10Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunion (Square Enix)
A Perfect PSP Remake
Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunionis a remake of sorts of the original PSP spin-off gameCrisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. It follows the adventures of Zack Fair and his adventures that end before the events ofFinal Fantasy VII, making it a prequel.It explores the SOLDIER organization, the origins of Sephiroth, as well as the malicious Shinrathat plays such an important role in the events of the main game.
Reunionis a fairly linear experience, with Zack fighting through waves of enemies utilizing unique real-time combat mechanics that are separate fromFinal Fantasy VII’scombat. While it isn’t officially described as a remake,the visuals have had a significant glow-up, bringing it closer in quality to theRemaketrilogy. It also adds some much-needed quality-of-life improvements and vastly updates cutscenes.Crisis Coreis a must-play for fans ofFinal Fantasy VIIand those who want more context for thecharacters in theRemaketrilogy.
9Fallout 4 (Bethesda Softworks)
An Incredible Apocalyptic Open World RPG
Fallout 4is one of Bethesda’s best RPGs, offering a diverse and interesting open worldbrimming with fun side quests and a plethora of loot to discover. Much like all of Bethesda’s games, there is a genuine sense of joy that comes from exploring the dilapidated and harsh wastelands of Fallout 4, largely thanks to the phenomenal environmental storytelling. Whether delving deep into mysterious vaults or helping out the Minutemen in their quest,Fallout 4has plenty for fans to do.
10 Fallout 4 Locations You Probably Still Haven’t Found
Fallout 4’s Commonwealth is quite vast and packed with interesting locations, and these are especially easy to miss, but worthwhile to find.
While many may have already played it, for those who are still on the fence, trying it out via PlayStation Plus for free is the best way to get a taste of the adventure it offers. Of course, for those who’ve already exploredFallout 4’sstriking rendition of Boston many times, there are stillplenty of hidden questsworth uncovering and completing. Either way,Fallout 4’srobust RPG mechanics make it an immersive and action-packed experience.
8Undertale (tobyfox)
A Unique Choice-Driven RPG
Undertaleis the ultimate indie RPG, especially for those who enjoy games where choices truly matter. With multiple endings, each as incredible and worth experiencing as the last,Undertalehas a lot to offer those who engross themselves in its undeniably complex, humorous, and oftentimes incredibly somber narrative. There are many reasons whyUndertalegarnered so much popularity when it first launched and why it is absolutely still worth playing in 2024.
Namely,Undertale’sexcellent presentation and soundtrack are enthralling, enticing players into its weird and wonderful world filled with fascinating characters.Undertaleis absolutely a game that needs to be experienced to be believedand no amount of video essays or trailers will do a good enough job of conveying its excellence.Undertaleis well worth trying on PlayStation Plus, especially for those who are still on the fence.
7Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix)
An Excellent Start To An Iconic Adventure
Naturally, after beatingCrisis Core,fans will likely want to try the critically acclaimed and much-discussedFinal Fantasy 7 Remake. This RPG finally landed in the laps of players who had been desperate for a remake of the iconicFinal Fantasy 7and proved it had been worth the wait. Upon release,FF7 Remakereceived exceptional reviews, with many praising its deeper exploration of the characters and gorgeous visuals.
Final Fantasy VII Remake’scast of characters is greatly expanded upon, and new elements are added, ensuring that those who are familiar with the original still have an almost entirely new experience.
Of course, for those who’ve never touched the originalFinal Fantasy 7before, then all ofRemakewill feel entirely new. It’s an action-packed, heartfelt adventure that encapsulates the first four or so hours of the original game.Its cast of characters is greatly expanded upon, and new elements are added, ensuring that those who are familiar with the original still have an almost entirely new experience. It is a truly exceptional RPG and one that will perfectly position those looking to jump into its far bigger and more ambitious sequel.
6Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (Sucker Punch Productions)
An Epic First-Party Samurai Open World Adventure
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cutis easily one of the best games available on the PS5and is a prime example of why PlayStation’s first-party offerings are so beloved. Its gorgeous rendition of the island of Tsushima is a sight to behold and offers a genuinely immersive experience in which players can roleplay as either a sneaky assassin or a bold samurai warrior. However, at the heart ofGhost of Tsushima, like all the modern PlayStation exclusives, is a complex narrative about honor, sacrifice, family, and survival.
Jin proves to be one of PlayStation’s more memorable protagonistsand the rest of the cast offer compelling performances that help make the world feel far more believable. With plenty of meaningful skills to unlock, a unique combat system to master, and a vast open world filled with enjoyable activities,Ghost of Tsushimais an excellent RPG available on PlayStation Plus. Of course, for those excited about theupcomingGhost of Yotei, playingTsushimais an absolute must.
5Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of DANA (Nihon Falcom)
A Traditional JRPG Experience
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANAis a sprawling JRPG that feels more akin to those found on the PS2. That is not a slight against it, asits retro charm never gets in the way of an engaging combat system that allows players to switch characters on the fly or its engrossing narrative that results in a memorable climax.Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANAmay not look as flashy asFinal Fantasy VII Remake, but what it lacks in graphical prowess, it more than makes up for in charm, a killer soundtrack, and a captivating world to explore.
Players absolutely do not need to play the previousYsgames to enjoy or understandYs VIII. Despite having some recurring characters, the story ofYs VIIIis completely standalone and is designed for both fans and newcomers alike to enjoy.
InYs VIII, players take on the role of series regular, Adol as he and his friends become shipwrecked on a mysterious island. There, he suddenly has visions of a blue-haired woman by the name of Dana. It is up to Adol and his crew to go search for her and, in doing so, uncover the mysteries of the island. With dragons to fight, temples to explore, and new friends to meet,Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA’snarrative goes in some unexpected directionsand offers one of the most compelling RPG experiences on PlayStation Plus.
4Remnant 2 (Gunfire Games)
A Souls-Like Action RPG With Guns
Remnant 2is thecritically acclaimed action RPGthat is often referred to asDark Soulswith guns.It’s a sprawling roguelite-esque adventure that can be completed with friends onlineand sees players venture into diverse worlds teeming with challenging boss fights, fascinating lore, and some of the unique art direction in gaming. With a number of classes - referred to as Archetypes in the game - to choose from, including one with a dog companion, there are plenty of ways to approachRemnant 2’sengaging combat.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Needs To Learn This Important Lesson From 2024’s Best RPG
There are a lot of important lessons that The Elder Scrolls 6 can learn from 2024’s best RPG, especially when it comes to immersive world design.
Of course, for those who prefer melee combat,Remnant 2offers that as well as plenty of ways of prioritizing it as a viable combat option. However, its gunplay is so enjoyable, and it features a variety of incredibly unique guns to choose from, that even those who aren’t fond of third-person shooters are likely to enjoyRemnant 2. With a number of incredible DLC also available,Remnant 2is the perfect action RPG for those looking for something a little different.
3Tales Of Arise (BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment)
A Flashy Action-Packed JRPG
Tales of Arisecompletely revamped theTalesseries and helped sell it better to a Western audience.It offers vastly improved visuals, an engaging narrative full of colorful characters, and a thoroughly engrossing combat modelbacked by some truly epic battle themes.Tales of Ariseisn’t a traditional open-world game, but it features plenty of large spaces for players to explore, with a plethora of hidden items to collect.
Of course, the best part ofTales of Ariseis its narrative, which is made all the better thanks to its incredible cutscene direction. Featuring fluid animation and bombastic fight scenes, these cutscenes help drive the narrative and make it a truly memorable JRPG experience. WhileTales of Arisehas plenty of tropey JRPG moments,it is the perfect starting point for those looking to branch out into different forms of RPG and try something truly special.
2The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt (CD Projekt Red)
The Ultimate Open World RPG
The Witcher 3: The Wild Huntis easily the definitive RPG for PlayStation Plus.Its massive open world filled with some of the best side quests in gamingmakes it a true RPG gem. Additionally, the fluid combat and tactical monster hunting help immerse players in the iconic and beautifully voice-acted role of Geralt. There is an immense amount of depth, both narratively and mechanically, toThe Witcher 3that makes it the ideal experience for those looking for a lengthy adventure on PS Plus.
Of course, TheWitcher 3’snext-gen updatemade it an even better experience for those on PlayStation 5, improving the visuals and adding some new content for returning fans to enjoy.There are also the two jam-packed DLCs that add dozens of hours to the overall experienceand introduce some ofgaming’s best villains.The Witcher 3is an absolute must-play for those wanting an RPG to get them through the rest of 2024.
1The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition (Obsidian Entertainment)
A Hilarious Sci-Fi RPG
Obsidian’sThe Outer Worldsis a far smaller RPG than those accustomed toThe Witcher 3orSkyrimmay be used to. However,what it lacks in sprawling open worlds - although its multiple planets are nevertheless a joy to explore - it more than makes up for in enthralling characters and challenging choices. These aspects help make it the immersive and oftentimes extremely funny RPG that it is, especially when combined with the unique DLC.
10 Best RPGs Of 2024 (So Far)
2024 isn’t even close to over, and the industry keeps churning out game of the year contenders. Here’s the best RPGs of 2024 so far, ranked.
The Outer Worldsalso features impressive combat, a decent pool of loot to collect, and some of the most intriguing companions that help make combat all the more engaging. Of course, the best part of an Obsidian game is the choices players must make along the way, and these add a lot of weight to the already enjoyable narrative and worldbuilding. Ultimately, like all the best RPGs onPlayStation Plus,The Outer Worldsoffers an immersive and compelling adventure worth getting stuck into.
