RPGs That Let You Play At Your Own Pace

It’s great when role-playing games, whether large or small, don’t demand too much of a player’s time. These games allow you to progress and enjoy them at your own speed, thanks to how they’re designed – whether it’s through the core gameplay, quests, or open world. Of course, if you really get hooked on the story or combat, you can always play through them quickly!

These games are easy for anyone to pick up, whether you’re new to the genre or a long-time fan. They come in different styles – like classic turn-based or fast-paced action – and are available on many consoles. What makes them great is that you can enjoy the story and challenges without feeling rushed, letting you play at your own speed.

Final Fantasy 14

Your New Life

Final Fantasy 14 is the most successful online multiplayer game in the Final Fantasy series, and we’ll use it as an example to talk about these types of games in general. These games, like Final Fantasy 14, are built to keep players hooked with regular updates and large expansions, often providing hundreds of hours of content.

Players can build and customize their characters to become powerful warriors, skilled mages, or talented crafters, choosing to play solo or with friends. With both main storylines and optional quests, there’s always something to do, encouraging players to return daily and discover fresh content and events.

Ring Fit Adventure

Sweat It Out

Ring Fit Adventure is a clever game for the Nintendo Switch that combines exercise with a role-playing adventure. As you play, you’ll move through a world map by completing exercises, both while exploring and during turn-based battles.

In this game, you fight by doing exercises like leg lifts, crunches, and stretches! It sounds strange, but it’s actually a really fun and effective way to play. It’s best to exercise regularly, or as often as you can, to avoid getting too tired – overdoing it could lead to trouble.

Elden Ring

Learn Not To Stress Over Defeat

Elden Ring is an open-world action RPG in the style of the ‘Souls’ games, but it stands out from many others in the genre. Unlike most ‘Souls-like’ games which feature interconnected areas, Elden Ring lets you freely roam a vast and detailed world filled with characters, valuable items, and challenging bosses.

Trying to defeat a difficult boss repeatedly without a break can lead to frustration and burnout. It’s better to take things slowly. If you’re struggling with a boss and keep dying, consider taking a break, gaining a few levels, teaming up with friends, or exploring other parts of the game to get stronger before trying again.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

See That Mountain?

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is a hugely popular open-world game, and is often considered one of the greatest of all time. Players begin by creating a character and are then free to explore the vast game world without being held back by lengthy tutorials.

Players can immerse themselves in the story, discovering more about the dragons and the conflicts between different groups. Alternatively, they can spend their time exploring countless caves, battling bandits, and escaping giants. The game features a massive world and tons of quests, offering weeks of engaging gameplay whether you prefer to dedicate hours to leveling up or just play at your own pace. There’s a huge amount of content to experience, from sightseeing to combat.

Destiny 2

Striking While The Iron Is Hot

Destiny 2 is often compared to massively multiplayer online games like Final Fantasy 14 because it receives frequent updates and expansions. However, it’s generally categorized as a “live-service” game, meaning it’s similar but operates on a smaller scale, typically without the huge numbers of players you’d find in a traditional MMO – except in certain areas.

Players get to design their own character and pick a class before tackling missions, either one at a time or several. It’s quick to get started, perfect for playing regularly or whenever you feel like blasting aliens on different moons and planets. Plus, you can team up with friends for a fun and cooperative experience.

Dragon’s Crown

Dive Into Dungeons, Take A Break

Okay, so I’ve been playing Dragon’s Crown, and it’s a really fun 2D action RPG. You get to pick from six different characters – think your typical warrior, mage, and so on. Honestly, the story isn’t the biggest part of it. It’s more about just diving in, having an adventure, and grabbing all the awesome loot you can find!

In this game, you pick a character and complete quests, collecting valuable items along the way. You return to the main town to improve your abilities or purchase better equipment. It’s a really enjoyable cycle of gameplay, whether you play by yourself or with others, and it remains fun despite being a less mainstream RPG.

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Portable Gaming At Its Finest

Fire Emblem: Awakening was a turning point for the series on the 3DS, making it easier for new players to get into the tactical RPG gameplay. Unlike older Fire Emblem games that were very straightforward, Awakening let players explore a world map, battle enemies at their own speed, and even level up their characters by replaying battles – something that wasn’t easily done before.

Although later games also offered more flexible gameplay, Fire Emblem: Awakening is particularly known for its success in North America. The 3DS’s portability and the SpotPass feature meant players could easily pick up and play for short or long periods, whenever they wanted.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy

It Takes A Village

I’m really enjoying Bravely Default: Flying Fairy! It originally came out on the 3DS, and it’s awesome that they remastered it for the Switch 2. Basically, it’s a classic RPG – think old-school Final Fantasy – where you go around collecting Crystals, battling enemies in turn-based fights, and building up different character classes, which they call Jobs. It’s a fun loop, and I’m totally hooked!

I’ve been playing Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, and it’s a pretty chill RPG – I like that I can save or pause whenever, so I can play at my own speed. But honestly, the best part is how long it takes to really get into the game. It’s not just about fighting; you spend a lot of time rebuilding this town, Norende, and the cool thing is, each part actually takes real-world time to finish! It’s worth taking it slow because rebuilding Norende unlocks some seriously rare items. So, it’s a game you want to savor, not rush through.

The World Ends With You

Leveling Up Badges

I first played The World Ends With You on the DS, and it was awesome! Now it’s on Switch and way easier to get into. Basically, you play as this guy, Neku, and instead of weapons or magic, you use these things called Pins. Each Pin gives you a different move – I could create lightning, throw fireballs, or just go to town slashing enemies. It’s a really cool action RPG, no matter how you play it.

Pins grow stronger alongside Neku as you win battles, but they also earn experience even when the game is turned off. This makes The World Ends With You similar to Bravely Default: Flying Fairy – it might be a good RPG to play over several sessions, though it’s entirely up to you.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Living The City Life

Okay, so I just started playing Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and honestly, the story isn’t super groundbreaking – it’s pretty much what you expect from a Pokemon game at this point. But there’s a cool new thing: you’re basically stuck in this one city. It’s not a bad thing though! There’s a lot to do – I can hit up shops, explore outdoor areas to catch Pokemon, and then at night, I battle other trainers to try and become the best in the city. It’s a different vibe, and I’m digging it so far.

Unlike some Pokémon games with urgent, world-threatening storylines, Pokémon Legends: Z-A lets you explore at your own pace and save whenever you like, making for a relaxed experience. Plus, the developers are still adding new content, giving Pokémon fans even more to enjoy.

2026-01-18 23:08