Top-Rated RPGs of 2024 According to Metacritic

The premier role-playing video games are the ones that effortlessly transport you to far-off worlds, and in 2024, there was no shortage of fantasy escapades in this category. Here is a selection of games that include a wealth of classic titles and franchises, while the top-reviewed RPGs of 2024 emerged from various series like Dragon Age, Final Fantasy, and Trails.

Alongside these established powerhouses, we also received a brand-new installment in the Like a Dragon series, with Atlus delivering not just one but three highly praised games, while World of Warcraft ushered in a new golden age with its The Battle Within expansion. Thanks to our sibling site Metacritic, we have compiled the RPGs that achieved the highest Metascores in 2024 (as of December 5), and you can check them all out in the list below.

For a retrospective glance at the year that was, you can also explore GameSpot’s Best of 2024 hub for an in-depth analysis on why one RPG in particular was crowned our game of the year. We even have a curated list of the best RPGs to play right now.

More Best Of 2024:

• Our Favorite Games That Did Not Make The Top 10
• Best PS5-Exclusive Games Of 2024
• Best Switch-Exclusive Games Of 2024
• Best PC-Exclusive Games Of 2024
• Best Xbox Games Of 2024
• Best-Reviewed Games Of 2024
• Best Of 2024 hub

Shadow of the Erdtree elevates the standards for what a game expansion can achieve, as developer From Software packs an entire game’s worth of content into this package. Improving upon nearly every aspect that made Elden Ring brilliant upon its initial release in 2022, Shadow of the Erdtree is a challenging and rewarding DLC that is essential for any FromSoft enthusiast.

Metascore: 94 | Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review

Metaphor: ReFantazio goes beyond being just an attractive Persona-style game with a high-fantasy backdrop, as this Atlus title takes the familiar mechanics of time management and turn-based combat, refining them into an engaging narrative of succession. A remarkably adaptable fantasy game featuring a well-developed cast of allies, Metaphor: ReFantazio serves as a powerful reminder of how impactful and inspiring storytelling can be in the real world with its heartfelt narrative.

Metascore: 94 | Read our Metaphor ReFantazio review

The central chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake narrative continued this year with a new installment that broke free from the confines of Midgar. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth does have a tendency to inundate players with filler content just when the plot gets exciting, but aside from that concern, it is a stunning and ambitious sequel in which you can immerse yourself for hours while exploring its iconic ensemble of heroes and villains.

Metascore: 92 | Read our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review

2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon experienced a significant transformation in the franchise’s mechanics as it shifted from action-packed beat-’em-up gameplay to turn-based combat. Infinite Wealth further enhances its JRPG framework while reveling in its eccentricity and offering an array of additional modes for players to explore. Combined with its captivating storyline, this is yet another entertaining chapter in the saga of Ichiban Kasuga as he establishes himself as the new face of the Like a Dragon series.

Metascore: 89 | Read our
“`Review of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Nintendo excels at crafting video games that withstand the test of time, and with some subtle enhancements, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remains as appealing to experience today as it was two decades prior. The original title was ahead of its era with its charming papercraft graphics, and this high-definition remake is a delightful return to Mario’s turn-based golden years.

Metascore: 88 | Read our Review of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Atlus delivered an impressive duo of games this year, and alongside the critically acclaimed Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona 3 Reload introduced a fresh audience to one of the most renowned Persona titles ever. A remake that preserves the essence of the original while also modernizing it, Persona 3 Reload is the type of game that encourages you to invest many hours into it. But what do you get in return? An exceptional narrative, stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and a fantastic soundtrack to enhance the experience.

Metascore: 87 | Read our Review of Persona 3 Reload

Can you truly have too much of a good thing? Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance can easily consume dozens of your hours, leaving the rest of your life craving the attention you are lavishing on this game. The third installment in the winning series released by Atlus this year, SMTV: Vengeance is the original game but enhanced. It features a wealth of updated content, quality-of-life improvements that eliminate much of the grind, and on non-Nintendo platforms, it serves as a unique twist on Pokemon, with its focus on demon-collecting.

Metascore: 87 | Read our Review of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Warhammer 40k’s Space Marines captured the spotlight this year, but for those looking to explore a different aspect of this dark universe, Rogue Trader shines in such a way that you won’t want to miss out on. This strategy-RPG boasts well over 100 hours of content, providing players with a rich narrative to uncover, exhilarating combat that will keep you on your toes, and a fresh perspective on the merchants trying to survive in a harsh cosmos. The Void Shadows expansion adds even more of this enjoyable content, extending an already impressively lengthy game.

Metascore: 86

The best way to describe Unicorn Overlord is as a beautifully detailed tactical RPG. The intricacy of its gameplay may not be for the timid, yet its immense depth combined with its stunning high-fantasy art style makes it hard to set down as each new discovery leads to fresh strategies to employ on the battlefield. This is the key takeaway from Unicorn Overlord, as the more you engage with it, the more you’ll uncover a remarkable wealth of skills in this grand tale of magic and tactics.

Metascore: 86 | Read our Review of Unicorn Overlord

Arco features a cinematic quality to its pixel-art design, but if you seek a more compelling reason to pick up this gem, look no further than its innovative gameplay. A mix of real-time combat and turn-based tactical planning, Arco combines two genres into a fantastical realm brimming with hundreds of levels, foes, abilities, and llamas throughout its interwoven stories. On paper, this bullet-hell game shouldn’t succeed, but clever design choices by its developers help create engaging battles to enjoy in this RPG gem.

Metascore: 86

Dragon’s Dogma 2 ticks all the boxes for a fantastic RPG adventure, from potent swords and sorcery skills to unique confrontations against formidable bosses, but the true allure of this title is unveiled when you stray from the conventional path. Like the ultimate fantasy epics, Dragon’s Dogma 2 offers players a world filled with opportunities to explore and craft their own narrative, creating one of the year’s most enthralling escapist entertainment options.

Metascore: 86 | Read our“`html
Dragon’s Dogma 2 summary

The Tenth expansion in World of Warcraft’s lengthy legacy, War Within is poised to be one of the MMORPG’s finest. It not only sets the stage for a fresh narrative that will unfold over the coming years, but it also presents significant gameplay modifications, new modes for solo players, and novel regions that you’ll be eager to explore for countless hours.

Metascore: 85 | Read our World of Warcraft: The War Within summary

Perhaps the most beloved Shiren game stays true to its roots, maintaining the established gameplay loop of grid-based dungeons, battling hordes of foes, and turn-based combat. There is a comforting familiarity with this new Shiren title, and coupled with its roguelike journey and appealing design, it’s surprisingly difficult to put down as you delve into its challenging areas.

Metascore: 84

Many of the top RPGs of the year have introduced innovative concepts to the genre, but if you’re seeking something more traditional, look no further than Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. This remake of the original 1988 game benefits from Square-Enix’s stunning HD-2D visuals, quality-of-life enhancements, and a slew of other welcome modern elements. It also serves as a perfect entry-point for newcomers, as it’s a straightforward and welcoming dose of classic JRPG charm.

Metascore: 84 | Read our Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake summary

Trails Through Daybreak continues to enrich Falcom’s fantasy universe, establishing the groundwork for a new narrative arc while also serving as a solid introduction for newcomers. This entry in the series boasts robust gameplay and well-crafted characters, with the combat benefiting from a substantial revamp that makes it feel fresh and exciting for veterans.

Metascore: 84

Diablo boasts a rich heritage of exceptional expansions, and considering how well Diablo 4 performed at launch, Vessel of Hatred had high standards to meet upon its release earlier this year. Fortunately, this expansion lives up to its reputation, delivering the thrilling new Spiritborn class, a dungeon that will test your limits, and numerous raid-like elements that refresh the Diablo experience. Along with several major patches and updates implemented prior to Vessel of Hatred’s arrival, Diablo 4 is currently in a very solid state due to content like this.

Metascore: 84 | Read our Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred summary

Describing Alaloth: Champions of The Four Kingdoms as a Diablo-inspired game with souls-like combat and storytelling reminiscent of Lord of the Rings would be a gross oversimplification. While it proudly showcases its influences, Alaloth successfully weaves them into an intriguing experience that fuses retro elements with modern gameplay mechanics.

Metascore: 81

Arranger is the type of game that takes a singular concept and manages to extract a remarkable amount of content from it. In this instance, it revolves around shifting rows and columns to navigate maps in this role-playing puzzle game, offering a gameplay experience…

“`

A remarkable system that is cleverly designed and enjoyable to comprehend. Not only is it a delight to experience, but Arranger’s pleasing visuals and enchanting tale of self-discovery make it one of the standout titles of 2024.

Metascore: 81

One of the premier commercial successes of the year, Black Myth: Wukong is an action-RPG inspired by Chinese mythology. Visually stunning and thrilling to engage with, thanks to its well-balanced gameplay mechanics, GameScience makes a striking debut with this title.

Metascore: 81 | Read our Black Myth: Wukong review

A turn-based roguelike game may not necessarily be a groundbreaking concept, but Inkbound successfully merges that blend of genres and applies its own unique touch with its intricate gameplay systems. While this complexity might deter some players, it’s precisely what helps Inkbound differentiate itself, as it seamlessly introduces new ideas without overwhelming you. With its vibrant graphics and thoughtfully crafted combat loop, it’s the kind of RPG that will keep you engaged during your time investment.

Metascore: 80

Some of the finest role-playing games provide a form of escapist fantasy that you won’t find in other genres, and Cat Quest 3 excels at making you feel like a swashbuckling pirate who just happens to be a cat. It’s charming, it’s filled with clever puns, and it looks like a high-budget animated Saturday morning cartoon come to life. What more could you wish for from a feline-themed adventure overflowing with nautical themes?

Metascore: 80

Without a doubt one of the most visually striking RPGs of the year, Granblue Fantasy: Relink offers a remarkably concise and directed approach to storytelling. This streamlined narrative is a refreshing change compared to the often lengthy filler found in many RPGs trying to extend their runtime. Combined with its smooth combat, appealing cast, and rich gameplay, it’s an enjoyable RPG to explore when you’re seeking something that won’t overstay its welcome.

Metascore: 80

On the other hand, Last Epoch is the kind of game you seek when you want to dive into a vibrant fantasy realm filled with time-warping narratives and a treasure trove of exciting loot. Its gameplay is engaging, and you could spend days refining your character, thanks to the numerous skills you can acquire, as The Last Epoch community continually discovers new game-breaking builds. It also has the appearance of a Hollywood fantasy film in motion, thanks to its exquisitely designed environments.

Metascore: 80

Possibly the most beloved installment in the long-running Ys series, this RPG is a thrilling and action-packed journey that combines