Role-playing games (RPGs) are an amazing game genre because they combine memorable stories with a variety of ways to play. That same variety of in-game options can also intimidate RPG newbies.
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Luckily, not every game in the genre is brutally difficult, and there are some that can get you integrated with it a bit more smoothly.
Want to try out a great RPG, but don’t want to be overwhelmed by character options or brutally difficult bosses? Fear not! Here’s ten amazing RPGs for you to explore without getting overwhelmed.
Player Choices Front And Center
Fable Anniversary
Fableis a classic action-RPG in which you play through adventures during your character’s entire life. Set in a colorful and magical medieval fantasy world,Fableoffers a taste of everything the genre has to offer.
This game is best known, however, for itssystem of moral choiceswhich alters your character’s appearance and abilities depending on the decisions you make. Want to play an angel or demon?Fablecan make that happen.
Better yet,Fableremains easily accessible inFable: Anniversaryon both PC and Xbox (including Game Pass).
9Final Fantasy 7
Iconic Hero With Over-Sized Sword
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
TheFinal Fantasyseries is practically synonymous with JRPGs, andFinal Fantasy 7is certainly a close contender for its best entry. With iconic characters like Cloud, Tifa, and Sephiroth making appearances anywhere from Disney’sKingdom Heartsto gaming memes across the internet, it’s likely you’ll recognize nearly half the cast from the get-go.
It’s hard to pick a “perfect"Final Fantasygame for beginners, because most entries offer a comfortable balance between choice and complexity. The seventh game stands out in particular for itsunique eco-terrorist narrative and its simple—but engaging—combat system.It also remains available in a remake which isone of the PlayStation 5’s best RPGs.
8Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Give In To Your Anger
Star Wars Force Unleashed
TheStar Warsfranchise is filled with excellent RPGs, such as the belovedKnights of the Old Republic.YetThe Force Unleashedearns its place on its list because of the game’ssheer intensity while wielding the Force.
This action-RPG about playingDarth Vader’s secret apprenticeis the most deeply immersed I’ve ever been in a Jedi power fantasy. A short tree for purchasing new abilities is great for introducing the concept to new players, and all the abilities are exciting to use during gameplay.
Plus, you get to pull a Star Destroyer crashing down into a planet.
7Stardew Valley
A Charming Life On The Farm
Stardew Valley
Many RPGs don’t focus on adventures and violence. Indie gemStardew Valleyis a certified-freshsimulation RPG about relocating to rural life.
Despite the absence of an overt “campaign,“Stardew Valleyis perfectly written to allow you to determine your own story and goals. A lack of “failure” situations coupled with addictive and easy-to-learn gameplay make this a great game for newbies.
It won’t be long before you’re telling yourself “I’ll play just one more day!” on the farm.
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6Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Love, Betrayal, And Tactical Warfare
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
In contrast with real-time action or “three people stand in a line” turn-based battles, theFire Emblemfranchise is about battles where you’re the tactician leading a group of characters. Infamous for its tactical challenges and perma-death campaigns, modern installments likeThree Housesimplement new options to welcome new players.
This is combined witha powerful story about love and family, loyalty and betrayal,as Fódlan is torn apart by war. A branching story makes the game a delight to replay, and a magic power to rewind turns—or simply turning off perma-death—gives you the ability to solve even the trickiest tactical situations.
5Undertale
Heartwarming Story Shaped By Your Actions
The most unconventional game on this list,Undertaleis nonetheless a fantastic first RPG because it tells a story whereyour choices truly impact the game’s ending.Many RPGs try to do so and end up as caricatures.
Throughout the game, you can befriend, belittle, and battle practically every character you meet. Your choices as you explore the Underground shape the rest of your experience. This unique experience is a great way to get your first sample of why RPGs shine.
4Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl
Modern Remake Of A Nostalgic Classic
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Everyone knows Pokémon, and huge numbers of people have played at least one game in the series. The Pokémon games are great beginner RPGs because they introduce many basic concepts of the genre.
Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearlare recent remakes for the Nintendo Switch which balance classic and modern elements of Pokémon games into an engaging RPG. Theystrike a good balance between accessiblity and difficulty,providing just enough challenge that the game never grows dull. Well worth trying out!
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3Paper Mario
Platform-Jumping Powerhouse Levels Up
Paper Mario
Every video game genre (or sub-genre) has its own variations, games that twist the formula. Nintendo’sMariofranchise does exactly that with its implementation of"action command” quick-time events and overworld platforming in the turn-based JRPGformula (whichinspired a variety of similar games).
Of these games,Paper Mariois the best RPG for beginners because it blends familiar concepts—Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach!—with exciting worlds to explore. It makes a great use of both puzzles and combat to provide a variety of challenges, and rewards exploration without demanding you investigate every last nook and cranny.
CurrentlyPaper Mariois most easily available on Nintendo Online’s Expansion Pack of free Nintendo 64 games. Its acclaimed sequel,Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door,was recently remade for the Switch.
The only reason it didn’t take this entry is thatThe Thousand-Year Doorfeatures slightly more difficult puzzles and battles.
2Hogwarts Legacy
You’re A Wizard, Player!
Hogwarts Legacy
One of the strongest new-player experiences available comes from averyfamiliar franchise—Harry Potter.Hogwarts Legacyis great for RPG beginners because it’saccessible to non-gamer Harry Potter fans.
Join a Hogwarts house, learn spells, brew potions, and more in this nostalgic love-letter to a childhood favorite. The familiar setting makes it easy to understand the game’s open world, and it providesjustenough options that choices are interesting, but not overwhelming.
The only flaw is that, well,Hogwarts Legacydoes assume you at least know the films. If you’veneverconsumed any Harry Potter media, your experience may be less magical.
1The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Wield The Might Of Dragons
Skyrimis a fantastic RPG for beginners to the genre because it combines a high-stakes story with action-packed gameplay. It takes a classic theme in myths and legends—slaying a dragon—and builds an entire fantasy game around it.
This game has all the essentials of any RPG subgenre. From narrative choices, to building a character through level-up perks, to exploring the world andits surprisingly deep lore,Skyrimis the quintessential RPG experience.
Yet all of these elements maintain an appropriate amount of depth for new players. It’s easy to feel lost in a large open world, butSkyrimuses “radiant” quests to ensure you can always have an immediate goal—you’re never paralyzed by all the available choices.
As an added bonus, you’ll better understand aloadof memes, too.
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