Games that solve problems people have with modern RPGs

When it comes to the golden age of RPGs, most tend to think of examples in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Systems like the SNES, PS2, and DS were all filled with unique experiences that gave RPG and JRPG fans something to look forward to. At the beginning of the HD generation, starting with the Xbox 360, RPGs of all kinds seemed to narrow their focus.

Now, many RPG experiences can feel very similar, and they don't have what old-school fans want. That's where these RPGs come into play, mostly from the past decade. They provide experiences that evolve trends, ideas, or return to classic mindsets that solve some of the problems modern players have.

Baldur's Gate 3

Flexible at every level

Baldur's Gate 3 Brought back the golden age of PC games and expanded the scope to make it feel like a modern game, and one that offers players more options. Players could customize their character to their class and race as well as their appearance, and these choices could later be contrasted with dialogue options.

Most games don't take race into account when breaking down dialogue trees, but this game does. With a huge party, all equally well-written, players were treated to a challenging strategic RPG where options were all there was, giving players more reasons to replay.

Alden Ring

An open world without checklists

Alden Ring There was a new kind of open-world game that was a Soulslike, meaning it didn't hold the players' hands. After the initial encounter, players are given the freedom to go where they want, to continuously knock out the story, the quest system, or a series of checklists.

It was an open-world RPG that encouraged exploration and discovery more than anything else, with RPG elements helping to determine the level of challenge. Although released in 2022, Alden Ring There are still no challenges like this, and this is something that the developer, FromSoftware, can be proud of.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Modern old school

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 A mid-budget game that feels like a AAA experience has taken the world by storm. It was a turn-based RPG complete with a party system with characters that all played differently, and there was an active element to countering enemy attacks.

The classic RPG world map is also back, not seen in its heyday since the PS1 days. With a huge world and a competent battle system, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 There's still an appetite for turn-based games like this, and it proved that they can be made and sold relatively cheaply.

Cyberpunk 2077

Build your future identity

Most RPGs are fantasy-based, and it can get a little tiring playing the same worlds even with good quality. That's why Cyberpunk 2077 It was very refreshing to see, it took place in the future, but it was not a perfect society. It was a gritty cyberpunk world where the rich got richer, and society's corrupt had to climb up the ladder.

The themes were unique, but on top of that, the game encouraged players to build their favorite character, whether they wanted to be a hard-nosed enforcer or a criminal hacker who bent the law. Most of the missions were open-ended and allowed all types of builds to progress.

Sea of ​​stars

Back in the 90s

Sea of ​​stars has similar appeal Clair Obscur: Expedition 33As it brought the old school mentality from the 90s into the modern era. The big difference here is that this game took a retro approach to its design, complete with pixel art that looks too good to be from the SNES era, but it definitely has that vibe.

The game featured a linear progression through a world map, text-only dialogue, and an epic story. The best part was the battle system, which took inspiration Chrono TriggerSince characters can combine techniques, it makes the party more strategic than just picking favorites. This is another example of an indie RPG giving old school fans what they want.

Pokemon Legends: ZA

Approaching the task

Pokemon Legends: Arceus Something close to what was sent Pokemon Fans have been demanding for some time, a more open game with loser catching mechanics. While excellent, Pokemon Legends: ZA A more active combat system came close to delivering, which was another big fan request.

As players explore their massive city, they can visit catching zones and either battle Pokémon to catch them or simply toss the ball and hope for the best. Pokemon were still limited to four moves, but they all ran on cooldowns, meaning players could spam attacks more actively, so Game Freak is getting closer to perfection.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Build your life

Not every RPG has to be an epic adventure to save the world, and Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time proves. It's a very casual experience as players can go into dungeons and do the usual RPG routine alone or with friends with warrior classes like Paladins, and none of the combat is that difficult.

Alternatively, they may have a more passive character and live the lives of cook, tailor, fisherman, lumberjack, and so on. What's more, players can decorate their homes and create a life for themselves, as the title suggests.

No one saves the world

Classes with purpose

No one saves the world One is top-down Zelda– An adventure with a blank slate of a hero who gains the power to transform into different classes through magic. More classes are unlocked as the game progresses and players branch out from their skill tree.

They can turn into combat-heavy classes, like Knight or Archer, or they can turn into classes that get them into tough spots, like turning into rats to get into holes. The idea that the class system is useful outside of combat is a rare treat, and when it comes to traversal and puzzle elements No one saves the world This innovative, unique, idea deserves a lot of attention.

Disco Elysium

An RPG without combat

Disco Elysium It's more of a tabletop game than a console or PC-based RPG, and for many fans that's awesome. Dungeons and Dragons It is essentially a conversational game where players can make dialogue and combat choices with their own words without heavy controller inputs.

That was the idea behind it Disco ElysiumPlayers can build their spy with different stats and skill trees to enhance aspects of their character. The better the stats, the more likely the dialog is selected with a roll of the dice. It takes some getting used to, but in this quality, nothing else Disco Elysium.