Modern RPGs That Are True Masterpieces

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We sometimes overuse words like ‘genius’ and ‘masterpiece.’ A fan might call their favorite lesser-known game a masterpiece simply because they love it or feel nostalgic about it. However, occasionally the gaming community largely agrees on games that truly deserve that label, and some recent role-playing games definitely fit the bill.

These games are consistently praised by both players and critics as being among the best in their genre in recent years. For this ranking, we’re only considering role-playing games (RPGs) released since 2015 that have exceptionally high scores from critics and players on OpenCritic. That means games that don’t fit the traditional RPG mold, like Red Dead Redemption 2, won’t be included.

Final Fantasy 16

Top Critic Average: 87, Player Rating: 80

It’s always a challenge for a long-running series like Final Fantasy to change things up without losing what makes it special. After 16 main games, Final Fantasy has moved far from its original turn-based combat. The story of Clive Rosfield is arguably the most emotionally resonant and grown-up yet. The world of Valisthea is beautiful but deeply troubled, and the way powerful beings called Eikons and their hosts are integrated into society is really interesting. Magic isn’t just used for fighting in this game; it’s a powerful force that affects all aspects of life, often with heartbreaking consequences.

Final Fantasy 16 immediately grabs you with a powerful and surprising start, and it maintains a fast pace throughout. The combat is thrilling, and you play as Clive, who can learn abilities from powerful creatures called Eikons. This lets you create a customized fighting style to suit any situation, and taking on optional side quests and monster hunts is really fun. The game takes place in a grim and challenging world, but it’s well worth sticking with.

Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

Top Critic Average: 88, Player Rating: 80

Some RPGs impress by being innovative and breaking the mold, while others excel by sticking to classic formulas. Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a prime example of the latter. The Dragon Quest series has a long and respected history, consistently delivering the core elements that define a great Japanese RPG – engaging battles, charming towns, expansive worlds to explore, character progression, and satisfying gameplay loops.

While Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age doesn’t reinvent the hero’s journey – it starts with a typical village attack and features familiar character types like mages and thieves – it delivers an incredibly expansive experience. A complete playthrough can take over 122 hours, and players will encounter memorable characters along the way. The game also allows for a lot of customization, letting players shape the hero and lead his team on a truly epic adventure.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Top Critic Average: 89, Player Rating: 90

Released in 2019, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the newest installment in the popular Fire Emblem series, but it’s the game that truly brought the franchise to a wider audience. Longtime fans appreciate the series’ combination of strategic battles, compelling story, and well-developed characters, and Three Houses attracted many new players as well. The time spent with the protagonist, Byleth, exploring the Garreg Mach Monastery, building relationships with students and staff, and participating in daily life directly improves their abilities and those of their team when combat begins.

The game smoothly integrates everything, like class time, into its calendar, giving players plenty of choice in how they spend each day. It’s a rich, captivating experience that strikes a great balance between gameplay and story. In contrast, its sequel, Fire Emblem: Engage, prioritizes combat and feels less emotionally resonant.

Undertale

Top Critic Average: 93, Player Rating: 90

Toby Fox’s Undertale is the kind of game only a small, independent developer could create. Unlike many big-budget games that demand dozens of hours of playtime, Undertale is surprisingly creative and full of unexpected moments. It’s a role-playing game that’s approachable even for newcomers to the genre, which is great, because the game’s humor and open-endedness quickly draw players in.

Players often want to immediately replay Undertale to try different approaches and see how the story changes. Characters like Sans have become iconic in gaming, and fans still debate important moments and different playthrough styles, such as a peaceful run or its opposite. Undertale wasn’t just a game—it was a cultural phenomenon, and it offers valuable lessons even for large game development companies. Experiencing the world beneath the surface is guaranteed to stay with you.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Top Critic Average: 88, Player Rating: 100

Players of role-playing games usually enjoy long main stories and plenty of optional things to do, like side quests and collecting items. The Xenoblade Chronicles games deliver on this expectation. According to How Long To Beat, completing the main story of the third game will take around 62 hours, but fully completing everything could take about 174 hours. What’s great is that all of this content is genuinely engaging, unlike in some RPGs where side activities feel pointless. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 successfully builds on what made previous games in the series good, while also introducing new and improved elements.

This game delivers a thrilling and emotionally resonant story set during the war between Agnus and Keves – a hallmark of the Xenoblade series. While the battles will feel familiar to longtime fans, the new Interlinking system adds a layer of strategy and makes each party member feel like a vital teammate. It’s a polished, expansive experience, and the included ‘Future Redeemed’ content adds even more to the story with the return of beloved characters.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Top Critic Average: 92, Player Rating: 100

Let’s be real, usually it’s all about the big AAA games getting all the attention and selling the most copies. But 2025 has been different – it feels like the year of indie and AA titles, and honestly, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has totally blown up! Some people think turn-based RPGs are old news, and yeah, action RPGs are way more popular these days. But Clair Obscur proves that turn-based games can still be huge. Seriously, everyone’s predicting it’s going to win Game of the Year, and Sandfall Interactive’s first RPG totally deserves the hype.

Okay, so this game totally blew me away. It takes stuff you’ve seen before, but remixes it into something completely fresh and original. The story, about this character called the Paintress and a group trying to save the city of Lumiere, is seriously unforgettable – it’s a beautiful, haunting RPG. And the combat isn’t just the same old turn-based stuff; the parrying system really changes things up. Plus, the world feels completely unique, and every character I met felt fully realized and interesting. Honestly, I think it’s raised the bar for turn-based RPGs and deserves to be considered one of the greats.

Disco Elysium

Top Critic Average: 92, Player Rating: 100

Similar to the artistic technique of Chiaroscuro, ZA/UM’s critically acclaimed Disco Elysium (2019) innovated within its genre by reimagining familiar elements. A standout feature for many players is the Thought Cabinet, which adds layers of interpretation and uncertainty to the typical skill and attribute system. The game’s central question – “What kind of cop are you?” – is genuinely at the heart of the experience. Rather than focusing on traditional combat or a set story path, players investigate the central mystery using whatever methods they prefer.

In the game, you play as Harry du Bois, a detective who’s lost his memory. You’ll meet the people of Martinaise and how you interact with them unlocks new clues and even completely new storylines. It’s a fascinating game that encourages replayability – you’ll need to play through it several times to uncover everything it has to offer, and it consistently surprises you with unexpected twists. Combat is rare, the conversations are exceptionally well-written, and each time you play, it feels like a fresh experience.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Top Critic Average: 93, Player Rating: 100

For many gamers, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the game that truly introduced them to the world of the Witcher. Players experience the grim realities and breathtaking beauty of the Continent through the eyes of Geralt of Rivia, a land torn apart by war. As a monster hunter, Geralt battles terrifying creatures while also desperately trying to protect Ciri, a gifted young mage he considers his daughter.

The Witcher 3 masterfully blends epic battles with fantastical monsters and deeply personal stories about family and finding your place. The game offers a massive world to explore and lets you customize Geralt to fit how you like to play. While the magic isn’t overly complex, it works perfectly with Geralt’s sword fighting, creating a challenging but accessible combat system. His unique Witcher senses add another layer of gameplay, letting you investigate and solve mysteries. Many games try to capture what The Witcher 3 achieves, but it truly stands out as a masterpiece.

Persona 5 Royal

Top Critic Average: 94, Player Rating: 100

Persona 5 Royal is widely considered one of the best modern Japanese role-playing games. It expands on the already excellent original game with new features like a grappling hook for exploring areas, tons of extra content, and more characters to get to know. It’s a massive RPG with a stunning visual style – even the menus are beautifully designed. While it’s incredibly stylish, Persona 5 Royal also offers a deep and engaging story and gameplay experience.

Beyond the main story, the game offers a truly immersive experience thanks to its focus on building relationships, managing your time, and the sheer number of things to do. The combat is also incredibly well-designed and enjoyable. It’s a fantastic example of turn-based fighting, with lots of interesting features – like each character’s special abilities and powerful team attacks that happen when you exploit enemy weaknesses. It’s easy to see why players love the Phantom Thieves and all the tools they have at their disposal.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Top Critic Average: 96, Player Rating: 100

Baldur’s Gate 3 received nearly perfect scores and is a clear standout, which isn’t surprising. Its release in 2023 was a huge event, and Larian Studios did an incredible job with the game. While Dungeons & Dragons role-playing games can be complex for new players, Baldur’s Gate 3 shows how captivating they can truly be.

Even if you ignore the multiplayer aspect, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a beautifully made role-playing game. It lets you create incredibly detailed characters, features a long and captivating story, and offers diverse classes and choices that encourage replayability. The game centers around removing a troublesome parasite from your character’s brain, but beyond that, you’re free to explore numerous side stories and shape your own unique adventure. While not a true open-world game, Baldur’s Gate 3 provides a surprising amount of freedom compared to many other RPGs.

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2025-11-29 23:08