The role-playing genre has been home to some of the best games ever made over the years, boasting titles like Fallout: New Vegas, Mass Effect 2, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, just to name a few. However, some truly excellent RPGs haven't been as universally played, although they are just as strong as these titles when it comes to story, gameplay, or both. Whether they were panned upon their initial run or were released under unfortunate circumstances, this list ranks some of the most underrated RPGs of all time. (Note that none of the games or series listed below were ranked within the top 100 spots on our Greatest RPGs Of All Time list at the time of publication, which was part of the initial criteria when choosing these titles). One of the great things about RPGs is the fact that even older games often hold up. That's because, unlike other genres, role-playing games place a particularly heavy emphasis on plot and thematic elements, which means graphics and gameplay mechanics sometimes take a backseat to a good old-fashioned story. Sure, there are hundreds of underrated role-playing games that deserve more attention, but the ones listed below are known for having dedicated fan bases — regardless of how old (or new) they are. From overlooked RPGs to underrated JRPGs to hack-and-slash hybrids, and more, vote up all your favorite underrated RPG games and downvote the titles you consider overrated.
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Metacritic Score: 78 As close to a Final Fantasy game you can get without, you know, actually being a Final Fantasy game, Lost Odyssey was a visually stunning JRPG released during the Xbox 360 era. The game centers around Kaim, a powerful immortal who's lost his memory. In addition to looking and sounding the part, Lost Odyssey also features an incredibly engaging storyline that's sure to keep gamers old and new hooked.
Metacritic Score: 89 A lesser-known title from beloved developer BioWare, Jade Empire was initially released as an Xbox exclusive in 2005 and was the studio's first game based on a completely original intellectual property. The game reused the morality system from BioWare's previous title Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, but incorporated a new, real-time combat system. Chinese folklore, culture, and history were a huge inspiration for Jade Empire, which even incorporated a fictional language created specifically for the game that borrowed heavily from Chinese. After receiving near-universal critical acclaim, the game was then ported to PC so as to reach a wider audience of players.
Metacritic score: 73 (Shadow Hearts) Often credited as some of the most underrated RPGs of all time, the Shadow Hearts series is definitely worth checking out. For starters, the games are set during (and after) the events of World War I, which is already a daft departure from traditional RPGs. They also feature incredibly unique characters, plots, and gameplay mechanics. But what truly makes these games so great is how each installment actually improves upon the last. Shadow Hearts Covenant is an amazing sequel and takes place directly after the ending of the first game. It's also the highest-rated in the series, with an 85% on Metacritic. While the series still holds a special place in many gamers' hearts, initial reviews were somewhat mixed. Still after nearly 20 years, these games still hold up and have arguably aged better than many of the other PS2-era role-playing titles.
Metacritic Score: 93 Skies of Arcadia is a JRPG that was originally released on the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 and was later released on the Nintendo GameCube in 2002 (where it featured slightly better graphics and extra content). Its gameplay is centered around exploration and features classic RPG mechanics such as turn-based battles and experience points. While it was one of the best-reviewed Dreamcast games, it ultimately underperformed commercially (as did the GameCube version), although it has since garnered something of a cult following. Developers have attempted to create a sequel multiple times, but, unfortunately, none of those projects ever came to fruition. Still, it remains one of the most beloved JRPGs ever made — at least in smaller circles.
Metacritic Score: 90 (Grandia II) Every Grandia game is great but Grandia II is arguably the most well-executed. Originally released for the Dreamcast, it's all been lost to the sands of time. One of the greatest features of Grandia II is its unique battle system: while fights are still somewhat turn-based, players have full control of their characters' movements. While the game was ported to the PlayStation 2 and PC shortly after it was released on the Dreamcast, the quality of the graphics and design were somewhat altered. Still, as a great RPG epic that's both engaging and intuitive, it remains a must-play.
Metacritic Score: 80 Dragon’s Dogma was already a great RPG that was criminally overlooked, but the Dark Arisen expansion made it even better. The story’s your typical run-of-the-mill hero epic, but the gameplay and the fighting mechanics are what really make it memorable. It’s one of the few RPGs where your protagonist is entirely customizable. It’s also beautifully visualized and features a range of different warrior classes to choose from, including Fighters, Mages, Assassins, Sorcerers, and more. With such glowing reviews, it’s surprising it hasn’t been more of a hit on modern consoles.
Metacritic Score: 80 (Star Ocean: The Second Story) Originally released for the Super Famicom in 1996, Star Ocean was a technical marvel of its time. The game cartridge featured a special compression chip so as to fit all of the game's impressive graphics data, and it was also one of the only games on its platform to feature full voice acting during its intro and battle sequences. The story follows three friends who, in an attempt to find the cure for a disease, find themselves pulled into an intergalactic war full of intrigue and time-travel. It's a shame this hidden gem often doesn't get the recognition it deserves, especially when the four entries that followed it were just as strong. While there have been numerous installments in the series, Second Story often receives the most praise.
Metacritic Score: N/A Legend of Legaia was a bonafide hit when it was released in 1999, but after Legaia 2: Duel Saga in 2002 that series fell off the radar. For PS1 lovers, it was easily one of the most popular RPGs. Given the series' great storylines, gameplay, and intuitive battle system, it's surprising these games haven't seen a resurgence in recent years. One of the coolest features of the original game was the ability to give characters specific commands they could execute in battle. With so many great RPGs being released during ths time, Legend of Legaia had the unfortunate luck to be released during the reign of Final Fantasy VII.
Metacritic score: 81 (Valkyrie Profil ) While there have been four Valkyrie games over the years, the first and second installments still stand strong as crowning achievements in the RPG genre. Originally released for the PlayStation (and later the PlayStation portable), Valkyrie Profile is a traditional PS1-era Square Enix game that pulls heavily from Nordic lore. Valkyrie Profile games were fairly popular during their release but have since fallen off the radar. That said, the last installment, Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin, was a smartphone game that was finally released in the West in 2019.
Metacritic Score: 73 (Wild Arms 3) Wild Arms is an often forgotten RPG series that tends to have it all — engaging storylines, fun battles, complex puzzles, and a cool dystopian feel. While the games were pretty popular during the late '90s and early '00s, the series hit a dead end during the PSP days, although a smartphone release did see the light of day in 2018 (although it was only released in Japan). While it may not have taken off in the West, the Wild Arms series was pretty big in Japan. The series even had its own anime, which likely help solidify its cult status.
Metacritic Score: 80 Directed and co-wrriten by the creator of the Final Fantasy series, The Last Story is an immersive (and beautiful) JRPG that was released exclusively on the Wii. While it blends traditional RPG mechanics, it's also notable for introducing various stealth gameplay techniques. The game itself received high marks when it was released, but failed to become a breakout success in the States like it had in Japan. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why this game remains so underrated is the fact that it was a Wii exclusive. While the PS3 was known for churning out great role-playing games, the Wii was more of a family-friendly console, and RPGs were hardly considered a main driver.
Metacritic Score: 87 Loosely based on the story of Joan of Arc, a French heroine of the Hundred Years' War in the early fifteenth century, Jeanne d'Arc is a tactical RPG that brings a fantastical interpretation to this classic narrative. Rather than the war being waged between England and France, however, the game's story revolves around a war between humans and demons. In its turn-based gameplay, players control Jeanne and her party members to battle enemies, and the player also has access to unique magical abilities.
Metacritic Score: 76 Witcher and Skyrim may be the two biggest titans of modern medieval RPGs (for good reason), but Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an oft-overlooked gem that deserves more credit. Set during the era of the Holy Roman Empire, it's a gorgeous action role-playing game that sports some heavy thematic elements. Unlike traditional RPGs, Deliverance takes a first-person approach to gameplay. As a result, you're often left feeling more immersed and involved in your surroundings. That said, if you have the option, go with up the PC version over the PS4 and Xbox One ports, as it's slightly more robust.
Metacritic Score: 80 Easily one of the most fluid and comprehensive RPG series of all time, The Banner Saga games spans numerous installments and all take place in a rich world set amidst a heavy backdrop of Norse mythology. One of the greatest aspects of The Banner Saga series is the fact that these games rely heavily on the storytelling aspect and dive way deeper into individual character arcs and backstories. The games are as much a visual book as they are traditional RPGs, making them a classic in any era.
Metacritic Score: 83 With themes and imagery loosely based on the Victorian era, Grim Dawn is an action RPG that stands out from its typically high fantasy peers in the genre. In a twisting narrative involving extra-dimensional and ethereal beings, an apocalypse, and supernatural powers, players are tasked with reclaiming what's left of the world and protecting the few humans who have survived. As gameplay is centered around fast-paced gameplay and loot-collecting in the form of armor, potions, weapons, and money, Grim Dawn is an excellent option for players who want something a bit more blood-pumping than the classic turn-based RPG. Release: 2016 Developer: Crate Entertainment Platform: Microsoft Windows
Metacritic Score: 77 While recent games have been fairly hit or miss, the first Risen was an epic gothic RPG that put an extra heavy emphasis on fighting. Leveling up your skills largely depends on your weapon type, and players need to master various moves and blocks in order to advance. Set amidst a beautiful backdrop that is said to have been inspired by Sicily, the first Risen game set an incredibly high bar for future releases. Whether the sequels lived up to the hype is moot: the original is still a treasure.
Metacritic Score: 86 A blatantly retro JRPG that takes place in the future? Yup, that’s basically CrossCode. While the game received favorable reviews, it wasn’t a huge seller, which is a shame considering how well-executed it is. It combines tons of different gameplay elements and pulls them off with style to spare. It's one of those games that becomes increasingly more enjoyable the longer you play. Originally released on Mac and Microsoft Windows, ports have been announced for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, though exact dates are still tentative.
Metacritic Score: 83 If you're looking for a more action-packed, Metroidvania-inspired RPG, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night could be the game for you. Bloodstained is in fact considered the spiritual successor to the Castlevania series, as one of its creators Koji Igarashi was a producer for the beloved platformer. Bloodstained's development was made possible by a Kickstarter that raised $5.5 million in 2015, so it was an instant hit among fans, yet it still remains inexplicably forgotten about in the mainstream RPG market.
Metacritic Score: 81 Torment: Tides of Numenera is an RPG that is considered to be a thematic and spiritual successor to another well-loved role-playing game – Planetscape: Torment. Taking place in Numenera, a fantasy campaign setting written by Dungeons & Dragons designer Monte Cook, the game focuses heavily on the narrative and the player's interactions with the world, rather than placing combat at the forefront of gameplay. Torment reached its crowdfunding goal in the first six hours of its launch in 2013 and had soon set the record for the highest-funded video game on Kickstarter at the time with $4 million. Release: 2017 Developer: inXile Entertainment Platform: Windows, MacOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Metacritic Score: 78 Mount & Blade: Warband is in fact a standalone expansion pack to the RPG Mount & Blade and was released in 2010, two years after the base game. While the original Mount & Blade could also be considered an overlooked gem of the RPG genre, Warband improves on the title even more by including a sixth faction, more robust political options, the ability of the player to start their own faction, and new multiplayer modes. The expansion maintained what made the title initially so enjoyable for players, yet also provided new features that improved that experience all the more, hence why is it remembered and preferred over the base game. Release: 2010 Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh operating systems, Linux
Metacritic Score: 81 If you have a thing for alternate histories, The Age of Decadence is a must-play. Set in a low-magic, post-apocalyptic world inspired by the fall of the Roman Empire, this turn-based RPG allows the player a great deal of control over its non-linear story. According to the developer, The Age of Decadence attempts to return to the "golden era" of role-playing games, which focuses on choices and consequences, provides multiple solutions to various problems, and offers extensive dialogue trees. With 23 unique skills and robust crafting and alchemy systems, players have an incredible amount of freedom and must use a great deal of strategy while playing this RPG.
Metacritic Score: 80 Based off the popular comic, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is an extremely fluid RPG that plays out in a more linear way, giving players more prompts as to where to go and what to do. It's a beautiful game that blends traditional RPG elements with more JRPG styles, but it's really the overall look and feel of the game that really makes it stand out. At times it's clearly reminiscent of Dungeons and Dragons. With tons of areas to explore and dungeons to loot, it's one of the fairly easier RPGs to pick up and play, but that doesn't make it any less rewarding.
Metacritic Score: 81 Phantom Brave is a tactical RPG that may not be all that well known, but it has been well-loved over the years, having been remastered and re-released three times since it first hit the market in 2004. The story follows a thirteen-year-old girl named Marona and her phantom companion, Ash, in their attempt to take down an evil being named Sulphur, who is responsible for the deaths of Marona's parents. Don't be fooled by the game's cute and colorful graphics, as the narrative explores mature and sometimes dark themes of bravery, loss, and sacrifice. One unique feature of Phantom Brave's combat system is that none of the battle areas have barriers around the edges, so characters or objects can go out of bounds, which the player can use to their advantage.
Metacritic Score: 76 If you still have an old Game Boy Advance knocking around and you need a good RPG, Riviera: The Promised Land is arguably one of the best handheld RPGs ever made. The game mostly consists of turn-based role-playing mechanics but also includes strategy and dating sim elements as well. Due to its unconventional and creative gameplay innovations, Riviera became a sleeper hit for adding a twist to conventional standards of the RPG genre. The player, along with the help of their four party members and cat-like familiar, must rise up against an evil force known as the Accursed. Multiple endings can also be achieved based on in-game decisions and relationships, giving Riviera even more replayability value.
Metacritic Score: 86 One of the more recent games, Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark was released in 2019 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, and Mac. Heavily inspired by Final Fantasy Tactics, this indie-made tactical RPG strives to pay homage to classic gameplay that players love while updating design features, visuals, and UI. Fell Seal also focuses heavily on telling an engaging story, as the player takes control of an Arbiter named Kyrie, an agent of the Immortal Council tasked with maintaining order throughout the land. Release: 2018 Developer: 6 Eyes Studio Platform: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac
