30. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition (PS5)
One of the most enduring games in history, Bethesda's iconic RPG comes to PS5 with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Anniversary Edition. What's more, it's quite simply the best version of Skyrim to ever grace a PlayStation console. This is a real cut above previous versions (which were often riddled with bugs), offering a mostly locked 60 frames-per-second at 4K resolution. It's taken a decade, but Bethesda has finally delivered a smooth experience with this PS5 release — and crucially, the game is still a fantastic, enormous RPG well worth playing today.
29. Judgment (PS4)
A Yakuza spin-off of sorts, Judgment embraces the same general gameplay structure as SEGA's crime-filled series, but it adds a delicious detective spin to proceedings. Playing as rough and ready private detective Takayuki Yagami, you chase leads (sometimes literally), examine evidence, and question suspects. With a gripping story and a cast of excellent characters, Judgment is yet another win for Yakuza Studio, and its completely standalone narrative acts as a perfect starting point for those interested in the franchise.
28. Lost Judgment (PS4)
Though it never reaches the same heights as its predecessor, detective thriller sequel Lost Judgment remains a great action RPG. With an intense story full of twists and carried by a brilliant cast of characters, the game is your typical Yakuza-style thrill ride — but it's actually the ridiculous amount of impressively varied side content that drives Yagami's sophomore case. An expanded, satisfying combat system is worthy of note as well.
27. Assassin's Creed Odyssey (PS4)
Assassin's Creed Odyssey is much more of an open world RPG than it is a traditional Assassin's Creed title. The second instalment in the series' "open world trilogy", this ancient Greek adventure may overlook a lot of the game design that defined its predecessors, but there's no denying that its interlocking RPG systems make for a deep and engaging experience. Levelling up, loot, skill trees, and randomised elements like bounty-hunting mercenaries all play a part across a truly gigantic map. The story's not bad either, as protagonist Alexios or Kassandra embarks on a branching journey to learn the truth about his or her legendary bloodline.
25. Tales of Arise (PS5)
Bandai Namco went big budget with Tales of Arise, and delivered a fantastic action RPG. Taking place across a wide range of vibrant locations and boasting an endearing main cast of characters, there's an awful lot to like about the desperate adventures of Alphen. As you'd expect of the long running series, the real-time, combo-based combat is a highlight — but a twisting story also strings things along to great effect. For our gald, Tales of Arise is one of the PS5's strongest Japanese RPGs.
23. Nioh (PS4)
Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja's first attempt at creating a Soulslike actually worked out really well. Nioh is a more fast paced action RPG, set in a twisted feudal Japan, now overrun with all manner of monsters and demons. It's tough as nails, but an abundance of loot combined with satisfying combat makes for a moreish adventure. The story's surprisingly interesting as well, as main character William Adams comes face to face with various historical warlords.
22. Assassin's Creed Origins (PS4)
A stunning recreation of ancient Egypt is the backdrop for Assassin's Creed Origins — a game that redefined Ubisoft's series. Going full open world and throwing a bunch of RPG systems into the mix, Origins breathed new life into Assassin's Creed after Unity and Syndicate struggled to leave a lasting impression. Origins follows the surprisingly emotional story of Bayek, a determined mystic and warrior, who, with the help of his estranged wife Aya, establishes the Hidden Ones — the precursor organisation that would one day become the Assassin Brotherhood.
21. Judgment (PS5)
It may have launched on PS4 not long before this PS5 port, but Judgment is so good that it deserves every chance at success that it can get. This Yakuza spinoff puts you in the sneakers of Takayuki Yagami, a private detective living in the heart of Kamurocho, a fictional red light district that's always teetering on the edge of chaos. Tangled up in a series of brutal murders, Yagami is forced to dig deep into the city's criminal underbelly, resulting in a truly gripping story. With a brilliant cast of characters, a great combat system, and a map that's stuffed with fun distractions, Judgment is right up there with the absolute best that Yakuza has to offer.
Comments 34
Bloodborne 4? Should be no1 at this list
Weird list considering Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 aren't even RPGs. They're beat em ups. If those are RPGs then so is Guardians of the Galaxy, which should be on this list with it's 8.3 rating currently.
Fallout 3 out ranking Fallout New Vegas. That's a hot take
@Milktastrophe I do feel Push square are very liberal with there definitions of games. Division seems a stretch to me. I dont think the Yakuza games are even in the plus tiers well definitely not in Europe and America.
@Milktastrophe
Strange you would take issue with the Yakuza games being called RPGs due to the type of combat employed, yet not something like Fallout New Vegas.
Regardless, the Yakuza series are my favourite story focused games of all time, so my only criticism is they are too far down the list!
@bindiana If they're including Japan and the rest of Asia, there's gonna be plenty of people mighty upset that there's not a single Legend of Heroes better than Greedfall. Actually, reading the article intro again, it seems they're including essential which would explain Kiwami 1's inclusion, but I don't think Kiwami 2 was ever a monthly game. But that would open another can of worms like how did FF7 Remake not make the list.
@thefourfoldroot1 it's not the combat system but the lack of RPG mechanics being core to the gameplay. There's nothing preventing an action RPG from having a Yakuza-style battle system The Fallout games are RPG's with FPS combat, you go around earning exp and leveling up, like Borderlands, also surprisingly missing from this list (didn't check the score though). I'd be more wary about the Division being and RPG before Fallout, like bindiana mentioned. I've heard the Division called an RPG before, but I don't know much about it (is it not just a looter shooter?).
To be honest, we could argue about what is and isn't an RPG forever. There's weirdos that think the pre-Breath of the Wild Zelda games are RPGs.
Yakuza's got upgrading skills, but that alone doesn't make it an RPG. I agree though they are fantastic games, just not RPGs (well, until Like a Dragon came along).
@Milktastrophe Yeah, same about AC Valhalla.
@Milktastrophe
Fair enough opinion, and you are right, arguing the details takes us down an impossible to escape rabbit hole. But, why do you not feel you can level up in Yakuza? As you say, you level up and unlock the ability to use all skills. You also unlock health upgrades etc. you do this with points earned through beating enemies and completing tasks. I fail to see how this is different from most RPGs…
Terrible list. Several of the games are not even RPGs. Whereas several true RPGs are missing. Where is Witcher? Where is Dragon Age or Mass Effect? Persona 5? IMO an RPG is a game where you get to play the role of the protagonist by choosing how to explore, build your character or squad members, craft builds by choosing specific skills/gear, and make decisions that impact the story or game world. Of course, some games miss one or more of those qualities such as JRPGs rarely features decisions that impact the story or world but those qualities are what generally define an RPG.
Yakuza 7 like a dragon should be here instead of kiwami 🤔🤔
Ermmm FF8 > FF10
Vampyr is a good game but my word it takes dedication to finish. Toward the end, it crashed almost hourly. Almost a sense of relief seeing the credits.
Nice. I like this list! PSOne, PS3, PS4 and PS5 games in the top 10; Demons Souls and Bloodborne up there. FF7 number 1 (as it should be).
It showcases PS Plus (and it’s depth of catalogues quite well). Bring on Legend of Dragoon and Vagrant Story.
@bindiana Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 are on PS Plus in Europe.
@OneWingedAngel None of those games are on PS Plus for a start.
@LiamCroft
Oh my bad. I saw the headline as Best RPGs on PS. Never saw the Plus at the end and read the whole article.
@LiamCroft I think you need to check that as I am in the UK and yakuza is not on ps plus extra they were removed hours into the service
Yakuza not on this list https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/ps-plus/games/
why is YS IX not on the list? its better and more rpg than many of these titles
@Irae "Please note that a game must have at least 20 ratings for it to appear on this list."
@LiamCroft pardon my bluntness but thats stupid. the ys franchise has been going on for decades, it deserves better. horizon zero dawn being in this list at all already makes it worthless anyway
@Irae Then get people to vote for it. This list is entirely based on the user scores of the community; it's not our fault if something doesn't appear.
Not evidence that my opinions differ vastly from the community. I mean, I’d never ever put New Vegas below Fallout 3.
I miss the days where RPG's were actually RPGs and not just action games with experience points.
@LiamCroft is there any reason the push square team overlooks the south park games in rpg lists? They dont appear in any RPG lists. They meet your criteria. Fractured But Whole has 33 ratings and is rated 8 while stick of truth has 92 ratings and rated 8.4 and both on PS plus. Yakuza 1 and 2 definitely aren't on PS plus extra in any region they were in the Europe list for a day before they were removed.
@bindiana Hi! So your comment made me curious about those South Park games. I've made some changes and now Fractured But Whole has populated this list as it should! Stick of Truth is trickier, because the version you mention is actually the PS3 version; the PS4 version (the one on Plus) has zero user ratings!
As for the Yakuza games, they are indeed not on Plus anymore, and so aren't in this list.
Appreciate the feedback!
Removed - unconstructive
Removed - unconstructive
@Quintumply Well the Ps4 game is basically the ps3 game but will concede to the technicality! Thanks for looking into it did seem like the south park games were being overlooked for RPG lists. Just need a few more user ratings to get Ys VIII on the list
These community rated lists seem to cause so much confusion. Every single one I look at has a bunch of comments from people that clearly didn't read the description, and are mad at PushSquare staff for their supposed bad taste.
Nope.. cant seem to find The Witcher 3 at no 1(or at all) for some reason...
Final Fantasy VIII was one of the most important games of my childhood. I wish it would get a remake.
Weird that this had the same games multiple times even if they are PS4/PS5 version that doesn't make any since.
@Saitama117 My first Final Fantasy was 8 I loved it so much i bought my favorite Final Fantasy thats 7 still my favorite protagonist Cloud.
The remake made it less special it takes way to long it really made me lose interest. How great would it have been if FF7R was a remake with just updated graphics and controls that would have been a dream.
Maybe a few extras maybe a new weapon the rumored final Sword of Cloud or some summons. Jessie Raspberry is awsome though.
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