Role-Playing (RPG)

The Ancient Land of Ys follows the young swordsman Adol Christin as he arrives in the town of Minea, drawn into a battle against a spreading evil. Guided by the fortuneteller Sara, Adol must locate the six Books of Ys, ancient tomes that hold the key to defeating the darkness. Armed with a crystal for identification and a promise to meet Sara’s aunt in Zepik Village, players explore a fantasy world filled with monsters, puzzles, and hidden secrets, all presented in retro PC graphics and music that defined the late‑80s action‑RPG era.

✦ Best for retro rpg fans

Zeliard is a classic side‑scrolling action RPG where Duke Garland battles through labyrinthine dungeons, collecting crests, keys, and the Nine Tears of Esmesanti to defeat the ancient demon Jashiin. The game blends platforming, sword combat, magic casting, and town‑based upgrades for a deep, retro fantasy experience.

✦ Best for retro rpg fans

Luso Clemens, caught in detention, discovers a magical tome that transports him to the war-torn world of Ivalice. Joined by Cid and his clan, Luso must navigate battlefields and unravel the mystery of the Rift to find his way home. The game blends deep turn‑based strategy with classic Final Fantasy lore, offering single‑player campaigns and multiplayer skirmishes. Players command diverse units, master the Job system, and shape the outcome of epic conflicts across a richly detailed fantasy setting.

✦ Best for tactical rpg fans

With its action‑packed storyline, stunning CG cutscenes, and voice acting, players witness Shinra’s growing dominance and the mysteries surrounding the missing SOLDIER operatives. The single‑player RPG adventure delivers a blend of role‑playing, adventure, and science‑fiction themes that deepen the Final Fantasy VII universe.

✦ Best for ffvii fans

Final Fantasy VII is an unlicensed demake of SquareSoft's iconic role‑playing game, reimagined in two‑dimensional graphics for the Subor Family Computer clone. Developed and published by Shenzhen Nanjing Technology, this version was released at the end of 2005 and runs on a uniquely engineered cartridge. The game retains the core fantasy RPG experience—turn‑based combat, character progression, and a sprawling story—while adapting the original's assets to fit the limited hardware of the NES‑style console. It offers a nostalgic, single‑player adventure for fans of retro gaming and collectors of rare cartridges.

✦ Best for retro rpg collectors

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords blends classic match‑3 puzzle mechanics with deep RPG elements. Players travel across Etheria, completing over 150 quests while building an empire of cities and castles. In both single‑player and multiplayer modes, you match crystals to cast spells, defeat foes, and collect gear. The game offers strategic city‑building, a party of companions, and fast‑paced Quick‑Play battles for endless replayability.

✦ Best for rpg fans seeking puzzle depth

Dark Souls II is an action role‑playing game set in the fallen kingdom of Drangleic, where players assume the role of the Bearer of the Curse. Explore a dark, interconnected world filled with challenging enemies and epic boss encounters while managing stamina and timing. The game offers flexible character progression, dual‑wielding options, and both single‑player and online multiplayer modes, including co‑operative play. Its online servers were active until March 31st, 2024.

✦ Best for hardcore action rpg fans

Xenoblade Chronicles X is an action role‑playing game set on the alien planet Mira, where humanity seeks survival after a cataclysmic escape from Earth. Players awaken as an amnesiac avatar, join the BLADE organization, and explore a vast open world using both on‑foot traversal and towering humanoid robots called Skells. The game blends deep story, sandbox exploration, aerial battles, and vehicle transformation, letting players pilot Skells that can fly, swim, and become motorcycles or tanks. Encounter multiple alien races, uncover the mystery of the Lifehold, and fight the hostile Ganglion coalition in a richly detailed sci‑fi adventure.

✦ Best for sci-fi rpg fans

Xenoblade Chronicles follows Shulk and his companions as they explore a massive, seamless world in search of answers about the mysterious Monado sword. The story blends fantasy and science‑fiction themes, pitting the heroes against the robotic Mechon while uncovering the land’s hidden history. The game is praised for its deep combat system, expansive exploration, and innovative role‑playing mechanics, earning a 91/100 critic score and solidifying its place as a landmark Japanese RPG.

✦ Best for jrpg fans craving massive seamless open‑world adventure

SaGa Frontier 2 lets you control decisive moments across decades of royal conflict, guiding characters like exiled Prince Gustave XIII and treasure hunter William Knights through a living, evolving saga. Their intertwined stories feature birth, growth, and death, with choices that reshape the kingdom and its crown. Experience hand‑painted watercolor visuals, strategic duel, team, and battle modes, and a deep combat system that blends realistic sword maneuvers with powerful magic, allowing hundreds of combo attacks.

✦ Best for deep rpg fans

Pokémon Battle Revolution brings the excitement of Pokémon battles to the Wii console, offering three distinct modes: Colosseum Battle, DS Battle, and Wi‑Fi Battle. Players can challenge AI opponents, link up with DS owners, or compete online against trainers worldwide. The game supports single‑player, split‑screen multiplayer, and online matchmaking, making it a versatile choice for both casual fans and competitive players seeking strategic turn‑based combat in a vibrant 3D arena.

✦ Best for casual pokémon fans

After a freak accident turns you into a Pokémon and wipes your memory, you must team up with a new partner to uncover the mystery behind your lost past. The game blends turn‑based strategy with a heartfelt adventure as you explore procedurally generated dungeons. Form a rescue team, battle quirky foes, and unravel a secret mission to save the world in this single‑player and co‑operative rogue‑lite experience, perfect for younger players and families.

✦ Best for young pokémon fans