Some of the games 10 years ago were worthy sequels to big names and titles. Others were remakes of RPGs from an era that also defined a generation of gamers. The best of these RPGs that turned 10 in 2022 was more than memorable; for they continue to absorb players to this day despite being a decade old and their impacts were far-reaching.

8 Diablo 3

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, macOS, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems Other Genres: ARPG, Isometric, Loot-Based

Diablo 3 had big shoes to fill, but eventually shed off some of its predecessor’s old and hardcore mechanics. The third game had a rough couple of years due to the notorious Auction House but the developers promptly dealt with this “pay-to-win” feature.

Now, Diablo 3 has grown up to be one of the most prominent Blizzard games today, and it’s still going strong. One of its best features was how friendly it was to beginners and the low investment needed to get to the meat of the game, which is its endgame. Beyond that, there’s the action-packed gameplay which is arguably the best in terms of feel and quality among the released Diablo games.

7 Torchlight 2

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Mac operating systems Other Genres: ARPG, Isometric, Loot-Based

Torchlight 2 grabbed the bull by the horns and challenged the ARPG king, Diablo 3, in the very same year. What’s even more poetic about this clash is that Torchlight 2 had some of the old developers of the previous Diablo games— even the music sounds familiar to Diablo 2 veterans.

Needless to say, Torchlight 2 became the more favorable underdog, especially for disgruntled Diablo 3 fans who loathed the Auction House. But even without that angle, Torchlight 2 remains one of the most complete ARPG experiences to date and proved an important cornerstone for the franchise.

6 Persona 4 Golden

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows Other Genres: JRPG, Turn-Based, Anime

Persona 4 Golden is actually a re-release of the hit 2008 JRPG, Persona 4. It made an already great game near-perfect since it added much to the story by bridging an additional month, as well as some gameplay rebalancing and new voice actors.

It’s hard not to include Persona here since it’s one of the most popular and phenomenal JRPG experiences ever. At its core, Persona 4 Golden is a coming-of-age story with a turn-based RPG format involving a group of high school students as they get to enter a mysterious world inside a television. It’s the kind of outlandish plot that people have come to love about anime, but more interactive.

5 XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Platforms: Android, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, iOS, PlayStation Vita, macOS, Linux Other Genres: Turn-Based, Sci-Fi

XCOM: Enemy Unknown was a significant development for old gamers. Because it’s essentially a reboot and remake of the old and famed XCOM games back in the 1990s. This time around, the game is set in an alternate version of 2015 when aliens have invaded Earth and the primary line of defense is an elite paramilitary group of commandos that the player must control.

The RPG aspect of the title lies in its customization and how much the players can tailor their squad members based on their preferred playstyle. The gameplay is turn-based and is even notorious for having some brutal or misleading percentages.

4 Guild Wars 2

Platforms: GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS Other Genres: MMORPG

Guild Wars 2 emerged from a triumphant uphill battle in a genre dominated by World of Warcraft. To this day, it remains one of the most popular and competent MMORPGs and is now on its third expansion. The game is also not showing signs of slowing down or concluding its story.

There’s apparently a fourth expansion on the way according to the development and publishing team though they’re keeping it under wraps. In any case, there’s no better time to join this MMORPG world since it’s one of the friendliest communities in the genre.

3 Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition

Platforms: Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Mac operating systems Other Genres: CRPG, Story-Driven

Originally, Baldur’s Gate was released back in 1998, but it became so definitive that it instantly became a classic as one of the most successful and fully-fledged adaptations of Dungeons and Dragons into a video game format. The Enhanced Edition re-release comes with significant quality-of-life changes.

The most important feature is that it now looks high-definition and can fit on a variety of screens. The interface has also been overhauled, and the game’s lore, story, quests, and progression remain intact for a new generation of RPG fans to enjoy.

2 Borderlands 2

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, macOS, PlayStation Vita, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, Nintendo Switch Other Genres: FPS, Looter-Shooter, Action

The first Borderlands introduced a new way to play a Diablo-esque looter ARPG in an FPS format, which was quite novel at the time. Borderlands 2 perfected the formula. In the sequel, the developers forged the game’s own identity and refined the looter-shooter formula.

The story, characters, and game world are also arguably the most memorable out of all the games, complete with a legion of DLCs and expansions to keep players occupied. Of course, the main attraction here are the gazillions of guns for the players to collect and rummage through until they find their perfect piece.

1 Mass Effect 3

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Wii U Other Genres: Action, Third-Person Shooter

Mass Effect 3 left players scratching their heads with how it concluded the legendary BioWare trilogy, and they even released a couple of DLCs to help with the ending. But in hindsight, it was still the most explosive and grand RPG conclusion ever for a beloved sci-fi RPG that doesn’t have Star Wars in its name.

The third game’s legacy was hard to top; a successive attempt to reboot the franchise with Mass Effect: Andromeda was met with a lukewarm reception, putting it lightly. Among the three games, Mass Effect 2 was notably the fan favorite, but Mass Effect 3 had bigger stakes and a more urgent story to tell with the privilege of bringing a magnificent ending to the game world.

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