If you’re a fan of role-playing games (RPGs), then you’re in for a treat in 2023. From exploring the wizarding world of Harry Potter in “Hogwarts Legacy” to embarking on a new adventure in “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt”, there are plenty of highly-anticipated RPGs coming your way. Other titles on the list, such as “Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous”, “One Piece Odyssey”, “Elden Ring”, “Octopath Traveler II”, “Asterigos: Curse of The Stars”, “The Last Oricru”, and “Darkest Dungeon II” offer unique gameplay experiences that are sure to captivate RPG enthusiasts. Whether you prefer open-world exploration, turn-based combat, or intricate storytelling, there’s an 10 RPG games on this list that will satisfy your cravings for adventure and fantasy.
Hogwarts Legacy
Consoles: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
The first game on my list is Hogwarts Legacy. I’m not a Harry Potter fan, so I was hesitant to play it at first. However, I’m glad I waited until the game got patched a few times because it’s much more polished now. Well, kind of. At least the graphics are great. I really like the animations that make the world interesting to explore. However, I do wish it had more interactivity because, sadly, you can’t talk to most NPCs and can only interact with certain objects. This is disappointing for an open-world game. In Hogwarts Legacy, you get to create and name your character, customize your gear, and even your wand. As you can see, mine is 14 inches long and stiff. When you hit Level 5, you start getting Talent points every time you level up. You can spend those later on to unlock new skills. So, whether you’re into Harry Potter or not, Hogwarts Legacy is perfect for you.
#2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Consoles: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
The second game on my list is a masterpiece that finally received the Next-Gen update. If you’re on PC, you’ve probably already modded The Witcher 3 and made it look better than this updated version. However, if you’re on console, you’ll be happy to know that the performance issues have been fixed by the latest update, so you can now play the Next-Gen version properly in performance mode. The characters don’t look Next-Gen at all, the animations are still stiff, and you may come across a few bugs here and there. However, the environments look stunning. Plus, if you’re on PS5, the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers make the gameplay more enjoyable. If you already own The Witcher 3 on PS4, Xbox One, or PC, you can get this update for free.
#3. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Consoles: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Next up, we’re going to be looking at the team-based RPG Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. It came out on consoles last year and just got a new DLC, which is why it’s on my list. Anyway, this isometric game has something that I wish more games would have, which is two combat modes: Real Time with Pause and Turn-Based. You can even switch between them at will, which is awesome. Personally, I tend to prefer turn-based combat and isometric RPGs, maybe it’s because I’m getting old, I don’t know. Make sure you tell me in the comments down below if you’re team turn-based or team real-time.
#4. One Piece Odyssey
Consoles: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4
The turn-based combat system in One Piece Odyssey is considered the best One Piece game to date. Although the author is not an anime fan, they had their brother, who is a huge One Piece fan, play the game to get his opinion. According to the brother, the game is easy and repetitive but great for One Piece fans. However, the author believes that the game is too easy and has too much hand-holding, making it feel like it was made for kids. The author hopes that an update will add difficulty options to make the game more enjoyable. Despite these criticisms, the author notes that the game is similar to Dragon Quest 11 in many ways, and even if you haven’t seen One Piece, you might still enjoy the game.
#5. Wo Long Fallen Dynasty
Consoles: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One
Wo Long Fallen Dynasty is a game that will test your skills and patience. If you are a fan of games like Neo, then you will enjoy this one. Despite being a recent release, the graphics of the game resemble those of an early PS3 game. This is impressive considering that the game runs smoothly. I played Wulong and found the game mechanics to be challenging. After leveling up a few times, I finally reached the first boss fight, which took me five or six tries to beat. However, I soon found out that the boss had a second phase, and I was one-shotted by him when he turned into a dragon. If you like challenging games like Souls, then you should give Wulong a try. However, the fast-paced gameplay might not be for everyone.
#6. Elden Ring
Consoles: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One
In this list, the sixth game we have is Elden Ring. This game is only for the 2.6 people out there who still haven’t played it. If you like Souls games and enjoy exploring an intriguing world with no hand-holding, then I’m not sure why you haven’t played Elden Ring yet. Compared to most games, this one can be pretty tough, but honestly, it’s incredibly flexible. You can pretty much beat the game with any build you can think of; all you need to do is watch a couple of guides, level up, upgrade your gear and weapons, and get good. Elden Ring is getting a DLC later this year, even though it still has some performance issues every now and then. By the way, if you want an in-depth 2023 review, check out the one I made by clicking the bubble that just showed up. Now let’s move on to the seventh game, which is completely different.
#7. Octopath Traveler II
Consoles: PC, PS5, Xbox Seeries X/S, PS4, Switch
Octopath Traveler II is a game with retro graphics reminiscent of the PS1 era, but it’s a game that I really enjoy playing. Recently, it received a sequel, which is essentially the same game with different stories. As the name suggests, the game features eight protagonists to choose from, and each has their own unique story. In terms of replayability, you definitely get your money’s worth. Personally, I chose Oswald’s story because he’s imprisoned for murder, and his wife and daughter need his help. I found that I could relate to his character. However, it’s important to note that the game is turn-based and requires a lot of grinding, so it may not be for everyone. If you prefer real-time combat, you should check out another game.
#8. Asterigos: Curse of The Stars
Consoles: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One
Asterigos: Curse of the Stars is a game that you may not have heard of, but it’s definitely worth checking out. This is a Cindy action RPG that combines elements from Immortals Phoenix Rising, Dark Souls, and other challenging action RPGs. The gameplay is challenging, and you’ll die many times, but it’s not just a Souls-like game. The graphics are decent, and the combat is enjoyable. The boss fights are interesting, and there are six different weapon classes to choose from. The level design may be a bit confusing at times, but overall, the game has a lot of soul. So if you’re up for a challenge, go ahead and give Curse of the Stars a try.
#9. The Last Oricru
Consoles: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
At number nine, we have another RPG with a mature rating, The Last Oricru. This flawed story-driven game can be beaten within 15 hours, but I have always had a soft spot for challenging RPGs, no matter how broken they may be. The Last Oricru allows you to make meaningful choices that truly impact the course of the story. It has a combat system similar to that of Dark Souls, and most importantly, it can be played entirely in split-screen mode. The game received a few updates that added the map, in-game indicators, and some quality of life improvements, which is great.
#10. Darkest Dungeon II
Consoles: PC Only
So keep that in mind, last but not least we have Darkest Dungeon 2, a roguelike turn-based RPG where you have to go on a road trip through a decaying world in order to stop the apocalypse. In addition to all the elements you had to manage in the first game, in the sequel, you’ll also have to take into consideration your hero’s stress levels, which will go up like crazy when they witness their companions get brutally slaughtered.
Darkest Dungeon 2 is a PC-only game. The full release is in May, and at the moment of making this video, the game is still in Early Access. It’s perfectly playable, though, and if you’re still on the fence, you can download the demo and try it out right away.
