The Best RPGs Of 2025 According To Metacritic

A good role-playing game gives you hours of fun, various gameplay systems to master, and a constant supply of dopamine every time you level up. In 2025, fans of the genre dove into classic fantasy adventures, traveled the cosmos, and even found some time for a bit of agricultural fun. Last year's best RPGs included GameSpot's GOTY, Metaphor: Refantazio and other heavy-hitters like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Unicorn Overlord, and Black Myth: Wukong, but this year, there was a very noticeable trend with the games that rose to the top.

Remasters and remakes dominated the list on our sister-site Metacritic, with only a handful of original games and sequels spread between them. This isn't surprising news, given that nearly all gamers have played a remake or a remaster in the last year and that these types of games continue to be both popular and lucrative. Between the old favorites that got a new lease on life, some of this year's standout titles include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, The Outer Worlds 2, and Monster Hunter Wilds.

We've rounded up all the RPGs of 2025 that received the highest Metascores--as of December 12--and you can see them all for yourself in the list below. For a closer look at the best of the year, you can also check out our features on GameSpot's 2025 game of the year, and our 10 best games of 2025.

More Best Of 2025:

• Best of 2025 hub
• Why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is GameSpot's GOTY 2025
• GameSpot's 10 Best Games of 2025
• The Best PS5-Exclusive Games Of 2025
• The Best Nintendo Switch And Switch 2 Exclusives Of 2025
• The Best-Reviewed Games Of 2025
• 2025's Biggest Gaming News: Banned Games, GTA 6 Delayed, Price Hikes

One of the early hits of the year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just an elegant RPG with a unique setting and strong performances from its cast. It's a revitalizing spin on a familiar genre, and an energetic and captivating journey that easily earns it a place alongside the greatest RPGs of all time.

Metascore: 92 | Read our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review.

The original Kingdom Come was something of a sneaky hit with a pocket of RPG fans who sang its praises, but the game never really exploded. The sequel feels like a much bigger, more realized, and above all, more impressive take on a lot of the same ideas. Kingdom Come is an RPG that prides itself on deeply immersive systems and worlds, and pulls players into its setting centuries ago to tell a story that is personal, but also grand and expansive.

Metascore: 88 | Read our Kingdom Come: Deliverance II review.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a prime example of just how far Capcom's series has come, going from cult-classic status to blockbuster success over the last couple of years. While its core of hunting and crafting remains the same and as engaging as ever, it's the emphasis on building a frictionless gameplay experience within a world full of memorable monsters that makes the latest entry in the franchise one of the all-time best.

Metascore: 88 | Read our Monster Hunter Wilds review.

After two decades and many interconnected games, where does an RPG fan start if they're looking to jump into the popular Trails series? At the very beginning, as Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter nails the balance between being faithful to the original game and updating it for the modern age. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter enhances the original game's captivating story with its quality-of-life updates, reworked combat, and graphical upgrades.

Metascore: 88 | Read our Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter review.

Final Fantasy Tactics has long been considered one of the best--and criminally overlooked--spin-offs in the franchise, and with The Ivalice Chronicles, the timeless tactical gameplay shines brighter than ever. Throw in a politically charged narrative, the wonderfully deep Job system, and gorgeous pixel art, and you've got a classic game reborn for the modern age.

Metascore: 88 | Read our Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles review.

There's a running theme with this year's best RPGs, as several of the top games in this genre are remakes and remasters. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is another example of this trend, but to its credit, developer Monolith Soft's return to the uncharted world of Mira is a clever remaster of the 2015 game. The original was a great game for the Wii U, but with graphical updates, gameplay revisions, story tweaks, and an absurd amount of content powering this new release, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a must-play RPG for both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.

Metascore: 87 | Read our Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition review.

Sea of Stars was a lovingly crafted tribute to the JRPGs of the SNES era, and its expansion Throes of the Watchmaker is a thrilling adventure to embark on. Doubling down on what made Sea of Stars so great--challenging enemy encounters, well-crafted stories, and intricate level design--Throes of the Watchmaker is a value-packed add-on to the game and a great excuse to boot it back up.

Metascore: 86

A worthy follow-up to Undertale, Deltarune's new chapters are satisfying and regularly exceed your expectations with their surprising narrative and innovative gameplay ideas. Packed with oddball moments and backed up by a killer soundtrack, the years-long wait for these new chapters has paid off, and we can't wait to see what Toby Fox has lined up for the future of this delightfully weird game.

Metascore: 86

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector sees you play as an android whose body is on the fritz, forcing you to manage your time and resources in a desperate bid to survive long enough to escape an asteroid belt-located settlement before your former owners track you down. It's a lot of dice rolls, consequence-driven choices, and tense roleplaying. It's also a lot of fun.

Metascore: 86

One of the best games of the year, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is an ambitious blend of rich storytelling and deep, tactical gameplay. A joint effort led by the key creative forces behind Danganronpa and Zero Escape, the game weaves compelling stories with satisfying strategic action to create something stylish and special.

Metascore: 85

A remake that deftly balances reverence for the original games and smart modern-day updates, Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD Remake shows just how influential these classic games were in the RPG genre. Gameplay conveniences and nostalgic HD-2D visuals make for a strong combo, but it's the touching story, narrative tweaks, and stirring soundtrack that elevate these games to a new level.

Metascore: 84 | Read our Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD Remake review.

Swords-and-sorcery themes are everywhere in RPGs, but Keep Driving shows just how flexible the genre can be with its tale of life on the open road. A game about open-road travel, Keep Driving blends RPG-management gameplay with gloriously retro pixel-art visuals and novel twists on turn-based combat to overcome hairy situations on the highway.

Metascore: 84

A turn-based classic given a new lease on life as a Switch 2 launch title, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster is another must-play RPG, even if you played the original on the 3DS. Rich gameplay systems that urge you to adopt risky strategies, fun minigames, and clever quality-of-life adjustments make for compelling reasons to pick this game up.

Metascore: 84

Another retro-inspired throwback to yesteryear, Quartet looks, feels, and plays like a JRPG that you spent countless hours mastering on your SNES console. Vibrant pixel-art visuals and satisfying combat incentivize you to keep plugging away at this charming tale of heroes discovering a secret history and the true destiny of magic.

Metascore: 84

Obsidian knows better than most studios how to craft a compelling RPG, and The Outer Worlds 2 proves that yet again by presenting a smaller-than-New-Vegas world that still feels packed with personality, secrets, and opportunities. The Outer Worlds 2 keeps the series' comedic voice well in place, even as it tackles subjects like corporate mergers, which may hit closer to home today than they did when the first game was released, given what has happened in the game industry this year.

Metascore: 83 | Read our The Outer Worlds 2 review.

What's better than playing an Atelier Ryza game? Getting all three of the main adventures starring the plucky protagonist Reisalin "Ryza" Stout. If you're a newcomer to the series, then this pack comes highly recommended as you're getting all three Ryza games alongside a mountain of extra content, quality-of-life updates, and improvements across the board.

Metascore: 83

Building on a charming foundation established by the original game, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is a cozy remake. The core loop of old-school farming still holds up, but when you add some welcome gameplay tweaks and updated graphics, it feels better than ever in this charming return to Zephyr Town.

Metascore: 83

One of the best RPGs you've probably never heard of, Off's influence can be seen and felt in numerous other games across the genre. Re-released earlier this year, Off is as surreal and weird as ever, but it's also enhanced with an improved battle system, new bosses to test your skills, and a new soundtrack full of foot-tapping beats to slay to.

Metascore: 83

After a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2023, Crown Gambit finally launched earlier this year. Fantasy with a gritty edge, players take on the role of one of three intrepid paladins caught in the middle of a war for succession being waged inside of a sinister medieval kingdom. Not just full of exquisite art direction and polished tactical action, Crown Gambit is constantly surprising and isn't afraid to spill some blood, as even the thickest plot armor won't prevent a crucial character from being bumped off.

Metascore: 82

This isn't the first time that Tales of Grace has been remastered, but this year's edition of the classic JRPG is the definitive version. Updated visuals go a long way toward making this PS3-era classic look sharper on current consoles and PC, but it's the obscene amount of quality-of-life updates and a mountain of DLC that transforms it into one of this year's best timesinks.

Metascore: 82

In a year where remasters and remakes have dominated the RPG genre lists, Back to the Dawn is a refreshingly unique experience that you don't want to sleep on. Framed for a crime you didn't commit and sentenced to life in the big house, Back to the Dawn is all about hatching an escape plan and using social-RPG gameplay mechanics to deal with crime, corruption, and hidden agendas before time runs out.

Metascore: 81

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma isn't a complicated game, but it is comfort food for the RPG fan looking to sit down with something that looks vibrant and offers more than just monster-slaying quests. The RPG-meets-farming-sim formula felt better than ever in this new release, as players once again took on the challenge to rebuild farms, repair villages, and harness the power of the elements.

Metascore: 81

The remastered edition of the cult-classic SaGa Frontier 2 looks great with a high-definition coat of paint, while its meaty gameplay systems, intriguing political drama, and new story content make for a fun trip back in time. There are still a few lingering issues that have made the jump over for this remaster, but the game is still a nostalgic treat for the ages.

Metascore: 81

Widely regarded as two of the best JRPGs of all time, both of the classic Suikoden games got a big upgrade in 2025. Featuring HD sprites and backgrounds, enhanced sound effects, and numerous quality-of-life tweaks, both games still hold up well, with the second one being the crown jewel of this collection.

Metascore: 81 | Read our Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars review

One of the newer remasters on our list, Disgaea 7 Complete is an all-you-can-eat buffet of absurdly high damage numbers and tanky bosses. Packed with all the DLC released for the original game and the new Netherworld Nostalgia episode, it's the best version of 2023's Vows of the Virtueless thanks to the added layers of polish and care poured into this remaster.

Metascore: 80

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time finally brought its wholesome blend of farming and adventuring to gamers this year. Able to consume dozens of your hours with its lighthearted action and strangely intense job-grinding mechanics, it's a charming and compelling little game full of pleasant surprises.

Metascore: 80

Obsidian released not one, but two of the year's best RPGs according to their Metascores. Whereas The Outer Worlds 2 offers a very satirical, sardonic voice, Avowed is more self-serious, though not without its own moments of levity. Avowed plays much like The Outer Worlds, only it does so in a fantasy world with an emphasis on close-quarters melee combat and spell-casting. It's a different flavor of RPG from a studio you likely already know and appreciate.

Metascore: 80 | Read our Avowed review

Ryza may no longer be leading the Atelier franchise, but this year she found a worthy successor in Atelier Yumia. Building on the foundation established by the Ryza trilogy, Atelier Yumia isn't just a bolder and bigger dive into a world of magic and alchemy; it's also a game that encourages player creativity with its Synthesis systems and keeps you glued to the screen with its surprisingly dark storyline.

Metascore: 80

Completing the hat trick for Tales games this year is Tales of Xillia Remastered. A fan-favorite entry within the Tales franchise, the remastered version makes a great game even better with its exciting combat systems, quirky characters, and some very welcome quality-of-life updates.

Metascore: 80

The Arthurian legend has been reimagined countless times over the decades, but Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon puts a deliciously dark twist on these myths and legends. Set in a world stuck in an everlasting autumn, Tainted Grail's first-person combat feels satisfying to master and its complex storylines create a mature narrative for you to follow.

Metascore: 80

There's no denying that even the prettiest visual upgrades can't paint over some of the janky cracks in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, but that's part of the game's quirky charm. A product of its time, Oblivion Remastered is still marvelous when all of its gears mesh together, fully drawing you into its massive world crafted during a golden age of gaming.

Metascore: 80 | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered review