RPGs To Get Into The Genre

Summary

• RPGs offer immersive gameplay with complex character creation and consequences.
• Top RPGs like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Disco Elysium cater to different player preferences.
• Games like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Fallout: New Vegas offer customizable characters, stories driven by player choice, and expansive worlds to explore.

Role-playing games are often lauded as some of the best single-player games around. The best feature hundreds of hours of content, with incredible replayability and well-written stories. Players can immerse themselves in the fictional worlds by creating their own character or version of a character.

The core of any RPG is what’s known as a build. Almost all games in the genre allow players to pick from a plethora of playstyles and even endings, but the complex character creation and the huge amount of consequences that some games offer can be daunting for people who’ve never played these games before. These titles are some of the best ways to get into the genre.

Learn As You Play

An enduring classic, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is a household name. Players take the role of the Dragonborn, a person born with the soul of a dragon, enabling them to consume the souls of other dragons. Embarking on a quest to stop the apocalyptic dragon invasion of the northernmost kingdom of Tamriel, they find all sorts of other adventures along the way.

Skyrim is effortlessly accessible, with players building a character around what they like doing in the game rather than upgrading specific skills or classes. While it might not have the gameplay variety offered by more traditional RPGs, it makes up for it with how easy it is for newcomers to build a character. The game even features mod support on console, letting all players experience the game’s incredible fan-created content.

9

Fallout 4

Base Building To Godhood

Fallout 4 takes place in a post-apocalyptic Boston. Players take on the role of the Sole Survivor, one of the last remaining residents of Vault 111, a nuclear shelter that used experimental cryogenics technology on those sheltering there. They are looking for their kidnapped son and the man that killed their spouse.

As an RPG, Fallout 4 allows players to build a character in dozens of ways. Players can use the perk system to create anything from a melee powerhouse to a stealthy assassin. Eventually players can get good enough to unlock all these playstyles in a single playthrough, but this takes an incredible amount of time. Thankfully, Fallout 4 offers both radiant quests and base building, so those who want to grind for an all-powerful character have the option to do so.

8

Disco Elysium

For Everyone To Enjoy

Disco Elysium is perfect for those looking for a less intensive story-driven RPG. The game allows players to pick their own stats or pick a premade class for their character. Playing as an amnesiac detective, players must solve a politically charged murder that is threatening to turn a strike into a war.

The game relies entirely on dialogue and passive stat checks, rather than combat mechanics or party composition. This removes some of the headache that newcomers might face in a more traditional RPG. It also means Disco Elysium is a good game for newcomers to gaming in general.

7

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Fight Back Against The Void

Divinity: Original Sin 2 was made by the same studio behind the incredible Baldur’s Gate 3. The game features incredible character customization, and encourages players to experiment with their builds. DOS2 is worth playing in general, but those new to the genre will find it easy to pick up. It’s even got split screen co-op and can support up to four players online.

Mechanically, Divinity: Original Sin 2 focuses heavily on player skills and multiclassing. Players can either create their own class, or pick a premade one for their character. The game does feature a plethora of stats and options, but it doesn’t overcomplicate things, especially when picking a premade class.

6

Fallout: New Vegas

Decide The Mojave’s Fate

Fallout: New Vegas is a game about choices. Many of the decisions players make will affect the ending, what quests they can do in that playthrough, and what characters they can interact with. Taking place in the Mojave wasteland, the player character is Courier Six, a mail worker who was shot in the head and left to die. Surviving, they become embroiled in a conspiracy that will change the fate of the Mojave.

From the moment players exit Doc Mitchell’s house, their adventure begins. New Vegas follows an extremely open-ended story which doesn’t force the player down any particular route until the endgame. Players build a character using their initial special stats, skill points, and perks gained every few levels. This offers players a wide build variety, from a gunslinging bounty hunter to a moronic assassin.

5

Cyberpunk 2077

Revenge Or Salvation

In the dystopian alternate timeline of the Cyberpunk universe, players must make a name for themselves in the oppressive world of Night City. They take on the role of V, a mercenary with a terminal fault in their hardware, forcing them to share a brain with Keanu Reeve’s Johnny Silverhand. Players cannot save Night City — they can only try to save themselves, or exact revenge.

Cyberpunk 2077 offers multiple ways to play V. Are they a narcissistic cyberpsycho? An altruistic hacker? A corpo-hating assassin? The game offers a wide choice of builds, revolving around skill points, perks, and cyberware. Players can turn robots against their controllers with their minds, or even have on-command bullet time, all while being accessible to newcomers to the genre.

4

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Three RPGs In One

The original Mass Effect trilogy are classics, with a host of beloved characters and a universe teeming with lore and unique settings. As Commander Shepard, players must try to save the galaxy from the eldritch machines known as The Reapers.

Players can customize Shepard however they like. Everything from a traditional soldier, fighting with assault rifles and grenades, to a psychic space wizard, is available. Players can also befriend a cast of memorable companions filling a squad to compensate for whatever weaknesses their class has. In the Legendary Edition, players will see their choices carry over from game to game, culminating in a final showdown at the end of Mass Effect 3.

3

Elden Ring

Less Story, More Fighting

While certainly not an easy game, Elden Ring is perfect for fans of fighting games or fast-paced shooters, while remaining somewhat accessible assuming the player chooses a ranged build. It’s more about reaction speed and player skill than having the best stats possible. Players take on the role of “The Tarnished,” and must fight their way to becoming the Elden Lord.

The game takes a more hands-off approach to storytelling, but retains expansive lore and intriguing unmarked quests for those who wish to immerse themselves in the game. Elden Ring lets players who want a more gameplay focused RPG make their way into the genre.

2

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Story Driven Monster Hunting

A game that turned a little-known series into a mainstream juggernaut of a franchise, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a must-play. As Geralt, a Witcher, players must hunt down monsters and otherworldly creatures whilst trying to save their surrogate daughter, Ciri.

The Witcher 3 focuses more on story choices over classes or builds. That’s not to say there isn’t fantastic build variety, but Geralt isn’t going to be relying on a bow and arrow to take down his enemies. Instead, players choose how much magic, alchemy, and swordplay Geralt brings into each fight through gear and Geralt’s many mutations. All elements are necessary to the character. Players will also have ample opportunity to outsmart their foes through dialogue, talking their way out of fights or using magic to force enemies to capitulate.

1

Baldur’s Gate 3

Digital Dungeons and Dragons

Baldur’s Gate 3 is an excellent RPG that is as accessible as players want to make it. Players can team up with the brilliantly written cast of characters, or even their friends, to beat back the Mind Flayer menace. There’s a plethora of characters to choose from, including the wildcard “Dark Urge” origin that intertwines the player character more with the story.

The game relies on chance in its turn based combat and in game dialogue, modeling itself on Dungeons and Dragons. Player builds revolve around increasing odds using stats, weapons, armor, and spells. But newcomers shouldn’t feel intimidated by the long list of numbers at the start of the game. They can change their build at any time by simply talking to Withers, a character met early on in the story. Speaking of the story, it features an incredible amount of player choice, affecting the narrative of each companion, and the fate of Baldur’s Gate itself.