The best role-playing games are the ones that effortlessly transport you to faraway lands, and in 2024, there was no shortage of fantasy adventures in this genre. This is a category of video games that feature a lot of legacy titles and franchises, and 2024's best-reviewed RPGs pulled from several franchises like Dragon Age, Final Fantasy, and Trails.
In addition to those established heavyweights, we also got a new entry in the Like a Dragon series, Atlus releasing not one but three critically acclaimed games, and World of Warcraft kicking off a new golden age with its The War Within expansion. Thanks to our sister site Metacritic, we've rounded up the RPGs that received the highest Metascores in 2024 (as of December 5), and you can see them all for yourself in the list below.
For a look back at the year that was, you can also check out GameSpot's Best of 2024 hub for a detailed breakdown on why one RPG in particular was our best game of the year. We also have a running list of the best RPGs to play right now.
More Best Of 2024:
- Our Favorite Games That Didn't Make The Top 10
- Best PS5-Exclusive Games Of 2024
- Best Switch-Exclusive Games Of 2024
- Best PC-Exclusive Games Of 2024
- Best Xbox Games Of 2024
- Best-Reviewed Games Of 2024
- Best Of 2024 hub
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Shadow of the Erdtree raises the bar for what a video game expansion can be, as developer From Software crams an entire game's worth of content into this package. Improving on almost everything that made Elden Ring so brilliant when it was first released in 2022, Shadow of the Erdtree is a challenging and rewarding DLC that's a must-play for any FromSoft fan.
Metascore: 94 | Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Metaphor: ReFantazio is more than just Persona with a high-fantasy setting, as this Atlus game takes that familiar formula of time-management and turn-based combat, refining it into a thrilling tale of succession. A surprisingly flexible fantasy game with a well-realized cast of comrades, Metaphor: ReFantazio is also a reminder of how powerful and inspiring fiction can be in the real world with its poignant tale.
Metascore: 94 | Read our Metaphor ReFantazio review
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The middle chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake saga continued this year with a new game that busted free from the confines of Midgar. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth admittedly does have a bad habit of throwing filler content at players just when the story heats up, but beyond that gripe, it's a beautiful and ambitious sequel that you can sink dozens of hours into while you learn more about its iconic cast of heroes and villains.
Metascore: 92 | Read our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon saw a seismic shift in the franchise's gameplay as it pivoted away from beat-'em-up action to turn-based combat. Infinite Wealth continues to strengthen its JRPG design while reveling in its absurdity and throwing an obscene amount of extra modes at players to try out. Combined with its engrossing story, it's another fun chapter in the saga of Ichiban Kasuga as he cements himself as the new face of the Like a Dragon series.
Metascore: 89 | Read our Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Nintendo has a knack for developing games that can stand the test of time, and thanks to some minor tweaks, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door feels just as good to play today as it did 20 years ago. The original game was ahead of its time with its delightful papercraft visuals, and this high-definition remake is a stunning return to Mario's turn-based glory years.
Metascore: 88 | Read our Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door review
Persona 3 Reload
Atlus delivered a one-two combo of games this year, and alongside the critically acclaimed Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona 3 Reload introduced a brand-new audience to one of the best Persona games of all time. A remake that retains the soul of the original game while also modernizing it, Persona 3 Reload is the kind of game that asks you to dedicate many hours of your life to it. But in return? You're getting an exceptional story, decadent visuals, gripping gameplay, and a cool soundtrack to enhance the experience.
Metascore: 87 | Read our Persona 3 Reload review
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Can you have too much of a good thing? Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance can easily consume dozens of your hours, leaving the rest of your life jealous of all the attention you're showering on this game. The third game in the hat trick pulled off by Atlus this year, SMTV: Vengeance is the original game but better. It has a ton of new content to play, the quality-of-life changes remove a lot of the game's grind, and on non-Nintendo platforms, it's a stylish riff on Pokemon with its demon-collecting focus.
Metascore: 87 | Read our Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance review
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - Void Shadows
Warhammer 40k's space marines hogged the spotlight this year, but for anyone looking to explore a different side of this grimdark galaxy, Rogue Trader stands out as an alternative that you don't want to miss out on. A strategy-RPG boasting well over 100 hours of content, Rogue Trader gives players a deep story to explore, engrossing combat that'll keep you on your toes, and a new perspective on the merchants looking to eke out a living in a hostile universe. The Void Shadows expansion is even more of that good stuff, adding even more hours onto an already impressively lengthy game.
Unicorn Overlord
The best way to describe Unicorn Overlord is to call it a beautifully intricate tactical RPG. The complexity of its gameplay isn't for the faint of heart, but the sheer depth of it combined with its elegant high-fantasy art direction makes it hard to put down as each new discovery results in new options to use on the battlefield. That's the key takeaway from Unicorn Overlord, because if you're prepared to commit to it, you'll find a staggering amount of potential in this grand tale of magic and tactics.
Metascore: 86 | Read our Unicorn Overlord review
Arco
Arco has a cinematic flair to its pixel-art design, but if you need a more substantial reason to pick this gem up, then look no further than its innovative gameplay. A combination of real-time combat and turn-based, tactical planning, Arco brings together two genres into a fantastical world filled with hundreds of levels, enemies, skills, and llamas across its intertwined stories. On paper, this bullet-hellish game shouldn't work, but clever design choices by its developers help create brisk battles to savor in this RPG gem.
Dragon's Dogma 2
Dragon's Dogma 2 checks all the boxes for a grand RPG adventure, from powerful swords and sorcery skills to use to titanic clashes against powerful bosses, but the real charm of this game is revealed when you go off the beaten path. Like the best fantasy epics, Dragon's Dogma 2 gives players a world full of possibility to explore and forge their own legend in, creating some of the best escapist entertainment of the year.
Metascore: 86 | Read our Dragon's Dogma 2 review
World of Warcraft: The War Within
The 10th expansion in World of Warcraft's decades-long history, War Within is also one of the MMORPG's best. Not only does it lay the foundation for a new saga that'll play out over the next couple of years, it also introduces major progression changes, new modes to draw in solo players, and new zones that you'll want to explore for hours on end.
Metascore: 85 | Read our World of Warcraft: The War Within review
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island
The latest Shiren game doesn't rock the boat, as it sticks to the core gameplay loop of grid-based dungeons, taking on armies of enemies, and turn-based combat. There's a sense of comfortable familiarity with this new Shiren game, and alongside its roguelike direction and stylish design, it's surprisingly hard to put down as you plumb the depths of its challenging locations.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Several of the best RPGs of the year have introduced innovative new ideas to the genre, but if you're looking for something more classical, look no further than Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. A remake of the original 1988 game, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake benefits from Square-Enix's gorgeous HD-2D visuals, quality-of-life upgrades, and several other welcome modernization elements. It also makes this game a great entry-point for newcomers, as it's an uncomplicated and approachable session of old-fashioned JRPG goodness.
Metascore: 84 | Read our Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake review
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak
Trails Through Daybreak continues to build Falcom's fantasy world, setting the stage for a new story arc while also serving as a decent point for newcomers to jump into. This entry in the series has rock-solid gameplay and well-written characters, with the combat benefitting from a substantial overhaul that makes it feel fresh and exciting for veterans to master.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
Diablo has a long history of superb expansions, and considering just how good Diablo 4 was on launch day, Vessel of Hatred had a high benchmark to clear when it arrived earlier this year. Fortunately, the expansion lives up to expectations, delivering the exciting new Spiritborn class, a dungeon that'll push you to your limits, and several raid-like elements that shake up the Diablo formula. Alongside several major patches and updates introduced before Vessel of Hatred arrived, Diablo 4 is in a pretty great place right now thanks to content like this.
Metascore: 84 | Read our Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred review
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
After a rough couple of years, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a welcome reminder of just how good BioWare is at crafting single-player adventures. While it has its fair share of rough edges, The Veilguard sticks the landing with its satisfying combat mechanics, beautifully realized fantasy world, and a cast of legends to join you on your quest.
Metascore: 82 | Read our Dragon Age: The Veilguard review
Alaloth: Champions of The Four Kingdoms
To call Alaloth: Champions of The Four Kingdoms a Diablo-like with souls-like combat and Lord of the Rings-inspired storytelling would be an insultingly brief description of the game. While it wears its inspirations on its chainmail sleeves, Alaloth manages to successfully blend them into a captivating experience that mixes old-school designs with modern ideas.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
Arranger is the kind of game that takes a single idea and manages to squeeze out an impressive amount of content from it. In this case, it's the idea of shifting rows and columns to get around maps in this role-playing puzzle game, a gameplay system that's ingeniously crafted and fun to master. Not just a joy to play, Arranger's cheerful visuals and charming tale of self-discovery make it one of 2024's highlights.
Black Myth: Wukong
One of this year's biggest commercial hits, Black Myth: Wukong is an action-RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. Visually gorgeous and thrilling to play thanks to its well-balanced gameplay mechanics, GameScience makes an incredible first impression with its debut game.
Metascore: 81 | Read our Black Myth: Wukong review
Inkbound
A turn-based roguelike game isn't exactly a new idea, but Inkbound manages to take that fusion of genres and puts its own creative stamp on it with its complex gameplay systems. While that might be a turn-off for some, it's that complexity that makes Inkbound stand out from the pack, as it organically introduces new ideas so that you don't feel overwhelmed. With its colorful graphics and well-designed combat loop, it's the kind of RPG that'll keep you entertained if you're prepared to invest some time in it.
Cat Quest 3
Some of the best role-playing games provide escapist fantasy that you can't find in any other genre, and Cat Quest 3 does a brilliant job in making you feel like a high-seas pirate who also happens to be a cat. It's cute, it frequently throws puns at you, and it looks like a high-budget Saturday morning cartoon come to life. What more could you ask for from a cat-themed game brimming with nautical themes?
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Easily one of the best-looking RPGs of the year, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an adventure with a surprisingly tight and focused approach to storytelling. That streamlined narrative approach is a breath of fresh air compared to all the filler you'd typically find in other RPGs looking to pad out their runtime, and when combined with its slick combat, colorful cast, and deep gameplay, it's a fun RPG to pick up when you're looking for something that won't outstay its welcome.
Last Epoch
On the other armored hand, Last Epoch is the kind of game you pick up if you feel like spending hundreds of hours inside of a trippy fantasy land full of time-bending storylines and the lure of shiny loot. Its gameplay packs a punch, and you can spend days fine-tuning your character thanks to the dozens of skills you can learn, as The Last Epoch community regularly uncovers new game-breaking builds. It also looks like a Hollywood fantasy movie in action, thanks to its beautifully designed worlds.
Ys X: Nordics
The latest entry in the longest-running Ys series is an RPG that's an action-packed blast of fun that mixes Viking-inspired combat with over-the-top combat. Ys X: Nordics encourages push-forward action, but in co-op, the game stands out thanks to its satisfying combo-attacks against a menagerie of monsters.
