9

Chrono Trigger

Release Date: March 11, 1995

Original Platform: SNES

Of all the unforgettable characters introduced throughout the golden age of Japanese RPGs, few can compete with Chrono Trigger‘s Frog. A valiant, sword-wielding amphibian with a tragic past, an admirable sense of chivalry, and one of the finest musical themes in gaming history? What’s not to love? And he’s just one member of a stellar ensemble featuring the idealistic Crono, ingenious inventor Lucca, lovable robot Robo, and mysterious sorcerer Magus.

Released in 1995, Square’s Chrono Trigger packs an extraordinary amount of story and gameplay into roughly 20 to 25 hours, with nary a wasted moment. Its brisk, engaging combat rewards experimentation with devastating combination attacks, while its clever time-trotting mechanics send players hurtling between prehistoric, medieval, modern, and post-apocalyptic worlds. Actions in one era can influence events in another, and the game’s multiple endings provide plenty of incentive to replay this wonderfully inventive RPG. And seriously, Frog is awesome.

10

Fallout: New Vegas

Release Date: October 19, 2010

Original Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360

While Bethesda had revamped the Fallout franchise in 2008 with the grand scale and vast scope of Fallout 3, the company handed development of its next major installment to another veteran RPG studio, Obsidian Entertainment. The result? Arguably the greatest game in Fallout franchise history, with a cavalcade of iconic missions, characters, weapons, and singular moments that stay with players long after they’ve vacated the Wasteland.

Fallout: New Vegas begins with a seemingly unremarkable courier being shot in the head and left for dead in the Mojave Desert. Things only get stranger from there. Before long, you’re navigating a struggle for control of post-apocalyptic Nevada between the New California Republic, Caesar’s Legion, and the enigmatic Mr. House. Along the way, you might help a band of religiously devoted ghouls launch themselves into the great beyond aboard some ancient rockets, uncover the White Glove Society’s unsavory secrets, or help the taciturn sniper Boone confront his painful past.

Where Fallout 3 emphasized exploration and environmental storytelling, New Vegas places greater weight on dialogue, character builds, and player choice, with seemingly insignificant decisions often carrying far-reaching consequences. Obsidian had already demonstrated its RPG credentials within existing franchises via the brilliant Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, even if it couldn’t quite match the lofty standards of BioWare’s original. With New Vegas, the studio delivered arguably its finest achievement.