Best Role-Playing Games of 2023 on PS5, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC

We’ve reached the final stages of a new year and it’s time to choose the GOTY among a selection of the best that has appeared during these last twelve months. Video games of all kinds and conditions are competing to win such a distinguished award, which will be the Game of the Year. And in MeriStation we have already started with our own search of which will be the best video game of 2023, through a genre competition from which the chosen ones will emerge, the titles that will fight against each other to become the best video game of this year, which is no small thing.

So far we’ve looked at the best indie titles, the best multiplayer titles, and many other types of “best of”s in the world of videogames, as what a year has 2023 been in terms of releases. This time, let’s talk about what was a surprisingly strong genre among all of the usual heavy hitters: RPGs.

When talking about RPGs (Role-Playing Games) there are a lot of possibilities, as some of its most basic and classic mechanics have been implemented in other genres. Some in this list are almost purists of the genre (like Sea of Stars and Octopath Traveler 2), others are a shining example of classic western RPG sensibilities (like Baldur’s Gate 3). Others still, like Lies of P and Diablo IV, could be considered outliers of the genre due to their heavy emphasis on action, but we still count them as RPG. take a look at our list:

Final Fantasy XVI

Naoki Yoshida came with the stripes on his jacket already. The director of Final Fantasy XIV managed to carry out a project that was born unsuccessful and that has become one of the best MMORPGs in history. Chosen as producer for the sixteenth main installment of the franchise, he worked closely with Creative Business Unit III and Square Enix to shape a more adult and bloody installment. Clive’s world falls apart when the Grand Duchy of Rosaria is betrayed by its supposed allies. After this traumatic experience, the archduke’s son undertakes a fall into the abyss that lasts for years, although he will manage to emerge as a hero and leader of the resistance. Meanwhile, the world suffers from dependence on the Mother Crystals and the expansion of the Deadlands. Equipped with a real-time combat system, the game takes us to a medieval fantasy world where the game of thrones is the favorite pastime of the nobles.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios has built its good name over all these years, little by little, slowly but surely. It’s not that they hadn’t warned, Divinity Original Sin 2 was already one of the best Western role-playing titles in recent years, but Baldur’s Gate 3 has managed to break the niche barrier and reach a broader audience, all without losing any an iota of its complexity. Building on the foundations that they themselves have established, the studio led by Swen Vincke has taken over from BioWare and created a dream third installment. Multiple characters, story full of ramifications, systems, combat...Everything in Baldur’s Gate 3 works with Swiss watch precision. Lovers of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game have before them a masterpiece, an outstanding product in all its aspects, which also keeps evolving day to day. Safety pin.

Diablo IV

Blizzard Entertainment has had some tough years. The World of Warcraft and Starcraft company has been harshly criticized for the failed remastering of Warcraft 3, the hatred towards Diablo Immortal (for being mobile, basically) and the serious cases of sexual and workplace harassment that occurred within Activision Blizzard , uncovered months ago. Diablo IV has also suffered the consequences, since its original director was fired because of this. After the problems of Overwatch 2, Blizzard’s new title does shine with its own light. It is a refined game, an action and role-playing title that engages like few others and that encourages you to enjoy it both alone and in company (local and online cooperative). The developers continue to expand the adventure with new seasonal content, which will lead you to hell once again. And yes, now there is a confirmed expansion: Vessel of Hatred.

Sea of Stars

Since the eighties and nineties, a type of two-dimensional Japanese role-playing game has been distilled that evokes a very familiar classic aroma. A group of heroes faces a great evil, joins forces, and fights to save the world from the cataclysm that is to come. Sabotage Studio is not a Japanese developer, but has paid a heartfelt tribute to those great games of the past, which like Chrono Trigger, Golden Sun, and Super Mario RPG, have remained indelibly in the collective imagination. The creators of The Messenger immerse themselves fully in that world with Sea of Stars, a work that stands out for its graphic and musical beauty, a simple but charming story and a wonderful combat system. More than a memory, more than a tribute. A top-notch JRPG.

Octopath Traveler 2

Square Enix has become fond of a graphic style that it inaugurated with Octopath Traveler and that has left players around the world captivated. The HD-2D concept draws attention for its refined sprites and detailed scenarios. But it is also thatOctopath Traveler 2 has a demanding, strategic, and very fun turn-based combat system. The player has to pay attention to the enemy’s weaknesses and choose their next moves accordingly, to the point that in the most difficult fights, it is essential to manage each turn as if it were the last. It is a continuous experience, yes, but it polishes many of the errors of the first installment.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

The road to redemption has been arduous, complicated, and almost impossible. CD Projekt RED had it all after the resounding success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but a bug-filled launch buried the reputation and credit it had worked so hard to achieve. Since then, the Poles have focused on improving Cyberpunk 2077, a work that concluded with update 2.0 (or rather in 2.1, because it has added even more playable features). The culmination is Phantom Liberty, the only major expansion, which recently went on sale only on next-generation consoles and PC.Another gripping story, thriller twists and a brilliant Night City, which shines with its neon and allows us to visit unexplored places in the city. The progression system, the police chases... everything important has been redone to live up to the promises.

Lords of the Fallen

From Software and Hidetaka Miyazaki remain at the top of the pedestal. The studio of Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Elden Ring are resting this year, but lovers of Soulslike games have some alternatives to consider. One of them is Lords of the Fallen, an independent project that is not a sequel to Deck13′s work and that invites us to visit a dark world full of dangers. Hexworks has created a fascinating action RPG, with challenging combat and a very distinctive art style. On the other hand, the developers had to face technical problems, which have somewhat clouded the overall experience, despite it being a highly recommended title and a solid candidate in this category.

Lies of P

If Lords of the Fallen has been one of the clear candidates for Soulslike of the year, the same can be said of Lies of P, a game that is set in a twisted version of the European Belle Époque, from the tale of Pinocchio, an industrial world, dirty looking, full of robots and deadly creatures. Round8 Studio replicates the From Software formula and at specific moments he seems to find his own identity, although he does it timidly, in very specific moments. Like other games of the genre, the game stands out for its difficulty, especially in final bosses, in addition to playing with elements such as electricity or fire. All this provides an additional layer of complexity, which together with the rest of the aspects provides an experience that performs at a good level.