Gone are the days when role-playing games simply meant a first-person player progressing through a story, developing their character, and exploring a particular realm. Today, there are many more genres and types of RPGs, including ones with thousands of other players entering the same world with you.
This makes it difficult to find a game that will best suit your playing style. We've shortened the process and picked out some bestselling RPG games for the PS4, so you can jump right into playing. If those aren't what you're looking for, there's also a buying guide included, which breaks down the elements of an RPG to help you choose a more fitting game.
These are some of the best RPGs for PS4, ready to be purchased and enjoyed. We've included critical review feedback and a short introductions on what the games are about, as well as other details you might want to know before buying the product.
$19.94
Sub-genre | Action |
---|---|
Recommended age | 13+ |
Type | Fantasy, sci-fi |
Combat style | Real-time |
Reality-based | Yes |
Gameplay hours | 60-80 hours |
Multiplayer option | No |
$14.97
Sub-genre | Action |
---|---|
Recommended age | 10+ |
Type | Fantasy |
Combat style | Real-time |
Reality-based | No |
Gameplay hours | 50+ |
Multiplayer option | Yes |
$19.49
Sub-genre | Roguelike, JRPG |
---|---|
Recommended age | 17+ |
Type | Social simulation |
Combat style | Turn-based |
Reality-based | Yes |
Gameplay hours | 100+ |
Multiplayer option | Yes |
$22.99
Sub-genre | Action |
---|---|
Recommended age | 18+ |
Type | Fantasy |
Combat style | Real-time |
Reality-based | Yes |
Gameplay hours | 70+ |
Multiplayer option | No |
$22.49
Sub-genre | Action |
---|---|
Recommended age | 16+ |
Type | Fantasy |
Combat style | Turn-based |
Reality-based | No |
Gameplay hours | 35+ |
Multiplayer option | Yes |
$18.99
Sub-genre | MMORPG |
---|---|
Recommended age | 13+ |
Type | Fantasy |
Combat style | Real-time |
Reality-based | No |
Gameplay hours | 128+ |
Multiplayer option | Yes |
$29.56
Sub-genre | Action, roguelike |
---|---|
Recommended age | 15+ |
Type | Fantasy |
Combat style | Real-time |
Reality-based | Yes |
Gameplay hours | 15+ |
Multiplayer option | Yes |
$29.99
Sub-genre | Sandbox, action |
---|---|
Recommended age | 18+ |
Type | Sci-fi |
Combat style | Real-time |
Reality-based | Yes |
Gameplay hours | 25+ |
Multiplayer option | No |
$15.66
Sub-genre | Action |
---|---|
Recommended age | 10+ |
Type | Fantasy, sci-fi |
Combat style | Real-time |
Reality-based | No |
Gameplay hours | 50+ |
Multiplayer option | No |
$33.51
Sub-genre | Action, JRPG |
---|---|
Recommended age | 13+ |
Type | Fantasy |
Combat style | Turn-based |
Reality-based | No |
Gameplay hours | 120+ |
Multiplayer option | No |
Image | 1 ![]() Guerrilla Games | 2 ![]() Capcom | 3 ![]() Atlus Persona Team | 4 ![]() CD Projekt Red | 5 ![]() Sony Computer Entertainment | 6 ![]() Square Enix | 7 ![]() Blizzard Entertainment | 8 ![]() Obsidian | 9 ![]() Square Enix | 10 ![]() Square Enix |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Horizon Zero Dawn | Monster Hunter: World | Persona 5 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | Bloodborne | Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn | Diablo III: Reaper of Souls | The Outer Worlds | Kingdom Hearts III | Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age |
Features | An Open-World RPG that's Both Futuristic and Prehistoric | A Combat-Heavy RPG with Glorious Monsters | One of the Most Popular Japanese RPGs on PS4 | The Complete RPG that's All Killer and No Filler | A Gothic RPG with Amazing Art and Gameplay Design | Your Favorite Fantasy RPG in Massive Online Multiplayer Mode | The RPG About Character Progression and Looting | A Quirky Sci-Fi RPG that's Strictly Single Player | An RPG that Beautifully Combines Disney and Final Fantasy | An Old-School RPG with Cutting-Edge Graphics |
Price | $19.94 | $14.97 | $19.49 | $22.99 | $22.49 | $18.99 | $29.56 | $29.99 | $15.66 | $33.51 |
Sub-genre | Action | Action | Roguelike, JRPG | Action | Action | MMORPG | Action, roguelike | Sandbox, action | Action | Action, JRPG |
Recommended age | 13+ | 10+ | 17+ | 18+ | 16+ | 13+ | 15+ | 18+ | 10+ | 13+ |
Type | Fantasy, sci-fi | Fantasy | Social simulation | Fantasy | Fantasy | Fantasy | Fantasy | Sci-fi | Fantasy, sci-fi | Fantasy |
Combat style | Real-time | Real-time | Turn-based | Real-time | Turn-based | Real-time | Real-time | Real-time | Real-time | Turn-based |
Reality-based | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Gameplay hours | 60-80 hours | 50+ | 100+ | 70+ | 35+ | 128+ | 15+ | 25+ | 50+ | 120+ |
Multiplayer option | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
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Picking out a role-playing game can be quite confusing, because there's just so many choices out there. Since it's not always easy to read pages and pages of reviews, or try out the game without purchasing it first, we've made this buying guide to help you choose the best RPG for yourself to enjoy.
There are five major types of RPGs. By differentiating among them, you can gauge which type of gameplay suits your style. Don't be surprised if certain games add one or two sub-genres to its gameplay, though. It makes things more fun for everyone!
An action RPG gives you control over the character in movement and in combat. It often has real-time action-based fighting style, as opposed to one that is turn-based. This means you don't usually enter a different "dimension" when fighting, but stay right in the same spot.
Popular titles of action RPGs include The Legend of Zelda, Dragon Slayer and the Final Fantasy series, although the last one's earlier game titles were often turn-based and have transformed into action RPGs in more recent years.
MMORPG is short for massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The definition is straightforward; it's a game where a lot of people can play at the same time, usually as many as in the thousands. Add a hint of fantasy, magic, various realms to explore, control, and character customization, and you get an MMORPG.
These are fun because you're never alone, and you'll always encounter other players in different costumes and with different gear, which can be a good incentive to improve in the game.
You can also team up with or fight against other players, which makes this type of RPG excellent for social interaction. Examples of MMORPGs include World of Warcraft and The Elder Scrolls Online.
When you add a lot of strategy to a role-playing game, you get a tactical RPG sub-genre. If you're dipping your toes into this type of video game and are intimidated and overwhelmed by the information overload, then it's a tactical RPG.
From role-playing mechanics, combat systems, to the story and character development, there are tactics and strategies involved. It might seem rigid, with minimal freedom involved, but tactical RPGs have more depth to them because every decision can lead to a particular consequence.
Noteworthy examples of tactical RPGs include Battle Brothers, Fire Emblem, The Banner Saga or Valkyria Chronicles.
If you love open-worlds and free-roaming through the game, then a sandbox RPG might be more your style. It's a type of game with more freedom that allows you to pick out the course of your character journey instead of following a set progression.
From start to finish, you have control and aren't bombarded with quests to unlock the next step on the journey. Some games also give you control over the physical properties of the virtual world, so you can build new structures and similar.
Some examples of sandbox RPGs are Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft, and The Legend of Zelda.
Roguelike RPGs are characterized by dungeon crawls wherein the player has to navigate through labyrinth-like environments while fighting monsters, avoiding traps, solving riddles, and looting. The gameplay itself is usually turn-based with tile-based graphics and ultimate death.
Fantasy is front and center with roguelike games. You never really know what to expect with this type of game, and that's what makes it addictive. Popular examples include Diablo, Hack, and Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.
You can choose specific themes or tones of an RPG, as well as its sub-genre. There's fantasy, which incorporates a lot of fiction and magic, sci-fi with futuristic elements like space exploration, and historical games that focus on real or imagined events.
Fantasy is all about entering a different realm where you can be someone else, from an elf, wizard, or even an orc. It's the dominating theme among RPGs today, because of the opportunity to become someone else, possess magical powers, and journey through a virtual world without stepping out of your door.
In fantasy games, you get a lot of mythical action, and can take supernatural forms to play essential roles in the plot. It's a perfect type of game to enjoy if you want to escape from the real world for a while.
If fantasy is about magic and all things mythical beings, sci-fi takes root in the real world set in the near or distant future. It's the vision of what the universe, space included, would be like, based on scientific and technological advancements (and some imagination).
In this sub-genre, you can explore space or use technology in innovative ways to progress the story. Additionally, many well-established titles that have ventured into the world of games, such as Star Wars, where you can play as your favorite characters. This gives you the added excitement of playing as a popular TV or movie personality!
Historical games are usually based on real-world history. Sometimes they are combined with fantasy or sci-fi themes, to make for unique narratives. Some games are based on real events that happened in the past.
It can be engaging, then, to come in as a character, because you can alter the outcome of certain historical events such as the World Wars (Dust).
As we mentioned earlier, RPGs are no longer about solo playing and going through the story alone. The number of players is another thing to consider when choosing an RPG.
RPGs can be played solo, with one or more characters controlled by you. You usually get a quick orientation and a mystery to look into, before going on a journey to unveil the intricate plot of the story.
From there, you take up various quests and help NPCs in the game, and fight numerous evils. As you storm the castle or brave the dark woods, you're at it alone. These games are often heavily focused on telling a story, and there are many gamers who prefer this type of game.
For those who prefer having companions throughout the journey, look for a game you can play with a group or online with other players.
MMORPGs is one type of RPG where you get to play and interact with other players, while games like Final Fantasy bring you on an adventure with other characters that aren't controlled by real players. Either way, these types of RPG is for gamers who like interaction and company!
An important aspect that draws players to an RPG is the gameplay, in terms of customization, control, and aesthetics. Check to what extent your character(s) are customizable. Some games allow you detailed levels of customization, up to minute details on their clothing or colors of their weapons.
There's also the level of choice on your character's future abilities to watch out for, as some require more focus and configuration. The pace of the narrative, such as character advancement or plot development, is another important aspect of an RPG. Some like a fast-paced game, while others prefer things to unravel more slowly.
Then there's gameplay hours (the longer the better, maybe?), combat style (turn-based or real-time), and overall aesthetics (real simulation, animation or 2D/3D type), which may attract or repel potential players. All of these affect your decision in choosing a particular RPG!
If you're in the mood for other games to try, here are a few more suggestions! From racing games to kids, to board games - you won't be bored!
With the top choices laid out for you, and a buying guide to ease your search, the only thing left now is to click add to cart, wait a day or two, and prep your console. It's time to rack up those hours as you develop skills that only video games can teach you.
Author: Hana Otsuka
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