RPGs are an immensely popular video game genre. With hundreds of sprawling adventures to play through and incredible stories to experience, it’s not exactly hard to see why so many people love a good RPG.
Everyone loves a good action game that they can pick up anytime, but for many, delving into a vast 100+ hour adventure can be intimidating. For those that find themselves constantly playing through each of the Final Fantasy games, Tales Of series, or even the famed Dragon Quest series, there are a lot of RPGs for hardcore fans of the genre to check out.
10 Persona 2
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The Persona series has become quite famous thanks to the success of Persona 5, but just because one entry rose to prominence doesn’t mean the rest of the series has. People often mention how great both Persona 3 and 4 are, but the two games that make up Persona 2 are hidden gems of the series.
With two unique games to play tying into one massive story, Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment feature some unique mechanics for RPG fans. They are story-heavy games with basically no emphasis on social simulation, and plenty of dungeons to crawl through.
9 Suikoden 2
You'll often hear about how good Suikoden 2 is, but many skip out on trying it out for themselves. Any RPG fan is robbing themselves of an epic experience, and one of the most hardcore games in the genre.
It plays like any other sprite-based RPG of its era, but it boasts one of the best RPG stories ever told, and what might actually be one of the largest playable rosters in any RPG. It’s best to go into the game blind and do your best to explore the world without any help.
8 Fallout
Sure, anyone who is a fan of RPGs has likely played at least one Fallout game, but those tend to be the more modern entries into the series. Hardcore fans of the genre will be doing themselves a favor by seeking out the original two Fallout games.
Fallout 1 and 2 both act as entirely different experiences from the modern games, yet somehow still feel familiar. Despite the different style of gameplay, the wasteland feels as twisted and intriguing as it does in any Fallout game.
7 Skies Of Arcadia
Unfortunately for RPG fans, Skies Of Arcadia was a game that a lot of people missed out on thanks to its initial release on the ground-breaking Dreamcast. Luckily, the game was eventually re-released on the Nintendo Gamecube, and a wider audience was able to try it out.
Those that have played it were treated to one of the most unique and exciting RPGs of the early 3D era. It’s not the prettiest game by today’s standards, but the characters are unforgettable and the swashbuckling adventure is one that fans of RPGs will find refreshing.
6 Jade Empire
One of the more underrated RPGs from the original Xbox is Jade Empire. It tells the unique tale of an ancient eastern civilization. It's filled with deep lore and an entirely unique and supposedly functional language.
RPG lovers who enjoy experiencing new takes on classic RPG tropes will find a lot to enjoy about Jade Empire. The combat is a bit dated these days, but you'll be able to get to grips with the gameplay in no time at all.
5 Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne
You might be aware that the Shin Megami Tensei series is the one that the Persona series is spun-off from, but a lot of people have never tried any of them. To be fair, the games do ask quite a lot of the player in terms of lore, but RPG fans will no doubt eat it up.
If you have an affinity for the occult, you’ll definitely find yourself enjoying every moment of Nocturne's rich story. Luckily, the combat system isn’t drastically different from most standard RPGs, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few twists and turns you’ll have to adjust to.
4 Nioh
A lot of diehard RPG fans tend to like finding games with the classic RPG combat system, but Nioh is an action RPG that you should still try out. It’s a relatively recent title and even received a remaster in 2021.
The game's story is actually based on a supposedly true story of an Englishman who wound up becoming a samurai. That’s likely already enough to catch most people's attention and the fast-paced gameplay will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire experience.
3 Final Fantasy Tactics
Diehard RPG fans may also find themselves seeking other ways to experience challenges of the genre, and a great way to do that is to dive into a strategy RPG. Final Fantasy Tactics is one of the best strategy games on the original PlayStation and boasts a unique style.
The cute look of the in-game sprites may put off some of you, but it really does a good job of capturing the mood of the game. Sure, it has its serious moments, but it also provides lots of moments of wonder and fun.
2 The Last Remnant
Those who have played The Last Remnant tend to have mixed opinions on the title. The game was made by Square Enix, yet most people haven’t ever heard of it. It’s a game that lives or dies on your opinion of its battle system.
Some people find it a bit boring, but others find it engrossing and unique. It’s a game that hardcore RPG fans should seek out and give a try on their own in order to come to their own conclusions, but it’s important not to expect a Final Fantasy game from the title.
1 Underrail
If you are the kind of RPG fan who seeks games out more for combat and exploration than you do for large-scale fantasy adventures, then you'll love Underrail. You have a great deal of control over your own character, and the game simply lets you venture into its world.
Essentially, the surface of the Earth has become uninhabitable, and it's up to you to explore this unique underground world. It’s another game best experienced without any spoilers since a lot of the game hinges on the things you do as you play. It's a must-play.