I love role-playing games with a passion. There are no other genres that can offer the same kind of immersion and enchantment as a good RPG game could. One title alone could lock you in place and compel you to play for hundreds of hours without being bored. It’s a feat that a shooter, sport, puzzle, or any other kinds of game can boast that they are able to do.

Now considering the fact that the schedule for game releases up ahead is chock full of exciting new RPGs like Pokémon Sword & Shield, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, a remake of the legendary Final Fantasy VII, and last but not least, Cyberpunk 2077: The time’s more than just right for us to revisit iconic RPGs in the past that had led us up to this point. Instead of being bored waiting for these games to come out, why not check out some great gems of the genre you might have missed? Most of the games featured here have some of the best combat systems to ever be featured in the industry.

Without needing to say much anymore, here are some of the best RPG games you may have missed … and if you did then definitely must check out.

Jade Empire

Available on: Xbox, Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Jade Empire is designed with ancient Chinese mythology in mind and the story the developers were able to weave was remarkable. Though the game didn’t exactly have a colorful reviewing phase, in hindsight, it was quite an excellent role-playing game. As a testament to the developers’ commitment to delivering a unique narrative, the game has a new language made just for it.

Jade Empire aside from a good story-line, concept, and well-crafted gameplay has entirely new language made up just for it.

If you’ve played something similar to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, you would also enjoy this one. BioWare has proven time and time again in the past with the likes of Mass Effect and Dragon Age that they’re some of the greatest masters for storytelling in the gaming industry, a reputation that’s further bolstered by Jade Empire.

Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Available on: Microsoft Windows, macOS

We are spoiled by so many great choices today. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout series (Excluding 76), and of course, The Witcher have all kept us entertained for the past few years. Yet, before it all, older gamers rely on Baldur’s Gate for their daily dosage of RPG.

Before there were modern RPGs, there was Baldur's Gate.

The game’s set in the stark universe of Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn had grown to be a fitting successor to the original game. It was reported recently that the upcoming third game in the series, Baldur’s Gate 3, will have over 100 hours worth of quality content. If you’ve played any of the games in the series before you wouldn’t really be surprised by this huge number. According to many good sources, Baldur’s Gate II can take roughly the same amount of time to complete top to bottom so Baldur’s Gate 3 number wasn’t even an upgrade, shockingly.

Graveyard Keeper

Available on: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android

As a modern gamer, briefly glance at a screenshot of Graveyard Keeper and you would instantly be reminded of Stardew Valley. But that’s just because the art style and the landscape of the two games are strikingly similar. But other than that superficial aspect, there’s really nothing in common between the two. Not only the premise of the game has nothing to do with one another, but they’re also set in different time periods as well. The pixel-graphic game might be able to surprise you with just how fun and rewarding it could transform the task of maintaining a cemetery.

The developers somehow were able to make tending to a cemetery a fun experience.

Grim Dawn

Available on: Microsoft Windows

Grim Dawn is an underrated RPG with the feel and caliber of Diablo 3. Though you don’t really need to be a fan of Diablo 3 for you to be able to appreciate this game if you are a fan your enjoyment of Grim Dawn could be considerably enhanced as a result. The setting of the game’s nothing you’ve never heard of before: Your adventure takes place in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction. The hack-n’-slash gameplay was wonderfully designed and executed, promising a gaming experience that could surprise you at every turn.

Grim Dawn has the same atmosphere as the legendary Diablo 3 and is also similar in many respects.

Just like any other RPG, you have six classes to choose from depending on your play style: Arcanist, Nightblade, Shaman, Occultist, and Demolitionist. The number of classes has increased from six to eight with the new expansion to the game (Ashes of Malmouth) with the addition of Inquisitor and Necromancer.

My Time At Portia

Available on:  Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

When it first came out and even up until now, My Time At Portia has generally been considered a good game by critics. But if you have never heard of the game before, think of it as a different spin on the concept of Stardew Valley. The game did quite a good job of combining the role-playing elements with the farming theme of the game. The game doesn’t stray too far from growing crops and that’s a very good thing if you were to take into account that a good 90% of your time in the game would be dedicated to farming. If you love Stardew Valley, definitely check this one out and if you’re not and you’re just a mere RPG lover it doesn’t hurt either to play through the game.

Fun and light-hearted, consider it the 3D version of Stardew Valley.

The Lord of the Rings Online

Available on: Microsoft Windows, OS X

It’s pretty much like Skyrim in the sense that in The Lord of the Rings Online you create your own hero from a variety of races to go on adventures with. There are six races for you to choose from in the game: Dwarf, Elf, High-elf, Human, Hobbit, and Beorning. The game’s an MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game). But best of all, it’s a completely free-to-play game so you don’t have to put down any deposit before you give the game a trial run. The game has pretty stunning visuals and certainly the world’s set completely in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastical world Middle-Earth. You can visit the different locations in the novels like the Shire and the Mines of Moria.

In this free to play RPG title, you're able to explore by yourself the grand world of J.R.R. Tolkien in beautiful details.

Torchlight II

Available on: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Yet another game that’s a homage to Diablo 3 in certain aspects. Torchlight II - much like Grim Dawn - is the kind of game that if you appreciate Diablo 3 you will also like. Both of the games feel like their conceptually similar to one another, both of them have the same randomly generated replay-ability value embedded within. On top of all, it is addictive in the sense that the gameplay and the atmosphere can keep you clicking away for hours on end. This hack-n’-slash game has been growing into prominence lately with a burgeoning player-base. It’s done the looting system quite well and I found myself enjoying the looting part for the first time in a couple of years. You won’t regret Torchlight II, I promise.

Torchlight II has been growing into prominence lately with a growing player-base that's mostly due to its addictive gameplay and great design philosophy.

King’s Bounty: The Legend

Available on:  Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X

Reading the title briefly, you would have guessed that the game’s set in the medieval era. And you would be right. If you haven’t gotten into turn-based RPG just yet King’s Bounty: The Legend is a pretty good place to start. The game is quite old, released in 2008 but the game has aged very well and it’s still relevant today. As a single hero, you’re thrown into a world filled with kings, mages, and knights and expected to make your name known. But since you’re given the reign of an army that would get absolutely massive by the end of the game, it’ll be worth it in the long run.

Though the world can be large and rather confusing in King's Bounty: The Legend, fear not. You'll grow into a person of power in this vast world in no time.

Final Fantasy VI

Available on: Super NES, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows

Final Fantasy is one of the most recognizable and voluminous video game franchise in the world. And while we have been entreated to plenty of excellent modern renditions like Final Fantasy XV, the strongest game of the entire franchise is generally considered to be Final Fantasy VI. Since it’s a pretty old game (1994), not a lot of people today have had the chance to play it.

Nothing can quite beat the classic: A sentiment that's proven to be true by Final Fantasy VI.

Final Fantasy VI follows the footstep of Terra Branford on a grand adventure to flee the Empire with another character named Locke. The game’s story-line can only be described as exceptional and you must find any way possible to play the game if you have indeed missed it.

Vampyr

Available on:  Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

This is the one game that, in my opinion, was not only underrated but for the most part was overlooked by players. Vampyr is an intensive role-playing experience that allows you to meddle with and control the events happening within the game. Vampyr tells the story of one Dr. Jonathan Reid who is a vampire in London of 1918. It’s been quite a while since there’s a compelling game on the topic of vampires, so needless to say, Vampyr sells for capitalizing on this uniqueness.

For being the first vampire-oriented game in a long time, Vampyr managed to capture the public attention for a while before, unfortunately, fading away. It's still a great game regardless of the forgetfulness.

The game’s been out for over a year so you can regularly find discounts that you can use to scoop up the game at a dirt-cheap price.

Interested in more of our video games related articles? Please check out this post for the top 10 RPG from Bethesda.