Xbox One: Best RPGs of the Generation
The last generation has been a renaissance for RPGs of all kinds, both from Japan and the West. The Xbox One saw a flood of quality RPGs, many of which helped change the face of gaming.
Microsoft’s first-party games focused primarily on action games and shooters, but a selection of stellar third-party games kept the RPG genre alive and well on the Xbox One.
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With the generation ending and the Xbox Series X right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to look back on the standouts. Below are some of the best RPGs available on the Xbox One.
Dragon Age: Inquisition is one of the rare sequels that improves on nearly everything the series had done. This time around players inhabit the role of a new character known as the Inquisitor, which some people view as a savior. Dragon Age: Inquisition takes players on a grand journey across the continent of Thedas, meeting countless new and old characters in the process.
More than ever before, Inquisition delivers on the idea of choice and consequence. The story is steeped in politics and intrigue, and deep characterization makes Inquisition have the most fascinating party members yet. The game mixes in open-world elements but makes them compact to the point where it doesn’t feel like there’s unnecessary bloat. BioWare also went back to square one with the combat system, making for an action-RPG hybrid that blends elements of the first two games. Dragon Age: Inquisition is an RPG with impressive scope and ambition. The game’s systems all tie together to make for the best Dragon Age experience yet, and one that deepens the series lore and history.
NieR: Automata is the type of unforgettable experience that can only be found in video games. The experience subverts player’s expectations at multiple turns and does some wildly inventive storytelling. Automata tells a fascinating story about a pair of androids, 2B and 9S, fighting to reclaim the earth from an army of machines.
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The game’s combat, co-developed by Platinum Games, is a huge step up from the first game. Automata often combines multiple game genres, namely bullet-hell shooters and hack-and-slash. The narrative expands over multiple playthroughs, and the emotion is driven home by a phenomenal soundtrack. NieR: Automata’s biggest strength is that it’s wholly unlike any other video game out there, and it likely will remain that way.
The Monster Hunter series has enjoyed a devoted fanbase for years, but Monster Hunter World pushed the franchise into the mainstream with unbelievable success. Monster Hunter World has become Capcom’s best-selling game of all time, and it’s easy to see why. The series’ formula is honed to a sheen with World, and everything is put on a scale never seen before.
Monster Hunter World creates environments that practically feel alive, with creatures that roam and interact with each other. Having two massive monsters collide with each other while players dash underneath is something to behold. The biggest step Monster Hunter World takes is making the franchise more accessible to newcomers, while still retaining the depth and complexity that fans love it for. Streamlined tutorials and mechanics make it easier to learn the ropes, and a robust co-op system means inexperienced players can always seek help from veterans. Fantastic combat and unforgettable battles are the core tenets of the series, and Monster Hunter World knocks both out of the park.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is easily one of the greatest CRPGs ever made, and it relishes in providing choice and opportunity to players. The way the game lets players experiment and create their own characters is truly admirable, and it’s probably the closest video games have gotten to representing a table-top RPG. Larian Studios doubled down on writing and storytelling, which is only bolstered by strong voice acting.
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What really elevates Original Sin 2, however, is the wildly inventive combat system. The class system lets players create incredibly varied and unique heroes, like a ranger that can talk to animals and control the weather. Every battle feels like a mini puzzle, with countless possibilities and options. Even better is the ability to play co-op, bringing a friend in for even more craziness. A lot of games promise boundless player freedom, but Divinity: Original Sin 2 actually delivers on the idea.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a landmark title that completely redefined the open-world genre. An epic in every sense of the world, The Witcher 3 presents a massive living world for players to explore. The world is packed with fascinating things to discover, and the game does a remarkable job of making its sidequests important. Nearly every sidequest in the game has a deep story to tell or relates to the main story in some surprising way.
The Witcher 3 has stellar writing at every turn, and the RPG mechanics really let players enter the role of Geralt the Witcher. It’s the rare game that elevates the genre beyond what’s come before and leaves players talking for years to come.
The Xbox One’s time may be coming to an end, but many of the system’s best games will receive boosts or improvements on Xbox Series X, like The Witcher 3.
Next: Biggest Gameplay Revolutions Of The PS4 & Xbox One Generation
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