Top RPG Games of 2024 for PC and Console: Best Role-Playing Adventures

You need an RPG to get through this year because in a world full of uncertainty and challenges, diving into expansive role-playing games offers more than just escapism-it’s a chance to forge your own destiny, conquer epic battles, and find meaning in immersive stories that mirror the struggles and triumphs of real life. Whether you’re battling dragons in Skyrim or navigating complex narratives in Pillars of Eternity, RPGs provide the perfect blend of adventure and reflection to help you power through 2025.

November is a “Goldilocks window” for role-playing games. I’m burned out on horror movies, but not quite ready for Christmas music. I’ve scheduled chunks of vacation with no particular plans on how to fill welcome gaps in the calendar. And the harmonizing siren songs of the sofa, my favorite blanket, and a warm cup of tea can no longer be ignored.

Perhaps you can relate and have already begun scrolling Steam or your preferred console storefront for the next great RPG. The challenge, you will find, is choice.

2024 has been a historic year for the genre, with the release of not just one exceptional RPG designed meticulously for a particular subset of fans but many excellent titles, each heat-seeking a unique corner of the gaming audience. We have the awakening of a long-slumbering blockbuster franchise, a wholly original globe-trotting thriller set against a high-stakes election, and a reimagining of the most famous RPG of all time. Not to mention the Hawaiian open-world crime drama featuring time-slurping parodies of Animal Crossing and Pokémon.

So, as not to be prescriptive, I’ll use this month’s editor’s note to do something fundamental to AELGAMES: point you, dear readers, toward a video game that will make your life richer, however you might define that in this exceptionally unusual time.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Dragon Age: The Veilguard offers a richly immersive single-player RPG experience set ten years after Dragon Age: Inquisition. Players step into the role of Rook, a customizable protagonist from one of six factions, tasked with stopping the elven god Solas from destroying the Veil-the boundary between the physical world and the Fade. The game features a real-time action combat system with pause mechanics, a compelling narrative filled with powerful companions, and a beautifully crafted world that balances grand, cinematic moments with intimate storytelling. With its deep role-playing systems, diverse character options, and a mission-based structure, The Veilguard stands out as a thrilling and heartfelt adventure, showcasing BioWare at its best.

Let’s open with a fastball down the middle. Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the quintessential mainstream role-playing game. Whether that sounds like high praise or scathing critique will help you decide if it’s for you.

Developed by beloved RPG studio BioWare, The Veilguard revives a franchise that’s been quiet in the decade since Dragon Age: Inquisition won Game of the Year at the 2014 Game Awards. Veilguard features everything you’d expect from a blockbuster AAA RPG in the year 2024: action-heavy combat, flashy graphics that make the most of high-end consoles and PCs, and a delectable story fizzing with drama, romance, and intrigue.

Veilguard is the coziest RPG on this list, the sort of game in which you can easily escape the troubles of the real world as you resolve the problems of another realm.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a 2024 fantasy RPG from the creators of the Persona series, set in the medieval kingdom of Euchronia, a world mirroring real-world social and political tensions. Players follow Will, an orphaned boy from a discriminated magic-wielding tribe

Created by many of the designers responsible for the Persona series, Metaphor plays like its predecessor, albeit with the modern Japanese high school setting swapped for a high-fantasy world inspired by pre-Tolkien pulp fantasy, renaissance surrealists like Hieronymus Bosch, and the modern global reckoning with the power and limitations of democracy. No, I’m not joking.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is Veilguard’s opposite. Instead of real-time fights, Studio Zero commits to the turn-based combat of the genre’s past. And its story is unapologetically strange. After a king’s assassination, his spirit returns in the form of a stone face the size of a moon that orchestrates an impromptu election in which the candidates travel the nation on chicken-legged land ships, winning support by slaughtering mutated monsters called Humans.

But what truly distinguishes this game from the rest is its politics. What scans, at first, as a game about race bends toward a thoughtful, complicated, and ultimately uncertain conversation about tribalism. It’s that uncertainty that I’ve appreciated most over my 65 hours with the game. This is the only video game from a major publisher released this year that affords time to lengthy debates about third-rail topics like the mental justifications behind political assassinations, the contradictory relationships between religions and political parties, and the limits of fiction to provoke change.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2, released in March 2024 by Capcom for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, is a polished action RPG that builds on its predecessor with improved gameplay mechanics and a richly immersive open world inspired by medieval Mediterranean Europe. Players take on the role of the “Arisen,” a customizable character on a quest to hunt a dragon amid a complex geopolitical conflict, aided by AI companions called “Pawns.” Praised for its dynamic combat and engaging exploration, the game offers a unique blend of action and adventure that has resonated with players seeking both challenge and escapism. Despite some technical issues on PC, Dragon’s Dogma 2 stands out as a compelling RPG experience that helps players lose themselves in its vast, reactive world, making it a perfect game to get through the year.

You likely never played the original Dragon’s Dogma, a decade-old cult game buried by the twin popularity of Skyrim and Dark Souls, both released the year prior. No worries; no experience necessary. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is more reboot than sequel, providing the visual panache and quality-of-life improvements expected of a AAA game from publisher Capcom.

However, its creators were mindful not to sand off the rough edges that distinguished Dragon’s Dogma from its polished peers. Dragon’s Dogma 2 feels like being inside a Dungeons & Dragons adventure in the most literal sense. Rather than fast travel from land to land, you take exhausting hikes that require you to plan ahead with rations and camping equipment. When you encounter a mythological beast the size of a school bus, the battle’s as challenging as you’d expect – with your gang of adventurers more likely to be hurled off a cliff than land a heroic, lethal blow.

Of this bunch, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the most divisive, asking the most of its players’ skill, patience, and willingness to fill in the gaps of the story with their imagination. In return, they get the warm memories of a tough journey. For some, myself very much included, that’s more than enough.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, released on PlayStation 5 in February 2024 and arriving on PC in January 2025, is the highly acclaimed second installment in the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy. Building on the blend of real-time action and strategic RPG elements introduced in the Remake, Rebirth expands into sprawling open-world regions filled with engaging side quests and rich character development. The game continues the epic journey of Cloud Strife and the eco-terrorist group Avalanche as they confront the Shinra Corporation and the enigmatic Sephiroth. With enhanced graphics, improved lighting, and support for features like NVIDIA DLSS and Steam Deck, Rebirth offers both longtime fans and newcomers a fresh yet faithful experience of this classic saga, earning critical praise and several year-end accolades including Game of the Year nominations.

Until recently, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was widely considered the front-runner for Game of the Year at the Game Awards. Despite disappointing sales, the second part of Square Enix’s reimagining of arguably the most beloved RPG of all time found purchase with critics and millions of fans.

The target audience here is a bit limited in that you’ll need a PlayStation 5 to play the game, and some experience with the source material to appreciate it. Do you need to have played the original Final Fantasy 7 to appreciate this game? It helps, though you can easily enjoy this adventure after watching a YouTube summary of its predecessor. Should you play Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth if you haven’t played Final Fantasy 7 Remake? That’s a trickier question. Remake is an excellent game that elegantly sets the stage for Rebirth’s bolder twists. You theoretically could skip Remake, but why deprive yourself of that experience?

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a standout RPG that combines turn-based battles, puzzle-solving, and platforming within a charming paper-themed world. Set in the Mushroom Kingdom, players guide Mario through eight distinct chapters to collect seven Crystal Stars, each unlocking new adventures and challenges. The game features a robust combat system with strategic partner mechanics and interactive audiences, alongside exploration that blends classic Mario platforming with RPG elements. Its engaging story, memorable characters, and humor have kept it beloved since its 2004 release, with a faithful 2024 remake enhancing graphics, sound, and gameplay quality for modern audiences.

Until this year, The Thousand-Year Door had been marooned on the Nintendo GameCube with old copies selling at exorbitant prices on secondhand markets. Nintendo’s remake for the Nintendo Switch, released in May, gives the game high-definition visuals (so it won’t look fuzzy on your modern TV), but its real selling point is the ease of playing the masterpiece whenever you like at a reasonable cost.

When you visit your local game shop, you might be tempted to instead grab Nintendo’s new riff on the Mario RPG formula, Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Resist! Newer isn’t better. In the case of Mario RPGs, they truly don’t make them like they used to.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

In Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, players dive into a sprawling RPG adventure that unites two iconic heroes, Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, across vibrant locations including Yokohama, Tokyo’s Kamurochō, and the tropical Honolulu City. The game builds on the series’ signature turn-based combat with the innovative “Live Command RPG” system, emphasizing strategic positioning and dynamic team attacks. Beyond intense battles, the title offers a rich tapestry of side activities-from managing a resort island to engaging in classic minigames-creating a deeply immersive experience. With a compelling narrative that explores personal and epic conflicts, Infinite Wealth stands as a bold evolution of the franchise, blending nostalgia with fresh gameplay that caters to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Behold, the everything bagel of role-playing games. The latest entry in the series formerly known as Yakuza features massive minigames riffing on games like Animal Crossing; multiple open-world cities spanning Japan and the Hawaiian islands; battles that paradoxically blend real-time action and turn-based combat; and some of the most life-affirming, inventive, and gripping writing in any game this year – whatever the genre.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the game I recommend to, well, everybody. And despite its scale (I hit credits after 90 hours and have plenty more to do) and its silliness (this is the only video game on the list that features a Pokémon-style minigame in which you collect, train, and battle perverts), every person I convince to try the game falls in love.

Why do I need an RPG to survive and thrive in 2025

Why You Need an RPG to Survive and Thrive in 2025

A Renaissance Year for RPGs

2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for role-playing games, with both major studios and indie developers delivering some of the most ambitious, innovative, and emotionally resonant titles in years. Here’s why diving into an RPG isn’t just entertainment-it’s essential for thriving in the year ahead:

1. Immersive Escapism and Emotional Resilience

• RPGs offer expansive worlds and deep stories that provide a meaningful escape from daily stress, letting you process challenges through the lens of epic quests and personal growth.

• Modern RPGs are designed for mature audiences, with nuanced narratives that mirror real-life dilemmas, moral choices, and emotional journeys-helping you build resilience and empathy as you play.

2. Innovation and Personalization

• 2025’s RPGs blend nostalgia with cutting-edge innovation, from remastered classics like Oblivion to new titles that mix tactical combat, visual novel storytelling, and real-time action.

• Games now offer unprecedented character customization, branching narratives, and player-driven outcomes, making every playthrough unique and personally meaningful.

3. Community and Connection

• RPGs have become more social, with cross-platform play and online communities allowing you to share adventures, strategies, and stories with friends and fellow fans around the world.

• Tabletop and digital RPGs alike are fostering inclusivity, creativity, and collaborative storytelling, making them a powerful tool for connection in an increasingly digital age.

4. Cognitive and Strategic Growth

• Tactical RPGs are rising in popularity, rewarding strategic thinking, smart decision-making, and adaptability-skills that translate well to real-life challenges.

• Many games now encourage experimentation, problem-solving, and creative approaches to obstacles, helping you stay sharp and adaptable.

5. A Golden Age of Choice

• With a flood of high-quality releases-from indie gems to AAA blockbusters-2025 offers something for every taste, whether you crave political intrigue, classic fantasy, or genre-bending hybrids.

• RPGs are more accessible than ever, with options for every platform, playstyle, and schedule, ensuring you can find the perfect adventure to fit your life.

In summary:
You need an RPG in 2025 because the genre is experiencing a creative and technological renaissance, offering immersive worlds, emotional stories, and social connections that help you not just survive, but truly thrive in a complex and unpredictable year.

How do RPGs in 2025 enhance my decision-making skills

How RPGs in 2025 Enhance Your Decision-Making Skills

Personalized, Adaptive Challenges

• Modern RPGs, especially those powered by advanced AI, adapt to every action and decision you make, creating a dynamic environment where choices have meaningful and evolving consequences. This constant feedback loop encourages you to think ahead, weigh options, and anticipate outcomes in a way that directly sharpens your decision-making skills.

Strategic Planning and Logical Reasoning

• RPGs are built around complex scenarios that require analytical thinking, risk assessment, and strategic planning. Players must analyze situations, predict outcomes, and make informed choices-skills that are directly transferable to real-world decision-making.

• Many games incorporate puzzles and branching narratives, forcing you to consider both immediate and long-term effects of your actions, which strengthens logical reasoning and strategic foresight.

Cognitive and Sensorimotor Benefits

• Scientific studies show that frequent video game players demonstrate superior sensorimotor decision-making skills and enhanced activity in key brain regions tied to perception and action. RPGs, with their intricate systems and real-time consequences, are particularly effective at training these cognitive processes.

Storytelling and Narrative Mastery

• Tabletop and digital RPGs immerse you in collaborative storytelling, requiring you to make decisions not only for your own benefit but for the group or narrative as a whole. This hones your ability to evaluate multiple perspectives, anticipate group dynamics, and resolve conflicts-valuable skills for both personal and professional life.

Confidence and Adaptability

• Successfully navigating RPG challenges builds confidence in your judgment and adaptability. The safe space of a game allows you to experiment with different approaches, learn from mistakes, and become more assertive in real-life decision-making.

Summary Table: RPGs and Decision-Making Skills

In 2025, RPGs are more than entertainment-they are interactive training grounds for mastering the art of decision-making in an increasingly complex world.