RELATED: The Best Games On Xbox Game Pass
Most RPGs tend to be hefty time sinks, but that only goes to show how immersive these titles can be. Luckily for those who own Xbox Game Pass, phenomenal RPG games are available at a moment’s notice. Whether someone prefers JRPGs, Western epics, or indie darlings; Microsoft’s subscription service has them covered. What are the best RPGs on Game Pass?
Persona Franchise
For the longest time, Persona seemed destined to remain away from Xbox consoles; however, the times are changing. Game Pass subscribers currently have access to three of the greatest turn-based JRPGs of all time, ones that combine for more than 200 hours worth of content. Persona is primarily known for its blend of dungeon crawling and social simulation, a strange mix that works incredibly well in execution.
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Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal are stand-alone titles, meaning players can simply start with any entries that suit their fancy. Naturally, P5R is the most visually impressive game, and its dungeons have far more interesting designs than the more repetitive ones found in its predecessors. That said, story-wise, an argument could be made that both P3P and P4G are superior to their successor, although they all set a high bar. Each Persona is one of the best RPG games on Xbox Game Pass.
Monster Hunter Rise
Ever since players started hunting monsters, people have questioned whether Capcom’s franchise qualifies as an RPG. Monster Hunter Rise might lean heavily into the “action” side of things, but the game has enough role-playing elements to justify a recommendation. Like previous entries in the series, MHR has a simple gameplay loop: kill monsters to collect resources needed to craft better gear required to slay even bigger monsters.
The game has a story, but it is not particularly important and largely serves as a way to chauffer players from one zone to the next. MHR is also intended to be played long after the narrative stops, and the endgame could readily keep someone engaged for hundreds of hours. With 14 weapon types that each control very differently and an extensive roster of hunts, Capcom’s title has quite a bit of replay value.
Shadowrun Trilogy
Three titles for the price of an Xbox Game Pass subscription, this compilation contains Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director’s Cut, and Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition. These cyberpunk tactical RPGs guide players through mission-based levels that feature solid combat, great stories, and an immersive world.
While the CRPG subgenre can be intimidating for the uninitiated, Shadowrun is one of the more approachable representatives since the games do not have an overabundance of mechanics that need to be memorized. Consequently, this trilogy serves as a good entry point into this style of game.
Omori
So many RPGmaker games have been released over the years that they tend to blend together; however, once in a while, a project comes out that demands attention. Omori is one such game. This indie RPG follows a group of young friends as they spend their summer vacation in the dream world of the titular boy.
Despite boasting cute and creative visuals, Omori borders on psychological horror at times, and the game touches upon themes of depression and loneliness. A distinctive RPG unlike almost anything else on Xbox Game Pass, this game should not be skipped, and Omori even has multiple endings.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed has been around since 2007, but 2017’s Origins marked a significant turning point in the franchise’s run. While previous entries incorporated some elements, Assassin’s Creed Origins was the first entry to truly embrace the RPG genre.
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Set in Ancient Egypt, this open-world game follows Bayek as he goes on a personal quest for vengeance while also setting up the conflict between the Templars and Assassins. With revamped combat, a respectable progression system, and a gorgeous world, Origins is one of the best RPGs on Game Pass.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Even though it is in Early Access, Disney Dreamlight Valley already feels like a fully fleshed-out experience that fans of Mickey Mouse will almost certainly adore. This life sim tasks players with building a town and recruiting familiar faces from Disney’s beloved animated films, including Pixar characters.
In order to separate itself from the likes of Animal Crossing, Disney Dreamlight Valley introduces quite a few RPG mechanics to the mix, be it in the form of quests or experience points. They enhance the experience by constantly rewarding players for their actions, providing a sense of progression. Relaxing and lovely, this game is not just for die-hard Disney lovers.
Eastward
Eastward takes inspiration from classics like The Legend of Zelda, and it does justice to them. Pixpil’s game follows the non-vocal John and the talkative Sam as they are banished from their underground home and forced to go to the surface. Once there, they start a journey to find a place they can call home, which is easier said than done due to Miasma. Along the way, the lovable leads visit a myriad of places and help out a bunch of people, while completing the odd puzzle here and there.
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Eastward lives and dies on the strength of its core relationship. Polar opposites in many ways, Sam and John complement each other beautifully, and this goes beyond just the narratives. Players control both characters, who each come with their own abilities and uses. This adventure is only possible because John and Sam are together.
Chained Echoes
Chained Echoes is a throwback to classic 16-bit JRPGs that dominated the scene during the ’90s. Nowadays, these sorts of projects are relatively common, but few titles manage to reach the heights seen by this 2022 release. Chained Echoes is set in Valandis, a continent divided by three warring kingdoms. Following the use of a powerful superweapon, the nations sign a peace treaty, but not everyone plans to honor this agreement. Players take control of a group of characters who seek to keep war at bay, a journey that will reveal some rather dark secrets.
Chained Echoes’ art style is absolutely gorgeous, and it is a good fit for the story being told. While taking inspiration from old-school JRPGs, the game is not afraid to shake things up. Chained Echoes opts against using traditional experience points, instead building progression on upgradable skills and crafting. This decision means that grinding is not much of a factor, so players can prioritize the story. The turn-based combat system also throws in a unique concept in the form of an Overdrive bar that impacts the player’s performance depending on its state.
The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos - Chicken Edition
Dungeons & Dragons casts a wide shadow over the RPG genre, both in the tabletop and video game mediums. The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk is filled with not-so-subtle nods to the iconic property, all framed through a comedic lens that parodies more than just D&D.
A turn-based tactics game with rock-solid combat and a lengthy campaign, this title manages to blend a completely non-serious tone with challenging gameplay that is fully realized; this release is both light-hearted and unforgiving. Although not overly stacked with RPG mechanics, The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk is absolutely soaked in the genre’s imagery and conventions, even if some of them are only included to serve as a punchline.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a side story designed to introduce this universe and franchise prior to its proper big debut in 2023’s Hundred Heroes. As such, players should limit their expectations since this release does somewhat feel like an appetizer to a more complex meal that is yet to come. Nevertheless, there is a lot to enjoy in this side-scrolling action RPG, be it the charming visuals or the likable trio of playable characters.
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The plot revolves around CJ, a scavenger who decides to help rebuild a town that has fallen on dark days. This process involves collecting stamps, upgrading weapons and armor to unlock new abilities, and plenty of dungeon crawling. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a fun game that should keep someone entertained for a few hours.
Torment: Tides Of Numenera
Inspired by Planescape: Torment, one of the all-time great RPGs, Torment: Tides of Numenera is a unique beast since it emphasizes dialogue above everything else. This is a story-focused game that casts players as a lowly being who is simply striving to survive, an ambition that sees them form relationships with an array of companions. Most of the campaign revolves around reading text and exploring some widely creative locations, with battles occasionally sprinkled in for good measure. As the writing is top-notch throughout, Tides of Numenera manages to weave a fascinating and gripping tale.
Octopath Traveler
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy series has largely moved away from turn-based combat, but the company has not completely rejected the old ways of doing things. Octopath Traveler is a throwback to the ’90s in terms of its combat and visuals, although it sets itself apart by featuring eight separate stories focusing on individual characters. The narratives are largely disconnected and can be taken on in any order, a creative decision that has its share of positives and negatives.
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Although not a perfect game, Octopath Traveler’s strengths outshine its weaknesses. The combat system is intuitive and fun, while the game boasts an absolutely stunning art style that can rival any title in Square Enix’s library.
Stardew Valley
Launching in 2016 and added in December 2021 to Xbox Game Pass, Stardew Valley has blossomed into one of gaming’s most enduring farming sims. The indie game comes packed with so much content and freedom that two people could wind up having completely different experiences. Whether planning out a year’s worth of farming or sparking a romance with one of the NPCs, Stardew Valley is incredibly immersive.
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Offering endearing visuals, expansive customization options, and a lot to discover, this game will keep somebody playing for months on end. For those looking for a title that doesn’t prioritize combat but is still quite challenging in places, Stardew Valley is a stellar pick.
Death’s Door
January 2022 has been a fantastic month for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, particularly those who love indie RPGs. Death’s Door is a must-play for Legend of Zelda fans, delivering an adventure packed with discovery, excitement, epic boss battles, and unique dungeons. Boasting a rewarding but difficult combat system, Death’s Door maintains a steady, gripping pace throughout its campaign, which also does not overstay its welcome. Do not ignore this one.
Costume Quest
A charming Halloween-themed RPG, Costume Quest is imaginative and endearing, which is to be expected from Double Fine. While two siblings are out trick or treating, one of them is abducted by a monster; naturally, the remaining child must go on a quest to rescue their stolen family member. Along the way, they unlock new costumes that will inspire their combat style during battles.
Costume Quest has charming visuals that perfectly suit the Halloween setting, and the game’s battle system presents a fun twist on classes and jobs. As this RPG is short and relatively easy, it is a great pick for young players taking their first steps into the genre.
Wasteland 3
All three Wasteland games are available on Xbox Game Pass, and each one improves on the last. Wasteland 3 is a challenging strategy turn-based RPG reminiscent of classic Fallout titles, and it comes with a dark sense of humor and a desire to constantly challenge players with difficult decisions.
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A deep and flexible combat system should keep the game feeling fresh throughout its considerable length, while Wasteland 3’s story and world-building are second to none. Co-op is also possible for those who want to travel through Colorado with a friend.
Fable 2
Released in 2008, Fable 2 returns players to the wonderful world of Albion. All three games in the series have their positives and negatives, but Fable 2 is the most complete and satisfying experience in the trilogy. Players roam an enchanting realm as they set out to carve their own paths and highlight their unique quirks. Albion reacts to the player’s actions, developing to match the choices made throughout the adventure.
Fable 2 takes place in a living, breathing world that empowers users but also doesn’t forget the deeds (or misdeeds) they perform. Although not amazing, the real-time combat system is serviceable and offers enough variety to remain engaging throughout the campaign.
Eville
Eville is a different sort of role-playing game compared to nearly everything else on Xbox Game Pass except for perhaps Among Us. In this multiplayer-focused title, players spawn into a fantasy world as either villagers or conspirators. The latter people try to kill the former, while villagers must decipher who are the conspirators among them. Utilizing a day and night cycle, Eville allows players to go on simple quests that reward money that can be used to craft items to protect themselves from conspirators. The game even assigns players unique roles that tweak the gameplay considerably.
Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire - Ultimate Edition
Obsidian Entertainment is firmly established as a leading developer in the RPG sphere, and Pillars of Eternity might be the company’s crowning achievement. Both entries in the series rank among the best role-playing games on Xbox Game Pass, but Deadfire gets the nod since it saw the franchise grow out of its Baldur’s Gate roots into something more singular.
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A pirate-themed adventure, this isometric RPG gives players a ship and a crew to sail the ocean, allowing them to visit a multitude of islands and take part in naval battles throughout their journey. The story is solid, but Deadfire shines the brightest in its combat, customization, and sense of discovery.
Weird West
Essentially a top-down RPG with twin-stick shooter gameplay, Weird West lives up to its name by delivering a fantastical western adventure. Revolving around five bounty hunters, WolfEye’s game shines the brightest in its storytelling and world-building. Despite opting for fast-paced combat, Weird West still succeeds in delivering immersion and encouraging strategic thought. The gameplay is instantly fun while still offering a fair amount of depth. As it is quite polarizing, Weird West is the perfect title for a service like Xbox Game Pass since players might need to get some hands-on experience to decide if it is for them.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch Remastered
Originally released as a PS3 exclusive, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has steadily made its way to other ecosystems, including an Xbox debut in September 2022. Level-5’s action JRPG tells the story of Oliver, a young child who loses his mother and winds up traveling to a fantasy realm filled with heartbroken people. In order to fix things, Oliver goes on a journey that involves making a few companions, collecting monsters known as Familiars, and traveling to gorgeous and unique cities. Featuring cutscenes by Studio Ghibli, Wrath of the White Witch matches stunning visuals with strong and emotive writing. The combat system can be a bit frustrating, but the game’s positives far outweigh its negatives.
Middle-earth: Shadow Of War
Middle-earth: Shadow of War did not enjoy the most glowing of debuts, courtesy of a grind-heavy final act that pushed players to spend cash. Those microtransactions were eventually removed, and the game is in a much better place these days. Building upon Shadow of Mordor’s foundations, Shadow of War is an action-heavy romp through The Lord of the Rings universe.
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A massive map and a fun combat system that progresses nicely as new abilities unlock are both great selling points, but Shadow of War’s crowning achievement is its nemesis system, which allows Talion to build rivalries with Orcs. This system makes each playthrough feel adaptive and unique, and few things in gaming are as satisfying as a player finally besting an Orc who had their number up to that point.
Dragon Age: Origins
The addition of EA Play to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate brought with it plenty of great RPGs, including some of the best trilogies in gaming. Dragon Age: Origins is the definition of an epic; a grandiose adventure filled with political intrigue, narrative depth, complex combat, and unforgettable characters.
The game is at its best on PC, but the Xbox 360 version is perfectly playable. The sequels are also worth checking out, but Dragon Age arguably peaked with its first entry, setting a standard that few fantasy RPGs have come close to replicating.
Garden Story
Cute visuals aside, Garden Story is an action RPG that pits players as a grape tasked with protecting four towns from the Rot. This journey requires upgrading weapons, crafting items, and unlocking skills courtesy of Memories, all things the hero must use to take on and defeat the bosses associated with each town’s dungeon. Most of Garden Story’s ingredients will be familiar to people who have played their share of indie RPGs, and the game’s most eye-catching feature is its unique world. Still, the title brings everything together in a way that is satisfying.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
There are more than a few well-established JRPG franchises, but the genre received a surprising addition when Yakuza: Like a Dragon was released. Replacing its traditional beat-’em-up combat with a turn-based battle system, Like a Dragon pushes the Yakuza license in an exciting new direction while paying tribute to classic properties like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
With a new protagonist and setting, this entry is a great starting point for newcomers to the series, and it is a must-play for anyone who liked the stories but hated the gameplay of previous Yakuza games.
Mass Effect 2
Though most RPGs are rooted in fantasy, sci-fi narratives have blossomed within the immersive genre. The Mass Effect franchise is a prime example of this. Mass Effect 2 builds upon the solid foundation of the first game in the series and actually improves upon it.
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The excitement and challenges of facing a galactic threat are matched only by the meaningful choices and relationships that players can form with the character of Commander Shepard.
Fallout: New Vegas
All the main 3D Fallout games are on Xbox Game Pass, and they each offer something that sets them apart from their siblings. Fallout 76’s multiplayer-focused design provides longevity, while Fallout 4 fine-tunes the gunplay to deliver a streamlined but enjoyable campaign. If someone is specifically seeking an RPG, Fallout: New Vegas is almost unquestionably the pick of the bunch, and Obsidian’s game has aged well in the areas that matter the most (writing and world-building). Its gameplay has always been quite clunky, but it does not take anything away from the title’s impeccable storytelling and quests. Newcomers to the franchise should consider starting with this entry.
Fallout (PC Game Pass)
Xbox Game Pass has the 3D Fallout games, but anyone yearning to get the full package will need to pick up a PC Game Pass subscription. Along with the modern releases, PC Game Pass has Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics, all of which are highly regarded games in their own right. While Bethesda’s era has produced the most popular entries in the series, some fans might argue that Fallout and its immediate sequel are the franchise’s strongest RPGs.
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The original Fallout was groundbreaking in 1997, delivering complex writing and systems that encouraged player choice and experimentation. The Wasteland is a harrowing and devastatingly punishing world that chews out all but the most adaptable survivors. Fallout 2 is just as great as its predecessor, but newcomers should start with the first game before jumping into its sequel.
Undertale
If a small RPG outing is preferred to a typical massive endeavor, then Undertale is the perfect fit. This delightful indie title contains a heartfelt story with the minimalist trappings of early RPG games. Humor wraps itself around players, and it also covers a story that revolves around empathy and kindness. Undertale is a short adventure through an underground world of friendly monsters that will stick with players long after they have determinedly completed their campaigns.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Dragon Quest is the grandfather of turn-based JRPGs, but the franchise has seldom hesitated to dip its toes in different waters. Dragon Quest Builders 2 takes inspiration from Minecraft by focusing on crafting. In the campaign, players visit various islands to aid villagers in rebuilding their towns, a process that involves gathering resources and a bit of creativity. Builders 2 is not completely devoid of traditional RPG elements either, as the heroes will periodically face off against enemies. The real-time combat is simplistic, but it is a welcome addition to the overall package.
The Outer Worlds
The balancing act that is The Outer Worlds carries all the calling cards that developer Obsidian is known for, walking the tightrope between meaty mechanical depth and expert storytelling in fine fashion. After being plucked from an ill-fated colony ship by liberty-loving fugitive Phineas Welles, players have an impressive amount of agency in deciding their narrative impact on the colonies and how they make it — whether by big guns, big words, or big brains.
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The atmosphere of Halcyon is beautifully sardonic and darkly humorous, making even the heavy-handed social commentary of Fallout: New Vegas blush when compared to its hilarious corporate caricatures. Try the Saltuna while you’re passing through.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Skyrim has essentially ruled the open-world RPG roost since its unsubtle and highly-anticipated release in 2011 — that alone should be enough to showcase its necessity for any RPG enthusiast’s repertoire. While it can be safely accused of shedding the deeper mechanical complexities of its predecessors, the cold fact of the matter is that Bethesda did more than a few things right.
Skyrim preserves the franchise’s legacy of beautifully designed open worlds filled with enough content to keep even the most dedicated gamers busy for years while expanding the scope of its audience exponentially. It’s practically gaming’s equivalent to required reading at this point, and it’s not hard to see why.
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