20. Undertale (PS4)
Undertale might not look like much, but it tells one of PS4's most memorable stories. You've fallen into the sealed-off land of monsters, and embark on a quest to get home, but you also hold the key to breaking the barrier between worlds. The story is carried by a brilliant supporting cast of characters that help and hinder you on your journey, and the unique combat turns the RPG formula on its head. Subversive, ingenious, and dripping with personality, Undertale is not to be missed.
19. Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (PS4)
Before you dive into the big third entry, consider playing this essential game for the Kingdom Hearts plot. The gameplay remains much the same, but Kingdom Hearts III assumes you have knowledge of 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, so you'll want to soak up everything this shorter title has to offer.
18. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PS3)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the game that catapulted Bethesda into mainstream popularity. The high fantasy RPG didn't have the uniquely imaginative setting of Morrowind, its predecessor, but it did give players a genre-defining open world to explore, which was absolutely peppered with cities, settlements, and dungeons — an incredible achievement at the time. Objectively speaking, Oblivion hasn't aged especially well — its visuals are far too bloomy, its combat is super-jank, and its voice acting is a meme — but there's simply no denying its wonky charm. Perfect if you're looking for a laugh to go along with your role-playing.
17. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (PS4)
A real high point in what is a consistently solid action RPG series, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is a certified Falcom classic. This time around, series protagonist Adol finds himself shipwrecked on a mysterious island — but it's not long before he's recruiting fellow survivors and exploring every inch of this forgotten kingdom. Fast, fluid, and addictive combat is the crux of the experience, but there's also some engaging two-pronged storytelling to keep you invested. Life on an abandoned island has never been so fun.
16. South Park: The Stick of Truth (PS4)
With all the humour of a typical South Park TV episode, this short but oh-so-sweet turn-based RPG is well worth playing. Explore South Park, completing quests and meeting characters from the show. With a sequel also available, this roughly 10-hour adventure is a fantastic palette cleanser.
15. Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster (PS4)
If you're itching for an angsty JRPG that's very much a product of its time, Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster is the game for you. Square Enix did a great job of updating this saga for both modern and nostalgic audiences. Even though parts of it have definitely aged, Final Fantasy X remains a landmark release, telling a love story that's full of weird twists, spread across an intriguing and unique fantasy world. X-2, on the other hand, borders on fan fiction. A direct sequel to X that's campy beyond measure — but it's still a fun time thanks to well worked gameplay mechanics.
14. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (PS5)
There's no denying that Final Fantasy VII Remake is one of the best Final Fantasy games in years, and Intergrade is the icing on the cake. Yes, it's only one part of the story, and yes, a few of the, er, changes are going to annoy some fans forevermore, but there's a healthy helping of Final Fantasy VII magic at the heart of Remake. Whether it's in the way that the characters have been re-realised or the outstanding boss fights (and excellent combat system), charging through Remake is a rewarding experience — especially if you're big on nostalgia.
13. Fallout 3 (PS3)
Fallout 3 is a buggy but often brilliantly entertaining, post-apocalyptic RPG. Bethesda's first crack at the series transformed the property into a juggernaut franchise, peppered with player choice and intriguing questlines. In Fallout 3, you play as a young man or woman fresh from Vault 101 — thrown out into the Capital Wasteland in search of your runaway father. The gunplay's beyond janky (thank god for V.A.T.S!) and the dialogue can feel a bit stunted, but Bethesda's engaging open world design and focus on character progression makes Fallout 3 an incredibly addictive adventure.
12. Fallout: New Vegas (PS3)
Bethesda handed RPG veterans Obsidian Entertainment the Fallout licence after Todd Howard and the gang were done with Fallout 3, and Fallout New Vegas is the result. It's somehow even more technically questionable than its predecessor, but New Vegas makes up for the bugs with a much heavier emphasis on role-playing. The open world title boasts loads of branching questlines, forcing you to bet on distinctly unique factions, all of whom are warring over the Mojave wasteland. At its best, New Vegas is a truly engrossing RPG.
11. Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (PS4)
Stuffed with extra content, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (try saying that three times fast) features not only two of the most beloved action RPGs in history, but also Re:Chain of Memories from the Game Boy Advance, and Birth By Sleep from the PSP. The game hasn’t aged as gracefully as others on this list, but there is undeniable magic here and, of course, a huge sequel to dive into.
Comments 34
Bloodborne 4? Should be no1 at this list
Weird list considering Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 aren't even RPGs. They're beat em ups. If those are RPGs then so is Guardians of the Galaxy, which should be on this list with it's 8.3 rating currently.
Fallout 3 out ranking Fallout New Vegas. That's a hot take
@Milktastrophe I do feel Push square are very liberal with there definitions of games. Division seems a stretch to me. I dont think the Yakuza games are even in the plus tiers well definitely not in Europe and America.
@Milktastrophe
Strange you would take issue with the Yakuza games being called RPGs due to the type of combat employed, yet not something like Fallout New Vegas.
Regardless, the Yakuza series are my favourite story focused games of all time, so my only criticism is they are too far down the list!
@bindiana If they're including Japan and the rest of Asia, there's gonna be plenty of people mighty upset that there's not a single Legend of Heroes better than Greedfall. Actually, reading the article intro again, it seems they're including essential which would explain Kiwami 1's inclusion, but I don't think Kiwami 2 was ever a monthly game. But that would open another can of worms like how did FF7 Remake not make the list.
@thefourfoldroot1 it's not the combat system but the lack of RPG mechanics being core to the gameplay. There's nothing preventing an action RPG from having a Yakuza-style battle system The Fallout games are RPG's with FPS combat, you go around earning exp and leveling up, like Borderlands, also surprisingly missing from this list (didn't check the score though). I'd be more wary about the Division being and RPG before Fallout, like bindiana mentioned. I've heard the Division called an RPG before, but I don't know much about it (is it not just a looter shooter?).
To be honest, we could argue about what is and isn't an RPG forever. There's weirdos that think the pre-Breath of the Wild Zelda games are RPGs.
Yakuza's got upgrading skills, but that alone doesn't make it an RPG. I agree though they are fantastic games, just not RPGs (well, until Like a Dragon came along).
@Milktastrophe Yeah, same about AC Valhalla.
@Milktastrophe
Fair enough opinion, and you are right, arguing the details takes us down an impossible to escape rabbit hole. But, why do you not feel you can level up in Yakuza? As you say, you level up and unlock the ability to use all skills. You also unlock health upgrades etc. you do this with points earned through beating enemies and completing tasks. I fail to see how this is different from most RPGs…
Terrible list. Several of the games are not even RPGs. Whereas several true RPGs are missing. Where is Witcher? Where is Dragon Age or Mass Effect? Persona 5? IMO an RPG is a game where you get to play the role of the protagonist by choosing how to explore, build your character or squad members, craft builds by choosing specific skills/gear, and make decisions that impact the story or game world. Of course, some games miss one or more of those qualities such as JRPGs rarely features decisions that impact the story or world but those qualities are what generally define an RPG.
Yakuza 7 like a dragon should be here instead of kiwami 🤔🤔
Ermmm FF8 > FF10
Vampyr is a good game but my word it takes dedication to finish. Toward the end, it crashed almost hourly. Almost a sense of relief seeing the credits.
Nice. I like this list! PSOne, PS3, PS4 and PS5 games in the top 10; Demons Souls and Bloodborne up there. FF7 number 1 (as it should be).
It showcases PS Plus (and it’s depth of catalogues quite well). Bring on Legend of Dragoon and Vagrant Story.
@bindiana Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 are on PS Plus in Europe.
@OneWingedAngel None of those games are on PS Plus for a start.
@LiamCroft
Oh my bad. I saw the headline as Best RPGs on PS. Never saw the Plus at the end and read the whole article.
@LiamCroft I think you need to check that as I am in the UK and yakuza is not on ps plus extra they were removed hours into the service
Yakuza not on this list https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/ps-plus/games/
why is YS IX not on the list? its better and more rpg than many of these titles
@Irae "Please note that a game must have at least 20 ratings for it to appear on this list."
@LiamCroft pardon my bluntness but thats stupid. the ys franchise has been going on for decades, it deserves better. horizon zero dawn being in this list at all already makes it worthless anyway
@Irae Then get people to vote for it. This list is entirely based on the user scores of the community; it's not our fault if something doesn't appear.
Not evidence that my opinions differ vastly from the community. I mean, I’d never ever put New Vegas below Fallout 3.
I miss the days where RPG's were actually RPGs and not just action games with experience points.
@LiamCroft is there any reason the push square team overlooks the south park games in rpg lists? They dont appear in any RPG lists. They meet your criteria. Fractured But Whole has 33 ratings and is rated 8 while stick of truth has 92 ratings and rated 8.4 and both on PS plus. Yakuza 1 and 2 definitely aren't on PS plus extra in any region they were in the Europe list for a day before they were removed.
@bindiana Hi! So your comment made me curious about those South Park games. I've made some changes and now Fractured But Whole has populated this list as it should! Stick of Truth is trickier, because the version you mention is actually the PS3 version; the PS4 version (the one on Plus) has zero user ratings!
As for the Yakuza games, they are indeed not on Plus anymore, and so aren't in this list.
Appreciate the feedback!
Removed - unconstructive
Removed - unconstructive
@Quintumply Well the Ps4 game is basically the ps3 game but will concede to the technicality! Thanks for looking into it did seem like the south park games were being overlooked for RPG lists. Just need a few more user ratings to get Ys VIII on the list
These community rated lists seem to cause so much confusion. Every single one I look at has a bunch of comments from people that clearly didn't read the description, and are mad at PushSquare staff for their supposed bad taste.
Nope.. cant seem to find The Witcher 3 at no 1(or at all) for some reason...
Final Fantasy VIII was one of the most important games of my childhood. I wish it would get a remake.
Weird that this had the same games multiple times even if they are PS4/PS5 version that doesn't make any since.
@Saitama117 My first Final Fantasy was 8 I loved it so much i bought my favorite Final Fantasy thats 7 still my favorite protagonist Cloud.
The remake made it less special it takes way to long it really made me lose interest. How great would it have been if FF7R was a remake with just updated graphics and controls that would have been a dream.
Maybe a few extras maybe a new weapon the rumored final Sword of Cloud or some summons. Jessie Raspberry is awsome though.
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