Image: Canva via HGG
William Kennedy is a full-time freelance content writer and journalist based in Eugene, OR. With over a decade of experience, William covers live m... Read more
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
With character-leveling and gameplay mechanics similar to tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, RPG video games put you right in the center of the action. They come in a wide variety of genres, from sci-fi to fantasy and hard-bitten crimefighters. The RPGs on this list offer you the chance to build up your own custom character, explore the world from someone else’s perspective, or even just interact with interesting characters in an interesting environment.
Keep reading — your new gaming obsession could be waiting in our ranking of the best RPGs for PS5.
15 Best RPGs for PS5 This Year, Ranked
Get ready to build your character, because the best RPGs for PS5 are coming up next, ranked in ascending order.
15/15
Lost Judgment
- Mature 17+
- Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
Up first is Lost Judgment, the sequel to Judgment, another great PS5 RPG we reviewed. There are two ongoing criminal investigations in the game — a woman was touched inappropriately on a Tokyo train, and a murder was committed. Could the same person be responsible for both?
Among other highlights, there’s a twisting storyline and an elaborate conspiracy at hand. Uncover clues as you investigate and engage in freeform combat when things get dicey. There’s also a good amount of side content to keep you busy while the larger storyline unfolds. If you enjoyed the first Judgment, you’ll love the sequel. You can even play with a friend!
There are some drawbacks. It could use better audio dialogue in the sidequests, and some unrealistic aspects of combat kept us from putting this game any higher on our list.
14/15
Judgment
- Mature 17+
- 1 player (couch co-op with DLC)
- Fun fight mechanics
Following Lost Judgment is the first game in the same series, Judgment. It’s a spinoff of the first Yakuza game, which dates all the way back to the PS2 era. In the first installment, you follow detective Takayuki Yagami as he transitions from attorney to private investigator. The storyline delves deep into Tokyo’s Yakuza haven, known as Kamuracho. While there, Yagami seeks to solve a string of murders. There’s Hollywood-style action and cinematic intrigue, with language options like dual audio, dual subtitles, and localization pedigree. We also love the all-star voice cast.
Overall, the game is amazing with a great story and characters. The detective game mechanics merge well with the Yakuza settings, based on feedback. Some fans call the game a masterpiece, with good RPG aspects, combat, plot twists, and a vibrant free-roam world. The darker tone compared to other Yakuza games receives mixed reviews, though.
13/15
Demon’s Souls
- Mature 17+
- Blood, Gore, Violence
- PS Plus Required for Online Play
We turn now to the fantasy setting of Demon’s Souls, a remake of a classic from the early Playstation era. A demon called The Old One has been summoned, along with a whole army of creatures that are tormenting the kingdom of Boletaria. To defeat them, you must bravely enter the impenetrable fog covering the realm.
Fans call the game “phenomenal,” with next-generation graphics and well-balanced bosses in an otherwise open-world layout. We like the selection of armor and weapons available in the deluxe edition, including Boletarian royalty armor and the Hoplite shield, among others. The haptic feedback also helps you feel like you’re really casting spells and engaging in fantasy combat. If only you weren’t forced to backtrack through sections if you happen to die, though — that does get a bit tedious.
12/15
Horizon Forbidden West
- Teen
- Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Upgraded combat system
The next PS5 RPG game we reviewed is Horizon Forbidden West, the latest installment in the Horizon game series. In this fantasy/sci-fi themed-sequel, you’ll play as Aloy, one of the few remaining humans in a now-inhospitable world. You’ll explore new frontiers, encounter fearsome enemies both machine and human, and solve the mystery of just what happened to planet Earth. Thanks to the PS5’s ultra high-speed SSD, the game loads quickly, and the DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback helps you feel like you’re part of the action.
Fans of this game call it an absolute masterpiece, so if you liked the first game, you won’t be disappointed. The skill tree is upgraded with new armor and weapons. There are side quests and many new areas to explore. On the downside, the interface is a bit clunky, based on feedback.
11/15
Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Teen
- Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Similar to Breath of the Wild
Set in the universe of Greek mythology, Immortals Fenyx Rising is the next game we reviewed. This RPG has an open-world layout and seven distinct areas to explore. You play Fenyx, a demigod who wields great power. You’ll confront creatures like Medusa and other gods from the Greek pantheon with iconic weapons like Achilles’ sword, among others. You’ll also solve puzzles and mysteries drawn from the Greek tradition, battling with weapons like self-guided arrows and powers like telekinesis.
What the game throws at you is overall challenging, we learned. Some of the voice acting is a little bit over the top, according to some. Combat also gets a bit repetitive and the controls take awhile to get used to, based on feedback. For most, though, it’s a fun, innovative, and beautiful game that even teaches you a bit about Greek mythology while you play.
10/15
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Theme
- Internet connectivity required
Ask many for the best RPG series on any platform, anywhere, and Elder Scrolls will likely enter the discussion. In Elder Scrolls V, the story of the Dragonborn continues. Dragons themselves have returned to Tamriel. Using only the magic power of The Voice, your character is the last line of defense against these menacing creatures. What we liked about the anniversary edition of the game are the add-ons and extra content, with new quests, dungeons, and bosses, among other additions. One new location is Solstheim, an island off the coast of Morrowind, along with other new features like remastered art and effects and dynamic depth of field.
Otherwise, it’s a must buy, even if you’re new to Skyrim or The Elder Scrolls. And if you are familiar with Elder Scrolls and Skyrim, you’ll love the new content even though some glitches are reported. The new survival system is particularly interesting, based on feedback.
9/15
Scarlet Nexus
- Teen
- Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Combat fun and fast
From fantasy to the realm of dystopian science fiction, Scarlet Nexus is the next RPG for PS5 in our ranking. In the future, humans have extra-sensory powers on account of a psionic hormone. Around the same time this mysterious hormone is discovered, the Others arrive. The Others are mutants from somewhere out in space. From there, the story develops as you play Yuito Sumeragi, who’s recently joined the Other Suppression Force (OSF). Or instead of Sumeragi, play Kasane Randall, another elite fighter with Psionic powers, and the leader of Kasane Platoon.
The open-world layout in the game allows you to travel freely to collect data and gather resources. The side quests could be more interesting, we found out, and the game does get a little repetitive, we learned. Nonetheless, there’s a fantastic combat system with a long and fascinating storyline full of colorful characters.
8/15
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Mature 17+
- Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Great side missions
Another groundbreaking game in the RPG genre, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla takes place in the time of the Vikings. In it, you’ll build a character who must prove themselves as a warrior and raider, but also in politics. You’ll engage in combat, explore the world from the perspective of a Viking, landing in England, among other locations. You’ll lead your clan in attacks via longships. With a few different editions available, the deluxe version of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla now also offers Berserker gear and settlement packs, among other additions. Pick up the recent Dawn of Ragnarök expansion pack for even more content.
Fans of earlier editions of Assassin’s Creed were somewhat reluctant to engage with Valhalla. Once they did, though, they were impressed, based on feedback. The game is solid, and the freedom to set the gender of your character is a particularly popular feature. For some, it’s overall just a bit too similar to The Witcher’s Creed, though.
7/15
Ghost of Tsushima Legends
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Violence
Drawn from Japanese folktales and mythology, Ghost of Tsushima is set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. You play as Jin Sakai, a samurai who must question his staunch code while trying to reclaim his home. The multiplayer campaign sees you play through adventures told by Gyozen, a Japanese storyteller. You can play as one of four classes — samurai, ronin, hunter, or assassin — as you accomplish your goals and earn honor, essence, and blessing to unlock even further abilities and move up the skill tree.
This is the feudal-era Japanese game we’ve all been waiting for, based on feedback. There’s always a lot to do, and the combat system is particularly notable, with enough side quests and objects to collect to keep things interesting. Some thought the final fight was a bit of a let down, though.
6/15
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
- Mature 17+
- Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Turn-based fighting system
As previously mentioned, yakuza are something like the Japanese mafia. The next game in our list, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, drops you right into the heart of that world. You’ll play Ichiban, a young man recently released from prison for a crime that he did not commit. On the outside, Ichiro’s low-ranking clan has been decimated, and it’s your job to uncover what went wrong. In doing so, you’ll discover some of the deepest and darkest secrets of Yokohama, Japan’s second largest city. Your party can reach up to seven members.
With a good assortment of side quests, Yakuza: Like a Dragon offers dynamic combat, with a wide array of weapons, equipment, and other types of gear to earn, unlock, and discover. This is a great addition to the Yakuza game series, based on feedback — some say the best.
5/15
Tales of Arise
- Teen
- Alcohol Reference, Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Offline play enabled
The fifth pick on our list is Tales of Arise, the latest entry in the Tales series. In the game, you’ll play one of two main characters, traversing planet Dahna. For three centuries, the planet was ruled by the merciless Renans from nearby planet, Rena. Your job in this single-player RPG is to not only explore, but to liberate your fellow citizens and support the Dahnan resistance. The combat system in the game was recently updated, with overall game design inspired by anime. Fans of the Tales series call this a soft reboot of the franchise with a good story and a likable cast. Never just a “button-mashing game,” the battles are fast-paced and fun, we found out.
Even the cooking system — in which you can also take the time to fish for your meal — is a fun addition, based on feedback. With engaging side quests, character backstories are detailed. Just when you think things are over, there’s always more to do.
4/15
Final Fantasy XIV — PS5 Upgrade Edition
- Teen
- Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes
- 10/10 Side Content
Another leading franchise in the RPG genre is the Final Fantasy series. The 14th edition of the MMORPG, now upgraded for the Playstation platform, is the fourth pick in our list. First released in 2010, FFXIV is set in Eorzea as the Garlean Empire invades. The character you’ll play can be customized from any one of Eorzea’s five races. From there, you’ll explore one of Eorzea’s three main regions, as inter-regional conflict erupts on account of the Garlean occupation.
For those familiar with Final Fantasy but wondering about the transition to Playstation, feedback says the game developers have pulled it off. The mechanics in this version are as strong as they ever were, and the battles are tough. The soundtrack will give you goosebumps, some claim. It does start off a bit too slow, though, in some players’ opinion.
3/15
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
- Mature 17+
- Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Literary-style storyline
From fantasy sci-fi to a detective story, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut earned third place in our ranking of the best RPGs for PS5. You’ll follow an amnesiac hardboiled detective and his partner as they investigate a murder in the fictional town of Revachol. It’s the era of disco, just like the title suggests, and the case involves an unusual, supernatural object called a phasmid. As gameplay goes on, what at first seems like an open-and-shut case grows more complicated. Along the way, you’ll develop skills, and gather gear, tools, and supplies in the well-rendered, open-world layout.
The game is known to recreate the mechanics of tabletop RPG in a virtual setting. Feedback on Disco Elysium compares it to a speculative project between authors Neil Gaiman and Douglas Adams. It’s silly and fun with sinister and sometimes supernatural overtones. The voice acting and music are also great.
2/15
Elden Ring
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Packed to the brim with content
A relative newcomer in the PS5 RPG genre, Elden Ring already secured a spot in our ranking. Many who’ve played it call it an absolute masterpiece. Set in the fantasy realm called The Lands Between, the so-called Elden Ring has been shattered. This sets off a conflict for control of the remnants, and war ensues. You’ll build your character as you explore the open world setting, filled with diverse landscapes and terrible creatures with which you’ll battle. Skills for your character range from combat to magic. If you’re new to games in the style of Elden Ring, there’s a strong tutorial to help you get started.
That being said, the game is not for everyone, we found out. Some say the plot is too convoluted and impenetrable for them to understand. Overall, though, the game gets rave reviews, with detailed bosses and formidable enemies among many other strong aspects. Without a doubt, Elden Ring lives up to the hype, based on feedback.
1/15
Cyberpunk 2077
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
- Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Topping our list of the best RPGs for PS5 is Cyberpunk 2077. From the creators of The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077 takes place in the futuristic Night City. You’re a character named V and your objective is to obtain a body modification implant that will make you immortal. With 4K visuals and ray-tracing, you can build your character with cybernetic enhancements as you explore the open-world layout and encounter other characters. Those relationships push forward the storyline. There’s also a steady stream of new content as your mercenary outlaw takes on jobs and tasks to unlock new abilities and character upgrades.
This is a stunning game, with a nonlinear storyline and a realistic cityscape, based on feedback. The mechanics of side quests are now overhauled, and the decisions you make as a player greatly impact game outcomes. For this reason, Cyberpunk 2077 always stays fresh, users report.
Join the High Ground
What did you think of our list of the Best RPGs for PS5? If we missed your favorite please drop us a comment below! And be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more game reviews, guides, and equipment recommendations.
Happy gaming!
Related Reading
You must sign in to comment.
Don't have an account? Sign up here!