Top 7 Best Roleplaying Games (RPGs) of All Time

If you’re looking for a new hobby or game to pick up, why not try some of the best roleplaying games of all time? 

In our ultimate guide, we’ll give you everything you need to know about RPGs, including why they’re so popular, the top 7 RPGs of all time, and a tool to leverage to improve your roleplaying skills.

Why Are Roleplaying Games (RPGs) So Popular? 

Although roleplaying games (RPGs) aren’t new, they’re now more popular than ever. The show “Stranger Things” incited a re-emergence of Dungeons & Dragons fans and introduced this tabletop roleplaying game to the next generation. Video and computer games like “World of Warcraft” and “Grand Theft Auto” are some of the most recognizable in the world. But why are these types of games so popular among fans? 

In reality, there are many valid reasons why roleplaying games are so popular. One reason is the versatility of roleplay. Folks can be their authentic self or they can jump into the role of a character persona who’s completely different from they are. For some people, it can be an escape. 

With roleplaying games, folks can explore the lengths of their imagination and work on their creative skills, too. 

Many RPGs revolve around social interaction and give players a space where they can practice their social and collaboration skills to work toward a common goal. 

Now more than ever, people are exploring the wide world of roleplaying — especially through games. 

7 Best Roleplaying Games of All Time

If you’re looking to explore the world of roleplay in a creative or even social way, consider checking out a few roleplaying games. There are tons of types of games, from tabletop roleplaying games to computer and video RPGs. 

With so many to choose from, however, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are seven of the best roleplaying games of all time, from Dungeons & Dragons to the “Fallout” series and “Skyrim.”

1. Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)

As one of the most well-known roleplaying games of all time, it’s no surprise that Dungeons & Dragons makes the list. First published in the mid-1970s, D&D is a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) where players take on the role of a character to explore a storyline. Each session is led by the dungeon master or DM, and is steered by a set of rules and guidelines. 

During a D&D session, players will likely: 

• Explore their world
• Go on side quests for character development 
• Collaborate to solve problems using conflict resolution skills
• Fight and battle enemies as they come across them
• Seek out treasure and useful items 
• Gain experience points (XP) to level up their character

With all that D&D has to offer players, it’s no surprise it’s one of the most famous RPGs of all time. Although traditionally the game is played on a tabletop (or some other in-person setting where players can sit around together), more and more D&D campaigns are transitioning to virtual environments like Discord where people all over the world play together in real time.

Given its publication in 1974 and its rich, cultural history, D&D is often credited for kicking off the start of the roleplaying industry. 

2. ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’

In the realm of video roleplaying games, “Baldur’s Gate 3” is one of the best options for new and seasoned roleplayers out there. Players create their own character and embody them via the game, exploring new areas and encountering plenty of other non-player characters (NPC). You can play single or multiplayer, which means that, unlike games like Dungeons & Dragons, you don’t have to assemble your own party to enjoy the game. 

“Baldur’s Gate 3” is a great VRPG that allows folks to explore their creative side in an exciting virtual environment: The Forgotten Realms. Players can choose from a plethora of character classes and personalize their character before diving into the complex storyline Baldur’s Gate has to offer. 

Because it’s based on D&D, the general gameplay and mechanics are similar, making it a great precursor or accompanying game if you’re considering exploring D&D.

3. Call of Cthulhu

If tabletop roleplay games are more your specialty, add Call of Cthulhu (CoC) to your list. This TTRPG released in the ’80s is based on H. P. Lovecraft’s fictional horror story of the same name. In CoC, players explore terrifyingly similar settings to the real world — Ancient Rome, 1,000 AD, 1980s — but darker. 

The player’s role is that of an average person-turned-investigator. You and your teammates might be a school librarian, a journalist, or a professor. Your character can be personalized, just like in Dungeons & Dragons, meaning you can choose your skills, occupation, backstory, and other details. However, you’ll eventually be tasked with uncovering unsettling (and thrilling!) mysteries. 

Unlike Dungeons & Dragons, CoC uses percentile dice, meaning players get results from 1 to 100 instead of using a system like the d20 System. 

For fans of mystery and horror, Call of Cthulhu is definitely worth exploring. If tabletop games aren’t your thing, CoC also has an online version. 

4. ‘Fallout: New Vegas’

The “Fallout” series has always been pretty popular and “Fallout: New Vegas” is no exception. This action video roleplaying game takes place in a futuristic wasteland in the Mojave Desert. The player wakes up after being attacked by an unknown aggressor and roleplays as this new character, exploring the region while navigating conflict. Because “Fallout: New Vegas” uses an open-world map, players can freely wander and explore their settings to their heart’s content. 

Not only was this iteration of “Fallout” a success, but it was also labeled a cult classic and one of the greatest video games of all time. 

5. ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’

Another action video RPG worth checking out is “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” the third game in the popular “Witcher” series. In this VRPG, based on a book series of the same name, players roleplay as a Witcher named Geralt of Rivia, whose monster-slaying takes him all around the Continent, a fantastical world with dwarves, elves, and magic.

“Wild Hunt” makes our list as one of the best roleplaying games of all time in part because of its beautiful graphics and expansive gameplay. It certainly holds its own as a VRPG and captivates both new and experienced roleplayers alike.

It’s also considered one of the best-selling video games of all time.

6. Pathfinder

Pathfinder is another worthy tabletop roleplaying game that’s won the hearts of tons of RPG lovers. This fantasy game has roots that can be traced back to the revised 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons, so fans of D&D will likely feel that familiarity. 

With Pathfinder, players roleplay as a human or fantasy character and go on adventures, just like you might in D&D. There are similar core gameplay mechanics (like the fact that Pathfinder uses the d20 system), races, and classes, too. However, in contrast to D&D, Pathfinder is more rules-heavy, which can make things more complicated for players. 

For folks looking for a more complex version of Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder is an ideal choice. 

7. ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’

Last but not least, “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” is an action roleplaying video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios — the same developer behind many of the “Fallout” series games. For players looking for an action-packed VRPG, “Skyrim” provides all that and more. 

In “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” players customize their character and explore the fictional land of Skyrim while on a quest to defeat a dragon known as the World Eater. Like some of the others on our list, “Skyrim” is considered one of the best video games of all time. 

Improve Your Roleplaying Skills With Yoodli

While you’re exploring different roleplaying games like D&D and Pathfinder, you might find that your skills need a little work. Whether you’re testing out new roleplay ideas for your next session or you’d just like to improve the way you communicate on the fly, using a tool like Yoodli can completely transform the way you do it. 

Yoodli is an AI roleplay and communication coach that offers intelligent roleplay scenarios for folks to practice. Users can explore Yoodli’s existing scenarios or build their own from scratch to meet any need they might have, whether that’s social skills practice, interview prep, or practice speaking a new language. 

Well-known brands like Google, Korn Ferry, and Dale Carnegie have already used Yoodli for various use cases, such as certification programs.

Here’s how it works. Yoodli lets users try all kinds of roleplay (be it sales roleplay, small talk practice, performance review simulations — you name it!) and responds with a detailed report of how you can improve your skills. There are tons of AI-generated personas you can pair with Yoodli’s roleplay scenarios, so you can practice with different personalities for best results.  

With Yoodli’s Builder tool, you can create and customize your own scenario. Just add any important information to train the AI persona for your roleplay. For example, let’s say you’ll be buying a car in the next few months but you’re inexperienced with negotiation. You can instruct Yoodli to act as a car salesman and have your AI partner engage in some negotiation practice with you. It’s that easy. 

But Yoodli does so much more than provide a space for realistic roleplay: It also provides an in-depth report on how you did during the roleplay so you’ll know what to work on. Users get actionable, data-backed feedback and suggestions so they can take their roleplay skills to the next level. Your personalized report will include insights into your speaking patterns, delivery, and listening ability. 

Find out more about how you can start experimenting with Yoodli for free to improve your skills at https://yoodli.ai/.

The Bottom Line 

Whether you’re dipping your toes into roleplaying games for the first time or you’re a seasoned player, our list of the best roleplaying games of all time gives you a variety of worthwhile options to explore. Plus, if you’re looking to improve your skills, especially for creative roleplay games like Dungeons & Dragons, look no further than Yoodli’s intelligent roleplay and coaching. 

Sources

• Medium: “The Psychology of Why We Love Role Playing Games.”
• The New Yorker: “The Tangled Cultural Roots of Dungeons & Dragons.”
• Baldur’s Gate 3: “About Baldur’s Gate 3.”
• Chaoism: “Call of Cthulhu — Getting Started.”
• Bethesda: “Fallout: New Vegas – Fallout.”
• Forbes: “‘Witcher 3’ Video Game Sells Over 50 Million Copies.”
• University of Missouri – St. Louis Libraries: “Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs): Pathfinder.”
• Gaming Bible: “Skyrim officially named best-game of all time in massive gamer poll.”