The RPG genre continues to thrive in 2026, offering players an incredible variety of experiences from sprawling open worlds to intimate character-driven narratives. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just starting your journey into role-playing games, this list showcases the absolute best RPGs you should be playing right now. These titles span classic masterpieces that remain essential today and exciting new releases that are pushing the genre forward.
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Developer: Larian Studios
Why Play It: The gold standard for modern RPGs
Baldur’s Gate 3 stands as one of the greatest RPGs ever created, and its reputation continues to grow in 2026. This masterpiece from Larian Studios faithfully adapts Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules into a video game format that feels both authentic and accessible. Every choice you make ripples through the game world in meaningful ways, creating a truly reactive experience where your decisions shape not just the story, but the very relationships you build with your companions.
The turn-based tactical combat is incredibly satisfying, offering endless strategic possibilities. You can talk your way out of conflicts, romance complex characters, or simply experiment with the game’s systems to create memorable moments. With thousands of possible endings and multiple playthroughs revealing new content, Baldur’s Gate 3 delivers an experience that feels different every time you play. The writing is exceptional, the characters are unforgettable, and the world of Faerûn has never felt more alive.
Perfect for: CRPG fans, D&D enthusiasts, players who love choice-driven narratives, and anyone seeking a deeply tactical RPG experience.
2. Elden Ring
Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Developer: FromSoftware
Why Play It: The definitive open-world action RPG
Elden Ring revolutionized open-world design when it launched, and it remains absolutely essential in 2026. This collaboration between FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin creates a vast, mysterious world that rewards exploration and experimentation. Unlike traditional open-world games cluttered with map markers and checklists, Elden Ring trusts you to discover its secrets organically.
The game offers unparalleled build diversity, allowing you to create anything from a sword-wielding warrior to a spell-casting sorcerer or a hybrid character combining multiple playstyles. Combat is challenging but fair, demanding patience and skill. The world is filled with hidden kingdoms, optional bosses, and entire areas you might miss on your first playthrough. With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion adding even more content, there’s never been a better time to experience this masterpiece.
Perfect for: Soulslike fans, players who enjoy exploration and discovery, anyone seeking a challenge, and those who appreciate deep lore and world-building.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Why Play It: The pinnacle of story-driven action RPGs
The Witcher 3 continues to set the standard for narrative excellence in 2026. Playing as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter searching for his adopted daughter Ciri, you’ll navigate a morally complex world where choices often lack clear right or wrong answers. The main quest is compelling, but it’s the side quests that truly shine, with many offering stories worthy of their own games.
The world feels lived-in and believable, with political intrigue, war-torn villages, and characters whose problems extend beyond just giving you quests. Combat has weight and impact, requiring preparation and strategy. The two expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, add dozens of hours of high-quality content. Even years after release, The Witcher 3 remains emotionally powerful and visually stunning.
Perfect for: Story-focused players, fans of dark fantasy, those who enjoy morally gray decision-making, and anyone looking for an emotionally resonant adventure.
4. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Developer: ZA/UM
Why Play It: The most unique RPG experience available
Disco Elysium is unlike any other RPG on this list. There’s no traditional combat system; instead, the game focuses entirely on dialogue, investigation, and internal struggle. You play as a detective with a fractured psyche, trying to solve a murder while piecing together your own identity. Your skills are literally your inner voices, debating philosophy, politics, and the meaning of existence.
The writing is phenomenal, blending dark humor with profound observations about humanity. Every conversation is a opportunity to roleplay in ways other games don’t allow. You can be a communist, a fascist, an artist, a drunk, or any combination thereof. The game respects your intelligence and isn’t afraid to challenge you intellectually. It’s wordy, weird, and absolutely brilliant.
Perfect for: Players who prioritize writing and narrative, those tired of combat-focused RPGs, fans of detective fiction, and anyone seeking a thought-provoking experience.
5. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Larian Studios
Why Play It: The most reactive sandbox RPG
Before Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios created this incredible CRPG that remains essential playing in 2026. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a sandbox where almost every action triggers a reaction. You can combine elements to create explosive combos in combat, teleport enemies into deadly situations, or find creative solutions to problems that the developers never explicitly planned for.
The game features origin characters with their own compelling storylines, or you can create a custom character from scratch. The turn-based combat system is deeply tactical, requiring you to think about positioning, environmental hazards, and elemental combinations. The four-player co-op mode adds even more chaos and fun to the experience. Every playthrough feels fresh because the game adapts to your choices and playstyle.
Perfect for: Tactical RPG fans, co-op players, those who enjoy experimentation, and anyone seeking deep character customization.
6. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Developer: BioWare
Why Play It: The definitive space opera RPG trilogy
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition brings together all three games in BioWare’s beloved sci-fi trilogy with enhanced graphics and improved gameplay. Playing as Commander Shepard, you’ll assemble a crew, explore alien worlds, and make decisions that carry across all three games. The sense of building your own epic narrative over dozens of hours is unmatched.
What makes Mass Effect special is how it balances action, exploration, and character relationships. Your crew members feel like real people with their own beliefs and motivations. Romances are thoughtfully written, combat evolves from game to game, and the final installment delivers emotionally powerful payoffs for choices made hours earlier. Whether you’re negotiating galactic politics or shooting your way through hostile territory, Mass Effect remains essential.
Perfect for: Sci-fi fans, players who enjoy character-driven stories, those seeking meaningful choices across a long narrative, and anyone who loves space exploration.
7. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Developer: Sandfall Interactive
Why Play It: The best new turn-based RPG of 2025
Clair Obscur burst onto the scene in early 2025 and quickly established itself as a modern classic. This stunning French-developed RPG blends traditional turn-based combat with real-time action elements, requiring players to time dodges and parries during enemy attacks. The hybrid combat system creates battles that are both tactical and visceral.
Set in a beautifully realized version of Belle Époque France, the game follows Expedition 33, a group of adventurers racing against time to break a curse that kills everyone at a certain age each year. The characters are richly developed, the story is emotionally gripping, and the world is gorgeous. It proves that turn-based JRPGs can feel fresh and innovative while honoring genre traditions.
Perfect for: JRPG fans, players seeking innovation in turn-based combat, those who appreciate strong art direction, and anyone looking for an emotional narrative.
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Why Play It: The timeless open-world fantasy experience
Over a decade after its original release, Skyrim remains the quintessential open-world RPG in 2026. Its combination of freedom, exploration, and emergent storytelling continues to captivate players. You can ignore the main quest entirely and spend hundreds of hours joining guilds, exploring dungeons, collecting artifacts, or just wandering the Nordic landscape.
The modding community keeps Skyrim feeling fresh with countless additions that improve graphics, add new quests, and expand gameplay systems. Whether you want to be a honorable warrior, a sneaky thief, a powerful mage, or something else entirely, Skyrim accommodates your playstyle. The game’s ability to create memorable moments through player-driven experiences is unmatched.
Perfect for: Open-world enthusiasts, modding fans, players who enjoy creating their own adventures, and anyone new to RPGs looking for an accessible entry point.
9. Persona 5 Royal
Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Atlus
Why Play It: The most stylish JRPG ever made
Persona 5 Royal is a masterclass in style, substance, and game design. This enhanced version of the original Persona 5 adds significant new content while maintaining everything that made the base game special. You play as a high school student who leads a double life as a Phantom Thief, entering the twisted psychological palaces of corrupt adults to steal their distorted desires.
The game balances dungeon crawling with social simulation elements, requiring you to manage your time between battling shadows and building relationships with friends and confidants. The turn-based combat system is strategic and satisfying, exploiting enemy weaknesses to gain extra turns. The soundtrack is phenomenal, the art direction is stunning, and the story tackles themes of rebellion, justice, and personal growth. At over 100 hours, it’s a substantial investment that pays off completely.
Perfect for: JRPG enthusiasts, players who enjoy social simulation elements, those seeking stylish presentation, and anyone looking for a long, engaging adventure.
10. Upcoming: The Blood of Dawnwalker
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Developer: Rebel Wolves
Release: 2026
Why Watch It: The most ambitious upcoming RPG
While not yet released, The Blood of Dawnwalker deserves attention as one of 2026’s most exciting upcoming RPGs. Created by veteran developers from CD Projekt Red who worked on The Witcher 3, this vampire-themed action RPG promises a unique narrative sandbox experience set over 30 in-game days.
The game features a day-night cycle where you play as a human during the day and transform into a vampire at night, gaining supernatural powers but requiring blood to fuel them. There’s no traditional main quest or golden path; instead, you experience a dynamic narrative that adapts to your choices within the limited timeframe. Early previews suggest deep RPG mechanics combined with moral dilemmas about feeding and survival. If Rebel Wolves can deliver on their ambitions, this could be one of 2026’s defining RPG experiences.
Perfect for: Witcher fans, players seeking narrative innovation, vampire enthusiasts, and those excited about ambitious new IP from experienced developers.
What Makes a Great RPG in 2026?
The best RPG games in 2026 share several key qualities:
Meaningful Choice: The top RPGs give you agency in how you approach problems, develop your character, and shape the narrative. Whether through dialogue options, build customization, or moral decisions, your choices should matter.
Strong World-Building: Immersive worlds with rich lore, believable characters, and attention to detail create experiences that stay with you long after the credits roll.
Engaging Combat Systems: Whether turn-based or action-oriented, combat should be satisfying, strategic, and offer room for experimentation and mastery.
Character Development: The best RPGs feature compelling protagonists and memorable companions whose stories interweave with your own journey.
Replay Value: Great RPGs reward multiple playthroughs with different character builds, story paths, and discoveries.
Tips for RPG Beginners
Start with Accessible Titles: Skyrim, The Witcher 3, or Persona 5 Royal offer more guided experiences perfect for newcomers.
Don’t Be Afraid to Lower Difficulty: Many RPGs offer adjustable difficulty settings. Focus on enjoying the story and world before tackling harder challenges.
Embrace Experimentation: Part of the fun is trying different character builds and playstyles. Don’t worry about making “perfect” choices on your first run.
Take Your Time: RPGs are often lengthy experiences. Don’t rush through the story; explore, do side quests, and immerse yourself in the world.
Choose Your Style: Decide whether you prefer action combat (Elden Ring, The Witcher 3), turn-based battles (Baldur’s Gate 3, Persona 5), or narrative-focused experiences (Disco Elysium).
Looking Ahead: More Exciting RPGs Coming in 2026
Beyond the games on this list, 2026 promises several other notable RPG releases:
- Fable – The beloved franchise returns with a reboot from Playground Games
- Crimson Desert – A massive open-world action RPG from Pearl Abyss
- Phantom Blade Zero – A stylish action RPG blending Soulslike and hack-and-slash combat
- Nioh 3 – Team Ninja’s next samurai action RPG with more open exploration
Conclusion
2026 is an incredible time to be an RPG fan. The genre offers something for everyone, from sprawling hundred-hour epics to focused narrative experiences. The games on this list represent the pinnacle of role-playing game design, combining compelling stories, engaging gameplay, and immersive worlds that invite you to lose yourself in them.
Whether you’re drawn to the tactical depth of Baldur’s Gate 3, the challenging exploration of Elden Ring, the emotional storytelling of The Witcher 3, or the innovative combat of Clair Obscur, there’s an RPG waiting to become your next obsession. These aren’t just games; they’re worlds to inhabit, characters to befriend, and stories to experience in ways only the RPG genre can deliver.
Pick up your controller or keyboard, choose your adventure, and prepare to embark on unforgettable journeys. The best RPG games of 2026 are ready to transport you to extraordinary worlds where your choices, skills, and imagination shape the experience. Happy adventuring!
What’s your favorite RPG to play in 2026? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!
