This year kept me busy with a variety of games, but the best of them had strong RPG elements. From fan favorite remakes to original titles and sequels, each entry on this list is a valuable experience for me, and it can be for you too!
It wasn't easy to narrow it down to just ten games, but these are the titles that caught my attention the most throughout the year. You must try them, otherwise you are lost. We don't want that. If you don't agree with my picks, it's a good thing that each editor at TheGamer makes their own list, and you can check them out here!

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Games every year and where to buy them
From its inception in 2014 to the latest winners, here's where to buy every game of the year presented at The Game Awards.
10
Reload Personality 3
Persona 3 is a key memory for me, sitting in the backseat of my parent's car holding my PSP as I fought through the shadows. Persona 3 Reload is a faithful remake, though I'll never condone the omission of a female protagonist, especially since her influence resonates with your teammates at every hangout opportunity. But otherwise, this remake is stellar.
Reviving the old mechanics to allow direct control over party members, refreshing the graphics and music, and retelling the story about the meaning of life and death in the face of the end of the world all come together to make Persona 3 a worthy start on my GOTY list. .
9
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
A Zelda game with Zelda at the helm? Sign me up. The adorable character models roaming around in chaos were enough to grab me, but the platformer puzzles and innovative solutions kept me engaged. Why doesn't Boerblin or Bomb solve every problem?
From the moment Link is forced to take a back seat, everything changes. Zelda embraces her destiny, allowing her to be a hero as she roams Hyrule while chugging smoothies and making good with the fashionable Great Fairy. Although Zelda is a silent hero this time around, her fiery personality and ambition make her a heroic princess for a spot on my GOTY list.
8
Light ear frontier
Lightyear Frontier combines the daily maintenance of a space farm to uncover the secrets of an ancient civilization. There is much more to discover as you cleanse the toxic go poison in different areas of your personal planet.
It's definitely a peaceful existence, and I spent hours mowing the lawn and tending to my planet. Every day is a new adventure, and you don't have to worry about monsters coming for your crops. Everything is at its own pace, and it's not much, it's honest work. I'll take farming sims over space over dungeon delving jump scares any day.
7
The region of Mystria
Farming sims have become very popular in recent years, but Fields of Mistria is everything I could ask for from the genre.
From the small town vibes to the magic spells I can learn, the vibes are reminiscent of the early Harvest Moon titles—but more whimsical and modern with a fantasy charm. There's more to Mystria than romance, and I want to reveal every secret.
It also gave me a halo and crown to my beloved Fluffy Guy, allowed me to play spectator tabletop games at the tavern on Friday nights, and gave me the ability to stay out late without losing items or having to pay the doctor for help. Finally, I can go out into the mines in peace.
6
Little Kitty, Big City
I fully embraced every chaotic minute of being a cat in this short and sweet adventure. Although the story and mechanics are simple, it's what you can do with them that makes this game special. Stealing cellphones from passers-by or wreaking havoc at a local market stall? Perfect.
There's plenty to do as a little kitty in the big city, from helping your new friends to collecting every hat from the vending machine. If you have a few hours, don't miss the chance to explore the city and see all it has to offer.
5
Dungeon of Hinterberg
Puzzles? Check it out. dungeon? Check it out. Is corporate greed ruining the environment? Check it out. I didn't know what to expect when I saw Dungeons of Hinterberg pop up on Steam, but I'm forever grateful for it.
Each dungeon is filled with puzzles and challenges, while the city of Hinterberg offers many ways to build relationships that I love to see in casual games like this. The unique art style makes it stand out even more, allowing it to make a name for itself in a sea of similar experiences.
4
Palworld
This controversial title had me in a vice grip for the better part of a year. Although I was never really into Pokemon as a kid, I can only imagine how it felt to be young and in love with pocket monsters.
Of course the first thing I tried to do was grab a man, and it worked! Since then I have taken the aim of building a village. Naturally this involved hunting down friends from various sanctuaries and running from the police, but that's what makes Palworld so exciting. This is the GTA of monster collecting, and I'd be a fool to leave it off my GOTY list.
3
Dragon Age: Vilguard
With amazing graphics and a captivating story, The Velgard managed to captivate me, albeit less than the games that came before it. Its role playing time is weak at times, but there were still countless moments that made me feel the consequences of my actions.
While taking down the kingdoms of the world is tough enough, Veilguard still offers rich gameplay that embraces the best parts of BioWare's long-dormant property – like fighting bewildered monsters and challenging gods. And of course, there are the romances that I love most that define my playthroughs.
2
Astro Bot
As a die-hard PlayStation fan girl, how could Astro Bot not make my GOTY list? The complexity of the platformer's level design challenged my inner perfectionist while delighting me with its beauty at every turn. Astro Bot pushed me to become a perfectionist, forcing me to spend my time in different galaxies collecting every lost friend (and every puzzle piece) I had.
Playroom was a tease of what this little guy could do, and its follow-up is everything a modern platformer should be. Each level has new mechanics that never get old, and there are hundreds of secrets to discover. Move over, Sackboy. PlayStation has a new mascot, and it's adorable.
1
Infinity Nikki
The moment I shook hands with the closed beta, I was hooked and couldn't drag myself away from Miraland for anything. The vast wardrobe selection appealed to my younger self who loved dress up and Barbie, while the nostalgic themes of whether the story's spirit and desires were worth clinging to my heart.
At first, I didn't know what to expect, but this was definitely not a country where gods are dead and conflicts are resolved through fashion shows. Previous Nikki games on mobile walked on ten-inch heels so Infinity Nikki could run. Infinity Nikki raises the bar for what casual games should look like, perfectly combining platformer dungeons with stylistic challenges and cute critters.

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Why each nominee deserves Game of the Year
We're writing a piece each day for each of the six games nominated for Game of the Year awards. This hub will keep track of all of them.