The Best RPG From Every Year of the 2010s

Honestly, RPGs are still super popular today, even more so than before! We’re seeing huge hits like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3, but also a ton of amazing smaller games like Mewgenics and Hades II. As a gamer, I can tell you things are looking really good for the RPG genre right now.

The 2010s were also a great decade for RPGs, and many believe this is when the genre really started to gain the recognition it deserved. Games like Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Mass Effect 2 are just two examples of the many excellent RPGs released during that time.

Skyrim Is as Open as the Sky

In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you play as the Dragonborn, tasked with stopping Alduin, a powerful dragon intent on destroying the world. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter many characters who will assist you with useful items and information.

This game, which came out in 2011, really shines because of its incredible open world. While it makes sense to follow the main story, it’s far more fun to explore, get to know the characters, and complete the numerous sidequests. Delaying the plot actually enhances the experience.

Dragon Quest XI Is Not Elusive

In Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, players take on the role of the hero, known simply as the Luminary, in the world of Erdrea. He must prove his worth and, with the help of companions like Erik and Veronica, save the world from destruction.

Among the Dragon Quest games, this title remains a standout, even years after its 2018 release worldwide. Whether it’s the straightforward yet charming story, or the freedom to explore and battle whenever you want, it’s a truly special experience.

Horizon Zero Dawn Is Robotic Goodness

In the thirty-first century, Horizon Zero Dawn takes place in a post-apocalyptic America. The world is dominated by massive, animal-like robots, and humans are fighting to reclaim their freedom. The story follows Aloy, who leads the charge against these robotic oppressors.

Horizon Zero Dawn is a fun game to play. It offers a lot to enjoy, like shooting arrows at robotic creatures—an idea that might sound strange at first. This 2017 action role-playing game also stands out with its interesting mechanics, from calling for help with a whistle to collecting valuable items.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses Skips Around

Okay, so this game really throws you in with a cool training sequence as you learn the ropes with the main character, Byleth. But things take a major turn. By the end, I was fighting against people I’d been training with, and got pulled into this whole conspiracy involving the church near our school. It’s a wild ride, honestly!

I’m really hooked on this 2019 game! There’s so much happening that I’m constantly wondering what’s going to happen next. We get into tons of battles that play out on a grid, and the best part is how much you can customize your experience – you get to pick from different classes and clans, which really makes the game feel like your own adventure.

Dragon Age: Inquisition Gets Back to Roots

Released in 2014, Dragon Age: Inquisition takes place a few years after the events of Dragon Age II and introduces a compelling new main character. Initially known as the Herald of Andraste, the player emerges from a mystical realm and rises to lead the Inquisition. This is due to their special power to close dangerous tears in the sky, which are unleashing demons upon the land. However, the Inquisitor also faces political turmoil, as the various factions within the world of Thedas are on the verge of conflict.

While Dragon Age II sometimes received criticism for reusing old areas, Dragon Age: Inquisition offered a huge, open world – a departure from earlier Dragon Age games. It also refined many of the series’ core features, like combat, character progression, and relationships with companions. Expanding on established stories and characters, Dragon Age: Inquisition was widely considered one of the best games of 2014.

Mass Effect 2 Is More Than a Middle Child

Many fans consider Mass Effect 2 the strongest game in the Mass Effect series. Players rejoin Commander Shepard, already familiar from the first game, and are immediately thrown into a dangerous mission: stopping the Collectors from kidnapping entire human colonies. Guided by the enigmatic Illusive Man, Shepard has to assemble a team of experts and confront the enemy head-on, but making the right choices – and dealing with the consequences – is crucial.

Widely considered one of the best games of 2010, Mass Effect 2 built on the foundation of its predecessor and made significant improvements. The game deepened the connections you could forge with your crew, making your conversations and choices with them crucial to the story and even to completing missions. While the main goal is to stop the Collectors, a particularly compelling challenge is trying to keep all your companions alive during a dangerous, seemingly impossible mission.

The Witcher 3’s Wide Open World Was a Major Improvement for the Franchise

The world of The Witcher began with a series of popular books and short stories by Andrzej Sapkowski, following the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter with special abilities. These stories were so well-received that CD Projekt Red created a series of video games based on them. While the first two Witcher games were successful, it was the release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2015 that truly transformed the franchise.

The story in The Witcher 3 is truly captivating. Geralt of Rivia must find Ciri, his adopted daughter, before the Wild Hunt captures her and exploits her special powers. Aside from the main story, the game features a massive open world brimming with side quests, monster hunting, and memorable characters, offering endless opportunities for adventure. Players can easily spend hundreds of hours exploring everything the world of The Witcher has to offer.

Shin Megami Tensei IV Faces Demons

Okay, so I’ve been playing Shin Megami Tensei IV, and the story is pretty wild. Basically, I’m playing as this samurai named Flynn, and we’re stuck right in the middle of a huge war between angels and demons. These demons are causing all sorts of trouble, and I have the option to team up with them, but honestly, helping them might mess things up for everyone in my world. It’s a tough choice!

This role-playing game from 2013 features a compelling story that enhances its gameplay. The game revolves around collecting ‘macca’ to purchase items, which can be earned through battles or, on the original 3DS version, with play coins. It’s also designed to be approachable, offering a hidden easy mode that lets players skip particularly difficult bosses.

Xenoblade Chronicles Is the Wii’s Biggest RPG

Originally released in the U.S. in 2012, Xenoblade Chronicles is an impressively large RPG for the Wii. The game centers around a conflict between the planets Bionis and Mechonis, and follows the hero Shulk as he teams up with allies to stop the war.

Despite being released on the Wii, which was known for attracting more casual players, this game quickly gained a following among RPG enthusiasts. It features gameplay elements similar to massively multiplayer online games, focusing on leveling up each character’s experience to give players an advantage when facing challenging bosses.

Persona 5 Has a Cast That Makes It Worth Playing

Since its release in 2016, Persona 5 has consistently been a popular RPG, largely thanks to its engaging story. The game follows Ren Amamiya, also known as Joker, who leads a group fighting against the dark desires of people.

The game features fun, turn-based battles, which are a refreshing change in modern RPGs. But what really stands out are the characters and how they impact the story. Consider Morgana, a cat who constantly questions his own existence and the nature of humanity – it adds a really unique layer to the game.

2026-05-13 20:53