Role Playing Games (RPGs) are one of the most popular gaming genres available today. Propelled by captivating storylines and nuanced characters, these games draw players in with the promise of escapism, opportunity to explore creative expression, and bounty of play time. Whether you are interested in fighting, action, racing, strategy, sport, puzzles, shooter or another style, there is definitely an RPG out there for you. Go ahead and delve into the good old standbys in the RPG genre if you have not done so already; the original installments of The Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, Earthbound, and World of Warcraft are not going anywhere anytime soon. However, for those seeking the latest, greatest gaming technologies and storylines on the market, keep reading to discover the best RPG games of 2019.

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Released May 8, 2018, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire has been flooded with praise. Shacknews ranks it a 9/10, PCGamesN ranks it a 9/10, and USGamer ranks it a 4.5/5. With such overwhelming support, this game is a must-play. Like the original Pillars of Eternity, this new installment boasts a profuse narrative with elaborate environments and plenty of tactical combat scenes. In this adventure, the lead character must fulfill his destiny and face the god of entropy, who has encroached on the living. Face ancient monsters and travel to other realms on your journey to defeat the god.

Final Fantasy 15

Final Fantasy is deeply imbedded pop culture, since the franchise reaches beyond gaming into CGI films, anime, manga, and novels. First released in 1987, this science fantasy RPG is a pioneer in the industry. With games in the franchise shooting off into tactical, action, multiplayer, racing, shooter, fighting, and rhythm RPGs, there is little that has not been done in the world of Final Fantasy. This part of the series entails a road trip carried out by a photojournalist. Do not be dissuaded by the unusual premise, for you can expect the common elements of a Final Fantasy game. Although Final Fantasy 15 was actually introduced in late 2016, in March of 2018, it came to new platforms with impressive graphic updates.

Griftlands

The premise of Griftlands is that “everything is negotiable,” according to creators at Klei Entertainment. The only real, substantial structural confines presented in this game are economic ones. Pick a character and attempt to make a fortune however you see fit. Sacrifice loyalty and morality if need be. The objective is financial gain. It is up to the player what other standards are upheld in this rules-abolished play space. In addition to the premise, this game’s visual aesthetics that are reminiscent of a comic book set it apart. Although this game is charted to be released in 2018, no official date has been set.

Vampyr

Aren’t vampires so 2010s? The work of producer Nicolas Simon, writer Stephane Beauverger, and composer Olivier Deriviere urges you to reconsider. This highly anticipated game of 2017 was finally released June 5, 2018. What differentiates this vampire game is that the player is the vampire in this psychological thriller. In a post-war London setting, play and fight with supernatural abilities, see citizens react to player decisions, and chose when to save and when to stalk.

Deep Sky Derelicts

For fans of unique fusion games, check out Deep Sky Derelicts. A blend between turn-based card combat and strategic RPG will appeal to those weary of tech gaming. Although charted to be released on September 26, 2018, early access players report good experiences in this indie gaming experiment. Look forward to an interesting art style, some fusion between comic, retro, and futuristic styles that resonates with the new frontiers of alien exploration.

Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time

If some of the grueling, grungy vibes listed above are not your style, check out something endearing and delightful, such as Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time. Originally introduced at the tail end of 2017, this is another game that expanded platforms and cleaned some bugs this year. Explore Luna Nova Academy in this Japanese adventure-anime-action-magic-RPG hybrid. With the start of fall semester here, this is a perfect time to get back to class RPG style.

Nantucket

Nothing says indie gaming like an RGP based around classic literature. For literature majors, hobbyist readers, fans of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, or those who jive for something quirky, give Nantucket a try, if only for the novelty. Released in January of 2018, Nantucket offers players a chance to explore the past age of American whaling much like Melville’s Ishmael. What, you haven’t wanted to pursue your own Moby Dick? Become enthralled by the hunt in this simulated strategy adventure created by Picaresque Studio. Choose your own crew, strategize team skills, control combat scenes, and uncover whether you will ever catch that white whale.

YIIK: A Postmodern RPG

Set in the late 90s, the storyline is based on the true events of Elisa Lam’s—also known as Lam Ho Yi—death. She was found dead in 2013. The last seen footage of her was from a security camera; it captured her gesturing to someone or something offscreen in the hallway, while entering, exiting, re-entering, and hiding within the possibly malfunctioning elevator. A viral upset, this game used that event as a springboard into the supernatural. With chilling real-world parallels, this turn-based, Japanese style game takes a spooky, horror-filled marker in pop culture and transforms it into a more whimsical, wacky game. Action moves, turn combat, epic battles, a team of eight, several dungeons, and an array of puzzles and traps are some of the many features in this indie hit.

Conclusion

Games are no longer rigid, prescribed adventures with A to B to C progression. RPGs deliver a sense of pioneering freedom to players who can carve out unique paths in a game’s universe. Explore true crime. Become a vampire. Work as a photojournalist. Join a pirating economy. Be an alien explorer. Attend a school for witches. Face the god of entropy. Pursue a great white whale. Do these storylines sound appealing?

What do you think are the best RPGs of 2019? Let us know below.