Best Western RPGs That Get Better As You Play

It’s true that not every highly-rated RPG starts strong and keeps that momentum. Some begin a bit slower, maybe around an 8 or even a 5 out of 10. Kingdom Hearts 2 is a good example – the first few hours of the game are often criticized by fans because they don’t have much action.

While this is often seen in Japanese role-playing games, many Western-made RPGs struggle with the same issues. Some games prioritize story over fun gameplay, and others have overly complex rules that are hard to understand. Either way, these games often require players to be patient and persistent.

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Dragon Age: Inquisition

Get Out Of The Hinterlands

While many consider Dragon Age: Inquisition the strongest entry in the Dragon Age series, some players struggle with the initial area, The Hinterlands. It’s not that the area is uninteresting, but it offers so much content that players can feel overwhelmed and burned out trying to complete everything.

Okay, so the game really picks up once you move beyond the starting area, The Hinterlands. Honestly, the side quests get way more interesting and the different regions are much more varied. I’d say spend a couple of hours getting your feet wet there, then definitely move on – you can always go back later if you want, but there’s so much more to see!

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

A Slow Start At The Bottom

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes a while to get going – it’s a very slow-paced open-world RPG. However, it’s also one of the most impressively realistic historical games you’ll find. You begin as a nobody – with no money, status, or fighting skills – and have to work your way up from the very bottom.

I’ve heard Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 can be seriously amazing, but it definitely takes patience! Apparently, it really clicks after you’ve put in around eight to ten hours of gameplay, and that’s a big commitment for any game. Honestly, that’s why a lot of people end up giving up on it, which is a shame because those who stick with it seem to really love it.

Dead Island

Arming Yourself Against The Armless

At the beginning of Dead Island, players will find that weapons are quite weak, whether scavenged from bars or hotels. Defeating zombies also proves challenging, as they require multiple hits and often attack in large groups.

Once players become comfortable finding supplies, develop their abilities, and start crafting weapons, they’ll be able to easily handle zombies by themselves. A popular early weapon to craft is a machete, and it can even be modified to deliver an electric shock to zombies.

Banishers: Ghosts Of New Eden

Ghostbusting Feelings

The game Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden begins with a somber tone, as one of the main characters, Antea, unexpectedly dies. Players then take control of her partner, Red, while Antea guides him as a ghost.

These two characters are basically ancient world ghost hunters, traveling from place to place and helping people troubled by spirits. The story starts with a lot of emotional weight, and the action takes a while to ramp up. However, as players get to know Antea and Red, they’ll find a surprisingly compelling and well-written story for an action RPG.

Mass Effect: Andromeda

Getting Past The Trilogy

Look, let’s be real, don’t go into Mass Effect: Andromeda expecting it to kick off a new trilogy that’s as epic as the original. Those first three games are just untouchable, honestly. I think if you go in without super high expectations, you’ll actually enjoy Andromeda more. It’s kinda like the first Mass Effect – it spent a lot of time building up the universe, the characters, and the whole galactic conflict, and Andromeda feels similar in that way.

While Mass Effect: Andromeda benefits from being the fourth game in the series, it also feels like a fresh start because it’s separate from the original trilogy. Once players spend some time with their new crew, they should adjust to not having Commander Shepard as their leader.

Forspoken

Getting Past The Frey Of It All

Forspoken’s main character, Frey, can be off-putting for many players. Suddenly thrust from New York City into a fantasy world, she responds with a consistently rude and ungrateful attitude – even towards the magical gauntlet that gives her incredible powers. She often treats those around her with disrespect.

Moving around the open world feels great, like parkour, and the magic system is truly impressive. After defeating the first big boss, Tanta Sila, Frey gains more magical abilities and begins to become more composed as a character.

The Ascent

A Top-Down Cyberpunk

Initially, The Ascent doesn’t feel much like a role-playing game – it seems more like a fast-paced, top-down shooter in the style of games made by Housemarque. You’ll spend the first few hours fighting waves of enemies and blasting through security doors, but after that, the cyberpunk story really starts to unfold.

The game will feature a wide variety of customizable weapons and skills, letting players create unique characters. Think of it as Diablo, but with guns! While the game’s environments are often tight and claustrophobic, they’re visually striking and full of character.

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

Immersing Yourself As A Na’vi

While the world of Pandora looks amazing in the Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora game, it doesn’t feel as captivating as it does in the films. The game starts with fairly basic missions and a storyline that takes a while to become truly engaging.

As players continue to develop their Na’vi characters with better skills and equipment, they’ll likely find the game more enjoyable. While it doesn’t quite capture the magic of the original Pandora movie, especially in 3D, this game offers a satisfying experience for fans.

Battle Chasers: Nightwar

A Solid Turn-Based Comic

Battle Chasers: Nightwar picks up the story from a comic book series that ended in the late 90s and early 2000s, which might be surprising for new players. While the game boasts beautiful artwork, its turn-based combat system could feel similar to other games in the genre.

The game’s world is truly captivating and will likely keep players engaged for many hours. If you enjoy the art style of Joe Madureira, known for his work on titles like Darksiders and Battle Chasers: Nightwar, this game is worth checking out, though be prepared for some repetitive gameplay before reaching the more enjoyable parts.

Alpha Protocol

Surprisingly Deep If You Give It A Chance

Obsidian Entertainment has a reputation for crafting incredible RPG stories, but some of their older games weren’t always polished. Alpha Protocol is a prime example – it was notorious for launching with many bugs and still feels quite rough around the edges.

The espionage elements and available tools aren’t quite on the level of games like Metal Gear Solid. Players will need to be patient, working from the shadows, before developing into a skilled spy with powerful gadgets and abilities. The story ultimately unfolds in an interesting way, but it depends on the choices players make.

2026-02-14 16:37