The world of RPGs is incredibly varied -- especially when it comes to the ones made by western developers. Many western titles are a breath of fresh air for players who want a break from grindy JRPGs as Western RPGs often focus on unique settings.
These games are incredibly popular, and some have even gone on to be crowned some of the best games of all time. For gamers who like dark stories, western RPGs are teeming with themes that are perfect for gamers who are looking to get away from light-hearted storytelling.
10 Fallout 4
Fallout 4 is a game that takes place after a nuclear war turned the world into a radiated wasteland. Players are tasked with trying to find their lost child, but what seemed to be a simple kidnapping case twists into a dark truth and one of the biggest twists in the franchise.
The world of Fallout has always been dark, and the farther players venture into each game, the worse things get.
9 The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds is a quirky game made by Obsidian with a lot of comedy. Under the jokes and sharp dialogue, though, is a sad world on the brink of falling apart. As the "hero" of the story, you must choose how you want to deal with the dark problems plaguing the galaxy you now call home.
This includes a decision that could save or doom a majority of the population around you.
8 Fable 3
Fable 3 follows much of the same logic as the first two games. You are a hero in a fantasy world that is seeking to take your seat back on the royal throne. You must meet those who are loyal to you and fight back; the only problem is when you arrive back on the throne, you learn the world is being taken over by the Crawler.
This is no easy feat as players must raise an enormous amount of money in order to save their kingdom.
7 Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 went through a lot of trouble upon release, but the core story is pretty good. You play as a character who is slowly being devoured by the consciousness of the famous Johnny Silverhand.
As you struggle to save yourself and dive deeper into the city's troubles, though, tons of corruption comes to life. You are forced to confront a bleak future and deal with constantly losing those around you.
6 Mass Effect
Mass Effect is a roller coaster of emotion that goes on through three games. The game lets players play as Commander Shepard and allows them to make several decisions throughout the game to influence the story.
This is all with the threat of the Reapers looming over you. The farther in you go, the closer you get to the Reapers wiping everything around you out. In Andromeda, everything is an unknown and your resources aren't what they were in the Milky Way. It doesn't have twists quite as nasty as the original trilogy, but it isn't great for the Angara.
5 Bioshock Series
Bioshock is a gaming classic due to its dark underwater setting. In the game, you dive into Rapture, a once-bustling metropolis that has now fallen apart. You play as Jack, a man who thinks he is visiting Rapture for the first time, which is later revealed to be a false truth.
In addition, there are several trigger phrases that lead to Jack being killed programmed inside his consciousness.
4 Undertale
Undertale is a game that can have a happier or more tragic ending depending on the player's choices. Throughout the game, the player will be able to choose who to kill and who to save.
Replaying the game to experience different paths will also help to paint a darker picture for the player. There are even fan-made games that continue the story, tell the stories of other characters, or tell new stories altogether.
3 Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn begins with Aloy, an outcast of her tribe who exists in a world inhabited by both robots and humans. After her tribe is slain by cultists, she goes on an adventure and begins to piece together the truth of her birth and what happened to the world around her.
Aloy has been praised for being a strong female protagonist, and the game has won several awards due to its unique narrative. Its sequel, Horizon Zero Dawn: Forbidden West, is sure to uncover yet more devious details. One of them fans are dying to know: what is Sylens up to?
2 Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Bug Fables is an indie game inspired by the original Paper Mario games. The game has you play as three bugs that are searching for artifacts to help them locate the legendary Everlasting Sapling.
The game seems like a bright and cheerful world until the characters start to uncover the truth about Leif. As it turns out, the world isn't free from cruel experiments or twisted wars.
1 Prey
Prey is a game that puts players in control of a character named Morgan Yu. After escaping from a simulation, Morgan learns that Talos 1 is under attack by strange Alien lifeforms, and three years of time have passed.
Morgan begins to make their way through the station in hopes of finding other humans. Along the way through, they recover their memories of what happened on the Talos 1. They also battle and learn about the Typhons. Explaining any more might spoil the best twists for new players.