30. Nioh (PS4)

Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja's first attempt at creating a Soulslike actually worked out really well. Nioh is a more fast paced action RPG, set in a twisted feudal Japan, now overrun with all manner of monsters and demons. It's tough as nails, but an abundance of loot combined with satisfying combat makes for a moreish adventure. The story's surprisingly interesting as well, as main character William Adams comes face to face with various historical warlords.

29. NieR Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139... (PS4)

Partway between a remake and a remaster, NieR Replicant is essentially an enhanced version of the cult PS3 action RPG. Combat has been tweaked for the better, but the game's memorable characters and unique atmosphere remain. It's not quite as fleshed out, or as refined as NieR: Automata, but there's an undeniably weird charm to almost everything that Replicant does, especially in the storytelling department.

28. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen (PS4)

One of the very best action RPGs of modern times, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is better than ever on PS4, where its last-gen framerate issues are put to the sword. Subtle storytelling combines with a dark fantasy world to create an enthralling experience, and the combat is still miles ahead of almost everything else in the genre. A game deserving of far more praise than many are prepared to give.

27. Lost Judgment (PS5)

A sequel to superb detective thriller Judgment, Lost Judgment doesn't quite hit the dizzying highs of its predecessor in terms of storytelling and character development, but it's still a great action RPG. Packed with intense plot twists and carried by an excellent cast, Lost Judgment is a typical Yakuza-style thrill ride — but it's actually the ridiculous amount of impressively varied side content that drives Yagami's sophomore case. An expanded, satisfying combat system is worthy of note as well.

26. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (PS4)

Final Fantasy XII was and still is a divisive game, but despite its PS2 origins, we would argue that it's aged extremely well. XII opts for a more serious story involving political puppeteering and a hefty dose of wartime drama, but it's the sense of adventure that makes the game so endearing. Excellently crafted environments are a joy to explore, and a brilliantly worked job system lets you tweak your party however you like. However, its Gambit system isn't for everyone, as it essentially lets you program your characters so that you don't have to lift a finger during combat. This allows for some impressive technical depth, but, you know, a lot of Final Fantasy fans like pushing buttons every now and then.

25. Tales of Arise (PS5)

Bandai Namco went big budget with Tales of Arise, and delivered a fantastic action RPG. Taking place across a wide range of vibrant locations and boasting an endearing main cast of characters, there's an awful lot to like about the desperate adventures of Alphen. As you'd expect of the long running series, the real-time, combo-based combat is a highlight — but a twisting story also strings things along to great effect. For our gald, Tales of Arise is one of the PS5's strongest Japanese RPGs.

24. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition (PS4)

Bethesda's eternal open world RPG got a much needed update on PS4 thanks to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition. The original PS3 version was a technical mess, but the sprawling adventure is, as you'd hope, much improved one generation later. Featuring enhanced visuals (and a steady framerate!), it's still so easy to get lost in the snowy setting of Skyrim. It might be riddled with decade-old jank, but its gameplay systems are still super addictive, constantly rewarding you for exploring what is a lovingly crafted fantasy world.

23. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (PS5)

Disco Elysium stands as a truly great achievement in role-playing. Attempting to crack a dangerously suspicious murder case as an amnesiac cop, you're tasked with interrogating the locals while trying to work out just who the hell you're supposed to be. Engrossing from start to finish, Disco Elysium is built on a foundation of fantastic writing and brilliant characters, as you carve your own unique path through the atmospheric city of Revachol. Its methodical pace won't be for everyone, but if you're looking for a deep and brain-bending RPG, you won't find anything better on PS5.

22. Final Fantasy VIII Remastered (PS4)

How did Squaresoft follow up the immense success of Final Fantasy VII? Why, it did something completely different, of course. Final Fantasy VIII is one of the series' most experimental mainline instalments, replacing traditional levelling mechanics with the complex, but ultimately quite rewarding, Junction system. Said system still divides opinion, but there's no doubt that it helps Final Fantasy VIII establish a unique identity. What's more, the futuristic setting, premise, and characters of VIII ensure that it's still a strikingly memorable entry in a series filled with memorable entries. It's also a game that redefined the word "whatever" for an entire generation.

21. Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice (PS3)

Striving to propel the tactical RPG series to new heights, Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice brought a fresh army of antiheroes to PS3 in 2008. While the property's core gameplay remains intact, this third instalment tries to make some aspects of the experience more approachable, without compromising the crazy amount of depth that the franchise is known for. All in all, it's another solid entry in NIS America's series, complete with over-the-top characters, a suitably daft story, balance-breaking gameplay modifiers, and near infinite content to grind.