What's the best RPG of all time?

"There have been some fantastic RPGs over the years, from Pillars of Eternity to The Witcher 3. That’s for sure. There’s something quite special about the RPG genre. For me, the genre itself is almost enough to tempt me into buying a game."

[Kashima]

Bloodborne.

[naruga]

^^ very close but i say Monster Hunter 1 (and subsequently Monster Hun 2 Unite and MHon 3 tri) .....these games doesnt tell you which role/ proficiency you ll play but you become one after you choose which weapon/playstyle suits you best ...the lvl progress is yourself!... as your efficiency with the game playstyles gets better and better

[bouzebbal]

a real RPG fan won't be able to answer this question because countless RPGs are amazing.

[naruga]

@ abzdiine ...true...but imo the true evolution of RPGs and the best applied was MonHun...needs skill to "level up"

[Movefasta1993]

Monster hunter is a different kind of rpg I feel, more action based and less character driven story telling but yeah.as far as action RPGs go,mh is at the top of my list but overall no because it lacks story telling which obviously isn't needed there,but there are other games with great rpg gameplay and good stories

[thekhurg]

My most memorable RPG moments are from the old infinity engine games back from Black Isle studios and early bioware days.

Hard to pin a favorite though.

[NukaCola]

The one that means the most to me is Chrono Trigger. But there's also:

Fallout 3
Kingdom Hearts
FF 1 - X
Persona
KOTOR
Mario RPG (M&L, Paper)
Pokemon
The Witcher

[Broomfondle]

Amazed at the amount of people who just don't get MH. I have played all of them accept for MH on PS2 and on DS. Fantastic and rewarding games. Easily my favourite games of all time.

[k2d]

Unfathomable that so few are mentioning Fallout 2 by Black Isle. Best universe. Best characters. Best RP. Best atmosphere. Best story. Best art directing (some times it beats graphics). Best writing. Arguably best combat.

[Gaming_Cousin]

@MaouTenma

You must have just started gaming or Bloodborne is one of the very few RPGs you have ever played

[Gitgud]

You believe so? I can't really pick the best RPG I ever played, but Bloodborne is in my top 5 along with Witcher.

[ThePope]

The witcher 3
Mass Effect 2
Diablo 3
Never winter nights

If we can include light RPG games I would also say RoTR. I'm very western RPG. I cant get into JRPGS.

[Kashima]

Played many rpgs since ps2 era, Bloodborne and Dark Souls 1 have my most played hours.

[DragonDDark]

@The Pope Bloodborne is better than all of those imo

[ThePope]

@Dragon

To me thats a very different kind of RPG. Challenge is all well and good, but I play RPGs to focus on the character and how they grow as you progress through the story. BB to ME is like me fighting 10 MMA fighters in a house I've never been in before...in the dark. Not my style.

On a side note to say BB is better than 3 of the most beloved games in the past 10 years (Mass effect, Witcher, Diablo) is a little aggressive.

[Majister-Ludi]

Yea gitgud sounds like you both haven't been gaming very long lol.

[Kurdishcurse]

Im an early ninties kid (1990) and played many many MANY rpgs. most of the final fantasies, 3 persona games, 3 shin migamis, 3 monster hunters, chronotrigger, i dont know how many dragonquests, stalker, most of elder scrolls, most of the fallouts, all mass effects, all witchers, all diablos, neverwinter, system shock, all kingdom hearts and much much more.

The amount of turn based rpgs alone can easily fit more than double this list. And yet, my most favorite rpg series, is easily the soulsborne series. By a LONG shot too.

You see theres this new thing called opinions...there weird like that.

[lelo2play]

@MaouTenma

Guess you only started gaming after the PS4 launch... and even so, Witcher 3 is a better RPG.

[Gitgud]

I wouldn't say that. Bloodborne & Witcher are completely different, and honestly I can't say what's better.

[frostypants]

Neither Bloodborne nor Witcher 3 are RPGs. Both are action-adventure games with some RPG mechanics.

People call them RPGs because they have swords and what not. Otherwise, I suppose GTA V is an RPG. It has a story, it has characters that you build up. But it's not an RPG. And thus neither are those other games.

[DragonDDark]

Bloodborne has better combat than the witcher so it gets my vote

[Kleptic]

@frostypants

Fitting genre's into neat little boxes like that no longer works...Nearly everything borrows from other entirely different games...and that isn't something that all of sudden happened, it's been going on for an extremely long time...

Role-playing games could be anything that does exactly that...a focus on a character (or set of them), and the player derived development of it/them.

All 'rpg' really means any more is a certain depth to persistence....I'm only saying this because the goal posts of what an rpg is...keep getting moved...and it' reached a point of irrelevance that it's not even worth it...

Take the recent Doom for example: you play a character with a very surprising amount of back story, mystery, and depth (you just have to look for it, rather than have it spoon fed to you)...You have a huge amount of unlocks, masteries, power ups, and combinations of said mechanics to tailor the character to very different playstyles...and the levels themselves have secrets and 'side mission' like things that aren't required, but present...So what about all that makes it not an rpg? Almost no one would refer to it as one...but why? because it has action? the campaign is too short? It's not turn based? etc.? Put it up against Diablo III, and it really gets bizarre...Diablo III's actual gameplay is nearly all arena's with waves of weak enemies that get splattered in seconds, with some tougher enemies littered in....until you reach a boss encounter (i.e. almost identical to Doom, it's just played from a different perspective). Diablo III's biggest difference is in the form of loot, but tons of rpg's don't have loot, yet still get labeled an rpg; and you can see where i'm going with all this...

Imo, rpg is only an illustration of how the game character can be developed...and no longer has any traditional influence on the rest of the game itself...

[Errorist76]

Frostypants

Did you really play those games?! I wonder.

[nommers]

@Kleptic

Stat building, stat comparisons and stat management to a certain focused degree is the best way to describe an RPG. If there is a large focus of the game's gameplay on this element (regardless of difficulty) then it is an RPG.

[Kleptic]

^that I'll agree with.

but then again it brings in a whole other mess...

say something like BF4? Is it's multiplayer an RPG? Huge amounts of stat building and comparisons (in weapon/vehicle damage and loadouts I mean, not just comparing personal stats to someone else), mixing and matching risk vs. reward, personal vs. team/squad based skills and abilities, etc.

[Kurdishcurse]

Naah. Bloodborne is a much better rpg than witcher. I found witcher can often get boring, repetitive, dull and lazily designed in many aspects, except art design and writing. It can get extremely fun too though.

Witcher, which is many times the size and length of Bb, has the same amount of enemy types. Not to mention the awkward combat, which is, to be frank, quite laughable next to Bb. Same goes for the bosses. These pesky things called opinions amaright?! Yeesh.

You do know that cdproject red actually looks up to fromsoftware right? They asked to meet the bloodborne creator more than once in gaming events, and enthusiastically complimented them in many interviews. Many of them played the game after all...unlike you apparently.

a good amount of people that worked on the witcher games left CDproject to create their own studio and make lords of the fallen. A game which they proudly announced, is a soulsborne clone. Same with the upcoming game called the surge.

This doesnt indicate that bloodborne is better. Just something to think about when you spout out nonsense like its fact. Judging when a person started gaming based on his preference is childish and cringe worthy. Look up what opinions mean in the dictionary...you seem to be confused. Bye!!

[MachuchalBrotha316]

It doesnt even make the top 15 on my list....
But if I were to break up into different rpg genres then it would probably be top 5.

You have action, turn based,etc.

Im gonna have to say Chrono Trigger....

[Gitgud]

I can't pick one honestly, but my current favourite is Witcher 3.

[Movefasta1993]

If witcher 3 had bloodborne's combat ,my god.I am waiting for that one souls game to be story driven and open world like the witcher 3.The boss lore and all that is nice,but i'd like them to go one step further with story telling.

[Aceman18]

Final Fantasy 6 is the greatest of all time imo. Kefka destroyed the entire world in that game, and it doesn't get more badass than that lol.

[EpicSandwich]

Dark souls 3 is better

[Majister-Ludi]

Lol thanks I needed that. Why the hell is a pic of oblivion the headline. Pretty sure oblivion is the worst of the elderscrolls games. Bland combat bland characters. Morrowind and skyrim are much better with morrowind still being the king in my eyes.

[maybelovehate]

Bloodborne is certainly awesome. I can't put it over Knights of the Old Republic though.

[Bahamut]

You can't pick 1

The vast majority of fans agree that Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, and Final Fantasy VII belong in the top 5 (with varying placements). While I don't disagree, I think Suikoden II should be in there as well, but that's just my opinion. Other games are added to this list based on user preference. But I normally don't see Bloodborne or Monster Hunter, even though they are great games.

Some other big contenders:
Morrowind, Fallout 3, Baldur's Gate, Diablo 2, Xenogears, The Witcher 3, Other Final Fantasies, Planescape Torment, etc.

[Kurdishcurse]

Soulsborne series in general, is easily my favorite rpg series of all time.

[strayanalog]

Super Mario RPG....

[DanteVFenris666]

That one became a legend

[sAVAge_bEaST]

Chrono-trigger

[strayanalog]

Very awesome too.

[Relientk77]

For WRPG, I say Witcher 3 Wild Hunt, easily.

For Strategy/Tactical RPG:

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
Final Fantasy Tactics

For Action RPG/Hack N Slash:

Diablo 2

But for JRPG, that's much harder...

Final Fantasy 6-10
Brave Fencer Musashi
Grandia 2
Skies of Arcadia
Legend of Dragoon
Breath of Fire 3, 4
Dragon Quest 8
Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel
Ni no Kuni

JRPGs are definitely my favorite, much harder to choose

[bouzebbal]

You forgot Disgaea, Saga Frontier and Front Mission 3.

[Gaming_Cousin]

Wild Arms and Chrono Trigger

[NapalmSanctuary]

Man, I gotta beat FM3. Started a game twice and never finished. But based on what I played it needs to come back in all its turn based glory. I wish they would remaster FM5 and bring it west.

[Big_Game_Hunters]

Don't forget my favorite RPGs too.

[LordMaim]

@frostypants: Just because you may not choose the role that you play doesn't mean that the game isn't an RPG. By that logic, Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, effectively the progenitors of the entire RPG genre, aren't RPGs. Are actors not really acting because they follow a script? That ridiculous argument is the equivalent of demanding full choice of characterization in a game to be able to label it as an RPG.

[Subaruwrx]

You also forgot the whole Shin Megami Tensei Franchise which includes the likes of Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne, Persona 3 and Persona 4. Grandia 1 was also a great game. And don't forget the Fire Emblem franchise.

[bangoskank]

Saga Frontier was horrible.

[InMyOpinion]

Xenogears needs a mention as well.

[Miraak82]

Story wise nothing really comes close ... everything in it's world can be explained ... the lore actually spans 15000 years .. A true science fiction masterpiece

[JudahWarrior]

I agree Xenogears is prob my fav rpg of all time!

[Bahamut]

95% of the ps1 JRPGs should be mentioned as well... considering they were the best. And they seemed to just be pumped out effortlessly at the time... Now we get one decent JRPG every 5 years or so.

[frostypants]

Witcher 3 can't be called a "western RPG". It was made in the west, sure...but it's not of the style. A western RPG (which is arguably the only true type of RPG, as JRPGs came later, and after games like the original Final Fantasy, quickly developed into something hardly resembling to the genre) requires that you define your own character, and story takes a back seat to the player's character freedom. That isn't Witcher.

If you cannot control the role you play, it isn't a role playing game in the proper sense.

[DragonDDark]

Persona 4 Golden

[moegooner88]

Shadow hearts Covenant never gets any love :(

[Castlevania]

I'd say the best JRPG is Persona 4/ Golden. It excels in every category: Soundtrack, character development, story, dialogue, mechanics, art, etc. Persona 5 looks like it's shaping up to be better though.

Of course, this is only my opinion. Finding a "best" JRPG is impossible because everyone has differing opinions and life experiences.

[Raoh90]

OMG man, you read my mind on most of these pics.... But when i thought of the best RPG of all time, i thought either Diablo 2 or Witcher 3.

[RedDevils]

what no Dark cloud or Suikoden or Shadow Heart?

[KTF26]

There is a lot of awesome RPGs
but I don't think there is something called "the best RPG of all time"
or maybe there is but it's subjective

[kevnb]

Planescape torment

[Imalwaysright]

Best story in video games.

[Mr Lahey]

Yes! I second this!

[DeusEx-Machina]

Design-wise and in regards to writing most definitely at the top, if not the top!

[thekhurg]

The good old days

[Christopher]

This guy gets it.

AKA the game that bioware still rips off of when they want 'new' ideas.

[Deathdeliverer]

Holy shit. I've never played this before but after looking it up, thanks to the likes you got, I'm VERY interested in this. Will be finding and downloading this before my weekend off and marathon playing. The whole dynamic of the nameless one seems like it can be impressive as hell from a story point of view. Thank you to you and everyone that put a like or commented.

[LordMaim]

That's an awesome game. It says so, right here on my back.

[Ysmir6723]

I would say alongside baldur's gate 2 and dragon age origins.But i would put Planescape torment above everything.

[Lev1903]

Skyrim
Witcher 3
Bloodborne

[Gaming_Cousin]

Skyrim as best RPG? Yeah.. no

[Lev1903]

Wel yeah. Skyrim is still one of the best RPG's to date. Your taste is maybe different but you cant deny its one of the best;)

[yeahright2]

I can and do deny it.

[Gaming_Cousin]

@Lev1903

Its a great game don't get me wrong but it definitely does not belong as the best RPG of all time. Those side quests felt like filler more than anything.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Both wrong, Kingdom Hearts 2.

[Davemyrose592]

Skyrim isn't even the best elder scrolls game lol, it's not better than morrow wind

[Pongwater]

I wouldn't say Skyrim is the best, but Bethesda's games in general are some of the few true RPGs simply because they let the player be who they want to be within the game world. I grew up playing D&D so my definition of RPG stems from that. Any game that forces a particular character on me isn't a real RPG in my view. To me, a series like Witcher is a 3rd person action adventure with RPG elements, not a true RPG.

I'm sure many will disagree. ; )

Morrowind is my answer.

[beerzombie]

They do not make rpg anymore

[Ragthorn]

@Lev1903

I can't say that Skyrim is one of the best RPGs that I have played since Morrowind and even Oblivion top it in terms of RPG aspects imo. Despite their aging, I say those are better representatives for leading the Elder Scrolls Series. I will say this though, the reason why I don't think Skyrim is better than those two is that it did not engage me as much as those two did. TotalBiscuit summed up what I thought about Skyrim in one phrase. "Skyrim is as large as a ocean, but it has the depth of a puddle." Maybe not exactly that, but definitely somewhere close. It just really felt shallow when compared to the other games, but in the end, it is your opinion. Glad to see you can appreciate the game still, as people can prefer certain games over others.

[Nathan_Hale53]

Skyrim is a decent game, but a very shallow RPG. Still not as shallow as Fallout 4.

[Segata]

ROFL! Skyrim?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ...oh wait you're serious.. Laugh harder. HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHA! Game is a buggy broken pile of generic shit.

[Lev1903]

So is your comment;)

[Tobsesan]

Morrowind and Oblivion stump Skyrim....

[TheFirstClassic]

Skyrim pales in comparison to Morrowind as an rpg. Boring side quests and lore, dumbed down rpg mechanics, it was a good game but barely an rpg.

[FasterThanFTL1]

1. The Witcher 3
2. Other RPGs

[ThePope]

HAHA well said

[DragonDDark]

No.

[Perjoss]

Too hard to choose a favorite, some of the best that I've played are bloodborne, witcher3, fallout 3, lost odyssey and mass effect 1.

[Rebel_Scum]

idk, whatever one's yer favourite ay mate

[Yui_Suzumiya]

I like this response xD

[Majin-vegeta]

The Legend Of Dragoon.No contest.

[Pazto]

Suikoden 2!!

[NextGenCeo]

Final Fantasy VII

[SinkingSage]

This.

[RPG1201]

Final Fantasy Tactics, all in, final answer; with sugar on Velius.

[Movefasta1993]

My all time top 5 RPGs are Fallout new Vegas,mass effect 1+2,Oblivion and dark souls 1. New Vegas is the greatest imo.
Let me edit that ,the greatest game of last gen(+greatest rpg of all time) along with dead space 1.

[Gardenia]

Final Fantasy VII and IX
Suikoden II
Vagrant Story

[yeahright2]

My head hurts just thinking about it. some have better stories than others, Others better characters, others still better worlds, better gameplay, better loot/inventory/progression systems. Are we talking pure enjoyment, impact on the industry? replayablity, do you factor in how well they hold up or just how they were at launch?

[PlatinumGX]

RPG is a very broad genre, can't even compare an ARPG with a turn based RPG. Also, there are a lot of excellent RPGs, so it's impossible to say which is the best.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed I'm not sure anyone could really come to a consensus on such a thing.

[Gaming_Cousin]

I disagree. Just because it is a different form of a battle system shouldn't take away all the other commonalities that are existent in RPGs

[PlatinumGX]

And those are?

[Darkwatchman]

Your comment is invalid

[Brave_Losers_Unite]

Can't compare Diablo with ff

[_-EDMIX-_]

no

[_-EDMIX-_]

That is like saying what is the best sports game......

Oh you keep score and stats in sports games so it can be done bro /s

[Tzuno]

Final fantasy series.

[IIFloodyII]

Chrono Trigger for me, probably my 3rd favorite game of all-time.

[HawaiianDreads]

Grandia

Well probably not the best but I say it's high on the list.

[ONESHOTV2]

these are my top ten favorite RPGs i have played over the years-- these are a lot more but i will keep it at 10 for now

1 Planescape: Torment

2 Icewind dale

3 Baldur's gate series including the spin off's

4 Persona series

5 Final fantasy series even though i have only played 1

6 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1 & 2

7 Mass effect series

8 Dragon age series 1-3

9 Mount & Blade warband

10 The Elder Scrolls series

[ikarodemon]

To me any Elder Scrolls + Baldurs Gate

[_-EDMIX-_]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Baldur's Gate! Would be cool to see a remake or reboot of the series, also really love the Elder Scrolls games.

[Tapani]

My personal all time favorite is Xenogears, followed by Final Fantasy Tactics, FFVII, Vagrant Story and Chrono Cross. Dragon Quest (core) and Shin Megami Tensei (core) are brilliant, too. Oh, and all Souls games!

[x5exotic]

For me, Final Fantasy 12.

[roland82]

Dark Souls 1

[leahcim]

F I N A L F A N T A S Y V I I
GOD of the RPG´S
hands down

western RPG: Fallout 3

[Kirchh77]

For me it's Dragons Dogma. Combat, class customization, spells, enemy types, fun postgame, everfall dungeons...

[exkalibur97]

damn thats a loaded question, but i think i would have to go with chrono trigger or maybe dragon quest 4

[Tapani]

Dragon Quest IV was sooo good :)

[Mr Lahey]

Planescape Torment! Nuff said..

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

From what I've finished:(One per series)
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Final Fantasy VIII
Fire Emblem Fates
Tales of Versperia
Bravely Second
Chrono Trigger
Ni No Kuni
Persona 4 Golden
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Super Mario RPG
Pokemon Y
Dragon Quest IV
Etrian Odyssey IV
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
The World End With You
-----------------
Honorable Mention:
Atelier Ayesha
Blue Dragon
The Last Story
Ys Memories of Celceta
Muramasa The Demon Blade
Arc Rise Fantasia (Minus the voice acting LOL)

[jholden3249]

You, my friend, have good taste. Not a single comment here besides yours even made mention of Xenoblade, Fire Emblem, Tokyo Mirage Sessions or tbh, ANY rpg from a Nintendo platform (aside from SNES which was nearly 25 years ago). For dang sure Fire Emblem and Xenoblade deserve a mention any time great RPG's are brought up.

Anytime someone mentions Final Fantasy Tactics I just chuckle to myself and think "you obviously haven't played Fire Emblem". Once you play that game it spoils every other SRPG out there and makes them seem dull in comparison.

I will say though, as much as I liked Bravely Second, I wouldn't count it as best. Also, I've heard nothing but good things about The World Ends With You (which I own but haven't played). Also haven't played Y's Memories of Celceta on Vita yet even though I own it.

But you remind me I forgot about Valkyria Chronicles. The ONLY GAME I would consider equal to Fire Emblem in the SRPG genre. I better go edit my list.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

I am planning to get Valkyria Chronicles soon enough on PS4.

[_-EDMIX-_]

OH so you think your a wise guy not putting Witcher 3 huh! (grabs by collar) /s

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

it probably would had been on the list had the combat not been so boring to me. I would had beaten the PS4 version a long time ago. But the combat killed it for me.
When it comes to RPG combat is what keep me coming back if it not engaging then I won't bother.

[joab777]

There are so many great rpgs. I just like knowing that they keep coming. Persona 5 and FF15. Last gen for me it was Persona 4 Golden, Ni No Kuni, Valkyria Chronicles and Last Odyssey.

[cimerians]

80's = Ultima IV
90's = Planescape Torment
2000's = Morrowind
Today = Witcher 3

[Tapani]

I enjoyed Ultima V and Shadow Lords and the dungeons and underworld more than IV's!

[DeusEx-Machina]

I don't know. But Planescape: Torment, Baldur's Gate and Deus Ex have always been my measure of standard

[Kingdomcome247]

You and I are on the exact same page here. All of these are unquestionably classics that not only had a large impact on their genre, but they also influenced game design a a whole. Deus Ex is just a masterpiece on so many levels. On a bit of a side note here, are you pumped for Mankind Divided? I'm probably just as stoked if not more so for it than I have been for any game in a long while. The last time I anticipated a game this much was probably Bioshock Infinite, though, The Witcher 3, Arkham Knight, Quantum Break, and UC4 are close.

[DeusEx-Machina]

Definitely! I liked Human Revolution a lot already. Very excited to see another chapter in the Deus Ex universe.

[Ark_]

It's funny: you can see by the comments, who played on PC, who on consoles and his/her age.

(Ultima series, Wizardry series and the first Fallout and Gothic games haven't been mentioned yet ... Those were great as well.)

[NapalmSanctuary]

I know my favorite is Final Fantasy 9.

[TiberusX87]

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4.

[DragonDDark]

Can't wait for Persona 5 to beat it :p

[Mobusaki]

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR). Certainly not because of gameplay (it is dated and wasn't particularly spectacular/revolutionary at the time), but the story-telling, in my mind, can't be beat.

[Errorist76]

I loved both games to death!

[Mobusaki]

I still wish Bioware made KOTOR 3 instead of The Old Republic. I enjoyed TOR thoroughly, but it suffered from all those typical MMO problems that a single player RPG doesn't have.

[TheColbertinator]

Shin Megami Tensei : Digital Devil Saga 2

[Subaruwrx]

Loved the Digital Devil Saga - supremely surrealistic.

[Fist4achin]

I've always liked the persona series and loved the first dragonage.

[Manubiggs]

Knights of the old republic

[FRAKISTAN]

OBLIVION

[Imalwaysright]

At the time of its release, when I got out of jail sewers for the 1st time and I witnessed and experienced Oblivion's world for the 1st time is still one of the most impressive and memorable moments of my gaming "career".

[generic-user-name]

Oblivion was my first RPG and I loved it. It and Witcher 3 are my top 2

[SegaGamer]

I can't pick one, there are too many good ones. But, if i had to pick then it would definitely be a JRPG.

[DragonDDark]

There are a lot of great JRPGs so I can't blame you.

[CyberSentinel]

EverQuest
Oblivion
Witcher 3
GTA 5

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

GTA V wtf....that is no RPG bruh

[CyberSentinel]

I disagree, I feel all the GTA's from 3 - 5 have a lot of rpg elements. Especially San Andreas, you actually have character stats, did missions (quests) got rewards for successfully completing them,(Money) and used that money to upgrade "equipment" (guns, gear, and now player housing) I know that choice is a little controversial, but I see the GTA series more of a action/rpg game, then just an action game.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

No no no no ....
What make a game an RPG is the combat and progression and choices that effect the outcome.

Have elements doesn't make it a RPG. If that was the case then every game ever created would be consider one.

[scark92]

Oblivion did immerse me into a new world. I do love it because of that.

[Davemyrose592]

JADE EMPIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GameBoyColor]

No real answer, but Persona 3 for my choice

[Davemyrose592]

LOST ODYSSEY best Xbox 360 RPG and rivals any final fantasy

[BlahBlahWhatever]

FFVII, Xenogears, Suikoden II

THE END.

[mamotte]

Maybe it's because I'm an old man, but I'm very fond of old and old-but-no-so-old rpg. My personal favorite is Chrno Trigger. And may others are wonderful; FF6, Secret of Mana, Wild Arms, Earthbound, Vagrant Story, Grandia, Parasite Eve... and not so old, like Golden Sun -loved those-, Disgaea, Persona 3-4, Tales of symphonia... the last one I remember that was really great was The World Ends With You; and I know there has been a lot of good RPG recently, like Demon/Dark souls, The elder Scrolls, The Witcher... but I just can't enjoy those as much as the mentioned RPGs. Don't know why. Maybe I like more fantasy in my games, but anyway. This is a question with no answer.

[souldestroyer14]

Kotor, Dark souls, mass effect

[majedx9]

okami

[trywizardo]

IMO its Skyrim or SWKOTOR.

[rego]

Fallout 3

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Yeah, way too many great RPGs out.

[Sexius Maximus]

I guess I'm a bit old school. Phantasy Star 1 (Sega Master System) and Final Fantasy 6 (SNES) are games I've played many times over the years. Love the 8/16bit era.

[andibandit]

Baldurs Gate 2, 15 years after it's release I still cant find anything to take it's place.

[gangsta_red]

SNES brought some of the best RPG's I have ever played starting with Final Fantasy III (US). But overall I think Baldur's Gate and the expansion for the PC was truly the best RPG I personally played.

[GusBricker]

KOTOR

[Christopher]

Planescape: Torment.

[geddesmond]

There is many different types of rpgs. MMORPG, JRPG, SRPG, ARPGs. All offering different gameplay mechanics and experiences. As an RPG lover and mainly an RPG player I would never say one is the best. I can say what my top 20 RPGs are but I could never make a top 5 or a top 10 let alone name one single rpg as my favorite because there is so many great ones.

Oblivion is a great game however Syrim to me was way better. I think this new generation of RPGs is going to create some masterpieces due to the increased graphical power that will allow developers to create some amazing new worlds to explore. Take Dark Souls 3 for instance. The whole atmosphere in that game brings a whole new life to the game. The way lighting is done now with extra smooth textures reflecting it will make for some amazing new storytelling in RPGs.

[Big_Game_Hunters]

Whats the point of this, Everyone has different answers. And ifyou want make some kind of objective method for deciding the Answer will always end up being Pokemon because it is the most successful, popular, and recognizable RPG of all time. Those 3 are really the only criterion that can be established as fact since the overall quality of a game will always be opinion.

[DragonDDark]

Lol no. It's definitely not a pokemon game.

[Big_Game_Hunters]

Popularity
Success
Recognizable
Whether you like it or not,those are the only traits of a "best" game that when compared to other games can have definite and factual answer. Things related to quality such as best music, gameplay and story will always remain an opinion.

So assuming you HAD to choose a method for selecting "Best RPG" that would have an objective answer, following that criterion Pokemon wins.
Thats why trying to find the "best" RPG is pointless. I won't even mention what i personally think is the best because its impossible to support such a claim with facts.

[cyber_daemonx]

Dark Souls for me. Bloodborne is close though.

[TheTwelve]

Witcher 3, moving on

[beerzombie]

I loved Eye of the Beholder,Boulders gate, Jade Empire.

[beerzombie]

Alpha Protocol was another great rpg. Did not have the looks but very fun.

[yeahokwhatever]

Everquest.

[cd1]

Zelda - Ocarina of time.

EDIT: For its era The Secret of Mana deserves a mention.

[Nathan_Hale53]

Too many fantastic RPG's. My personal top 5 in no order would be New Vegas, Kotor 2, Witcher 3, Diablo, and Dark Souls 1.

[Der_Kommandant]

Chrono Trigger

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Fallout 3
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Mass Effect 3
Dying Light
Dragon Age II

[Cy]

Knights of the Old Republic.

[barb_wire]

Baldur's Gate II
Planescape Torment
Fallout 2
KOTOR

Just to name a few..

[DragonDDark]

Persona 4 Golden.

[Germaximus]

Kingdoms of Amalur

[Subaruwrx]

Kingdoms of Amalur is one of my all time favorites. The action gameplay in this game blows away almost every other WRPG gameplay.

[Segata]

Earthbound
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy VI
Shining Force III
Diablo 2

[Master-H]

Dark Souls

[Psychotica]

I was just going to say that..

[Artemidorus]

Final Fantasy series.

[Dinkis]

I loved Uncharted Waters

[esmittystud101]

Anything From Software makes. CD Project Red is okay too.

[KingofGambling]

Suikoden II

[Ysmir6723]

Planescape Torment or Baldur's gate.Only Dragon Age Origins has come close,nothing else.

[BillytheBarbarian]

Morrowind or Kotor to me are the best I've played.

[lastking95]

Fable 1 and 2

[Errorist76]

You really had never anything like an XBox?! That's sad. And explains a lot.

[EpicSandwich]

Stop trolling

[lastking95]

...what? Had never anything like an xbox? Learn some english lol. No i didn't own the og xbox if that's what you mean, I was a ps2 guy.

[3-4-5]

* There is no "best RPG"......there are individual people's favorite RPGs though.

I've only really been playing standard RPGs for about 5-6 years now but my favorite is Dragon Quest 9.

[Errorist76]

The ones that made me a sucker for RPGs and still keep up my love are

KOTOR 1/2
Mass Effect 1&2
The Witcher 1-3 (esp 1+3)
Dragon Age Origins, DA2...not 3!! It's sad.
Oblivion @ Skyrim
From Software games
Pillars of Eternity
Nino Kuni

[Ragthorn]

Interesting picks there! Some of my favourites are there as well! You actually just reminded me to play through Ni No Kuni as I have the game, but I have still not gone through it! Very good to see Pillars of Eternity there as well, I have heard nothing but good things about it. Going to pick it up in the next sale!

[AsunaYuukiTheFlash]

There are too many to choose from....
FF 4,6-9,Tactics
Xenogears
Suikoden 2,5
Persona 3,4 Golden
Chrono Trigger/Cross
Kingdom Hearts 1,2, BBS
Legend of Dragoon
Shadow Hearts Covenant
Dragon Quest VIII
Wild Arms 3
Tales of Abyss
Bloodborne

[nommers]

The RPGS of Squaresoft are unmatched and have aged far better than most. That and they actually have very impressionable, original and memorable stories and characters:

FF6-10, Chrono Trigger, Cross and Xenogears are phenomenal. Also can't forget Super Mario RPG.

[goldwyncq]

EarthBound. Not the best, but my personal favorite RPG of all time as it's what got me into the genre in the first place.

[Ragthorn]

Ah, RPGs. My favourite genre, and the one that I am increasingly losing time to play. Since RPGs cover such a wide spectrum (RPGs, JRPGs, ARPGs, etc.), it is impossible to nail down one game as the "best". Some of my favourites are Deus Ex 1 (consider it an RPG with FPS elements, it also happens to be my favourite game of all time), Dark Souls or Demon's Souls, Gothic 1 (one of the, if not, most engaging worlds I have ever played through), Persona 4 Golden, Diablo 2, and so much more! I honestly cannot nail down one specific game that is the best RPG as the games I listed accomplished great things within what they were aiming for. Currently playing through Baldur's Gate 1 though, and that is definitely worth the praise it has received! Also playing through Lost Odyssey as that was a game I missed out on earlier. There may have been some games that I missed, but those are the games that I have played that stuck out as of recently.

Side note: Also, RPS did a great article on Gothic 1. Good read! If you guys happen to want to play through one of the most immersive games I have personally ever played, look no further to Gothic 1. Just need to get past the controls (which took me about 4 hours to get used to, but was SOOO worth it).
https://www.rockpapershotgu...

[Mariusmssj]

Witcher 3 for me

[salazarnaruto52]

i would say Final Fantasy IX

[EricHonolulu]

Oblivion, Fallout 3 and Bloodborne! Wish Oblivion and Fallout 3 were remastered and and wishing hard for a Bloodborne 2!!!!

[tanukisuit]

Does NOX (PC) count? I don't know what THE BEST is (nor should there ever be a singular one) but I had very fond MEMORIES of Fallout 1 and 2.

[jholden3249]

Honorable mention to:

Fire Emblem Path of Radiance [GC]
Valkyria Chronicles [PS3/PS4]
Monster Hunter 4 and Monster Hunter Generations [3DS]
Zelda (any of them)

None of which qualify because MH isn't really your typical RPG and Fire Emblem and Valkyria Chronicles are SRPG's. And Zelda is kind of an RPG but, no leveling up disqualifies it.

I'd also like to acknowledge these games even though they don't make my list:

Dark Souls 3 [PS4] and Bloodborne [PS4]
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE [Wii U]
Witcher 3 [PS4/X1]
Dragon Age Inquisition [PS4/X1]
Mass Effect Trilogy [PS3/360]
Earthbound [SNES/Wii U]
Bravely Second [3DS]
Shin Megami Tensei IV [3DS]

Here's my list

1) Final Fantasy X [PS2/PS3/PS4/Vita]
2) Paper Mario- The Thousand Year Door [GC]
3) Chrono Trigger [SNES/PS/DS]
4) Xenoblade Chronicles X [Wii U] and Xenoblade Chronicles [Wii]
5) Persona 4 [PS2/Vita]
6) The Last Story [Wii]
7) Lost Odyssey [360]
8) Tales of Vesperia [360]
9) Secret of Mana [SNES]
10) Illusion of Gaia [SNES]

And I'm currently playing Phantasy Star IV [Gen] in bits and pieces- there's lots of games I play concurrently. Also playing Dream Runners [SNES BS] (the Chrono Trigger pseudo-sequel for the Japan-exclusive SNES add-on BS Satellaview) both of which are really good so far.

[DeusEx-Machina]

The Xeno- games are probably my most beloved franchise of all at the moment

[MacTastic]

I would have to put NeverWinter Nights for pc at the top.

[SouljAx360]

For me it's Final Fantasy Tactics

[Tobsesan]

World of Warcraft, why even ask a simple question like this?

[OutcastMosquito]

Final fantasy 6 for me.

[paddy95]

Mario 64.

[EpicSandwich]

The witcher 3
Dark souls 3
Lost odyssey

[Doomeduk]

Bards tale 1985 amiga 500, get home from school fire up the old floppy disc , Happy days.

[s1ngleshot98]

Best RPG has to be Baldur's Gate 2. This game has all the elements that makes up a great RPG. Story, character building, interesting dialogues, outstanding gameplay mechanics, etc...

[DillyDilly]

Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic

[Trekster_Gamer]

The whole premise what is the best RPG is too subjective answer. It's most likely a different answer for every person that loves RPG games.

[Trekster_Gamer]

For me, the Mass Effect series and Fallout 3 rank up there.

[Forum_Pirate]

Skies of Arcadia

[uth11]

Ultima IV

[Jimkahn]

Fallout 2. with fallout 1 a close 2nd. i cant count how many times i've finished those games

[jyim]

FFVI and Chrono Trigger.

[gamertk421]

Oblivion.

[SCW1982]

No particular order

Dark Souls
Dark Souls 3
Bloodborne
Mass Effect 2
Witcher 2
Witcher 3
Oblivion
Fallout 3
Dragon Age Origins
Ni No Kuni
Jade Empire
Kotor

I don't play to many JRPG's

[Xristo]

Dragon Warrior on NES... ... .. just kidding. But I have beat the game at least five times. It introduced me to RPGs in the 80s, so it holds a special place in my heart.

[opinionated]

I liked mass effect 1 a lot. That's probably my all time RPG based on the hours put in. That was a pretty long game and I played it multiple times.

[mrmonk]

Only rpg games iv really played have been skyrim,elder scrolls online,fallout new Vegas and dragon age inquisition loved them all.I bought bloodbourne for £20 the other day honestly didn't like it wanted to but couldn't.I traded it in and got the witcher 3 only started it just lvl 5 at the moment and I'm having a real blast on it awesome so far wish I'd got it sooner.

[bangoskank]

Panzer Dragoon Saga, Suikoden II, Chrono Cross, FF IX and XII,Nocturne , Dark Souls III. If none of these are on your best RPG's of all time list then you need to play them.

[Drakul]

Fallout II

[REDDURT]

Kids. Play chrono trigger

[Tankbusta40]

Diablo 2, the original was great but it was way to easy to cheat, the 3rd changed too much in my opinion, 2 was the sweet spot

[bradleejones]

In all technicality Borderlands was an RPG. Eh, I'd say best ever is probably....

LTTP

[immabadguy]

Fallout: New Vegas is by far my favorite.

[i3eyond the Circle]

Final Fantasy 7. Even past the the awesome characters and the amazing story. It holds a special place of Nostalgia in my heart.

1997 just a young nerdy kid importing LTJ Bukem cassettes because yeah...I loved DNB and grinding in FF7.

There would be some nights where I'd leave the T.V. On While the fanfare music played (after you win a battle) and just fall asleep to that tune...I found it so peaceful.

We all know FF7 was an amazing RPG but it's the best to me because of the memories of probably one of my favorite parts in time....I really miss the 90s. Lol

[dolfa]

Dragon age: Origins obviously.

[ITPython]

Deus Ex and Mass Effect series are my favorites. With an honorable mention to Fallout 4 (never played much of the ones before it).

[Kingdomcome247]

Wow. What a ridiculously tough question to answer. I'm not even going to attempt to answer it. There are just so many legendary RPGs that belong in the pantheon of greats, and they vary so much in their styles, mechanics, and presentation that it's incredibly difficult to put one above the rest. I'm very interested in reading what everyone comes up with here, and I would love to see some type of top 50 list by people within the industry. Not journalists, but devs, to see what game is named the most as either being the best, or maybe more importantly the most influential. Some of my favorites are Final Fantasy 6, Final Fantasy 12, Deus Ex, System Shock 2, Lost Odyssey , Fallout New Vegas, KOTOR 2, Elder Scrolls: Morrowind, Baldur's Gate 2, Planescape: Torment, Xenogears, Chrono Trigger, The Witcher 2 & 3, Mass Effect 1 & 2, and there are way too many more to name.

[FallenAngel1984]

RPGs come in so many different flavors, it's hard to pick the definitive best.

[MrsNesbitt]

Way too difficult to choose THE best one!

[BlackDoomAx]

Chrono trigger.

[agent13]

elder scrolls V : Skyrim is the best RPG game i have ever played

[Prodigy1971]

Its Chrono Trigger. Period.

[FletbedZA]

Ah yes i know it's old but Morrowind is still my favorite rpg

[Saijahn]

The Witcher 3
Mass Effect Series as a whole

[Chexs1990]

Western rpg style: Bloodborne
Jrpg style: Grandia

[MrChow666]

Baldurs Gate

[theshredded]

I'd say Dragon's Dogma screw it. Imo RPGs should make you feel small and part of something really big and Dragon Age origins would be 2nd choice...I'd put Ni No Kuni there but I hate non-voiced NPCs. I haven't played many as you can tell

[Hurfs]

Eye of the Beholder or Ishar maybe, loved Morrowind and oblivion also Dragon age origins.

[NecoTehSergal]

Super Mario RPG, then FF7, then Planescape: Torment.

[Mithan]

Dumb article. The best is always stupid. There are not even "best for the year". My top 10 list would leave out 10 awesome RPG's.

Click bait.

[irishyort]

My god you people are young.
Bards tale 1 or 2
Zork
Wizardry V
Wasteland
Fallout 1
Diablo 1
The Secret of Mana
Chrono Trigger

Then start talking the last 20 years maybe.
Dust ... Anybody?.. No?... Dust!

[dos0659]

Recently i bought Diablo 3 with so many doubts... it ruined my life :P its definitelly the best RPG out there and with the price of 12$ i recommend it to everyone....

[mixelon]

Ultima Underworld.

[Minus2trill]

Super mario rpg is the best rpg to me. Good combat, great story, no boost in graphics needed and as old as it is i can still play it and love it the same as i did when i was younger

[Kurdishcurse]

The soulsborne series. By a million miles

[brando008]

My favourite is KOTOR