Biggest RPGs With The Most Freedom

Sometimes, a role-playing game is so innovative and well-made that it can overshadow other games. A great example of this is Chrono Trigger, released for the Super Nintendo. It was remarkably advanced for its time, featuring smooth character combos, a world map without frustrating random encounters, and a clever time travel mechanic that enhanced both the story and how you played the game.

Some games are so captivating because they give players incredible freedom or offer a huge amount to do. This isn’t limited to open-world role-playing games, though those certainly excel at providing vast worlds to explore. While these RPGs may differ from older and newer titles, they’re all exceptional games in their own right.

Baldur’s Gate 3

A D&D Game Like No Other

Baldur’s Gate 3 stands out from other role-playing games because of how much your choices matter. Even something as basic as your character’s race impacts the game, influencing how characters react to you – for example, characters might treat dark elves with suspicion due to their reputation.

Ultimately, the quality of the writing is what truly shines. The conversations between characters feel authentic, and the story cleverly adapts based on your choices. It’s difficult to imagine how a follow-up to Baldur’s Gate could surpass this game, or when we’ll see another game of this high standard.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Packed With Nostalgia

Okay, so I’ve been playing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and it’s seriously good! It’s the second game in what’s going to be a three-part remake of the original, and honestly, it’s a blast. It’s not totally open world though – you unlock different areas as you progress through the story, and each area feels like its own separate thing. It’s more like a series of big, connected zones rather than one massive map you can run around in from the start.

Each chapter is truly captivating, filled with exciting quests, fun mini-games, and a story that shifts beautifully from lighthearted moments to intense drama, all while offering unique exploration with Chocobos. The combat system is exceptionally free-flowing, letting players customize battles with magic, character combos, and weapon upgrades, allowing them to fight exactly how and when they choose.

Persona 5

Linear But Free

While Persona 5 follows a set story path, it takes around two hours to fully grasp the game’s mechanics. After that, you’ll experience a detailed life as a Japanese high school student, able to enjoy everyday activities like going to the movies, playing arcade games, dining out, dating, and even holding a part-time job.

The game really shines when it comes to dating, offering players a lot of different romantic options. Beyond that, players can team up to explore dungeons and uncover a complex political story that unfolds over time. Even though the game world changes daily, the story is so expansive it keeps players engaged.

Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Sky

Build Yourself And Your Party

In Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky, players have a surprising amount of freedom right from the start, more than many other role-playing games. You can create your own character, and after a brief introduction, you’re free to travel and recruit companions, customizing them to fit your playstyle.

Most RPGs don’t let you fully customize a whole team of characters, or unlock different classes as you play. Plus, you can enjoy the game with friends in co-op mode. While the online features – like a shop and the ability to share maps – are no longer available, Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is still a fantastic game on the DS.

Diablo 4

Multiplayer Goes A Long Way

Like other Diablo games, Diablo 4 lets you choose from different character classes. But for the first time, you can customize your character’s appearance beyond just the class, meaning each Rogue, for example, can look unique. This is especially great when playing with others online.

The game features a vast, open world where you can ride a horse, complete quests, battle various monsters, and participate in dynamic world events, either solo or with other players. While it doesn’t reinvent the classic top-down action RPG style, Diablo 4 refines it exceptionally well, and that’s a great thing.

Dark Cloud 2

Rebuilding The World

Even for a PlayStation 2 game, Dark Cloud 2 was remarkably innovative. Players control Max and Monica, who travel through time as they complete quests in dungeons. They rescue people and gather resources, then use those to rebuild and customize towns.

Battles felt great because each hero had unique abilities and weapons that improved as you used them. Beyond the main quests, players could relax by fishing or playing golf, and these weren’t just simple side activities – they added real depth to the game.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

A Blue Paradise

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth takes place in Hawaii and follows Ichiban, an ex-Yakuza member, as he gets caught up in conflicts with local gangs and powerful groups vying for control of the island. The game features a customizable combat system where players can create unique combinations of character classes in turn-based battles.

In town, players can build relationships with most characters, enjoy fun side activities like photographing strange creatures, and get around on a scooter. Beyond the city limits, they can develop and protect their own little village on a small island. But the most unique part of this RPG is its quests – they’re filled with unusual characters and unbelievable situations you have to experience for yourself.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

RPG Dream Builder

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a charming action RPG where you can play however you like. You start by creating a character and then choosing a ‘Life,’ which is like a class. You level up by doing things related to that Life – whether it’s fishing, cooking, gathering materials, or battling enemies with magic.

In addition to creating diverse Lives, players can team up with friends to tackle dungeons online and personalize their homes. This RPG is constantly being updated and is designed for casual play, offering a high level of quality and flexibility that’s hard to find in other games.

Disgaea 1 Complete

Cheat Your Way To Victory

Disgaea 1 Complete is an updated version of the original Disgaea, a unique and highly-regarded tactical RPG. The game features strong, pre-made characters, but the real fun comes from creating and customizing an unlimited number of monsters and humanoids with different classes.

Players can improve their items and equipment by exploring special areas. They’ll also appear before a council to unlock new abilities, including reincarnation and even the ability to modify how the game works. For players who become truly invested, this game offers potentially hundreds of hours of entertainment.

Valkyria Chronicles 4

A Tactics Game Like No Other

I’m really enjoying Valkyria Chronicles 4! It’s another fantastic tactical RPG, but it does things a little differently than most. You know how in a lot of these games, characters move around on a grid? Well, in Valkyria Chronicles, once you pick a character, they can actually run anywhere on the battlefield as long as they have enough stamina. It feels so much more free and dynamic!

As a huge fan, what really gets my heart racing in this game is how dynamic the battles are! Enemies don’t just wait their turn – they can fire at you while you’re moving, and you even have to watch out for traps! But here’s the clever part: if you stop moving, everything pauses on the enemy side, giving you a chance to line up your attacks. It’s this constant back-and-forth that makes Valkyria Chronicles feel so different and intense – honestly, it makes other turn-based strategy games seem really slow and outdated.

2026-01-16 11:35