Characters, quests and progression: the RPG is the genre of epic and immersion, from JRPG to Western RPG. RomWize re-ranks the best games in the genre by its re-evaluated scores, each with its current score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"A JRPG of rare elegance. Its menu style remains unmatched, and juggling stylish dungeon battles with high-school life builds an addictive rhythm. It's enormous, but the Royal additions and the third semester earn every hour."
"Mass Effect 2 turns the promise into pure craftsmanship: the suicide mission stands as a game design peak, every companion grows unforgettable, and BioWare prove an RPG can be both space opera and tightly paced corridor thriller."
"Skyrim becomes a life companion thanks to a Nordic world that hands out evenings of map-in-hand exploration. Battling a dragon on a snowy peak still stands as a high of medium emotion and the freedom remains hard to match."
"An RPG that slyly subverts its own genre. Being able to spare every enemy changes everything, and the witty writing hides genuine depth. The retro presentation can throw you off, but few games leave such a personal mark."
"The Legendary Edition gathers Skyrim with its three major expansions, including Dawnguard and Dragonborn which radically reshape the journey. The version to pick on 360 to visit Solstheim and face Miraak with a fully kitted Dovahkiin."
"A CRPG of almost dizzying freedom. Elemental interactions turn every fight into a living puzzle, and the origin characters give it huge replay value. Dense and occasionally rough on a small screen, but four-player co-op is a treat."
"Final Fantasy IX is a melancholic and beautiful tribute to the series' roots. A return to basics with medieval fantasy style, deep characters including Zidane and Vivi, and one of Nobuo Uematsu's finest soundtracks. An emotional end-of-cycle PS1 masterpiece."
"The classic JRPG in all its warmth. The S version adds voice acting, a 2D mode and extra content that enrich an already charming tale. The combat breaks no new ground, but the bond you form with the party makes all the difference."
"Persona 4 Golden is the best JRPG on Vita and one of the best of all time. Murder investigation in a small Japanese town with an unforgettable cast. Perfect combat and Social Link systems. A monument."
"Fallout 3 is the saga's glorious return with Bethesda and Washington DC's Capital Wasteland. Free exploration of a striking post-apo world, rich narrative, disturbing Vaults. A foundational RPG of the generation."
"Fallout 3 GOTY is the complete version with all DLC including Broken Steel, Point Lookout and The Pitt. Hundreds of hours of exceptional content. The definitive way to explore the full Capital Wasteland."
"Twilight masterpiece of the PS2 signed by Yasumi Matsuno. The Gambit system and real-time combat revolutionise the FF formula. Ivalice is a political and fascinating world. Graphically remarkable, narratively ambitious. One of the most accomplished RPGs ever created."
"Final Fantasy VI Advance on GBA, one of the best RPGs ever made in portable form. Unforgettable characters, epic story, legendary music. No reason not to play it."
"Dragon Age Origins Ultimate Edition groups DAO and all its expansions including Awakening and the DLC. The most complete version of a western RPG masterpiece. The full Ferelden experience without missing anything."
"The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion is a foundational open-world RPG. Immense Cyrodiil, total freedom, infinite quests. Spectacular Oblivion Gates, memorable guilds. A timeless classic of the open western RPG."
"Persona 5 is one of the greatest JRPGs ever created. The Phantom Thieves steal the hearts of corrupt adults in a stylised Tokyo. Iconic art direction, mature narrative, perfect dungeon gameplay. Perfect score well deserved."
"Deus Ex Human Revolution Director's Cut is the definitive version with the Missing Link DLC integrated and reworked bosses. The best way to play Human Revolution with even more cohesive gameplay."
"Oblivion 5th Anniversary Edition groups Oblivion and all its expansions including Shivering Isles. The most complete version of the foundational RPG with hundreds of hours of content. Ideal to discover all of Cyrodiil."
"Oblivion Game of the Year Edition groups Oblivion and its main expansions Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine. The complete way to discover Cyrodiil with all major content available in one package."
"Blizzard's hack-and-slash is surprisingly at home on Switch: loot rains, abilities pop on screen and it runs without a hitch handheld. The full content plus expansions deliver hundreds of hours of joyful farming."
