Underrated RPGs You Should Definitely Play

Role-playing games offer some of the most thrilling interactive experiences in our industry, boasting years of wonderful stories that have truly made us feel like a part of them.

However, as often happens when a genre grows significantly, the public has developed a sort of tunnel vision, focusing almost exclusively on the biggest titles while overlooking a vast number of other RPGs that also deserve attention.

Whether because they are indies, offer a radically different concept, or simply lacked critical acclaim at launch, the reasons for this neglect vary, but the result is that users miss out on a wealth of unforgettable journeys.

So, to celebrate voyages that have been forgotten, or perhaps never even discovered, I invite you to read this list of ten RPGs that most people haven't played, but definitely should.

10 Another Crab’s Treasure

The Best Protest in Favor of the Environment

Another Crab's Treasure Adventure Soulslike RPG Released April 25, 2024 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Aggro Crab Publisher(s) Aggro Crab Engine Unity Genre(s) Adventure, Soulslike, RPG

Protesting climate change through video games is an unusual concept outside experimental projects, yet Another Crab's Treasure arrived to deliver a high-quality, satirical take on ocean pollution.

The idea that a FromSoftware-inspired action RPG would serve as a remarkable treatise on the consequences of mismanaged waste was never on my bingo card, though the results are undeniable.

Beyond its hilarious, introspective nature, it's also an outstanding Soulslike, featuring extensive customization, superb world-building, a satisfying sense of progression, and, above all, thematically cohesive bosses that excel in design, challenge, and gameplay.

Another Crab's Treasure has easily become one of my favorite titles of recent years, and its colorful exterior shouldn't mislead anyone about the depth of the experience it offers.

9 Citizen Sleeper

A Magnificent Fusion with the Visual Novel

Citizen Sleeper RPG Adventure Released May 5, 2022 ESRB T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Language Developer(s) Jump Over the Age Publisher(s) Fellow Traveller Engine Unity Genre(s) RPG, Adventure

As an older gamer with a thousand responsibilities, I usually prioritize titles that let me switch off my critical thinking. However, now and then I make exceptions for games like Citizen Sleeper, to remind myself just how extraordinary the mere act of thinking can be.

Ever since Disco Elysium, deeply political titles that demand hours of reading have become even more compelling to me, and this particular one is a remarkable foray into the ruins of a dystopian future.

With memorable characters, impressive dialogue, and a density of content that's substantial without being overwhelming,Citizen Sleeper is a major reason why it pains me to live in a country where TTRPGs are virtually non-existent.

In any case, it serves as an accessible and praiseworthy substitute that has managed to connect with a significant niche of players, yet it remains far from the greatness it truly deserves to be credited with.

8 Starfield

An Interstellar Opera that Enchants

Starfield Action RPG Open-World FX Wiki Wiki GGMods Mods 9/10Released September 6, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ / Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence, In-Game Purchases Developer(s) Bethesda Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine proprietary engine Genre(s) Action, RPG, Open-World

Had Starfield been released early last decade, it would have been a monumental hit that we would still be raving about today. Bethesda paid a heavy price for failing to refine the design and technical capabilities behind their space epic.

Nevertheless, those of us accustomed to the company's philosophy find a deeply immersive and expansive experience that effectively sells the fantasy of being a space explorer, especially after the years of updates and content the developers have poured into it.

It doesn't fix the lackluster combat, endless loading screens, or overwhelming number of systems, though it does smooth out the rough edges of a game whose core loop can hook you for hundreds of hours if you are the target audience.

Recommending Starfield is difficult when you acknowledge it relies on the structure and ideas of a 2010-era game, yet it becomes easy once you let yourself be won over and focus on everything that makes it a titanic universe worth getting lost in.

7 Anachronox

Bizarre Galaxies

Anachronox RPG Third-Person Shooter Released June 27, 2001 ESRB t Developer(s) Ion Storm Publisher(s) Eidos Interactive, Infogrames Engine Quake II engine Genre(s) RPG, Third-Person Shooter

Anachronox is one of those titles that feels alien to most players, especially modern ones, because it grew partially old and the already modest (albeit positive) reception it received in its heyday.

Even so, having played it years after its release, I can attest that it is a tremendously unique title. Its turn-based combat borders on the bizarre thanks to the design of its weapons, enemies, and camera angles, yet it captivates precisely for those same reasons.

Exploring this galaxy feels like a strange dream, whether you are asking an alien to explain a planet's political workings or engaging in skirmishes against insectoid robots that look like a cross between Halo and The Lord of the Rings.

While the passage of time may well deter many contemporary players, make no mistake: Anachronox is an extraordinary choice if you are looking for a game unlike anything else out there today.

6 Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

A True Tolkien Epic

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Action RPG 8/10Released February 7, 2012 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes Developer(s) 38 Studios, Big Huge Games Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine havok Genre(s) Action RPG

Speaking of The Lord of the Rings, it is undeniable that J.R.R. Tolkien’s creations serve as the quintessential inspiration for medieval RPGs, though I would argue none feel quite as directly influenced by them as Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

Although the title features its own mythology, the similarities in design and color palette regarding the films, alongside factions and universal laws reminiscent of the books, create a striking parallel.

That in itself is a positive, but when you add the addictive nature of exploring its worlds and battling fantastical beasts, while customizing your avatar to suit your own playstyle, you end up with a truly captivating adventure.

It may not be the deepest or most groundbreaking proposal, but Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning hits all the right notes to leave you feeling genuinely satisfied, even if it doesn't take any bold risks.

5 Avowed

Reclaiming Its Excellence

Avowed Action RPG Adventure RPG FX Wiki Wiki Released February 18, 2025 ESRB Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Obsidian Entertainment Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine Unreal Engine 5 Genre(s) Action RPG, Adventure, RPG

While I recognize Obsidian holds a special place in my heart, I champion Avowed for reasons beyond my fondness for the studio, as I believe it has been unfairly overlooked.

Although it leans more toward action with RPG elements than a pure role-playing experience, it's a masterclass in world-building that expertly leverages Pillars of Eternity's universe to anchor a magnificent story about gods and colonization.

Your ability to influence the world around you is virtually non-existent, a hard pill to swallow for a game in this genre, but once you accept it and move forward, you discover an addictive experience where everything is consistently compelling. Its combat, exploration, loot systems, and progression mechanics are tightly designed.

It's a focused experience with few branching paths, making Avowed an excellent entry point for those looking to dip their toes into RPGs in an accessible way, as well as a refreshing, relaxing change of pace for players accustomed to more hardcore experiences.

4 Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

Arkane Studios Was Always Great

Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic FPS Action Narrative Fantasy Released October 24, 2006 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity Developer(s) Arkane Studios, Ubisoft Annecy Publisher(s) Ubisoft Engine Source Genre(s) FPS, Action, Narrative, Fantasy

Although the studio reached its peak popularity more recently, Arkane Studios has been creating incredible titles for years, which undeniably includes Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.

Its emergent gameplay, fostering countless spontaneous and immersive experiences, stands among the biggest marvels of the 2000s, with levels, abilities, and enemy designs that invite players to exercise their combat creativity to the fullest.

There's something incredible about kicking an opponent and watching them fly through the air to land on a spike, or simply getting lost in the game's rich environments and lore while deciding to commit to separate playthroughs as a warrior, a mage, and a rogue just to fully explore its deep, versatile systems.

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic shines more for its gameplay possibilities than for its narrative, though that honest focus on its core objectives is precisely what makes it more exhilarating than almost any other RPG of its era.

3 Grim Dawn

The Hidden Gem of ARPGs

Grim Dawn Action RPG Released February 25, 2016 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Language Developer(s) Crate Entertainment Publisher(s) Crate Entertainment Engine ron Lore engine Genre(s) Action RPG

Any isometric action RPG inevitably, and perhaps understandably, gets reduced to comparisons with Diablo, though Grim Dawn is far more than just a title that resembles Blizzard’s work.

The parallels are certainly there, but given the depth of its classes, skills, items, quests, decision-making, secrets, and more, it would be an insult to dismiss such an incredibly rich game, one capable of providing hundreds of hours of organic fun.

Between maxing out a single character and creating multiple ones to explore the nuances of different builds, Grim Dawn offers a seemingly endless source of entertainment, particularly given how the experience evolves contextually based on your progress.

If you aren't a fan of the genre, I don't think this title does enough to change your mind. However, if you do enjoy it, this is undoubtedly one of the subgenre's greatest titles.

2 Arx Fatalis

A Fantasy Like Few Others

Arx Fatalis RPG Released December 23, 2003 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) Arkane Studios Publisher(s) DreamCatcher Interactive, JoWood Productions, Mindscape, Arkane Studios Engine unity Genre(s) RPG

Even less well-known than Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, the fact that Arkane debuted with Arx Fatalis serves, in retrospect, as the clearest sign that they would go on to become among the century's most outstanding studios.

Creating such a marvelous fantasy universe, teeming with diverse species, biomes, gameplay scenarios, and possibilities, was a feat achievable only by true geniuses who brought with them expertise from fields far beyond the realm of video games.

The first time you draw a rune to cast a spell is an unforgettable moment, yet it's merely the iceberg's tip for a title that embraces systems which, while perhaps counterintuitive, are highly interactive and truly reward the most curious players.

I realize that a game like Arx Fatalis may not perfectly align with modern tastes, though to pass it up for that reason is to deny yourself the chance to add another title to your list of favorites.

1 Deus Ex

The Invisible King

Deus Ex Action RPG FPS Stealth Released June 23, 2000 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence Developer(s) Ion Storm Publisher(s) Eidos Interactive Engine Unreal Engine 1 Genre(s) Action RPG, FPS, Stealth

Including one of the most acclaimed RPGs in history on a list like this might seem presumptuous, but the gap between Deus Ex's quality and relevance and its current standing in the collective memory is too vast to ignore.

Adam Jensen took up the mantle from JC Denton magnificently, yet the franchise hasn't seen a new installment in a decade, so the memories of the original title, still the best in the series, remain buried among the "old guard" who experienced it in its heyday.

Modern generations hardly ever discuss Deus Ex, unaware of the narrative, thematic, systemic, and interactive brilliance showcased by Ion Storm. It's a studio that appears on this list again precisely because it has never been properly appreciated.

Any issues regarding aging graphics or design pale in comparison to the game's outstanding qualities, which warrant multiple playthroughs to satisfy the curiosity about one of the century's most impressive game worlds.

It may be the most well-known title on this list, yet it also presents the starkest inverse relationship between transcendence and popularity. If you’ve never played it, do so; if you have, play it again so you can explain to others why they should.