The year 2025 has truly been a golden age for role-playing games, setting an incredibly high bar for the genre. Gamers were treated to an exceptional lineup, which made our task of selecting the best RPG of the year particularly challenging. From expansive open worlds to deeply personal narratives and innovative combat systems, a wide spectrum of RPG experiences catered to every preference. While the definition of an RPG can be flexible, for this list, we focused on titles that put deep role-playing mechanics and intricate storytelling at their core.
Our final selection represents the pinnacle of the genre, showcasing incredible creativity and masterful execution. After extensive deliberation and voting by the iGV team, we’re confident these games truly embody what makes RPGs so special. The competition was fierce, but ultimately, one title stood out as the undisputed champion. Let’s dive into our top picks for the best RPGs of 2025.
Runner-Up – Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter
The Trails saga, a cornerstone of the larger Legend of Heroes universe, has captivated fans with its sprawling narrative, yet its sheer volume of entries has often made it daunting for newcomers. The Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter remake brilliantly addresses this by offering a perfectly polished entry point right from the series’ origin. This modernized version stands as one of the franchise’s most compelling and accessible installments. The game excels at establishing its richly detailed world, immersing players in intricate geopolitical struggles through the eyes of its spirited protagonists, Estelle and Joshua. Their journey as junior Bracers, members of a respected peacekeeping guild, provides a unique perspective on the various regions and unfolding grand story.
Combat is a dynamic highlight, blending traditional turn-based strategy with innovative action elements and a strategic positioning system. This creates an engaging flow that propels players through the enhanced world. The true brilliance of Trails lies in its ability to weave multifaceted stories from diverse viewpoints, and this remake serves as a magnificent gateway into that grand tradition.
Runner-Up – Dragon Quest 1&2 HD-2D Remake
Square Enix continues to set a benchmark for classic revitalizations, and the Dragon Quest 1&2 HD-2D Remake is their most impressive achievement yet. This high-definition pixel art transformation goes beyond mere visual enhancement; it expertly preserves the original charm while delivering a fresh, crisp aesthetic that previous remasters often missed. Both titles retain their iconic turn-based combat and beloved characters, honoring the distinct essence of the retro games without compromise. Thoughtful quality-of-life adjustments ensure these legendary adventures feel perfectly at home in today’s gaming landscape, even with their nostalgic difficulty spikes intact.
Alongside the highly anticipated DQ3 HD-2D Remake, this collection completes the celebrated “Erdrick trilogy,” allowing players to fully appreciate how the series pioneered the RPG genre, especially through the expanded scope and narrative emphasis of the second installment. This package is an outstanding example of respectful modernization, offering both fidelity to the source material and contemporary accessibility. It’s an essential experience that truly showcases some of the finest role-playing moments of the year.
Runner-Up – The Outer Worlds 2
When it comes to empowering players with meaningful choices and deep interactions within a game world, Obsidian Entertainment consistently shines. The Outer Worlds 2 elevates its predecessor in virtually every aspect, from more impactful gunplay to significantly expanded role-playing mechanics. The freedom to customize your character and make pivotal decisions now carries even greater weight, directly influencing combat scenarios and the progression of quests. A standout feature, the enhanced Flaws system, has been creatively expanded, presenting unique pros and cons based on your playstyle that force genuine consideration. The much larger environments, ingenious level design, and more dynamic combat encounters represent a substantial leap forward in gameplay.
Central to any RPG of this caliber is the interplay of choice and consequence, and Obsidian once again delivers a masterclass in storytelling with The Outer Worlds 2, proving their enduring prowess even after their celebrated work on titles like Fallout: New Vegas. It’s a rich, player-driven experience that reaffirms their position as genre leaders.
Runner-Up – Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an expansive journey, requiring a significant time commitment but rewarding players with an unparalleled level of immersion throughout its epic 120-hour runtime. It’s a deliberate, slow-burn experience that invites players to truly inhabit its realistic 15th-century Bohemian world. Yet, it also delivers a cinematic, action-packed adventure, showcasing a broader emotional depth than its predecessor. As Henry, you begin as an ordinary individual, a perspective that provides an intimate look at the world, whether performing mundane tasks or engaging in critical story quests where your decisions truly shape events. The game’s most remarkable achievement is its first-person melee combat system—a notoriously difficult feat, even for giants like the Elder Scrolls series.
This combat is intricate, demanding skill and precision, maintaining its engaging nature even deep into the campaign. While developer Warhorse Studios occasionally reaches for grander ambitions than it can fully realize, the compelling writing and superb combat consistently drive the narrative to a satisfying conclusion. This sequel, while continuing the first game’s story, is welcoming to newcomers and stands as a rare RPG that richly deserves its recognition in 2025 and beyond.
Winner – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
And the title for Best RPG of 2025 goes to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33! The development team at Sandfall Interactive explicitly cited Japanese RPGs such as Final Fantasy X and Persona 5 as key inspirations, demonstrating their commitment to crafting a game they genuinely wanted to play. There’s a persistent demand for high-quality turn-based RPGs, and Clair Obscur magnificently rises to the occasion. What truly distinguishes it is the intricate combat system. The active timing inputs keep every fight engaging, while the ability to recognize attack patterns and execute precise parries for counter-damage delivers some of the most satisfying moments we’ve encountered in a turn-based system in years.
Each party member feels distinct, boasting unique abilities and gameplay mechanics akin to a job or class system. Furthermore, the innovative Picto/Lumina system allows for stacking incredible perks and powerful buffs, almost making you feel like you’re bending the rules of the game. However, the most formidable challenges ensure that the game continually pushes back, rigorously testing your mastery of its sophisticated mechanics. This is easily one of the finest combat systems we’ve experienced in a long time, maintaining its thrilling momentum through both the main story and all optional content.
Moreover, Expedition 33 couldn’t truly honor its JRPG influences without a deeply emotional and poignant narrative. It immediately immerses players in a world grappling with the theme of time gradually erasing humanity – friends and loved ones dissolving before your eyes. This somber premise evolves into a profound exploration of grief and its transformative effects on individuals, all seen through the fully realized characters who evolve and grow alongside each other. Whether you seek complex systems, enjoyable combat, or compelling narratives from your RPGs, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 delivered comprehensively, capturing the hearts of everyone here at iGV.
What’s your pick for Best RPG of 2025?
We’ve made our case for the top RPGs of 2025, but we know every gamer has their own favorites. What was your standout role-playing game this year? Let us know in the comments below!
iGV Awards 2025: The Winners
Our celebration of the year’s best games doesn’t stop here. For a comprehensive look at all the categories and nominees, be sure to explore our full list of iGV Awards 2025 winners. We’re updating it daily as we build up to the grand announcement of the official Best Game of 2025!
Leave a Reply