Legendary Quests: The Best RPG Video Games of All Time
How we defined “best”
Three pillars anchored the selections:
- Enduring design: still a great play today, not just historically important.
- Influence and craft: meaningful systems, storytelling, or worldbuilding that shaped the genre.
- Breadth across subgenres: JRPG, CRPG, action-RPG, and open-world hybrids.
We triangulated picks against respected, curated lists from major outlets, notably Game Informer’s comprehensive “Top 100 RPGs of All Time” and Rock Paper Shotgun’s updated “Best RPGs on PC,” to balance legacy with modern excellence. See citations inline.
The Hall of Fame: 12 essential RPGs
1) Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023)
Larian’s D&D 5e epic sets a new bar for reactive storytelling: nearly every quest, companion, and combat scenario bends to your build and choices. It’s a rare RPG where improvisation is not only allowed—it’s the point. Featured prominently in modern best-of roundups thanks to its systemic design, breadth of choice, and polish.
Why it stands out: Unmatched player agency, lovable companions, and crunchy turn-based tactics.
2) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
A masterclass in quest design and worldbuilding. Its side quests are as memorable as mainline arcs, and expansions (Hearts of Stone, Blood and Wine) set the gold standard for post-launch content.
Why it stands out: Human stories in a sprawling, hand-crafted world.
3) Elden Ring (2022)
FromSoftware’s open-world reinvention preserves Souls DNA—tough combat, cryptic lore—while giving players unprecedented freedom in exploration and build expression. A modern pillar on PC-focused best-ofs.
Why it stands out: True discovery and mastery in a haunting, beautiful world.
4) Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (2019)
A dialogue-forward CRPG where your skills are literally voices in your head. Choices are nuanced, failures are fascinating, and the writing is razor-sharp. It remains a standout in contemporary lists for redefining what an RPG can be narrativel.
Why it stands out: The most distinctive role-playing of the last decade.
5) Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017)
Before BG3, Larian perfected sandbox turn-based combat here. Elemental interactions, verticality, and playful quest design made every encounter a puzzle box.
Why it stands out: Systems so flexible you feel clever every fight.
6) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Freedom first. From stealth archer clichés to spellblade oddities, there’s a build and path for everyone, plus a mod scene that never sleeps. A perennial in all-time rankings.
Why it stands out: Endless tinkering in a world that still invites wandering.
7) Chrono Trigger (1995)
Time travel done right. Dual/multi-tech battle abilities, multiple endings, and a timeless score made it a watershed JRPG—still routinely placed near the top of historical best-ofs.
Why it stands out: Brisk pacing, inventive combat, and heart.
8) Final Fantasy VI (1994)
An ensemble cast, operatic moments, and Mode 7 spectacle fused into one of the most emotionally resonant JRPGs ever. Its influence on the series—and the genre—is hard to overstate.
Why it stands out: Big feelings and bigger ideas that still land.
9) Planescape: Torment (1999)
“What can change the nature of a man?” Black Isle’s classic built its reputation on writing and choice rather than combat. It remains a north star for narrative-driven RPGs and is celebrated in historical roundups.
Why it stands out: Philosophical depth and unforgettable companions.
10) Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
Obsidian’s branching questlines and faction dynamics offered true role-play in an open world. It’s frequently cited among the best PC RPGs for consequence-rich storytelling.
Why it stands out: Choices with teeth, backed by sharp writing.
11) Mass Effect 2 (2010)
A precision-tuned, character-first space opera. Loyalty missions, punchy combat, and the suicide mission finale created an arc few RPGs have matched. It’s a mainstay in legacy rankings.
Why it stands out: Squadmates you’ll argue about for years.
12) Persona 5 Royal (2019/2020 on consoles; later on PC)
Life-sim by day, dungeon-crawling by night, with a jazz-infused style that never quits. Royal’s quality-of-life upgrades, additional semester, and character refinements turn a great JRPG into an all-timer.
Why it stands out: Style, systems, and soul in perfect sync.
Where to start (quick picks)
- Want modern and approachable? Baldur’s Gate 3 or The Witcher 3.
- Crave challenge and exploration? Elden Ring.
- Prefer storytelling over combat? Disco Elysium or Planescape: Torment.
- Love tactical depth? Divinity: Original Sin 2.
- JRPG mood? Persona 5 Royal, Chrono Trigger, or Final Fantasy VI.