There are millions of role-playing games with many different styles across the genre. From more linear titles such as The Last Of Us to more open-world experiences such as Horizon Forbidden West, there are a bunch of different ways to play through incredible video game stories.
But which ones should you prioritize? After all, time is precious, and many may only have time to play the best video game RPGs out there. If you have a PS5, get ready to dive into beautiful worlds that defy expectations and make the most of the console’s advanced features, these games won’t disappoint.
10/10 Tales Of Arise
Dropping in 2021, Tales of Arise is the seventeenth game in the franchise, proving just how much staying-power the series has had with audiences worldwide. This adventure takes place in a strange new world that’s divided by technology. One area, Dahna, appears Medieval in nature, while the other, Rena, is much more technologically advanced.
The action RPG’s plot sees a mysterious man named Alphen and a young girl named Shionne embarking on a quest to stop a conflict between the two cities and bring peace to the world around them. Combat remains close to other Tales games, with players able to attack, dodge, and counter enemy attacks, while also using abilities and skills. Players can choose to handle all of the combat on their own, or set it to “semi-auto” so that the AI will aid them during a scuffle.
9/10 Diablo II: Resurrected
The original Diablo II was released “way back” in 2000 and became an instant cult-classic for fans of the ARPG genre. A “massive step forward” from its predecessor, Diablo II featured visceral top-down combat that had players using an array of unlockable skills and abilities to lay waste to massive hordes of enemies. An expansive loot system had many players coming back for more as they tried to min-max their characters to deal as much damage as possible to an ever-growing army of baddies.
Over 20 years later and the release has finally seen a remake, with updated graphics and some additional mechanics to help differentiate the newest version from its original counterpart. Although there are some purists that will still maintain that the original is the best within the series, Diablo II Resurrected is a blast to play and stands as one of the best ARPG experiences on the PS5.
8/10 Yakuza: Like A Dragon
The Yakuza series can be classified as a cult-classic in the West, with many fans of the series heralding from the Eastern part of the globe. Those that have played any of the games in this series can see why it’s so beloved by many, thanks to its incredibly wacky and quirky storylines, paired with entertaining combat elements and some great character designs.
One of the many Yakuza titles, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, made its way to the PS5 and it’s an absolute blast to play on the next generation console. Players get to step into the shoes of Ichiban Kasuga as he attempts to navigate the crime-ridden underbelly of his city and uncover a dark plot. To give out too much information would spoil the fun, funky, and sometimes hilarious journey.
7/10 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Considered one of the best PlayStation one games of all time, it is only fitting that the Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade received a well-deserved upgrade. The story revolves around Cloud Strife (with his iconic sword) and his friends taking on an evil mega-corporation planning to use the planet’s life source as energy.
The core of the game remains mostly the same as the PS4 version, but with improved loading times, visuals, and new features such as a photo mode, making this legendary PlayStation title’s PS5 upgrade a must-play.
6/10 Demon’s Souls
Originally considered a more obscure PS3 exclusive, Demon’s Souls has aged like fine wine. The game takes place in a fictional, dark fantasy world that has been overtaken by a mysterious fog, demons, and the immortal “Old One”. It is up to you to send The Old One back to eternal slumber and restore the world.
The title has been updated for the modern PS5 hardware with improved graphics performance, sound design, and a wide selection of new features and modes. The Demon’s Souls PS5 version is a much more complete package than it ever was on the PS3, making it an essential RPG to play on your PlayStation 5.
5/10 The Witcher 3: Complete Edition | Next-Gen Upgrade
Originally created for the PlayStation 3, the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter searching for his adopted daughter that also happens to be on the run from an otherworldly group called “The Wild Hunt”. Although not available to the general public just yet, the title will be released in Q4 of 2022 and will include all 16 DLCs and 2 expansion packs: Hearts of Stone & Blood and Wine.
In their announcement of the remastered title, the developers state that there will be “a range of visual and technical improvements—including ray tracing and faster loading times—across the base game, both expansions, and all extra content.” This is extremely exciting as the game can harness the power of the PlayStation 5 into a flawless gameplay experience for the renowned game of the year.
4/10 Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West impressively builds off the success of its predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn. Rather than trying to duplicate the original, the developers of Forbidden West decided to get more ambitious and explore new landscapes, biome-themed robotic monsters, and new ways to explore the incredible open world of the West freely.
This PS5 exclusive masterfully harnesses the power of the new-gen console to tell a deeper, more exciting story that amplifies your sense of exploration and the enthralling combat against your foes.
3/10 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
When Final Fantasy XIV was first released, it was critically panned and many players found themselves regretting hopping into the Final Fantasy-based MMORPG experience. Things got so bad it actually forced Square Enix to completely dismantle the project, but the company refused to give up on the MMORPG. After rebuilding it from the ground up, they rebranded the experience as Final Fantasy: A Realm Reborn.
Their persistence and hard work paid off in full, as Final Fantasy XIV: ARR stands as one of the most engaging, entertaining, and widely-beloved MMORPGs currently on the market. A purchasable and subscription-based release, hundreds of thousands of players from all over the world still log into the massive game world on a daily basis.
2/10 Ghost Of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima took the video game world by storm in the summer of 2020. The story follows an ambitious Jin Sakai, a samurai with a deep internal conflict of honor, tasked with protecting Tsushima Island during the first Mongol invasion of Japan.
While the game looks and feels incredible on the PS4, The PS5 upgrade is well worthwhile. The upgrade bumps the FPS to 60, the pixels from 1800p to 2160p, and utilizes the PS5 storage capabilities to harness instantaneous loading. Visually, with these upgrades, you may as well be playing through a movie. On the other side of the coin, the developers Embedded 3D audio and dual sense haptics that completely immerses you in your experience of saving Tsushima Island.
1/10 Elden Ring
Where to begin? This highly challenging open-world experience is one of the most worthwhile games released to date. Elden Ring masterfully encapsulates a completely open world experience with enough lore created by George RR Martin (The author behind the books of the Game of Thrones television series) that you can play the game endlessly.
The story revolves around a tarnished (your character) that has been sent to the lands between to repair the Elden Ring, become the new Elden Lord, and rid the lands between the evil demigods and monsters along the way. Elden Ring combines the combat system of the Dark Souls games with a massive open world that compares to Skyrim. This dynamic duo has led to one of the most, if not the most, monumental games on the PlayStation 5 to date.
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