The Best RPGs of 2023 According To Metacritic

The Best RPGs of 2023 According To Metacritic https://ift.tt/uGmbR4f

Video games are a great form of escapist entertainment, and within them, it's hard to beat RPGs when it comes to distancing yourself from reality. Games of fantasy and magic, sci-fi adventures, and grim descents into new territory are where the RPG genre flexes its versatile muscles. A healthy mix of games saw fans revel in modern takes on beloved classics, bold reinventions of established franchises, and spin-offs that explored new ground.

While some of the entries on the list are completely expected, you'll also find several surprises below. In fact, a vast chunk of the entries below consist of games that were largely overshadowed by the constant release of AAA games. They might be niche games, but to the people who adore this genre, several of them were the best entries yet in long-running franchises. We've gathered up all of the games that won critical acclaim on GameSpot's sister site Metacritic.

For more lists looking back at months of top-class gaming experiences, you can check out GameSpot's 10 best games of 2023 alongside several other features celebrating the biggest highlights of the year.

Baldur's Gate 3

GameSpot's game of the year is an RPG that raises the bar for the genre. Its character-creation will consume hours of your life and every choice has a consequence in this landmark CRPG. A powerful reminder of just how good the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop experience can be when adapted properly, Baldur's Gate 3 surpasses the efforts set by its predecessors with its unparalleled flexibility and beautifully crafted world.

Metacritic: 96 | Read our Baldur's Gate 3 review

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Expansion Pass Wave 4 - Future Redeemed

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was a mammoth game when it first launched on the Switch, but with several pieces of essential DLC added to it since then, it has become a delightful time-sink of fantasy action. Future Redeemed is a standalone expansion that doesn't require you to have completed Xenoblade Chronicles 3, but it's a richer addition to that game that deserves to be played once you've beaten the main game. Drawing from numerous Xenoblade Chronicles story beats across the years, Future Redeemed wraps up those threads with a satisfying air of finality.

Metacritic: 92 | Read our Xenoblade Chronicles 3 review

Sea of Stars

If anyone tells you that they don't make RPGs like they used to, show them Sea of Stars and tell them that they're partially right, because new developers can deliver old-school fantasy epics that are familiar but even better. Sea of Stars might look like a sharp SNES adventure, but beneath the quaint pixels, there beats the heart of a modern spin on a classic genre. Colorful, charming, and packed with some clever twists on a fantasy formula, Sea of Stars is a modern-day classic.

Metacritic: 91 | Read our Sea of Stars review

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

The number of changes introduced to Cyberpunk 2077 in the wake of Phantom Liberty makes for some lengthy reading, but in a nutshell, this new era for the dark sci-fi game was a massive overhaul of its systems that made you feel like a true Edgerunner. While the best upgrades were reserved for Phantom Liberty, veteran players opting not to visit Dogtown could still reconfigure their Night City resident with an astounding number of new skills and hardware. Combined with the high-stakes spy-thriller story that forced you to make some terrible decisions that had long-lasting ramifications, it was a whole new game for anyone returning to Cyberpunk 2077.

Metacritic: 91 | Read our Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review

Diablo 4

It feels like the end times are nigh in Sanctuary, but in Diablo 4, that's an invitation to revel in some demon-slaying. Blizzard's latest chapter in its devilish saga is a dark and atmospheric descent into grim territory, but it's also an incredibly satisfying game to play once your character-build kicks into high gear. From Seraphim rookie to Hell-conquering hero, Diablo 4's various systems gel together incredibly well, and with its focus on content updates, Blizzard is keeping things interesting with constant fine-tuning and additionsthat makes the RPG feel heavenly when you're knee-deep in fresh demon blood.

Metacritic: 91 | Read our Diablo 4 review

Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16 might look like an action game, but beneath the surface, it's a clever reinvention of classic Final Fantasy and RPG ideas. All the traditional swords and sorcery elements are here, balanced by gameplay that pinches inspiration from the likes of Devil May Cry to create a surprisingly balanced fusion of genres. Alongside its fantastic cast, rich lore, and the best boy of the year,Torgal, Final Fantasy 16 is a bold reinvention that doesn't forget its RPG roots.

Metacritic: 87 | Read our Final Fantasy 16 review

Star Ocean: The Second Story R

A terrific example of a classic JRPG given the remake treatment, Second Story R brings one of the most beloved Star Ocean games into the 21st century with thoughtful changes and visuals that blend classic pixel design with a contemporary art direction. While the story might have some dated themes and tropes, changes to the script helps pull the narrative out of generic territory and gives life to a memorable cast of allies and villains. Combat feels better and there's never a shortage of activities to tackle in this remake that vastly improves on the original game.

Metacritic: 87 | Read our Star Ocean: The Second Story R review

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure

Following the events of Trails from Zero, Trails to Azure is like a second serving of your favorite dessert with extra sprinkles on top. You already know what you're getting, but with just enough extras thrown into the mix, it's a familiar and improved treat. Trails to Azure knows exactly what works for it, building on the previous game and polishing any rough spots to a mirror shine. It's a traditional RPG full of colorful characters and crunchy combat that feels terrific in action.

Metacritic: 87

Starfield

Starfield doesn't stray too far from Bethesda's Elder Scrolls and Fallout RPG template, but for fans of those games, it's still a winning formula that allows for a surprising amount of freedom across the stars. It will take hours for that flexibility to show itself, but once it does, there's an old-school charm as you chart a path across the stars in Starfield's galaxy of possibility.

Metacritic: 86 | Read our Starfield review

Octopath Traveler 2

Octopath Traveler 2 is a typical sequel, in a good way, as it takes everything that made the first game a success story and doubles down on those elements with more ambitious stories and a selection of welcome improvements. It's still a stunning combo of classic RPG sensibilities with modern touches, resulting in a game that's a joy to play. It's more of the same, but when the first game was already an instant classic, that's not a bad thing at all.

Metacritic: 86 | Read our Octopath Traveler 2 review

Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society

Stand aside Metallica, because the real master of puppets is the delightful RPG Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society. Charming anime visuals, rock-solid RPG mechanics inside of well-constructed dungeons, and fascinatingly intricate systems combined with dozens of collectable puppets for a tinkerer's delight in this game.

Metacritic: 85

Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy expertly captures the feel and spirit of the Wizarding World made famous by thel books and feature film adaptations. While you'll have to trudge through some rote open-world busywork, developer Avalanche Software has succeeded in creating an authentic slice of that universe that nails the overall vibe. Its combat will put a spell on you, the pivot to a story set decades before Voldemort's birth feels fresh, and the charming characters inhabiting this world help bring it to life.

Metacritic: 85 | Read our Hogwarts Legacy review

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End and the Secret Key

It's always bittersweet saying goodbye, but in the case of Atelier Ryza 3, everyone's favorite alchemist is ending her story on a high note. Developer Gust has saved the best for last, refining and enhancing the gameplay formula from the previous two games into a finely tuned system of rewarding exploration, well-developed characters, and polished combat. A few new ideas are added to this entry as well, helping to create a memorable finale.

Metacritic: 85

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2

At first glance, there are barely any real differences between 2021's Fuga: Melodies of Steel and its first sequel. While developer CyberConnect2 has delivered more of the same--in a nutshell, imagine a crew of kids piloting a super-tank that can wipe out even the toughest of opponents if you sacrifice a crew member to its demonic engine--Fuga 2 does build on its narrative ideas to deliver a more emotional story. It's a more heart-breaking story that examines the pain of war and the burden of leadership, propped up by subtle changes under the hood.

Metacritic: 84

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless

Disgaea games at their best have always been focused on number-crunching, as this tactical-RPG series made a name for itself over the years with its absurd level caps and impossibly high damage numbers. With two decades of history behind it, Disgaea 7 represents the best of the series. It's still an appealing grind-a-thon, the polished 3D visuals look better than ever, and the trademark combat of the series shines with all of the new enhancements added to it.

Metacritic: 84

Cassette Beasts

A strange island, monsters looking to cut your exploration short, and the arcane musical technology of a bygone era? It can only be Cassette Beasts. Inspired by Pokemon and analog music, Cassette Beasts puts a new spin on the pocket monsters genre with a more in-depth elemental system and imaginative pixel art that could be just what jaded Pokeverse fans have been looking for.

Metacritic: 84

Super Mario RPG

In a year where several remakes have made some clever changes to the original game, Super Mario RPG is an oddity. It is an almost 1:1 replica of the original SNES game, with the only real differences being the updated visuals and audio, the most minor of tweaks, and the addition of extra-challenging content. But beyond that? It's pretty much the exact same game, a reminder of the magic that Nintendo and Square found so many years ago. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, but do modernize a timeless classic with an audio-visual upgrade!

Metacritic: 83 | Read our Super Mario RPG review