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It’s time to take a look at the best RPGs on Xbox. RPGs aren’t normally something you’d expect to see on Xbox consoles, but as time goes on we have seen the likes of Persona make its way over from being PlayStation exclusives, slowly fleshing out the library with more excellent RPG choices to get lost in on the Xbox.
The Xbox is home to more than just RPGs, of course. If you want to see more Xbox games, check out our lists of the best FPS games on Xbox and the best Xbox Game Pass games. With that, it’s time to look at the best RPGs on Xbox.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Dragon Quest 11 marks the first time a Dragon Quest game has come to the Xbox console. Dragon Quest XI S is the definitive version of the game, which means you can enjoy the best possible version of Dragon Quest 11 on Xbox consoles. You play as a hero who is tasked with saving the world, which is fairly standard fare for RPGs and has been for years. The charm of Dragon Quest is what sets this apart from other RPGs; the writing is fabulous and smart, while the world is incredibly charming and fun to explore.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
You might have heard of Larian Studios as the company behind the stellar and outstandingly impressive Baldur’s Gate 3. Divinity: Original Sin is the studio’s first game and Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the sequel, offering a beautifully unique RPG experience in a funny, scary, and engaging world. You are your party have been chosen to become the next God, and you are on a quest to reach this Divinity no matter what gets in the way. There is turn-based combat, a sassy narrator, and a beautiful blend of storytelling and tactical gameplay.
Monster Hunter World
One of the best action RPGs out there by a mile is Monster Hunter World. If you’ve never played a Monster Hunter game, World is the perfect one to start on. It modernised the systems from previous games and created something incredibly beautiful, downright enjoyable and challenging game, featuring some of the best multiplayer experience you’ll ever have. Create your character, explore extremely large biomes, hunt monsters, gather materials, and take it all back to the smithy to increase your gear and weapons. The story sees you face off against awesome monsters that will put you through your paces.
Diablo IV
Diablo IV has something of an endless appeal to it, in that you can probably play this game forever. If you want grinding, RPG mechanics, a great story, fun multiplayer and delicious dungeon crawling, then Diablo IV is the game for you. While it is mired with microtransactions, it does improve upon every other Diablo game with more modern systems, graphics, and gameplay. You’ve probably played an older Diablo on Xbox, so this is more of what you love. We loved the story, graphics, and combat in our review of Diablo 4.
Tales of Arise
Tales of Arise is a phenomenally fun RPG with fantastic gameplay and music. The characters in your party are engaging and likeable, even if the story doesn’t do the game any favours. In terms of action RPGs, you will struggle to find a better one than Tales of Arise. The combat is outrageously fun and challenging, with elements of timing and positional-based combat. Alphen is the main character and he’s joined by others who share his quest to bring an oppressive rule to an end. Anime hijinx and stylish battles ensue.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
The oldest entry on this list has stood the test of time and then some. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a powerhouse RPG set in the Star Wars universe. It features a hybrid combat system with real-time and pause mechanics, while also using a modified version of 3rd Edition Dungeons and Dragons for its combat and exploration. The cast of characters and story are incredible, filled with jaw-dropping moments and crammed full of challenging fights for your avatar and party to overcome. This is the definitive Star Wars RPG, and a must-play if you’ve yet to give it a try.
Persona 4 Golden
Persona 4 Golden is arguably the best Persona game when it comes to pure story and characters. It took Atlus years of research and fine-tuning to create this game and the result is a phenomenal, nearly unmatched story-led RPG experience. You and your friends are trying to solve a murder mystery while also exploring long dungeons and taking part in tough turn-based combat. The storytelling in Persona 4 is brilliant and the characters you meet will remain with you long after you clear the game. There is such a thing as post-Persona game blues, and this game will make you tear up at several points.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
If you’ve ever heard of the Shadow of War Nemesis System, then this alone is enough to try this game. Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is a sequel, but the first game is so inconsequential that it doesn’t need to be played. This game follows Tallion who is known as the Wraith, going around slaughtering orcs and trying to stop Sauron in fast-paced melee combat. Dying in this game is not a failure, and it is a way to progress time and events; when you’re killed by an orc, this orc is promoted and will become stronger. When you face that orc again, they will recognise you and taunt you about your previous bout with them. The orcs have ridiculous personalities and it works so well in this game. Read our Shadow of War review, which goes into great detail about the nemesis system and the fun action this game offers.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a walking meme in the best possible way. It flips the typical RPG stuff you see on its head, with a main character who is full of meta references to Dragon Quest, complete with a ragtag group of lovable and hilariously troubled middle-aged protagonists. Yakuza: Like a Dragon has brilliant turn-based combat that flows really well, while also having a story and characters positively bursting with heart and charm. We praised the new direction of the Yakuza games in our review of Like a Dragon, which will give you a good idea of what to expect.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt appears on almost every best RPG list, and for a good reason. It is incredibly ambitious and brilliantly executed in so many ways. The storytelling, characters, world-building, and exploration are all positively engaging. Playing as the monster hunter Geralt and riding into a town to grab a contract is just how we picture the lifestyle of a Witcher and this game captures it perfectly with a thoughtful blend of storytelling and immersive action. Give our Witcher 3 review a read to find out some more great stuff about this RPG.
Nier: Automata
Nier is a series that has pretty much lived its whole life on Sony consoles, but now more Square Enix RPGs, including the likes of Final Fantasy, are making their way over to the Xbox. Nier Automata is an enigma wrapped in a mystery, much to its credit and detriment. The music in Nier is on another level, and while the story takes you on ridiculous wild rides and meta-silliness, the action-orientated gameplay keeps you racing along. It’s best to go in as blind as possible with Nier, but you can read our Nier: Automata review to get an idea.
Persona 5 Royal
Much like Final Fantasy, the mainline Persona games are finally playable on Xbox. Now you can play Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal on Xbox consoles and this is arguably the best thing to happen to Xbox when trying to improve its library of RPGs. Persona 5 Royal was a turning point for Persona due to its rave reviews and praise for its gameplay, stylish presentation, phenomenal turn-based combat, characters and story all blending together to create an incredibly detailed and long RPG experience you cannot miss out on.
Final Fantasy VII
The original Final Fantasy 7 game can now be played on Xbox, which is something many of us never thought we’d see. Originally released in 1997, Final Fantasy 7, all the way to Final Fantasy 10, were solely PlayStation exclusives. Experience the original story of Cloud on his mission to save the planet from environmental devastation at the hands of the SHINRA Electric Company. This classic, turn-based RPG is often credited as being the best of the best, but we’ll leave that up to you to decide.
