For any new RPG launches out there it's pretty hard not to compare Baldur's Gate 3. This game represents several decades of design condensed into one huge, epic adventure that the whole world fell in love with, and since then, whenever another similar game is launched, players are quick to point out the similarities and newcomers find their favorites lacking.
8 RPGs with great stories, ranked
While some RPGs excel in their gameplay and combat, these titles blend the best of it all by offering great stories.
However, while many have experienced 100 hours of Gale, Karlach and others, sometimes it's good to move on to something else, and as it turns out, 2026 has already brought a number of great RPGs that can actually stand toe to toe with Larian's masterpiece. There are remasters for some classic franchises, fresh new IPs trying to make a splash, and some outliers that don't really fit into any particular box, but are still ready to cause some chaos in the role-playing world by showing that all kings have finally been deposed.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
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Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
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Mystical Ebb
Many years in the making
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Emphasis on choice
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Dialogue systems shape story and gameplay outcomes
Mystical Ebb is a love letter to early CRPGs, placing a heavy focus on dialogue trees and player options and letting players take full control over their playthrough. The world is weird, silly and fantastical in almost every way possible, and players are placed at the heart of it, with the power to swing the campaign in any direction they see fit.
Dice are the key, and most actions are controlled by a single roll, whether it's stealth, fighting, or staying out of sight. However, as is the case with any good RPG, when things go wrong, the results can often be the most interesting in the entire game, looking bad to begin with. It's all about conversation and deciding exactly how to play certain encounters, and players get hooked the first time, then they're sure to run back with a completely different set of choices the next time around.
A feast for fools
Stylish yet dark
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Classic party based adventure
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Huge customization options across the board
A feast for fools is a beautiful and terrifying party-based RPG that sends players to the islands of Envimona to solve a mystery. The world is all about interactivity, and players will find themselves posed with a variety of puzzles both in and out of combat, many of which require massive amounts of brain power to keep a dent.
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Combat revolves around making proactive decisions mid-fight about which abilities to use and where to strike; If players are not careful, they can be sent packing very quickly. And, as they rob and kill their enemies, they're more than welcome to meet the locals, discover new clues and some quests that can give them some pretty useful pieces of loot to help them later in this uneven yet deeply engaging RPG.
Aether and iron
Where revolutions collide
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Decopunk aesthetic and setting
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Turn-based vehicle combat
Turn-based RPGs take many different forms, but Aether and iron is looking to push those expectations even further, introducing the world to a tactical, vehicular style of combat that's truly unlike anything else in space. While driving along the neon highways, players will not only engage in some pretty intense car chases, but they'll also have the chance to chat on the go, unlock the secrets behind the wheel and discover just how deep the dark roots seem to run beneath the city.
Described as a noir adventure above the clouds, stylistically, the game is pretty stellar, with the perfect combination of 30s fashion and futuristic tech giving it a unique flavor that many players haven't experienced before. And, to make things even better, in the audio department, there are over 100 voiced NPCs to meet and speak to, with an exceptional soundtrack by some Grammy-level composers, ensuring that the gameplay experience is as good as it looks.
Avoid the Ever After
Something a little more cute
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A satirical RPG with a humorous setting
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Various exploration and combat mechanics
Avoid the Ever After Plays with expectations, presenting a world that actively questions its own logic. The seriousness that many other RPGs are known for is replaced with a humorous wit led by 2.5-dimensional character models that give the game a much more relaxed feel overall. In terms of gameplay, players will spend most of their time running, jumping, and fighting their way through various storybook levels, each with its own setting and unique set of enemies.
5 Open-World RPGs That Can Rival Alden Ring
When it comes to diverse systems, these open-world games have the potential to rival even behemoths like Alden Ring in certain areas.
What makes the game so great is how self-aware it is of its own absurdity. The story of a megacorp expanding into a fairy tale world is pretty silly in itself, but the game constantly makes jokes about the insanity of the action, and there are countless references to the real vs. fantasy world dynamic, another factor that makes it stand out from the crowd of other titles that often focus more on bigoted emotional jokes. In this case, if players are looking for a very simple, relaxing, almost meditative experience, there are very few RPGs out there that come close. Avoid the Ever After.
DRAGON QUEST 7 reimagined
Rediscovering a classic
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Iconic characters and world with a modern remaster
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The original battle system has been improved and refined
The RPG space contains many great franchises spanning decades of innovation, though if there's one series that stands above them all, then it should be this one. Dragon Quest. Many people grew up on the early games, experiencing countless character-driven stories that all felt as exciting as the last, but now, with VII Remake, players can go back in time and experience a story of discovery, restoration, and most of all, hope.
The core story remains mostly intact, but the big updates come in gameplay and visuals. For one, the combat system has been changed significantly, with new abilities and combat features to ensure things feel modern while maintaining the same momentum as before. Then there are the visuals, which have also undergone a major overhaul, allowing the iconic art style to shine with some more vibrant models that bring every emotion and exclamation to life with more joy than ever.
Big upcoming RPGs that focus on player choices
The freedom to make impactful choices with far-reaching consequences is at the heart of these upcoming RPGs.
