Role-playing games no longer dominate the market as they once did, but they remain one of the deepest and most richly rewarding genres. From classic party-based RPGs and narrative experiments to Japanese epics and punishing soulslikes, the choice is vast. We have gathered ten standout titles worth your attention, each offering a different experience—from hardcore tactics to unique storytelling.

Zero Parades: For Dead Spies

Release date: 21 May 2026 Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5

A spiritual successor to Disco Elysium from studio ZA/UM. The game once again emphasises dialogue, role-playing, and the protagonist's inner world over combat. The hero suffers from amnesia, and as the story unfolds, the player shapes his character through decisions and conversations.

Visually, the project recalls its predecessor, but it is no simple copy. Zero Parades builds on the strengths of Disco Elysium and offers a fresh take on the narrative RPG. An excellent choice for those who appreciate indie projects and are open to experiencing the genre differently.

Citizen Sleeper

Release date: 5 May 2022 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

A cyberpunk RPG without a conventional heroic arc. The player controls a Sleeper—a digitised consciousness in an artificial body—trying to survive on the fringes of the galaxy. Instead of epic battles, the struggle is against a degrading body, debts, and finding allies.

Gameplay revolves around dice rolls and three core actions: work, hack, and communicate. Combat is almost absent—what matters is tactics, moral choices, and relationships with those around you. A strong indie title for lovers of unconventional RPGs.

Elden Ring

Release date: 25 February 2022 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

A vast open world from FromSoftware, blending the signature difficulty of soulslikes with the freedom to explore. The player chooses their own route, build, and approach to bosses.

Combat demands precision, stamina management, and an understanding of each enemy. The story is told fragmentarily—through item descriptions and environmental details. The main campaign takes about 50 hours; full exploration exceeds 100. A true challenge and one of the defining games of the 2020s.

The Age of Decadence

Release date: 14 October 2015 Platforms: PC

A hardcore indie RPG set in a world after the fall of the Roman Empire. Its standout feature is the ability to complete the game with almost no combat, relying instead on diplomacy, stealth, or knowledge. Different classes and factions significantly alter the story and available quests.

The game is extremely demanding: a poor build can render further progress nearly impossible. The combat system is complex, and the text runs to hundreds of thousands of words. This is a choice for those who love replaying projects and value deep role-playing.

Persona 5 Royal

Release date for enhanced version: 21 October 2022 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

One of the finest Japanese role-playing games. By day, the heroes live a normal school life; by night, they explore Palaces—manifestations of people's distorted desires. The social link system directly affects combat abilities.

Battles revolve around exploiting enemy weaknesses, and a full playthrough can take around 100 hours. An excellent entry point for those wanting to explore JRPGs and enjoy a cohesive, stylish experience.

Tyranny

Release date: 10 November 2016 Platforms: PC

A rare RPG in which evil has already triumphed. The player operates in a world without the usual division into good and evil, where every decision affects the balance of power between factions. The spell-crafting system, built from components, is particularly noteworthy.

The game is relatively short but highly replayable. Combat is tactical, and the story unfolds through dialogue. Suited for those seeking an unconventional setting and high variability in playthroughs.

NieR: Automata

Release date: 23 February 2017 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

A unique action RPG with an unconventional narrative structure. After the first playthrough, new routes open up from other characters' perspectives, changing how you view events you have already seen.

The combat system blends melee action with shoot-'em-up elements. The world is not the largest, but it is deeply atmospheric. Full understanding of the story requires multiple playthroughs. One of the most distinctive projects of the last decade.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

Release date: 2 September 2021 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

A classic party-based RPG with a deep character development system: dozens of classes, hundreds of archetypes, and mythic paths that affect the story. The player commands a squad, develops a stronghold, and leads an army.

The game is known for its steep learning curve. Mistakes early on can make the playthrough significantly harder, but that is precisely what fans of "true" RPGs appreciate. There is plenty of nonlinearity, consequence-driven choices, and hundreds of hours of content.

Disco Elysium

Release date: 15 October 2019 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

A cult narrative RPG with almost no traditional combat. The player's primary tools are dialogue, thinking skills, and the character's inner voices. A detective story set in a grim, meticulously crafted world unfolds through text and choice.

The game allows scenes to play out completely differently depending on your build and decisions. Disco Elysium is often called one of the best RPGs ever made, thanks to its writing, atmosphere, and freedom of role-play. Essential for anyone interested in the genre.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Release date: 24 April 2025 Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series

One of the biggest hits of 2025. A turn-based RPG set in a dark fantasy world inspired by France's Belle Époque. Each year, people who reach a certain age turn to dust, and a team of explorers sets out to stop this cycle.

The battle system combines strategy with real-time elements: precise timing enhances attacks and allows for parries. The project's strengths lie in its story, characters, visual style, and particularly its music. A playthrough takes about 30 hours but leaves a lasting impression.