One of the best parts about gaming is getting lost in a whole new world. From alternate realities of our world to dragon-filled mountain ranges, there’s a wide range of role-playing games so well crafted that you will feel like you’ve truly entered the world.
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In this list, you’ll find some widely loved RPGs, as well as some indie games that may be unfamiliar. Each game listed has extensive world-building that brings the game’s story to life, exciting character customization, and/or a world so beautiful you won’t believe that it’s not real.
14Sunless Sea
This gothic horror game is set in the alternate reality world of Fallen London. Its tagline,“Lose your mind. Eat your crew. Die.“paints a pretty solid portrait of the gameplay as you fall deeper into the unexplored sea.
The game is played in a birds-eye, battleship-esc view that allows you to fully take in the vast sea and wonderfully terrifying art style. There’s a large cast of characters to interact with throughout the story, each with a chilling vignette that will guide you through the dark waters of this game.
13Infamous
Released in 2009,Infamousfollows protagonist Cole MacGrath and takes place in the fictional Empire City. After getting caught in an explosion, you play as MacGrath as he discovers he has gained the power to harness electricity.
The true stand-out element of this game is the ability to choose how MacGrath will wield his powers: whether you’ll use them for good,or for evil. The choices that you make as you play will affect every aspect of the game–from the condition of Empire City, to how NPC’s on the street react to you.
12Kenshi
This open-world game places you in the middle of the desert, and the rest is up to you. In Kenshi, you choose how to spend your time in the world, with options like rebel, trader, thief, or dinner for a cannibal–pretty good options all around.
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If you can get past the awkward graphics, you’ll find yourself spending hours exploring this twisted world.The ultimate goal in Kenshiis essentially to build up a squad to survive within the world, but the way you do that is entirely up to you.
11Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
There are many, many installments in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, through crusades, pirates, and more. The games are (mostly) fictional stories set in real-world events, allowing you to play through intense periods of history.
Assassin’s Creed Odysseytakes place in Ancient Greece and takes you through a Herculian “Zero-to-Hero” story arch as you explore a stunning environment. The story is under your control, as your actions will impact its direction and there are a few different endings to play to.
And if that’s not enough of a draw,you may customize your ship.
10Moonlighter
In this pixel-perfect adventure game, you play as Will: shopkeeper by day, hero by night. And the game has you play through both–you still have to work a 9-5, but inMoonlighteryour job entails selling items you find on your journeys to interesting characters from the village.
When you’re ready to turn the sign and explore the world, you’ll find a variety of environments each with its own challenging enemies. You’re encouraged to interact with villagers and aspects of the world to discover its secrets.
9Ghosts of Tsushima
Similar to the choice-driven story of Infamous (and developed by the same studio) inGhosts of Tsushima, you play as Jin Sakai, a samurai protecting Tsushima Island during the historical first Mongol invasion. Sakai’s choice is between fighting with honor to defend his country or fighting dishonorably for the same cause.
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The game features an unbelievably stunning open world of ancient Japan paired with a beautiful story. You traverse the world on a horse, who you will choose near the start of the game.
8Kingdom Come: Deliverance
This story-driven RPG takes place in the Holy Roman Empire. Set in Bohemia, inKingdom Come: Deliveranceyou play as Henry after he has lost his village and his family to the war. You join the resistance and travel the land to get your justice.
It’s a non-linear story that allows you to take the game at your own pace, exploring the gorgeous open world filled with castles, medieval villages, and real historical characters. Great for avid fans of the Renaissance fair!
7Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II
Following the award-winning first game, this sequel is a game far ahead of its time. Released in 2005, this game has stood the test of time and remained a stand-out of its genre.
As the Sith are about to overtake the Old Republic, you are caught between the light and the dark as you play through the story. While the graphics are clearly of its time, they quickly become part of this game’s charm.
With a powerful story and an even more powerful franchise behind it, the game quicklyimmerses you into the Star Wars universe.
6Disco Elysium
Set in Elysium, a world with 6,000 years worth of unique history, the RPG set out to redefine the genre. You could spend hours just diving into the lore ofDisco Elysium, from individual characters all the way through intricate government systems.
You play as a detective with no memory (which helps teach you about the world), and set out to solve a series of crimes in Elysium.
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The game features full voice acting–every line of dialogue is acted with full emotion to help you sink into this story. And the art style is unlike any other game, featuring an oil-painted-esc look to the characters and the world.
5Persona 5 Royal
After the protagonist transfers to a new school, he finds himself waking up with new powers, soon thrust into the world ofthe Phantom Thieves. Their goal is to traverse a dream-like world of the subconscious to steal evil straight from the hearts of others.
Persona 5 Royal’sunique story sets it apart from other games in the genre. As a vigilante, you play in a day-night feature–high school student running through social interactions by day, heart-stealing dream thief fighting in dungeons by night. Typical high school story, right?
