The 25 Greatest RPGs of All Time

It’s foolish to say that one RPG is "better" than all the rest across systems and generations. This is merely the 25 RPGs we feel are the best and nothing more!

[-Hermit-]

Dragon Quest 11 isn't even the best Dragon Quest game, it's a good game, but not the best. Dragon Quest 8 is superior to it in almost every way.

[thorstein]

...and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4....

I am biased.

[Hofstaderman]

OK let's end this, in order
Xenogears
Final Fantasy 8
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 6
Chrono Trigger
Legend of Dragoon
Breath of Fire 4
Breath of Fire 3
Dragon Quest 8
Dragon Quest 11
Vagrant Story
Saga Frontier 2
Chrono Cross
Suikoden 2
Suikoden
Threads of Fate
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XII
Lunar 2

[Jiub]

Sometimes I forget how much of a powerhouse the PS1 was

[7Cris7]

Basically PSX RPGs haha.

[MadLad]

I don't play too many jrpgs, and I'm trying to diversify a bit.

Outside of FF and Dragon Quest, what two games from that list do you most recommend someone trying? Doesn't matter if it's a sequel to another game or not.

[Jiub]

IMO: Chrono Trigger and Suikoden II

[thorstein]

Octopath Traveler is really good.

[BlaqMagiq1]

You have Threads of Fate on there which means you get my ultimate respect. Underrated and overlooked.

[Exvalos]

Man your dang near spot on absolute spot on choices

[Epicor]

I like your top 6 a lot. I don't have the same orders but all those games would make my top 10 RPG list most likely. Number 1 for me is FFIX. It holds a special place in my heart and imo it's the perfect Final Fantasy game.

In addition I would give special mention to some western RPG's as well: Skyrim and Mass Effect 2 were iconic games. Out of JRPG's I'd like to add Disgaea 2 on that list.

[MadLad]

Some of my personal favorites are Planescape: Torment, New Vegas, Morrowind, Kotor 2, Wasteland 3, Witcher 2, Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines, Deus Ex, Disco Elysium and Vampyr.

As far as jrpg, while I'm not as big a fan as I am for Western RPGs, I love Persona 3 - 5, Dragon Quest 8 and 11, Rogue Galaxy, Final Fantast 6,7, and 12; and Lost Odyssey.

[LoveSpuds]

Some quality taste in games there squire.

I'd add some Baldurs Gate 2 and Neverwinter Nights from back in the day too.

[MadLad]

Should have added BG2. Played through it many times over the years.

Never could get into Neverwinter Nights though. Not sure why.

[Omegasyde]

Loved rouge galaxy. Fav game from Level 5.

[ManMarmalade]

Legend of Dragoon #1 game of all time for me

[quenomamen]

Sukoiden 2 on PS1 for all u older gamers was a masterpiece.

[RoseSapphire]

Surprised to see Pokemon, Star Ocean, Dragon Age, and Fable. Not sure I'd put any of those series on a best of all time list for RPG's, but overall, solid list!

[zypher]

Suikoden 2 is WAY too low!

That is all.

[Knightofelemia]

Xenogears, Legend of Dragoon, Xenosaga Trilogy, Ar Tonelico for my choice I love the game. FFX, FF8, I know a lot of people will also say FF9. Lunar, Parasite Eve, Trails of Cold Steel, Y's. I would also add in Tales of Berseria, Arise, Xillia, Symphonia, Vesperia, Wild Arms 4 and 5. The list is subjective because everybody is going to list games they think should also be on the list. Then you will reach a general consensus on certain titles like say Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, FF7 the main games that hit every bodies mind.

[Fist4achin]

The world could use a Parasite Eve remake right about now.

[Jiub]

That could be some true nightmare fuel

[Imortus_san]

I saw the 3 first games gave up on the list.

[slowgamer]

I would replace persona 5 with either 3 or 4. I think they had much more interesting plots and setting.

[Omegasyde]

I liked 3 but I though personas keep getting better and better with 5 being best. The style, music and story was awesome. I did however like the characters from persona 4 the best though

[RavenWolfx]

In no particular order:

Chrono Trigger (except for this one, this is my favorite RPG of all time. The DS version is an excellent re-release w/ added stuff, including a canon 13th True Ending linking to Chrono Cross)
Chrono Cross (PS1)
Final Fantasy IV (my favorite FF, DS remake is also amazing)
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VII (Original version, I have played some of the Remake and it is awesome, but haven't beaten it)
Final Fantasy X
Rogue Galaxy (PS2)
Shadow Hearts: Covenant (PS2, please, PLEASE, check this out if you can)
Sword of Mana (GBA, this is an interesting one. This is a remake of Final Fantasy Adventure, the first Mana game, for the original GameBoy and it is amazing. They then remade FFA into Adventure of Mana, which is basically a direct graphical upgrade and very different from the Sword of Mana remake, which takes the FFA story and makes everything about it even better)
Secret of Mana (SNES)
Mass Effect 1-3 (Talimancer)
Dragon Age Origins
Dragon Age 2 (this gets a lot of hate, but Bioware introduced the 2nd best companion of all time with Varric. The banter w/ the Main Character's sarcastic set and Varric is glorious)
Transistor (Great art, combat, music)
Super Mario RPG (SNES)
Legend of Dragoon (PS1)
Knights of the Old Republic 1-2

Honorable Mentions:
Hades (does this count as an RPG?)
Parasite Eve 1-2 (PS1, loved both games)

I am sure there are several more that are just slipping my mind right now.

[Yui_Suzumiya]

It took over 10 years on this site but I finally found someone that enjoys Dragon Age II besides myself, lol

[RavenWolfx]

Except for the repeating maps, I think it is an excellent game. A smart-ass Hawke w/ Varric led to some fantastic dialogue and comedic moments, with some touching scenes here and there. The combat was improved from Origins and more enjoyable. All around, a great sequel that got a lot of hate.

[X-23]

Something about the classic JRPG's where magical. Something like the title the box art, or the screenshots on the back of the box was usually what captivated you to purchase it, or at least rent it.
To me Chrono Trigger is a must play for any fan of the genre. Playing that game completely blind is such a rewarding experience, the build up for Magus was great, that battle theme when you face him gave me goosebumps back then.
Little do you know, fighting him to a stalemate is just the beginning.

Chrono Trigger was not my first RPG but it was the one that had me start actively seeking out more games in the genre and I'm thankful for that and the team of devs at Squaresoft that made such a amazing game, had it not been for them I likely would have never cared about a Final Fantasy 7 or a Breath of Fire or any of that.

[ApocalypseShadow]

No Phantasy Star game? No Skies of Arcadia?

No dice. I could easily replace some of those on the list with others.

[pietro1212]

I don’t get the SoA hyped. Played the Dreamcast version and thought It was nothing special

[ApocalypseShadow]

It's subjective. Like the article list. But SOA had great gameplay, characters, music and story. I got the same Sega RPG fun and enjoyment as old Genesis Phantasy Star games. Battles may have been frequent and somewhat annoying as you traveled. But it never ruined the experience.

[pietro1212]

I need to give it another go now that I'm older. Hopefully Sega will remaster or remake it

[BlaqMagiq1]

25 is too small of a list. You would need to do a 100 list.

[jznrpg]

Agreed

[HyperMoused]

Secret of Evermore

[Wilwon]

Chrono trigger was such a great game I wish they would remake it and keep all the same elements like they did Demon Souls.

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Some favorites of mine are Fallout 3, Persona 5 Royal, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age II, Dying Light, Crystar, Final Fantasy VIII, Diablo III, Cyberpunk 2077, Alpha Protocol, The Outer Worlds and Kingdoms of Amulur.

[AndrenNguyen1471992]

This rank is actually so weird ... I don't even like 75% of them

[SeTTriP]

Not a list for me..no chrono cross, no nier, but fable 2 lmfao made it.some of the games belong tho.

[Pickledpepper]

Phantasy star should be on that list

[MidnightMay0r]

Star Ocean 2 being on this list is definitely right but where’s xenogears, breath of fire 3 or 4, final fantasy 6 or 8, legend of dragoon, lunar 1 and 2 for Christ sake. Damn scratching my head at some games on this list

[jbrock11]

For me....
1. FF7
2. Earthbound
3. Chrono Trigger
4. FF8
5. Parasite Eve
6. Breath of Fire 3
7. FF Tactics
8. Zelda Majora's Mask
9. Zelda OoT
10. FF Crisis Core ( Hard to get 10 honestly. A ton of games could have gone here. Big drop off from 9 to 10+. )

[Tapani]

Disco Elysium, Xenogears, Vagrant Story and Dragon Quest V should be on there, or just simply added. Chrono Cross was great, too, and so was Xenosaga I-III, but not among the top. Mother 2 is really good too.

[Zeldafan64]

Not seeing anyone say any of the Xenoblade games is very disappointing.

[pietro1212]

The lack of Xenogears and Xenoblade 1,2 is disappointing

[Zeldafan64]

I said the same thing, at least about the Xenoblade games.