The Steam Summer Sale 2025 (June 26–July 10) is a great chance to grab some awesome RPGs on the cheap. Below is a refreshed list of the top 10 RPGs to check out, and more details on what makes each game special.
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios’ 2023 masterpiece is a love letter to Dungeons & Dragons, putting you in the shoes of a custom character with a mind flayer tadpole in your brain, threatening to turn you into a monster. You’ll sink 60-100+ hours into a world where every choice matters—side with goblins or take them out, save a town or let it fall, with tactical turn-based combat based on D&D 5e rules, using dice rolls for attacks and even sweet-talking your way out of trouble.
With 12 classes, 46 subclasses, and 11 races, you can build your perfect hero, romance companions like Astarion or Shadowheart, or go solo. The world reacts to your decisions in wild ways, with branching dialogue and quests that have multiple endings, making even minor NPCs feel alive. The polish, voice acting, and replay value make it a must for fans of story-heavy games like Dragon Age or Divinity: Original Sin 2.
2. Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s 2022 open-world action RPG, crafted with George R.R. Martin, takes you to the massive Lands Between as the Tarnished, hunting the Elden Ring’s pieces. The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion (June 2024) adds the Land of Shadow, with 100+ new weapons, 10 epic bosses, and a denser map, adding 20-30 hours to the 50-80 hour base game. (Elden Ring: Nightreign is a separate 2025 co-op spin-off, not included here.)
This Soulslike gem mixes tough-but-fair combat with open-world freedom, letting you explore dungeons, plains, and castles on horseback with builds like magic, swords, or a mix. The mysterious story and hidden secrets—like tucked-away tombs or optional demigod fights—make every corner exciting, while Shadow of the Erdtree dives deeper into the lore with figures like Miquella and bosses like Messmer the Impaler, perfect for Dark Souls fans or open-world enthusiasts.
3. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second part of the remake trilogy, hit PC in January 2025, picking up with Cloud and crew chasing Sephiroth across a vibrant, semi-open world after escaping Midgar. The game offers 100+ hours of real-time action combat mixed with strategic materia-based skills, plus side quests, Chocobo racing, and crafting in zones packed with character-driven stories.
It builds on the 1997 classic with heartfelt storytelling, stunning visuals, and a blend of nostalgia and new twists. Your choices shape team synergy and relationships, making fights and story moments feel personal, while the party’s chemistry and Sephiroth’s looming presence keep you hooked. It’s a must for JRPG fans or those who loved Final Fantasy XV, with open zones that feel alive and impactful.
4. Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red’s 2020 open-world RPG, set in the neon-lit Night City, went from a rough launch to a fan favorite with updates and the Phantom Liberty DLC (2023). You play as V, a mercenary navigating corporate schemes and street life, with a 30-50 hour story plus 20-30 hours of side quests and DLC in a first-person world of driving, shooting, and hacking.
The skill tree lets you play as a stealthy netrunner, brutal samurai, or sharpshooter, with choices shaping V’s fate and relationships. The city feels alive, with deep dialogue and tough moral calls, and Phantom Liberty adds a spy-thriller arc with characters like Reed and Songbird, making it a great pick for fans of Deus Ex or The Witcher 3 with stories in every alley.
5. Hades
Supergiant Games’ 2020 roguelike RPG casts you as Zagreus, Hades’ son, fighting to escape the Underworld in a Greek mythology-inspired adventure that nails story and replayability. The isometric action gameplay features fast hack-and-slash fights, with each 1-2 hour run offering upgrades via Olympian gods’ boons, letting you mix up playstyles with weapons like the spear or bow.
The story unfolds through chats with gods and shades, taking 20-30 hours to wrap up but built for replays, with crisp combat and sharp writing that make every death worth it. Zagreus’ ties with characters like Achilles or Nyx add heart, making it perfect for fans of Dead Cells or story-driven roguelikes, with a narrative that keeps moving forward even when you fail.
6. Dragon’s Dogma 2
Capcom’s 2024 action RPG sequel puts you as the Arisen, a chosen hero out to slay a dragon in a high-fantasy world, with a unique pawn system letting AI companions, created by other players, join your party. The open world is full of random battles—like goblins or a griffin swooping in—with intense combat using vocations like Mystic Spearhand that mix melee and magic, offering 40-70 hours of gameplay with side quests and exploration.
The pawn system gives a social feel, as your companions learn from your style and other players’ adventures, keeping the world unpredictable and exciting. It’s a rough-around-the-edges gem for fans of Monster Hunter or Skyrim, with a sense of adventure that makes every journey feel epic and full of surprises.
7. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Bethesda’s 2025 remaster of the 2006 classic spruces up Cyrodiil with better visuals and smoother controls, casting you as a prisoner caught in a demonic invasion shaping Tamriel’s future. The open-world gameplay offers faction quests like the Dark Brotherhood and flexible builds—mage, warrior, or thief—spanning 50-100+ hours of questlines.
Quirky NPCs, a huge world, and total freedom to roleplay make it a blast, letting you join every faction or skip the main story entirely. It’s a great pick for Skyrim fans or newcomers to classic RPGs, with the remaster’s fresh look and feel making the timeless adventure even more inviting.
8. Hollow Knight
Team Cherry’s 2017 Metroidvania RPG follows a silent knight exploring the ruined kingdom of Hallownest, with an eerie atmosphere and deep lore that stands out. The 2D platforming gameplay features tight combat and exploration, with 30-50 hours of content packed with tough bosses and hidden secrets, unlocking moves like dashes or wall-jumps to reach new areas.
The haunting art, smooth movement, and subtle storytelling pull you into a world where every area feels alive and meaningful. It’s a must for fans of Ori or Metroid, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience that feels like a dark, beautiful journey through a forgotten kingdom.
9. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This 2025 turn-based RPG, inspired by French art and JRPGs, follows Expedition 33 in a surreal world, waking yearly to fight a giant monster. The 30-40 hour story-driven campaign mixes turn-based combat with real-time mechanics like dodging or timing attacks, set in puzzle-filled areas with a painterly look.
Its unique art style and emotional story make it a fresh pick, with a hybrid combat system that blends strategy and reflexes for a dynamic feel. Perfect for Persona or Final Fantasy fans, it’s a standout new title with a focus on character bonds that hit hard.
10. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
SEGA’s 2024 RPG in the Yakuza series follows Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu in a Hawaiian adventure, mixing gritty crime drama with goofy humor. The turn-based combat features wild job classes like chef or idol, with 40-60 hours of story, side quests, and mini-games like karaoke or arcade battles in the Honolulu open world.
The heartfelt story and lovable cast balance serious and silly moments, with the dual-protagonist narrative highlighting Ichiban’s optimism and Kiryu’s heavy past. It’s a joy for Persona or Yakuza fans, offering a vibrant world full of heart and humor.
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