Summary
With each new home console generation, developers have become more and more adept at crafting compelling narratives for players to enjoy. This has benefited many different genres, but perhaps none more so than the humbleRPG. After all, role-playing games have always relied on their stories to draw players in and keep them playing, and a more immersive and more engaging narrative can definitely help in this regard.
The PS5 is home to many great role-playing games, some of which can only be played on Sony’s latest home console. The best PS5 RPGs find ways to push the console to its limits, providing players with an engrossing experience that is unlike anything else that came before it. For fans of the genre, the PlayStation 5 has an awful lot to offer, with many morebig-budget RPGs expected in the coming months and years.
27Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
OpenCritic Rating: 75
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroesis a love letter to what many consider to be the golden age of RPGs, borrowing elements and ideas from its spiritual predecessorSuikodenas well as numerous othernineties RPGs. The end result is one of the most charming role-playing games in recent memory and a must-play for fans of the genre’s earliest offerings.
Visually, the game is a little reminiscent of theOctopath Travelerseries, but when it comes to gameplay and mechanics, it’sSuikodenthrough and through. In any other game,finding and recruiting 120 potential party memberswould probably feel like a chore, butEiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroessomehow manages to keep players engaged right through to the very end of their adventure.
26Rise of the Ronin
OpenCritic Rating: 77
Though there are a few obvious similarities between the two games, those who go intoRise of the Roninexpecting aGhost of Tsushima-like experience are going to come away disappointed. It’s not nearly as well-polished, nor is its narrative quite as gripping. However, when taken on its own merits,Rise of the Roninis still a very good game and arguably Team Ninja’s best in a very long while.
Combat is incredibly satisfying and offers a ridiculous amount of variety, and the main gameplay loop is pretty enjoyable as well. Missions are exciting and exploring the game’s world can be both fun and rewarding, which isn’t always the case with a lot of modern open-world games. It’s great to see the developer stepping cautiously out of its comfort zone and a timely reminder of what this talented team is capable of.
25Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
OpenCritic Rating: 73
It’s difficult to think of too many stories that have been retold quite as many times asDragon Ball Z’s. Since the original manga and its anime adaptation, there have been countlessvideo games based on the series, ranging from more traditional one-on-one fighting games to fully fleshed-out RPGs.Dragon Ball Z: Kakarotis an example of the latter, and a pretty good one at that.
As its name might suggest, the game allows players to relive every saga ofDragon Ball Z; starting with the Saiyan saga and ending with the Majin Buu arc. Pretty much every major fight and character is included, with more available via the game’s two DLC season passes. The PS5 port of the game doesn’t offer much in the way of improved visuals, but it does drastically cut down on loading times, making it the definitive version of the game in the eyes of many.
24Lost Judgment
OpenCritic Rating: 83
TheLike a Dragonseries has changed a lot in recent years, with the series' eighth installment switching to a more traditionalJRPG-style turn-based combat systemdespite most other long-running RPG franchises having ditched the system in favor of a more fluid approach to battles. Thankfully, forYakuzafans who prefer action RPGs, there are still plenty of alternatives; one of which is the excellentLost Judgmentspin-off.
Like the firstJudgmentgame,Lost Judgmentputs players into the shoes of Takayuki Yagami: a former lawyer who now works as a private detective. The crimes and mysteries that they’ll need to solve are both engaging and entertaining, and, in trueYakuzafashion, the game is full to the brim with side content that should keep players busy for countless hours. It’s one of the most action-packed PS5 RPG games around in this respect, with about 100 hours worth of content in total.
23Black Myth: Wukong
OpenCritic Rating: 81
Black Myth: Wukongis a pretty interesting proposition, as it straddles the borders of two fairly distinct genres.It isn’t really a Soulslike, but its uber-difficult boss fights and intricate combat system make it a lot more challenging than your typical action RPG, which might make it a tough sell for fans of either of the aforementioned genres.
For fans of well-honed combat systems, though,Black Myth: Wukongshould hopefully help scratch that itch, particularly if players also happen to have an interest in Chinese mythology. There’s a surprising amount of flexibility when it comes to builds as well, which, together withthe game’s New Game Plus mode, makes this a highly replayable experience.
22Disco Elysium - The Final Cut
OpenCritic Rating: 92
Few PS5 role-playing games can compare toDisco Elysiumwhen it comes to narrative, with the 2019 title boasting some of the best video game writing of all time. The original script contained over one million words, which the game’s developers ZA/UM used to paint one hell of a picture. This is a title that eschews tropes and tradition at just about every chance it gets, leading to one of the most singular RPG experiences in recent memory.
Players are placed into the shoes of Harrier “Harry” Du Bois, who, after a drunken two-day bender, wakes up in a trashed hotel room with a killer hangover and no memory of who he is or how he came to be there. The game sells itself as a detective RPG, but most of its mechanics are lifted right out of table-top games as opposed totraditional point-and-click titlesas one might expect. This all works surprisingly well though and ensures that no two playthroughs are exactly alike.
21Tales of Arise
OpenCritic Rating: 87
Bandai Namco’sTalesseries has been around since the mid-nineties and, together with the likes ofFinal FantasyandDragon Quest, was one of the most popular and most prolific JRPG franchises throughout the early two-thousands. After a five-year hiatus, the series returned in 2021 with the highly anticipatedTales of Arise, which many consider to be one of the bestTalesgames of all time.
Players take control of Alphen, a mysterious masked man with no recollection of his past. Together withthe rag-tag group of misfits that he encounters throughout his journey, the ashen-haired protagonist must bring down a series of powerful enemies in order to free the people of Dahna from their Renan overlords. The plot can be a bit wacky in places, but the gameplay remains thoroughly enjoyable throughout, helping to set the game apart from other RPG games on the PS5.
20The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition
WhenSkyrimwas ported to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles in late 2021, it became one of only a handful ofgames that have been released across three different console generations. Sadly, the release was not without its issues, with an assortment of bugs and an overall lack of polish leading to negative reviews from both players and critics alike.
However, while it’s certainly true that more could have been done to makeThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Editionfeel like a true next-gen title, there’s still an awful lot to like about this timeless classic. It’s one of the best RPGs ever made, and although the PC version is undoubtedly the best way to play it, it still ranks pretty high when it comes to the best role-playing games on the PS5.
19Persona 3 Reload
OpenCritic Rating: 88
Although it’s always been popular among certain circles, it wasn’t until the success of its fifth mainline installment that thePersonafranchise really started to take off. Since then, many of the JRPG series' earlier games have been rereleased, remade, or remastered for modern audiences, resulting in the likes ofPersona 4 Goldenand the 2024 title,Persona 3 Reload.
Those looking for the definitive way to experience this beloved PS2 classic can definitely find that inPersona 3 Reload. The revamped battle system completely transforms the experience, whilethe Episode Aigis DLCpromises to further flesh out the game’s story. As one might expect, everything looks and sounds a lot better too, and is now a lot more accessible thanks to a slight decrease in difficulty.
18Octopath Traveler 2
OpenCritic Rating: 85
The firstOctopath Travelergame isa must-play title for any true JRPG fan, exploring ideas and concepts first introduced decades prior in games likeLive A Live, while also serving as a poignant reminder that there’s still a place for well-implemented 2D graphics in the modern age. The sequel improves upon the original in most areas, with even more impressive visuals and a more refined combat system.
Like its predecessor,Octopath Traveler 2excels in the narrative department and boasts an equally loveable cast of characters. The soundtrack is top notch too and perfectly complements some of the game’s more impactful story beats. It’s certainly not without its flaws, most of which relate to pacing, but the good parts more than make up for the bad and help to make this one of the best RPGs on the PS5.
