RPGs (evolving from classic RPGs to modern RPGs) have made far-reaching strides over the decades. Today, modern role-playing game series both inherit the attraction of classic RPGs and form their own nuances by meticulous elaboration and creativity expressed in impressive animations, detailed combat, and countless new choices for players to explore. Modern RPGs open up newer, stranger, richer feelings, and at the same time "kaleidoscopic" its cast of characters, making it difficult for gamers to lose focus when participating in the game. However, with the massive advent of modern RPGs, it must confuse players in choosing. Therefore, by the score of Metacritic – a site specializing in reviewing games, music, movies through its own criteria (similar to familiar review sites such as IMDb, Myanimelist, or Rotten Tomatoes ...), topshare would like to highlight the top best modern RPGs based on Metacritic's reviews in the article below!
1 Divinity: Original Sin II
Divinity: Original Sin II, the best modern RPG, has a score of 93/100 on Metacritic. Source: ign
Review and guide to play the modern role-playing game, Divinity: Original Sin II
- Original release date: 9/14/2017 (on Windows)
Modes: single-player, multiplayer
Genre: role-playing
Publisher: Larian Studios, Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developer: Larian Studios, Elverils
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, MacOS, Nintendo Switch, iPad
Metacritic Score: 93/100
Making a sequel or similar to its great predecessor was a daunting task, but Divinity: Original Sin II accomplished just that. After the Definitive Edition on PC and consoles, this modern RPG became a more accessible "starting point" for potential fans without sacrificing its depth or quality.
The characters of Divinity: Original Sin II are all charismatic and worth the investment in terms of emotions, compelling story, good writing, complex, satisfying battles. Above all, the level of character customization available invites more playthroughs. Even in the face of countless 3-A RPGs, like The Witcher 3 and Skyrim, Divinity: Original Sin II remains one of the best modern fantasy RPGs ever made (as evidenced by its Metacritic score: 93/100).
2 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, the best modern RPG, has a score of 93/100 on Metacritic. Source: youtube
Guide to Modern RPG, Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
- Original release date: 7/15/2003
Mode: single player
Genre: role-playing, action
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: BioWare
Platforms: Xbox, Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Metacritic Score: 93/100
The premise of Star Wars IP makes it ripe for an RPG. For many fans, BioWare not only makes the best game in the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series (Metacritic score: 93/100) but also one of the best modern RPGs overall. The story of Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic put together is arguably one of the marvelous things the franchise has to offer in any medium, with the reveal of Darth Revan's character becoming the game's unique touch.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has countless legends for players to explore, a fascinating cast of characters, and the most rewarding moral/dialogue choice system in the genre. Now with the re-release of the 2 installments, it's still one of the best modern RPGs to play on Nintendo Switch.
3 Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins, the best modern RPG, has a score of 91/100 on Metacritic. Source: ea.com
How to play the modern role-playing game, Dragon Age: Origins
- Original release date: January 27, 2011 (in Japan on Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows)
Mode: single player
Genre: role-playing
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: BioWare, Edge of Reality
Platforms: Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X
Metacritic score: 91/100
Like Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age: Origins was a popular modern RPG from BioWare throughout their glory years (fairly good reviews on Metacritic with a score of 91/100). It's even an incredible feat considering it's a 3-A RPG on consoles as well as on PC. The RPG was developed on the PC platform, so Dragon Age: Origins achieved widespread acclaim in the mainstream in 2009 as a great statement.
The world of dark fantasy is lauded as well as the lore it builds. The game's cast of characters is also quickly popular, with narrative choices involving them while the broader story presents realistic, emotional consequences.
4 Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium, the best modern RPG, has a score of 91/100 on Metacritic. Source: rockpapershotgun.com
Review of the modern role-playing game, Disco Elysium
- Original release date: 10/15/2019
Mode: single player
Genre: role-playing
Publisher: ZA/UM
Developer: ZA/UM
Platforms: Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Metacritic score: 91/100
In an environment filled with fantasy and sci-fi themed RPGs, developer/publisher ZA/UM's modern RPG Disco Elysium is a gripping change of pace and an unlikely resounding success (shown by Metacritic score: 91/100). It can certainly still qualify as a fantasy game, however, it blends masterfully with an urban setting to tell a dense, compelling story involving a police detective with amnesia.
The fascinating story unfolds, keeping players immersed despite the absence of a combat system. Disco Elysium's main story is both concise and concise — especially with the addition of side quests — but it's incredibly replayable thanks to the number of builds players can experiment with while drastically shaping the story.
5 Pillars Of Eternity
Pillars Of Eternity, the best modern RPG, has a score of 89/100 on Metacritic. Source: stoffelpresents.com
The Ultimate Guide In The Modern RPG, Pillars Of Eternity
- Original release date: March 26, 2015 (on Windows, OS X, Linux)
Mode: single player
Genre: role-playing
Publisher: Paradox Interactive, Versus Evil (Switch)
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Metacritic score: 89/100
Obsidian's first game in their RPG series launched in 2015 received a lot of praise. Pillars Of Eternity is a modern RPG that came at a great time (scoring a Metacritic score: 89/100) including Divinity: Original Sin which was released not long before, which helped signal the return of the offspring to today's gaming landscape. RPGs can be confusing games for newcomers, but today's streamlined features have made them more accessible to those interested.
Pillars of Eternity or its sequel would be a welcome "starting point", as it also implements a reward mechanism for players for mastering. Everything from the combat, the story, to the artistic design added to the game's world shows a complex level of care.
6 Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire
Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire, the best modern RPG, has a score of 88/100 on Metacritic. Source: eternity.obsidian.net
Review of the modern role-playing game, Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire
- Original release date: 8/5/2018 (on Windows, Linux, MacOS)
Mode: single player
Genre: RPG, adventure, strategy
Publisher: Versus Evil
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, MacOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Metacritic score: 88/100
Besides Larian Studios, once again, Obsidian Entertainment was responsible for Knights of the Old Republic II and the fan-favorite Fallout: New Vegas, but besides that, they also started their own RPG series. The 2018 modern RPG, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, succeeded in building a solid foundation for their original (receiving a score of 88/100 on Metacritic).
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire revolves around a rich new story that takes place right after the first installment and blends its high-end fantasy world with a pirate-themed installment in the world of Eora. It added new classes/subclasses to change based on the gameplay of the first season besides incorporating shipboard combat in order to take advantage of its maritime setting.
7 Divinity: Original Sin
Divinity: Original Sin, the best modern RPG, has a score of 87/100 on Metacritic. Source: softpedia
The full story in the modern role-playing game, Divinity: Original Sin
- Original release date: 6/30/2014 (on Windows)
Modes: single-player, multiplayer
Genre: role-playing
Publisher: Larian Studios, Focus Home Interactive
Developer: Larian Studios
Platforms: Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Metacritic score: 87/100
Larian Studios is one of the smaller developers responsible for helping keep RPGs alive today. The modern RPG Divinity: Original Sin, released in 2014, received critical acclaim (via Metacritic score: 87/100) for its storyline, deep gameplay features, and how it rewards player choice – all highlighting Divinity's most unique feature: Original Sin.
The art style and graphics also create a vivid fantasy world with countless fascinating legends. RPGs have since become mainstream based on many great franchises and sub-divisions, but Divinity's complexity, player freedom, and difficulty have given the classic RPG a fresh revival.
8 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II - The Sith Lords, the best modern RPG, has a score of 85/100 on Metacritic. Source: gog.com
Review of the modern role-playing game, Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
- Original release date: 6/12/2004
Mode: single player
Genre: RPG, Action, Adventure
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Platforms: Xbox, Microsoft Windows, Linux, OS X, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch
Metacritic score: 85/100
2004 was certainly premature to think of the "modern age" of RPGs, but Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords still found itself in place. With such a large and beloved franchise, it is a great achievement that Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords became one of the best-rated Star Wars games on Metacritic (score 85/100).
BioWare entrusted development to Obsidian Entertainment for the modern RPG, but it still proved its mission. It also has a compelling story that stretches worthy of the franchise's reputation and deep immersive mechanics in combat, narrative choices, and character building.
9 Wasteland 3
Wasteland 3, the best modern RPG, has a score of 85/100 on Metacritic. Source: pcgamer.com
Review of the modern RPG, Wasteland 3
- Original release date: 8/28/2020 (on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
Modes: single-player, multiplayer
Genre: RPG, adventure, strategy
Publisher: Deep Silver
Developer: inXile Entertainment
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, MacOS
Metacritic score: 85/100
The Wasteland series started back in 1988 for PC but through crowdfunding, there were two well-received sequels in 2014 and 2020 respectively. It's all set in a more modern post-apocalyptic setting, similar to the Fallout series — one of the best action RPG series — where the United States and the Soviet Union fought a nuclear war.
The modern RPG Wasteland 3 with a Metacritic score: 85/100 brings the game's story to Colorado, it takes players on a campaign where they can shape outcomes through narrative choices. On the other hand, Wasteland 3 was praised for its seamless use of both single- and multiplayer combinations in the main story.
10 Shadowrun: Hong Kong
Shadowrun: Hong Kong, the best modern RPG, has a score of 81/100 on Metacritic. Source: ign
Review of the modern RPG, Shadowrun: Hong Kong
- Original release date: 8/20/2015 (on Linux, Microsoft Windows, OS X)
Mode: single player
Genre: role-playing, turn-based tactics
Publisher: Harebrained Schemes
Developer: Harebrained Schemes
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Metacritic score: 81/100
The original Shadowrun was a tabletop RPG that spawned several games on different platforms (although Harebrained Schemes' Shadowrun: Hong Kong, in particular, is the third entry in the RPG series). Shadowrun: Hong Kong takes place in a cyberpunk-themed setting, where players engage in turn-based tactical combat.
Although this modern RPG received a strong reception from critics (as shown by its Metacritic score: 81/100), some highlights were given for not being sufficiently innovative compared to Shadowrun Returns. However, the consensus is that Shadowrun: Hong Kong still contains a compelling story and compelling strategy gameplay. Later, the developers released an expansion that brought additional story content and more complete bug fixes.
