The 10 Best RPGs of 2024

The 10 Best RPGs of 2024

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the year 2024 has been a veritable treasure trove for role-playing game enthusiasts like myself! The plethora of new releases and updates to classic franchises has left me spellbound, to put it mildly.

2024 kicked off appearing to be the year for survival games, with titles like Palworld and Enshrouded making significant strides. However, as time passed, Role-Playing Games (RPGs) started to take center stage in terms of quantity and quality. Remakes of classics such as Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Persona 3 Reload, alongside fresh, pioneering games like Metaphor: ReFantazio, have made 2024’s RPG offerings a blend of nostalgia and creativity, inviting players to immerse themselves in captivating stories, endearing characters, and distinctive gameplay features.

2024’s standout RPGs excel by reinventing player encounters while staying faithful to the genre’s fundamental elements. These games don’t merely provide thrilling gameplay, they invite players to reason, empathize, and discover in ways only a genuine RPG can. Collectively, these titles (arranged alphabetically) epitomize the zenith of the RPG gaming experience in 2024.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

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In Dragon Age: Veilguard, players journey to the far north of Thedas, a realm where the barrier between worlds (the Veil) is becoming increasingly thin and the malevolent Evanuris are emerging due to the blight. Throughout this narrative, players engage in political maneuvering as they forge alliances with six distinct factions, aiming to unite them against their mutual enemy. Dragon Age: Veilguard marks the first release of a Dragon Age game in a decade, so there have been significant changes in its visuals and aesthetic compared to previous games in the series. Despite these updates, it remains true to the core elements of Dragon Age, offering a mission-driven design that carries weight, numerous impactful decisions, and a diverse ensemble of companions, making it one of the top RPGs of 2024.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

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In essence, while some may debate whether it’s more a remake or a sequel, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has proven itself as an exceptional game. The original elements from the first Dragon’s Dogma, such as its expansive open world, rough-edged combat, and distinctive Pawn system, have all been reintroduced in a revamped form for a contemporary gaming experience. In this new installment of Dragon’s Dogma 2, players once more embody the Arisen, a hero destined to fight against the menace of the Dragon that looms over the land, caught in an endless cycle of conflict and resurrection.

Regardless of a few technical hitches during its debut, the harmonious blend of Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s adaptable character classes, dynamic gameplay elements, strong focus on player autonomy, and immersive open world has culminated in one of this year’s outstanding RPGs, representing a significant upgrade over its predecessor.

Dragon Question 3 HD-2D Remake

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The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, released in 2024, offers an updated take on the young hero’s quest to vanquish the demon lord Baramos, delivering a faithful yet forward-thinking video game remake. Although the original Dragon Quest 3 received moderate criticism from critics, it remains cherished by fans for its compelling story and gameplay. The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, however, significantly enhances the experience through refined turn-based combat, stunning graphics, and a timeless charm that blends nostalgia with contemporary elements, making it an essential role-playing game for any player.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

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In essence, though not officially classified as such, the Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is significantly expansive, almost qualifying as a standalone game. This DLC immerses players into the Realm of Shadow, nestled within the Lands Between, continuing the path of Empyrean Miquella. Critically acclaimed as the highest-rated video game DLC ever created, it deserves this recognition due to its remarkable adherence to the strengths of Elden Ring and its addition of even more excellence. Shadow of the Erdtree offers breathtaking new landscapes to explore, a tougher gaming experience than before, and numerous secrets hidden within its vertically oriented world.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, developed by Square Enix, aims to set a new standard for video game remakes. It manages to feel like a completely fresh experience while still maintaining the essence of the original. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the second installment in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series, where Cloud and his companions leave Midgar in pursuit of Sephiroth. The narrative presents fresh twists on familiar events, and its combat system combines action and strategy effectively. Additionally, the semi-open world environments are exciting to explore due to their stunning visuals and hidden rewards.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

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In the game titled “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth“, Ichiban Kasuga embarks on an exciting new adventure brimming with quirky characters and poignant emotions, complete with the over-the-top flair that this series is known for. Visually, the game is stunning, featuring a vibrant palette of colors to create a captivating representation of Hawaii, both fun and awe-inspiring to experience. Beyond its aesthetics, it offers an abundance of activities for players to explore, with their variety being the most striking feature. The engaging turn-based combat, offbeat humor, and profound emotional moments set it apart, offering a blend of laughter and tears and positioning it as one of the best RPGs of 2024.

Although Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth didn’t secure the Game of the Year title at the 2024 Game Awards, it did earn a nomination for Best RPG, and justifiably so. If Metaphor: ReFantazio fails to win the Best RPG award in 2024, it’s probable that Infinite Wealth would be its runner-up.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

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In the wake of the continued triumph of its “Persona” franchise, Atlus’ latest intellectual property, “Metaphor: ReFantazio,” has seemingly swept the globe with acclaim, earning plaudits from both critics and enthusiasts. This groundbreaking title was also nominated in several categories at the 2024 Game Awards, including Game of the Year, Best RPG, and Best Narrative. “Metaphor: ReFantazio” immerses players in a fantastical realm where age-old enigmas and political machinations intertwine, offering a distinctive departure for Atlus. As a protagonist tasked with mending a fractured world, players form alliances with diverse characters and engage powerful adversaries through “Metaphor’s” inventive Archetype mechanic. Its compelling narrative, endearing characters, demanding yet immersive combat, and visually breathtaking aesthetics combine to make for an outstanding RPG in 2024.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

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Once again, we find another remake on the list of top RPGs in 2024 – the revamped version of “Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door”. This game builds upon and enhances everything that made the original great, taking its humor and emotional depth to even greater heights. The storyline in “Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door” follows our beloved hero, Mario, as he embarks on a journey to unveil the mysteries of the one-thousand-year door. Throughout his adventure, Mario teams up with peculiar companions and confronts humorous adversaries in beautifully crafted paper settings. The battles are as over-the-top as the jokes, yet they remain satisfyingly engaging. Although it stays true to its roots, “Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door” incorporates enough contemporary features to keep things fresh, thus earning a well-deserved place among 2024’s best RPGs.

Persona 3 Reload

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As a gamer, diving into the world of Persona 3 Reload, I find myself embodying a high school student navigating my daily life, all while confronting enigmatic shadowy beings during the eerie Dark Hour. The game delves deep into thought-provoking themes such as mortality, camaraderie, and personal fortitude. It masterfully combines social simulation with strategic turn-based dungeon exploration, much like its predecessor. But what sets it apart is the upgraded visuals, additional voice acting, enriched content, and optimized combat mechanics, making it an engaging RPG experience in 2024.

Unicorn Overlord

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In the year 2024, “Unicorn Overlord” was an unprecedented IP introduction, swiftly gaining recognition in the Role-Playing Game (RPG) sphere upon its debut. The game, titled “Unicorn Overlord,” transports players into a shattered realm known as Fevrith, where the ousted prince Alain embarks on a mission to establish alliances and liberate the subjugated nations from the oppressive Zenoiran Empire. A blend of tactical combat and extensive exploration, the game underscores strategic thinking, while its narrative is both profound and captivating – key elements in any exceptional RPG. By skillfully merging epic storytelling with groundbreaking gameplay mechanics, “Unicorn Overlord” not only marks a unique addition to the RPG genre but also emerges as one of the finest RPGs of 2024 overall.

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2024-12-06 14:24