10. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)
Square Enix actually did it. It actually remade Final Fantasy VII, and the result isn't a complete disaster. In fact, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a fantastic action RPG. It may not cover the whole story of the original, but it greatly expands on characters, themes, and plot points included in the Midgar arc. Its crowing achievement is its outstanding combat, which blends real time movement and action with time-pausing command menus. It feels like the evolution of Final Fantasy's classic Active Time Battle system, and it's amazing. What a time to be alive.
9. Final Fantasy IX (PS4)
Many a Final Fantasy fan would tell you that Square's series peaked with Final Fantasy IX. An indisputable PlayStation classic, it first released as an utterly outstanding swansong for Sony's first console. A masterfully crafted world is inhabited by excellent characters, and it's all placed alongside more traditional RPG mechanics, refined to near perfection. With superb story pacing that whisks you from one gripping scenario to the next, it's still incredibly hard to fault Final Fantasy IX.
8. Wild Arms (PS1)
Whenever the topic of classic 90s JRPGs comes up, Wild Arms should always be mentioned. A quintessential PS1 title, it's a fairly straightforward adventure in terms of structure — traditional to a fault, at times — but overall, it's a timeless formula. Fusing fantastical story elements with Wild West aesthetics, Wild Arms is quite unique in its overall tone, and although its storytelling is direct, it's well paced and strings you along on a memorable adventure.
7. Horizon Zero Dawn (PS4)
A role-playing game with action more fulfilling than most corridor shooters, Guerrilla Games’ heritage with first-person shooters means that Horizon Zero Dawn’s sizeable quest list is one you’ll actually enjoy clearing. The real surprise here, though, is the richness of the post-apocalyptic world that protagonist Aloy inhabits; this is a science-fiction story set against a tribal backdrop, and it marries these incongruent themes masterfully. An incredible effort from the Dutch developer.
6. Horizon Forbidden West (PS4)
With Horizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games had to deliver something pretty special to top the beloved first game. Fortunately, by improving on its weakest areas and tightening the design, the sequel more than lives up to Aloy's debut adventure. A huge, varied open world is home to not only brilliant new machines to fight, but also some of the series' most interesting and fleshed out human tribes. Between beautiful settlements, old world ruins, and natural environments, the world is a pleasure to explore with Aloy's new traversal methods. The main story manages to pack in some big surprises while the supporting characters and missions are vastly improved, and there's more than ever to do outside of some of the best combat in any open world title. It's, somehow, a better game than Zero Dawn in almost every way.
5. Horizon Forbidden West (PS5)
The sequel to Guerrilla Games' breakout hit, Horizon Zero Dawn, is bigger and better than its immediate predecessor in every single way. Horizon Forbidden West may retread familiar territory with its open world RPG adventure, but it improves upon the writing, introducing a worthwhile cast of characters for heroine Aloy to bounce off. New combat and exploration wrinkles, including a grappling hook, intensify the action, while the eponymous Forbidden West is a diverse sandbox, bursting with varied biomes and secrets to discover.
4. Demon's Souls (PS5)
Sony comfortably hooked the enthusiast crowd by adding Demon’s Souls to the PS5’s launch lineup. FromSoftware’s legendary action RPG – which would go on to spawn the so-called Soulsborne series and, eventually, even Elden Ring – was snubbed by the Japanese giant during the PS3 era, as it felt early builds were simply not up to snuff. Publishers like Atlus and Bandai Namco eventually picked it up, and it went on to become a cult classic. Perhaps as a tacit admission that it made a mistake, its recruited tech specialists Bluepoint Games to remake the game for a modern era – and the results are remarkable. This version uses original PS3 code to make for an incredibly authentic experience, but its visuals are among some of the best you’ll find on Sony’s new-gen console. It’s an extraordinary blend of old and new that comes highly recommended.
3. Final Fantasy VII (PS4)
The game that made Final Fantasy the juggernaut property that it is today, Final Fantasy VII is still the most popular and most revered instalment in Square's series. Now, let's be real for a just a minute: there are parts of Final Fantasy VII that have not aged well. The visuals are all over the place and the controls are wonky, but it's a classic RPG that's still fit to burst with charm and quality. Its battle and materia systems are timeless, and its cast of characters is outstanding. There's a reason why Square Enix is still milking Final Fantasy VII nearly 25 years after its original release.
2. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age (PS4)
The definitive version of an already outstanding Japanese RPG, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a gigantic and endlessly charming adventure. It retains the series' classic JRPG roots — turn based combat included — but a heavier emphasis on storytelling through a fantastic cast of characters elevates the experience significantly. One of the greatest Dragon Quest games yet — and that's saying a lot.
1. Bloodborne (PS4)
The spiritual successor to FromSoftware's supremely popular Dark Souls property, Bloodborne fuses the lip-smackingly satisfying combat of its predecessors with a frighteningly fast pace, resulting in the most intense action on the PS4. Harrowing Lovecraftian-like fiends and larger-than-life bosses vie for the attention of your Saw Blade, as the dingy districts of Yharnam intertwine. A steep difficulty curve can make this occasionally putrid escapade appear off-putting, but soldier through the skin and sinew and you'll find a bloodbath worth submerging in.
And that's it for our Best RPGs on PS Plus guide. This list can include games that span all of Sony's consoles, stretching back to the PS1 — but if you're looking for more recent RPG recommendations, be sure to check out our Best RPGs on PS5 and Best PS4 RPGs guides.
This selection represents the cream of Sony's subscription crop, spanning all platforms, from PS1 all the way through to PS5 and everything in between. Remember that this page will auto-update as games are rotated in and out of PS Plus' subscription tiers, and it's all dependent on your rankings, so if you're not happy with a particular game's placement, do something about it. You can rate a game by selecting the star next to its boxart, or by using the search utility at the start of this article. And remember, you can find a list of All PS Plus Games through the link.
Thanks for checking out our Best RPGs on PS Plus guide, and feel free to come back later to see whether your favourite games make the cut.
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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