Role-playing games

2018 has seen its fair share of amazing games and fans of role-playing games have plenty to be happy about. With 2018 coming to a close, I decide to reflect back and come up with a list of 5 role-playing games that every gamer needs to play.

To be honest, it was quiet hard narrowing the list down to just 5 games. With that being said, here is my list of 5 role-playing games that every gamer needs to play.

Role-playing gamesMonster Hunter World

Platforms: Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action role-playing
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Monster Hunter World is the first new entry in the series on a home console in quite some time. As a result, Capcom has simplified the traditional Monster Hunter formula in an attempt to widen the series’ appeal to a general audience. The end result is one heck of a good game that you will find hard to put down.

The story of Monster Hunter World is more involved than previous games and yet is quite simple. You are a member of the Fifth Fleet, the latest group of hunters to follow an elder dragon to a new world. These gigantic beasts are dangerous and threaten all mankind.

If there is one thing that I could say pulled me into Monster Hunter World, it’s definitely the gameplay. The world itself and the drop dead gorgeous environments are easy to look at. However, when you hit the ground running and are hunting down a target, there is something very special about the entire experience. What I really enjoyed was the fact that the game takes things slow, which results in making the intense moments all that more mesmerizing.

It’s easy to see once you have played multiplayer in Monster Hunter World, that the game was designed around this. Sure you can play the game as a single-player experience but when you are on a mission with other players, it’s a much more enjoyable experience. Overall, Monster Hunter World is a fantastic experience. Even if you have never played a game in the series before, Monster Hunter World is the perfect place to jump in. It is easy to play, the monster designs are amazing, and it is fun to play.

Role-playing gamesDivinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition

Platforms: PlayStation 4Xbox One
Developer: Larian Studios
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Genre: Role-playing
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition is the sequel to 2014’s Divinity: Original Sin. Developed by Larian Studios out of Belgium. Originally, the series was only available on PC. However, it has now made its way home to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Set in the fantastical world of Rivellon, the game takes place hundreds of years after the original.

Like the original game, this sequel is an isometric role-playing game with numerous things to do. As a result, after creating your own character, things ramp up immediately as the game begins. You’ve got stats that define your class, strength, finesse, intelligence and so on. How you deal out those points will dictate your character’s abilities.

Furthermore, battles are turn-based. Your character can lead a party of four into battle where action points (AP) are used to attack. As a result, battles can often turn into madness at the flip of a switch. Correspondingly, it is exciting finding a friend to play multiplayer with. You can focus on completing quests, tackling nail-biting missions together and overcoming obstacles.

All in all, Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition is a new classic in every aspect. The amount of care, detail, and work put into making such a deep and exciting RPG shows the longer you stay in Rivellon. Consequently, what brought me into this world and kept me hooked was the top-level writing tucked into every nook and cranny of this game.

Role-playing gamesOctopath Traveler

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developers: Square Enix and Acquire
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Role-playing
Mode: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

As a big fan of role-playing games and Square Enix, Octopath Traveler quickly became one of my favourite RPGs of all time. It features turn based battles, non-linear gameplay, and the ability to play as a one of eight unique characters. Not only are the characters unique looking, they all have a story to tell that is vastly different from the next.

Along the way you’ll encounter other characters, whom you can recruit, with their own stories to tell. Each character’s story plays out without the help of the others in your party. Each story is told through the in-game engine and includes spoken dialogue in major areas of the story.

Without a doubt, one of the first things that will draw you in to Octopath Traveler is its HD-2D graphics. The game exquisitely combines sprite based characters with lush 3D environments and spectacular effects. This game is the perfect love letter to the fans of the 16-bit golden era of JRPGs. I applaud Square Enix and Acquire for taking the risk on creating a game with such charm and charisma.

Role-playing gamesDark Souls Remastered

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One
Developers: FromSoftware, QLOC, Virtuos
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, FromSoftware
Genre: Action role-playing
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

Dark Souls first released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. And, now it has been remastered for a new generation of consoles. The series is known for its extreme difficulty and Dark Souls Remastered does not disappoint. Notably, the game includes updated visuals and the Artorias of the Abyss expansion pack.

Along the way you embark upon dark forests filled with traps, a shining city with a dark past, crystal caves, and many more locations. The best thing is, that each of locations in the game have their own set of challenges and gigantic bosses.

One of the most compelling aspects of Dark Souls Remastered is its level of difficulty. With this in mind, you have to be careful as there is little to no mistake for errors. Often you are punished by death for making the littlest of mistakes. Remember all those enemies you killed? Every time you die, and believe me that will be a lot, the come back to life.

Role-playing gamesDragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Platform: PlayStation 4
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Genre: Role-playing
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

It’s been nearly 30 years since the first Dragon Quest game launched on the Nintendo Entertainment System here in North America. And, while the formula of having an earth shattering event happen that only you and your band of fighters can stop hasn’t changed, as a result the franchise has become more popular.

You take on the role of a legendary hero who rises when true evil is set to return to the world. The story ramps up from the very start as you set off to learn more about your past. In true Dragon Quest fashion, the characters in Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age are a real treat. Each are unique and have their own individual personalities and traits.

As you level up you earn skill points, which you can use to assign points to different characteristics for your characters. Your choices reflect the path your heroes go down and helps decide who is useful in battle at any given time. Luckily, you can reset the skill points you have assigned by visiting the nearest church. This will allow you to reassign them as you see fit.

I was amazed at just how many NPCs are included in the game that you can interact and talk with. The best part is that the majority of them have something interesting to say and can help you on your quest. The world of Erdrea just begs to be explored and is full of colour and life. You can easily sink a 100 hours into the game and still not have seen and did everything.

5 Role-playing games that every gamer needs to play

And there you have it! Our list of the 5 role-playing games that every gamer needs to play. Is your favourite RPG on the list? If not, let me know in the comments section what your favourite RPG was this year.

The holidays are fast approaching and you’re sure to make the role-playing game fanatic on your list happy with any of these games. Be sure to check out Best Buy Canada for even more great gift ideas for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Click here to see the full line of video game software available at Bestbuy.ca

Best Buy
Best Buy is one of Canada’s largest and most successful retailers, operating the Best Buy (www.bestbuy.ca), Best Buy Mobile, and Geek Squad (www.geeksquad.ca) brands.

5 COMMENTS

  1. It’s a remaster, but Shining Resonance: Refrain definately deserves a look if you’re a fan of anime-esque stories.

  2. Interesting. I’ve been playing PS3, XBox 360 and One for years and have barely heard of any of these games. Not sure they have even been recommended when I go into my games stores looking for RPG games. Great to have some new options to check out.

  3. I have always enjoyed Dragon Quest games when I’ve played them in the past. I am really looking forward to playing DQXI when it comes to the Nintendo Switch, as long as they don’t cancel that expected version.

Comments are closed.