The Best RPGs That Redefined Gaming

Summary

Dragon Quest introduced Japanese-style RPGs inspired by Dungeons & Dragons.
Diablo popularized looting gameplay loops and sparked the ARPG genre.
The Witcher 3 showcased the impact of well-written meaningful side quests in gaming.

Role-playing games have been an enjoyable pastime ever since their inception, consistently introducing groundbreaking techniques that have since been adopted widely within the gaming sector. Remarkably well-crafted role-playing games excel at employing numerous innovative strategies.

A notable aspect of some role-playing games (RPGs) lies in their significant historical importance. By pushing the boundaries of their genre and contributing to its advancement significantly, these games effectively cement their legacy. It’s truly remarkable when a RPG manages to redefine gaming altogether, an accomplishment that is quite impressive indeed.

Dragon Quest

Helped Establish The JRPG Genre

Prior to Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) gaining significant popularity within the gaming world, Dragon Quest marked the debut of a uniquely Japanese approach to gaming, heavily influenced by Dungeons & Dragons, offering players an immersive, epic journey as their starting point.

In simpler terms, even though it’s an older game, many players continue to enjoy the concept of guiding a hero through battles against formidable foes, ultimately vanquishing colossal bosses and rescuing the world from evil forces. Although it might appear quite conventional today, the first Dragon Quest significantly contributed to the rise and recognition of the Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) genre within the gaming industry.

Diablo

Popularized The ARPG Genre And Made Looting An Addictive Gameplay Loop

Diablo is a highly acclaimed video game that has significantly shaped the gaming world. Blizzard invites players into a realm where endless entertainment awaits as they delve into dungeons, discover treasures, and confront formidable adversaries.

The compelling gameplay structure pioneered by the original Diablo game has been instrumental in the emergence of the isometric action role-playing game genre. Many contemporary games continue to borrow from this blueprint, enabling players to engage in character development, such as building different classes and acquiring gear to strengthen themselves, before facing increasingly difficult enemies or bosses.

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Set The Foundation That Future Bethesda Games Were Built Upon

The The Elder Scrolls collection took some time before it really found its stride. The initial installment, Arena, was a solid start for the series, yet it fell short of something truly remarkable. On the other hand, Daggerfall‘s procedurally generated world was too challenging to navigate and felt overwhelmingly vast, making it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the game.

Compared to earlier installments, Morrowind signified a substantial transformation for The Elder Scrolls series. This game allowed many fans to immerse themselves in Bethesda’s remarkable world-building expertise, serving as the blueprint for future games like Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. A large part of their success can be attributed to the innovative open world established by Morrowind.

Final Fantasy 7

The First AAA Game To Push JRPGs Into The Mainstream

In the ’90s, the gaming industry wasn’t as sophisticated as it is today, and spending a lot of money on both marketing and development for games was virtually unheard of. However, Final Fantasy 7 shattered this norm by demonstrating that a well-executed marketing campaign could propel a game to legendary status all on its own.

The stunning graphics and distinctive setting of Final Fantasy 7 truly set it apart from other games during its time, causing quite a stir on the PS1 and marking the beginning of a golden age for Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). It’s now widely recognized as one of the greatest video games ever created. The triumph of Final Fantasy 7 paved the way for fans to relish some of the most exceptional role-playing games crafted by Eastern developers.

Dark Souls

One Of The Most Important Modern Action RPGs

The profound influence that Dark Souls has exerted upon the gaming realm is truly indisputable. As an action RPG, it left gamers spellbound with its seamlessly connected environment, challenging boss encounters, and a fighting system so iconic that it gave rise to the genre known as Soulslikes.

The influence of Dark Souls on the gaming industry is simply undeniable. This action RPG not only captivated players with its immersive interconnected world but also introduced grueling boss battles and a combat system that became legendary, eventually inspiring the Soulslikes genre.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but echo the sentiment shared by many others who consider Dark Souls to be the crowning achievement in FromSoftware’s illustrious portfolio, despite Elden Ring’s stellar debut. The game left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape and paved the way for a resurgence of hardcore gaming, a genre that was noticeably absent amidst the deluge of AAA titles that tend to spoon-feed players every detail. It’s no exaggeration to say that Dark Souls filled a void in the industry, offering a unique blend of challenge and reward that continues to captivate gamers to this day.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Demonstrated How Impacful Well-Written And Meaningful Side Quests Can Be

Upon the release of “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt”, enthusiasts were eagerly anticipating an exceptional experience. The action was engaging, the visuals were breathtakingly alien, and the narrative stood out as unparalleled.

One key factor that set Geralt’s adventures apart was CD Projekt Red’s emphasis on both the primary storyline and the side missions. Unlike many other games with a quest-based structure, The Witcher 3 demonstrated that side quests could be equally captivating as the main narrative. This innovative approach had such a strong impact that even a large franchise like Assassin’s Creed was inspired to adopt similar strategies.

Chrono Trigger

A Revolutionary JRPG That Needs No Introduction

The impact of the classic game “Chrono Trigger” on the gaming industry is difficult to quantify precisely. Although often hailed as the best JRPG ever made, its length is manageable, and the events unfold at a brisk pace that ensures players never experience excessive filler or monotonous grinding to achieve success.

Along with it, this game includes a final boss battle that can be engaged after acquiring the Epoch, and the inclusion of a New Game Plus mode to allow players to explore various endings in Chrono Trigger. This was one of the first games to introduce a New Game Plus feature, a concept now widely used across the gaming industry.

Deus Ex

The Immersive Sim Design Was Groundbreaking At The Time And Is Still Fun Today

Deus Ex is widely regarded as one of the most immersive simulation games that gamers can engage with. This game stands alone in its category and continues to be an enjoyable experience even after 25 years, thanks in part to its incredible opening level, which is considered among the best in gaming history for its ability to effectively guide players on how to play the game.

In this game, the overwhelming array of choices available for players to advance is truly astounding. The creative level design and intricate story filled with conspiracies are still challenging to surpass in contemporary Role-Playing Games (RPGs). The innovative design of Deus Ex was groundbreaking and has been a significant inspiration for numerous games in the genre since then.

2025-08-28 06:05