Best Xbox RPGs

These are some of the best RPGs on Xbox Series X|S, offering expansive worlds, epic stories, deep character crafting and the chance to play it your way.

Heidi Nicholas

Published 28 Sep 2024

The best RPGs steal hundreds of hours of your time, giving you gut-wrenching choices, and guilt-tripping you with the consequences while they do it. Here are our top picks for the best Xbox RPGs.

The best Xbox RPGs in September 2024

Role-playing games are enduringly popular, and for good reason. They offer vast worlds to explore, memorable characters, and hugely detailed stories that you can lose yourself in. Then there’s all the side stuff to complete, combat systems to master, treasures to uncover, and, of course, achievements to unlock. The best RPGs can cross over with a lot of other genres too — first-person shooters, third-person adventure, isometric strategy games, and more — but they're all RPGs at their core. So, we've put together a list of what we think are the best RPGs on Xbox right now (some of which also feature as some of the best Game Pass games too). This list is based on TrueAchievements ratings, review scores, and personal opinions. Check it out below and let us know if you think we've missed any hidden gems.

17. The Outer Worlds

Release date: October 25, 2019
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
On Game Pass: Yes

The Outer Worlds is wacky, weird, hilarious, and a lot of fun. Developed by famed RPG studio Obsidian, it’s seen as something of a spiritual successor to Fallout: New Vegas, but it’s still entirely its own thing. There’s a distinctive contrast between irreverent humour and some really dark themes, with you caught in the middle, faced with which path to pave.

The game follows its own pace and sweeps you along with it — you’re woken up by a mad-scientist type who bombards you with a lot of information at top speed, before dumping you on one of many dangerous planets, with a vague idea that you’re on a mission to take down an evil corporation. And with that, you’re off on the weirdest adventure you might have been on for some time.

16. Starfield

starfield player surveys every possible planet

Release date: September 6, 2023
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
On Game Pass: Yes

Then we come to Starfield. It was one of the most-hyped, most-anticipated games we’ve seen for some time, and continues to stir up a fair amount of discussion on how much it lives up to its promises. It’s an absolute beast of a game with a vast array of planets to explore, characters to meet, missions and bounties to undertake, and more. It’s also the first new IP from Bethesda in a long time, taking us away from the fantasy setting of The Elder Scrolls games and the post-apocalyptic world of the Fallout series, into a future where humanity has left Earth for the stars.

As with all great RPGs, there may be a main quest of some urgency, but you’re also free to lose yourself for untold hours in the side content Starfield has to offer, whether that’s completing other quests or just observing the random weirdness of encounters across the universe. There’s more to come, too, with the upcoming Shattered Space DLC.

15. Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition

Release date: August 31, 2018
Developer: Larian Studios
On Game Pass: No

It’s been a good few years since Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition was released, but it's still an absolutely brilliant RPG. Our Divinity: Original Sin 2 review sings its praises, and calls it “one of the best tactical and role-playing experiences you'll ever have on any platform.”

It’s “a game about choice in every aspect... It's an RPG where it truly is your story, with no two playthroughs being alike thanks to the vast number of ways to tackle any given situation… There are few RPGs I'd dare to call essential, but Divinity: Original Sin 2 stands out among all others as deserving of that accolade.”

14. Diablo IV

Diablo IV open beta will you be playing?

Release date: June 5, 2023
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
On Game Pass: Yes

Back in the misty depths of time, it was Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition that found a place on this list. Yet Diablo 4 quickly gained momentum as a hugely popular entry into the series which again successfully combines RPG, action, hack & slash, and dungeon crawler elements. You’ll be playing this one for a fair while, too, since it’s currently got an estimated completion time of around 200 to 300 hours. Even better, it’s available with Game Pass!

13. Sea of Stars

Release date: August 29, 2023
Developer: Sabotage Studio
On Game Pass: Yes

Moving on from starfields to star seas, we have another newer entry on this list with Sea of Stars. It’s always great to see more recent games which have already found a place on best-of lists like this, and Sea of Stars has definitely earned a spot. Aside from being absolutely beautiful, Sea of Stars promised to win hearts by combining nostalgia and a more modern take on RPGs. It sees two Children of the Solstice set out on an adventure to defeat The Fleshmancer with Eclipse Magic. Sea of Stars has a big focus on turn-based combat, which is very enjoyable from the get-go.

As with most great RPGs, however, there’s also plenty of other stuff to do, such as fishing, cooking, and a go at Sea of Stars’ tabletop minigame, Wheels. All-in-all, it’s a wonderful experience, and one that’s set to expand with its upcoming free DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker.

12. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Release date: November 21, 2014
Developer: BioWare
On Game Pass: No

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is almost upon us, but in the meantime, 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition remains as beloved as ever. We gave it a 4.5/5 in our Dragon Age: Inquisition review, saying that "BioWare has taken a franchise that was on the ropes and invigorated it to the point of that it can stand up to the major powerhouse RPGs of our time."

Dragon Age: Inquisition sees you fighting your way through Thedas, a land struggling not just with dragons but a vicious war. Given the years since Inquisition launched, and amount of time we’ll likely need to guage how much Dragon Age: The Veilguard holds up, it seems likely that Dragon Age: Inquisition will hold its place on the list of the best RPGs on Xbox for a good time yet.

11. Cyberpunk 2077

Release date: December 10, 2020
Developer: CD Projekt Red
On Game Pass: No

Cyberpunk 2077 had more than its fair share of launch issues, and especially in the lack of clarity about how the game fared on last-gen consoles. Since then, the game has had a lot of updates, plus an excellent expansion, and it’s in a completely different position now. The core story, characters, writing, and world were already excellent, and with all those chunky updates, the game’s better than ever.

Set in the futuristic, vibrant, and corrupt Night City, we play as a mercenary who’s swept up into a chaotic journey with ~~Keanu Reeves~~ Johnny Silverhand. There’s a fantastic story there, but you can pretty much disappear into any portion of the game’s world you want and still find something highly enjoyable to do. Branching dialogue, excellent characters, and a brilliant story await.

10. Fallout: New Vegas

Release date: October 22, 2010
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
On Game Pass: Yes

Despite being a spin-off, Fallout: New Vegas has gained itself a loyal following since it first graced our screens back in 2010. Set in the desert and taking place after Fallout 3, it follows the grand tradition of great RPGs by dropping you smack bang in the middle of brewing hostilities and warring factions, and giving you the power (and the pressure) of deciding the outcome. That’s after you’ve already been shot, robbed, and buried.

Fallout: New Vegas expands on everything that Fallout 3 did right, while also fixing almost everything that it did wrong with better quests, a revamped perks system, and more. It’s beloved all round, and isn’t likely to lose a spot on our best Xbox RPGs list for some time.

9. Final Fantasy VII (FFVII)

Release date: March 26, 2019
Developer: Square Enix
On Game Pass: No

Final Fantasy XIV Online finally arrived for Xbox earlier this year, but the sheer amount of love already established for Final Fantasy VII since the launch of the port several years ago cements its place on the list of the best RPGs. Final Fantasy VII sees Cloud Strife helping the rebel group Avalanche against the tyrannical and Lifestream-stealing Shinra Electric Power Company corporation in an effort to save the whole planet. The port also comes with a battle enhancement mode and other new improvements, promising a fantastic time all-round, even if we don’t know whether we’ll ever see the remake on Xbox.

8. Persona 5 Royal

Release date: October 20, 2022
Developer: Atlus
On Game Pass: No

The Persona series hasn't been on Xbox for very long, but it's already among our favorite RPG series’ on the platform, and Persona 5 Royal is the best among them in our mind. Persona 5 Royal sees us sent to a high school in Tokyo, where life becomes split between being a student during the day and a Phantom Thief at night, fighting against corruption.

It has sprawling dungeons for you to explore, slick and stylish combat for you to master, and relationships for you to nurture as you talk to dozens of characters, making decisions and completing side quests along the way. What’s more, this version comes with all the previously-released DLC items.

7. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

Disco Elysium Xbox One Port Announced, Releases 2020

Release date: October 12, 2021
Developer: ZA/UM
On Game Pass: No

There is nothing quite like Disco Elysium. It is utterly unique, and so completely different that it’s actually quite baffling when you start playing it. You play as a detective investigating a murder, and that’s really all you know for sure to begin with. It’s a complex game which can be challenging and rewarding, as well as utterly and enjoyably ridiculous.

Sure, there’s a lot of high intellect stuff going on and some incredibly deep lore to dive into, but in my first few playthroughs I died while trying to get our baffled detective to put his trousers on. I then died from trying and failing to punch a kid. Amazing stuff. All-in-all, nearly everybody seems to love Disco Elysium, and it well deserves a spot on a list like this. In addition, The Final Cut brought more to the table with new features like the Political Vision quests and full voice acting.

6. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Best RPGs on Xbox: The finest role-playing games for Xbox Series X|S

Release date: January 26, 2024
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
On Game Pass: No

The excellent Yakuza: Like a Dragon used to be the series representative on here. Yakuza: Like a Dragon was incredible and utterly, wonderfully silly as it took us along for the story of Ichiban Kasuga, who finishes an 18-year prison sentence to find his clan gone, and sets out on a mission to become a hero. In Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, it’s Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu setting out together across Japan and Hawaii. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth promised more incredible and ridiculous adventures, and, not content with its own take on Pokémon, came complete with an Animal Crossing-style bit about revitalising Dondoko Island. Perfection.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth met with fantastic reviews at launch, and currently has a rating of 4.75/5 here on TrueAchievements, having now beaten Yakuza: Like a Dragon. There’s no doubt, however, that both will be thought of as entirely excellent for a long time to come.

5. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

Release date: October 28, 2016
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
On Game Pass: Yes

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition has already established itself as one of the best and most beloved RPGs there is. In the years since it launched, it’s already on its way to becoming one of those grey-bearded games of legend that new-fangled RPGs try their best to live up to. The Anniversary Edition adds a whole heap of new content on top of the massive graphical upgrade and mod support that the Special Edition brought to the table. New side quests, fishing, a survival mode, and Xbox Series X|S enhancements all make an appearance in this edition of the game — more proof that the only way Skyrim can be made any better is to just have more Skyrim.

4. Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Release date: May 14, 2021
Developer: BioWare
On Game Pass: No

We couldn't choose which Mass Effect game is our favorite, and thanks to the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, we don't have to. This awesome bundle contains Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3, all remastered and optimised for Xbox Series X|S.

Step into the hefty space boots of Commander Shepard and save the galaxy from the Reapers, an ancient race of machines hell bent on wiping out all sentient life in the galaxy. You'll meet aliens, invite them to join your squad (and bed), explore beautiful sci-fi locales, and battle vicious foes ranging from giant plants to killer robots. It's the perfect sci-fi odyssey.

3. Elden Ring

Release date: February 25, 2022
Developer: FromSoftware
On Game Pass: No

Elden Ring dared to ask the question "what if Dark Souls, but bigger... much bigger?" As it turns out, the answer was this truly phenomenal game. It has everything that fans love about the Souls genre — exploration, world-building, grandiose boss fights, and brutally unforgiving combat — all of that, wrapped up in a stunning open-world for you to explore.

You can create your own custom character, and explore the world as you choose. Partner up with a friend or roll solo and tackle the challenges of the Lands Between in whichever way you see fit. Just be prepared to die a lot, that bit hasn't changed at all — in fact, with Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC out now, that’ll likely continue for some time.

2. Baldur’s Gate 3

Release date: December 7, 2023
Developer: Larian Studios
On Game Pass: No

Ah, Baldur’s Gate 3. One perfect example of a game which was more than worth the wait. And it was quite the wait — Xbox players were left forlorn and Baldur’s Gate-less until December last year, when we finally got our turn. The delay was due to issues with the Xbox Series S, and once the Xbox save bug was fixed, we at last got the chance to sample one of the best RPGs in years. It’s a story on an epic scale, with magic, gods, betrayals, adventure, danger, and an unbelievable complex world. You’re faced with choices every way you turn, and any teeth-gnashing you do while you decide is more than understandable, since those choices do come back to bite you when you least expect it. Along with your own character’s tribulations, you’ve also got to contend with the personalities and conflicts of your party, who are very vocal about whether or not they agree with you. Trying to juggle all these demands sounds stressful, and it is, but in the best way. Heading to the Forgotten Realms is the best form of escapism, with a role-playing adventure you can really immerse yourself in.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Release date: August 30, 2016
Developer: CD Projekt Red
On Game Pass: No

It’s a good day when they let me talk about The Witcher 3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt sits almost at the top of the list of highest-rated RPGs, as it should, since it takes the bar for the standard of RPGs, runs off with it, and disappears with it into the stratosphere. Its story is unbeatable and backed up by intricate side quests, contracts, encounters, and activities, with the whole thing tied up neatly in one of the most immersive game worlds there is, and supported by an in-depth lore and mythology which sets the game apart all over again.

The after-effect of the “Witcher slump”, which puts you off all other games, is well worth it — you actually can’t go wrong with this one. Its DLC again sets a new standard — Blood and Wine in particular is like a whole new game by itself, while Heart of Stone adds a brilliant new storyline. Plus, the arrival of the Xbox Series X|S update gives you an excellent reason to head back to the Continent.

That’s all for now, but with the ever-expanding list of upcoming Game Pass games and upcoming Xbox exclusives, it’s likely we’ll see some new contenders for the best RPGs on Xbox soon.

Written by Heidi Nicholas

Heidi tends to lean towards indie games, RPGs, and open-world games on Xbox, and when not playing Disney Dreamlight Valley, happily installs every new wholesome game that appears on Xbox Game Pass, before diving back into favorites like The Witcher 3. She's looking forward to Age of Mythology Retold, Everwild, Fable, and Avowed on the Xbox horizon. Heidi graduated with an MA in English Literature before joining the TrueAchievements team.