The 26 Best RPGs

Behold as GamePro counts down the 26 greatest role-playing games ever created. From Chrono Trigger to Fallout 3, these are the RPG games everyone should play!

[Raoh]

the list should be 25

World of Warcraft is an MMOrpg if your going to include it then you have to consider Final Fantasy XI and maybe Everquest

also.. no Shadow of the Collosus?

[calis]

Shadow of the Colossus isn't an RPG.

[Adversary]

It's just as much an RPG as any Zelda game... Which is to say not at all.

[Shane Kim]

Yeah, I was wondering why they had 2 Zelda games and no Shadow of the Colossus.

[hay]

Omg, there's WoW but no Everquest, EVE or UO? Those three deserve more to be on the list if we count MMOs. FF7 on the first place? It should be high, it's among the most popular and influential RPGs but isn't the best.
How come there's Fallout 3 instead of previous Fallouts? Warhammer Online? It's good, but more games deserve to be there.

Thought about FF7. Why do I have a feeling that FF7's popularity increased dramatically after Advent Children release? I'm FF7 fan right from the beginning, from first previews and announcments, it was awesome, true, but wasn't THAT popular before AC. It was one of the best but I don't remember back then those outraged kiddies who're eager to crucify everyone that says FF7 sucks. If I'm wrong, correct me.

[reaferfore20]

Yeah I thought Fallout 2 was better than 3... not to say that 3 isn't the sh1t but I loved the second far more.

[PopEmUp]

on there, where other great title deserve to be in there instead

[Homicide]

WTF is Zelda doing there?

[Harry190]

who think FF7 is overrated are ex-Nintendo fanboys and frustrated zealots. You could put gold in front of their eyes and they would still tell you it's dirt.

It's time to face it: FF7 is and will always be the most important rpg of all time.

I am also happy to see Xenogears on that list. It should have been at least at number 2 and Vagrant Story should have been there too. I cannot understand why and how they prefered Grandia 1 to Grandia 3 and why Shadow Hearts is absent from that list.

I am a JRPG veteran and I will gladly argue with anyone who thinks FF7 is overrated. But you should at least come with a decent knowledge and experience before extolling the virtues of Kefka.

[jjl]

Agreed 100%. Its a shame the entire Xenogears saga will never be completed...

Why did I have to go through a dumb ad on gamepro for every page i clicked?

[tippygip]

FF7 is important, it's quality does not even touch the importance it had though.

Through brilliant marketing Sony and Square brought rpgs to the mainstream using a game that had incredible cutscenes to market it. Most people didn't even know what they were buying when they went to stores trying to find the game. The game sold like crazy and none of the credit actually goes to the game, it's goes to some great commercials that worked like magic. If I was to make a list of the best FF games FF7 would not be in the top 5.

[Final_Rpg]

What exactly was the underwhelming part of FF7 for you? I fail to see why people think it is overrated. They just state that it is and leave it at that. I'm interested to know as to why? The story line was so deep and the battle system was excellent, there were so many things to do and collect. Did you ever raise the chocobo's? That is one pain in the backside. The feeling of earning omnislash by defeating an extremely hard series of enemies is so damn rewarding. The feeling of being able to use the ultimate move in the game where it's Cloud Vs Sephiroth one on one was probably one of the most bad arse things ever. I spent so much time on that game, not a single part of it felt out of place.

So why do people feel it's overrated? What was it missing? What didn't it achieve in your eyes? Was the story not to your taste? I don't think you can criticize the story. For the fact that it was so damn good. Still possible to have dislike for it, but you can't deny the epic and grand scale of it all.

I'm sick of people saying it's an overrated game just because it's milked more than most franchises out there. Most people are just sick of hearing about the franchise so constantly that they automatically situate it as overrated without even looking at the content. Blinded by their frustration and annoyance from the repetition of this title hitting the market in different forms. Whether it be movie, books or spin offs. The original title is still one of the best games around. I'm not calling it the best, that's just arrogant. But to say this title is overrated because many people choose to rate this game as their favorite is even more arrogant.

Take what you want from this comment but read this. FF7 is everything that it's made out to be. Disagree or Agree, but this title is quality through and through.

[shawnsl65]

Midgar, Materia, starting with the train.. oh sweet sweet memories. I didn't like FF 1, but i've played the rest all the way to FF12 (including all jap versions). I couldn't agree more that Final Fantasy 7 was the gap between old school rpg and open road for the future of all jRPG. The story was awesome~~.. and the chars, who can forget Sephiroth Vincent and Cloud (i didn't mention CID since he's in almost all the FF series). The materia system and jenova/lifestream set up and story line is just wow.

[Adversary]

Seriously, half of these games barely qualify as having RPG elements at all, much less being full-fledged RPGs. Where's Baldur's Gate? Where's the rest of the Fallout series? Vampire: Bloodlines? And WoW=#1? Are you f***ing kidding me? How does a game where people talk about damage mitigation and "LF resto shammy ZA PUG!" in an RP server qualify as an RPG? And don't give me any of that s*** about how "the game is about role playing even if the players aren't". I hate to break it to you guys, but a "role" is not defined by what weapon you're carrying and taking a package from point A to point B doesn't count as "role playing" unless you're a f***ing UPS guy.

Boo this list! BOOOOOOO!

[Cheeseknight28]

MMORPG = Massively Multiplayer Online >RPG<.

If Legend of Zelda can somehow qualify as an RPG, then WoW definitely does. When I think of an RPG, I think of epic storylines, leveling up, upgradable gear / weapons / spells, and alternate ways to play every time. WoW has all of the above.

[Adversary]

All of the things you just described are major elements in Call of Duty 4. Does that mean CoD is an RPG now? And how does WoW in any way shape or form have multiple ways to play through? Just because WoW is called an MMORPG, that automatically makes it one? No, I think not. Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken. The highest form of role playing in wow is convincing another player that you're a girl in real life. Thanks, but no thanks.

Role playing games are about the divergent aspects of personal actions and ethics (or freedom to paraphrase). They're about a safe environment to be a new person and to choose a life you could have had, or that was never available.

Many games have role playing aspects like social interaction (Second Life), personal growth (WoW), epic stories (Final Fantasy), or action consequence and accountability (GTA4), but rare is the beast that is all of those things AND let's you choose who you are (Fallout, Torment, Bloodlines, Fable, Arcanum, Baldur's Gate, NWN, Elder Scrolls, and that's all I could think of [BioWare gets an honorable mention]).

Also, I find it laughable that Zelda makes the list. So you can't lower MY standard by theirs.

The point is, this list is craptaclar.

[truehunter]

Those list are horrible. I have to say FFX beat FFXII.
Zelda is action puzzle game i dont see it as RPG layout.

[SaiyanFury]

FFX beat FFXII? How? In what way? I admit the story was good in FFX, but it was poorly realized. The Sphere grid was a lousy way to level. The game was virtually completely linear and the Blitzball game was also poorly realized. The controls worked, but the voice acting wasn't exactly up to snuff. FFX wasn't bad, but it wasn't groundbreaking or anything. FFXII had an epic story, characters you could identify with. Open ended gameplay, an AI system you could muck with to your heart's content, and characters you could like. As such the accompanying voice acting you could like. The music was far better as well. I just don't see what FFX had that was better than FFXII which was practically a masterpiece of RPG engineering.

I found FFXII much more appealing as a JRPGamer, and will defend it as such. I didn't think FFX was really all the great.

[Adversary]

Sure, FFXII may have had better gameplay, and a better story, but FFX had a chick wearing a dress made of belts! Belts dude! And you've got to admit, chick wearing belt dress > furry chick in bikini.

[Homicide]

The thing that sucks in FFXII, other than the story, characters, etc, is that everyone can learn and use the same spell and weapon. There is nothing unique about them. Final Fantasy X, VI and IX are arguable better than FFVII and FFXII.

[SaiyanFury]

Yes but the game also gives you the freedom to develop your characters differently. You can develop one into a complete mage. Another into an archer. Another into a great sword using tank. That was the original intention of the creator of the system. Sure you can make everyone the same, but the freedom of the system is what it's all about. Oh well, everyone's entitled to their own. I just didn't see the appeal of FFX, beyond the core mechanics. Sure the game had a lot of women, but that alone doesn't make a good game.

[tnthien1234]

SaiyanFury...you either play FFXII before playing FFX or you haven't play FFX at all. FFX came out in 2001 and FFXII came out in 2006. Within the span of 5 years technologies can improve the standard for graphic and gameplay mechanic. So you can't expect FFX to match FFXII on those categories. But the story is the definition of EPIC. How can you say FFXII was epic? It's just an open and ended story. It was short with little emotions or twists. For the protagonist, I didn't like Vaan like how I like Tidus. Even though I like Basch and Balthier, the character cast for FFXII isn't as lovable as FFX. In my opinion the cut scenes for FFX was better than of FFXII. I can truly compare the games because I kept an open mind for that I love both of the them. I bought them the day they came out and finish them completely. That is finding all of the legendary weapons and killing all of the bosses. Unlocked all of the secrets. I love FFXII on every aspect but the story led me down a little.

[Mahr]

Evidently, Gamepro made some kind of a Faustian deal in order to achieve popularity on the internet. Except instead of its soul, Mephistopheles just turns every single article that appears on the site into total garbage.

[thereapersson]

Bubbles for that hilarious comment

[hay]

You may have discovered their secret friend...

[tnthien1234]

Probably the guy only plays 27 games or so because if you play FFX and think that it isn't 1 of the top 10 RPGs then you need to kill yourself! I haven't play any game with a storyline that can compares to FFX...may be the God of War series...but they're not RPGs.

[dino645]

i agree with u on FFX is the best game story i,v ever played i think that game is amazing..

[Gun_Senshi]

Warhammer Online? that game is plain TURD

Oblivion? Oh god its the WORSE from The Elder Scrolls series. Go play Morrowind

Fallout 3? Go play Fallout 2, its oblivion with guns

WoW? Oh god its an insult to MMO try EvE online Ultima online or everquest.

No Final Fantasy VI?

PHAIL

[Danja]

Dumb list..

Mass Effect
Fallout 3
Zelda
Oblivion
WoW ....LOL...is this even an RPG..

where's FFX , FF8 ,FF6 ..and one of my fave FF9 ???

[thereapersson]

It's just an MMORPG; It still uses RPG conventions of gameplay.

[Danja]

Yeah ur right..but they include WoW then Everquest should have been on the list also...because it laid the foundation for WoW to become the success it is...and it was a great game back in the day.

[MK_Red]

Fallout 1&2 + Torment >> Every RPG ever created.

[Danja]

Haven't seen you post in awhile MK..sup ?

can you see ur a huge fallout fan..judging by ur avatar...but Fallout 2 was actually a great game...

[Captain Tuttle]

Mk_Red wins the thread. It's over.

What do you think of Fallout 3 man?

[Adversary]

Fallout 2 may very well be the greatest RPG ever made, and all these SoBs ever talk about is Final Fantasy. Does anyone ever talk about the tragedy of Black Isle, or Troika? No. They were people who understood an RPG could be more than:

Choice A- Good
Choice B- Neutral
Choice C- Bad

Or like the faux RPGs of Japan (many of them admittedly good games in their own rights):

Choice A- Left
Choice B- Right

At least Torment was ON the list even if it was about 20 places low. But to put Fallout3 up there? How the hell does this guy justify that? The game's been out for like a week, maybe 2 for the press, and he already KNOWS it's better than the original 2?

Anyway, if you liked the Fallouts and Torment, you should give Baldur's Gate and Vampire: Bloodlines a shot. You won't be sorry.

[Captain Tuttle]

Don't forget Arcanum

[MK_Red]

Thanks Danja. Cool.
Yeah, I'm a Fallout 2 fanatic :)

Thanks Captain Tuttle. Fallout 2 ruled!
I found Fallout 3 to be Oblivion with Guns. Plus the game was rather unpolished specially in animations department.

Great post Adversary. Fallout 2 is THE best (Fanboy alert!). Dammit man. I still feel sad whenever I think about Black Isle. Troika was great too but their only game that I really felt was a classic is Arcanium.
The writer of the article is definitly clueless. Torment at... .

I have both of them. I really enjoyed Baldur's Gate 2 and like Vampire Bloodlines but neither of them come close to Fallout 1&2 and Torment. Only Arcanium comes close IMO.

[robotnik]

There are so many good RPGS out there that its hard to tell which one is the best.

[militant07]

STUPID LIST|!!

[Perjoss]

even though this list don't mean sh*t, I'm still disappointed to see system shock 2 didn't make it.

[Firstkn1ghT]

Halo 3 should be number 1.

[solideagle1]

which deserves the spotlight to me FFX is as much as good as FF7. dare i say even surpasses it. it has story, characters, emotions and battle. what do u think guys?
thanx

[LethalToxins]

Yeah, I'd agree. I was never fond of FF7, but still, I can't deny its impact on the genre as a whole. Many loved that game, but what really got me about the article...

"This conclusive Final Fantasy game for the PlayStation 2 is considered by many RPG fans to be a series pinnacle of storytelling, combat customization, and graphical beauty."

That was said about FFXII? Seriously? The vast majority of the people I know were really let down by that game. It was the first once since FF7 I didn't buy. The story was BORING! No twists. Nothing you couldn't see coming. Lame. Maybe they meant to put FFX in there and screwed up...at least that would make sense.

Valkyrie Profile would have been a much better fit than FFXII. Or Parasite Eve. Or the original FF. Come to think about it, they should make a prequel to the original FF about the Light Warriors. Hmm...

[kevnb]

but was a better game than 10, video games don't live and die by the story.

[LethalToxins]

I didn't think so. Gambits pretty much allowed zero activity for much of the game save a few fight. Berserk and haste two characters, equip them with cat-ear hoods and viola, dead enemies within seconds and without effort.

[mariusmal]

i just think that j-rpg's and ocidental rpg's are way different to be put in the same list.

[tnthien1234]

They should have 2 lists. One for JRPGs and one for the others. You can't really compare the Final Fantasy series with the Fallout series. They're both so good T.T

[MaximusPrime]

happy that final fantasy 7 is still no.1

If ever they will remake it for PS3 exclusive, SE will win back PS FF#sfan

[kevnb]

pretty sure if FFXIII came out tomorrow it would sell millions to ps fans.

[kevnb]

Important yes, but the best no. Important and best aren't the same thing, I hate it when people act like they do.

[Harry190]

that FF7 is both the best and most important RPG or even videogame of the last few decades. But being more objective, I have to admit that Xenogears came closer to perfection than FF and so did Vagrant Story. However, most people here haven't even heard of those games, Oh yes, I forget the very underrated Alundra and I had lots of fun playing Breath of Fire too...until the decided to ruin it with Dragon Quarter....

Tales was never a great rpg series.

[Gazman]

Out of all the Ultima Games all of 7 was the best for me

[FF7numba1]

Good list my number one game was number one.

[ult555]

FF7numba1 - mine too ^_^
Best game ever created!!!!

[razorbladelight]

and why is gamepro stupid? oh and where's breath of fire

[iceman2885]

IMO the best RPG I have ever played. Near unlimited replayability, awesome battle system, awesome story line and just really really addicting.

I just don't know how they can put some of those games on and not have the greatness that is FFT.

[QQcrybaby]

baldur's gate II is the best ever. nothing else is really close except for fallout & fallout 2.

[Relientk77]

um no

-Rogue Galaxy
-Grandia 2
-Tactics Ogre
- FF 8 & FF9
and
-Brave Fencer Musashi

those are all AMAZING... and should be on that list

(Final Fantasy Tactics is badass too but Square bought the rights from Atlus to make it .. and FFT is almost exactly like Tactics Ogre)

[pain777pas]

FF7 is the only videogame that has ever touched me. I think it was the most important videogame in so many ways as far as story telling and presentation. I can't really think of an RPG close to that maybe Phantasy star for the SMS but really you have to credit square for making one of the best stories, great protagonist, great antagonist, and great and varied supporting cast. ONLY japanese RPG that had a black person in a major role and the death of Dean and Aerith were epic.

[Tiberium]

why don't you try western rpgs then. I for one never could get into JRPGS. they just don't connect with me because of all that unrealistic "drama." but if other people like it that's fine with me. but my favorite rpg is KOTOR. Partly because it had a revolutionary dialogue system and it's star wars. But mostly because it has the biggest story twist of all time.

[pain777pas]

I have KOTOR, Oblivion, Jade empire, Mass effect..... I love Oblivion and i really refuse to play an action RPG that's not up to that level of interaction. ME is KOTOR without the Star wars license and the Graphics are phenomenal plus the choices you make in the game had some finality. KOTOR was hard to play was in it but I played during this gen didn't get the first xbox so I missed out. JE was impressive and had the same dialog system as KOTOR and ME and I liked how you can choose different characters. But KOTOR yes I saw why people loved it but the gameplay was not really like an action RPG it was like a FF12 sort of thing you know. Didn't like it so much ME liked that alot but Oblivion is my western gaming hero and I can't wait for another game from that series.