rabbit.reviews

The Best Role Playing Video Games

Updated May 2026·Experts: PCMag, The Verge, Tom's Guide · Community: gamesuggestions, JRPG, ShouldIbuythisgame

Best Overall RPGBaldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

$60

If you only play one RPG this decade, make it Baldur's Gate 3. Nothing else comes close to its combination of depth, replayability, and sheer respect for player choice.

What holds up

  • Truest adaptation of a D&D campaign ever made with near-limitless player choices
  • Gorgeous presentation brings the world of Faerun to life
  • Massive replayability, different characters yield almost completely different stories
  • Worthy successor to Baldur's Gate 2 with modern polish

What to know

  • Turn-based combat can feel slow for action-RPG fans
  • Sheer scope can be overwhelming for newcomers to CRPGs
  • Some late-game chapters feel less polished than the first act
Expert verdict
Baldur's Gate 3 represents a new peak for tabletop-inspired CRPGs. The game's extensive flexibility in the face of countless potential player choices makes it the truest adaptation of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign we've ever seen.
PCMagView source
Expert verdict
Baldur's Gate 3, Exemplary, $59.99 at Steam
PCMag (Dragon Quest VII review)View source
From the community
BG3 is also a strong contender and is arguably one of the best RPG games out there.
r/gamesuggestionsView source
From the community
Those two games have very strong RPG elements, meaning there are multiple ways to complete quests typically and multiple possible endings depending on your choices.
r/gamesuggestionsView source
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Best Open-World Action RPGElden Ring

Elden Ring

$40-$60

Elden Ring is the rare game that makes you feel genuinely accomplished. The open world isn't just big, it's packed with secrets that reward curiosity, and the freedom to tackle it your own way makes it endlessly replayable.

What holds up

  • Massive open world full of secrets, mini-bosses, and stunning varied landscapes
  • Deep, challenging combat that remains tense and rewarding throughout
  • Incredible lore and world-building crafted with George R.R. Martin
  • Most accessible FromSoftware game while still being demanding and satisfying

What to know

  • Still brutally hard, not for players who want a relaxing experience
  • Story told through item descriptions and environmental clues, not cutscenes
  • Some late-game areas feel repetitive compared to the first half
Expert verdict
It has everything you'd expect from the developer, deep and challenging combat, complex systems, lore that's equal parts beautiful and sad, and fuses it with an absolutely gigantic world that you can explore however you like.
The VergeView source
Expert verdict
Even after 40 hours, I'm still learning new things about how magic, crafting, and other in-game systems work.
The VergeView source
From the community
Elden Ring was great for that and in my opinion the oblivion remastered looks like something i am looking for.
r/gamesuggestionsView source
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Best JRPGFinal Fantasy VII Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

$50-$70

Rebirth is the rare sequel that improves on everything, bigger world, better combat, more heart. If you have any nostalgia for FF7 or just love JRPGs, this is essential.

What holds up

  • Expansive, content-dense open world with seamless zone transitions
  • Engaging combat with cool synergy attacks and team combos
  • Charming character interactions and genuine role-playing dialogue options
  • Superb soundtrack that elevates every scene

What to know

  • Some chapters suffer from padding and unnecessary filler content
  • Clunky aerial combat carried over from Remake
  • Requires playing Final Fantasy VII Remake first for full story context
Expert verdict
It brings a sizable open-world map packed with quests and content, a new dialogue system that lets you roleplay a bit as you engage with the massive story, and amps up combat with cool synergy attacks and team combos.
PCMagView source
Expert verdict
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an impressive step forward for the series and an Editors' Choice award winner for PlayStation 5 RPGs.
PCMagView source
From the community
I also tried and liked but didn't finish... Persona 5, Metaphor Re:Fantazio... Final Fantasy 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15
r/JRPGView source
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Best New RPG of 2025Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

$50

Clair Obscur came out of nowhere and stunned everyone. The timing-based combat makes every battle feel active and exciting, and the story and soundtrack are genuinely moving, this is the kind of game that reminds you why you love RPGs.

What holds up

  • Gorgeous graphics with timing-based combat that transforms turn-based battles into exciting skirmishes
  • Lush presentation with outstanding voice acting and soundtrack
  • Compelling storytelling with emotional depth
  • Available on Game Pass, incredible value

What to know

  • Limited exploration off the main path, mostly linear
  • Baffling title may cause people to overlook it
  • Shorter than most AAA RPGs
Expert verdict
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a beautiful, challenging RPG, and it's my game of the year so far
Tom's GuideView source
Expert verdict
Gorgeous graphics and attacks that require specific timing transform turn-based battles into exciting skirmishes. The lush presentation extends to the game's soundtrack, voice acting, and overall storytelling.
PCMagView source
From the community
the new Expedition 33 is fantastic as a dark/gritty RPG too. They share a lot of elements of the other games like lots of exploring, good RPG mechanics, solid battle system and the story is fantastic.
r/gamesuggestionsView source
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Best Western RPGThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

$10-$40

The Witcher 3 is the game that proves side quests can be better than main quests. If you want a rich, story-heavy RPG where your choices feel like they matter, nothing beats it, and the Complete Edition with both expansions is one of gaming's greatest value propositions.

What holds up

  • Exceptional story-driven quests with meaningful choices and multiple endings
  • Massive, lived-in open world with incredible attention to detail
  • Two award-winning expansions (Hearts of Stone, Blood and Wine) add dozens more hours
  • Deep character build system with signs, alchemy, and combat skills

What to know

  • Combat feels dated compared to newer action RPGs
  • Geralt's movement and controls can feel stiff
  • Overwhelming amount of content can feel daunting for new players
From the community
For RPGs, you should try Skyrim or Witcher 3 if you want something more story-based
r/ShouldIbuythisgameView source
From the community
Witcher series especially first one is very gritty but 3 plays best
r/gamesuggestionsView source
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