Best RPGs On Xbox Game Pass

Perhaps more than any other genre, role-playing games offer players a chance to fully immerse themselves in both a world and a story. By taking control of both a character and the quest they must embark on, fans of RPGs can experience the rewarding upward climb of progression.

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Most RPGs tend to be hefty time sinks, but that only goes to show how immersive these titles can be. Luckily for those who own Xbox Game Pass, phenomenal RPG games are available at a moment’s notice. Whether someone prefers JRPGs, Western epics, or indie darlings; Microsoft’s subscription service has them covered. What are the best RPGs on Game Pass?

Starfield

The launch of a Bethesda project will always attract hype, but Starfield was a special case since it was the developer’s first new IP in a long time. A vast and ambitious space opera, the 2023 release sets players loose on a galaxy’s worth of content, allowing them to establish outposts in procedurally generated planets as they take on pirates, factions, and local wildlife. As with most of Bethesda’s RPGs, Starfield‘s main storyline is not particularly long, and it can be completed within 20 to 30 hours; however, the campaign only covers a small sliver of what this project has to offer. In fact, players might find themselves ignoring the compulsory quests in favor of optional missions and just plain old exploration, two things that represent the game at its best.

Now, Starfield is not perfect. The fast-travel system is almost unavoidable, and it is implemented in a way that can be jarring. The combat is an improvement over Fallout 4, but it takes a while to pick up momentum and, ultimately, is just decent rather than great. The main plot is quite polarizing, as are Starfield‘s companions. Still, overall, this is an impressive RPG.

Lies Of P

Soulslike games belong to their own genre, but they still fall under the action RPG umbrella. Lies of P is an inspired take on the Soulsborne formula, even if its core mechanics do not stray too far from the beaten path. Cast as Pinocchio, players will find themselves exploring Krat, a Gothic fallen utopia that has become overrun by deadly puppets who come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.

Unlike some other entries in the genre, Lies of P has a fixed protagonist and does not offer too many customization options, at least not in the opening few hours. Players can select from three combat styles, and they unlock new weapons at a steady but not overwhelming pace. Importantly, Lies of P nails its combat and enemy design, offering fast-paced and aggressive action that demands players master all the game’s mechanics, particularly parrying.

Persona Franchise

For the longest time, Persona seemed destined to remain away from Xbox consoles; however, the times are changing. Game Pass subscribers currently have access to three of the greatest turn-based JRPGs of all time, ones that combine for more than 200 hours worth of content. Persona is primarily known for its blend of dungeon crawling and social simulation, a strange mix that works incredibly well in execution.

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Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal are stand-alone titles, meaning players can simply start with any entries that suit their fancy. Naturally, P5R is the most visually impressive game, and its dungeons have far more interesting designs than the more repetitive ones found in its predecessors. That said, story-wise, an argument could be made that both P3P and P4G are superior to their successor, although they all set a high bar. Each Persona is one of the best RPG games on Xbox Game Pass.

Persona 5 Royal is leaving Game Pass at the end of October 2023.

Monster Hunter Rise

Ever since players started hunting monsters, people have questioned whether Capcom’s franchise qualifies as an RPG. Monster Hunter Rise might lean heavily into the “action” side of things, but the game has enough role-playing elements to justify a recommendation. Like previous entries in the series, MHR has a simple gameplay loop: kill monsters to collect resources needed to craft better gear required to slay even bigger monsters.

The game has a story, but it is not particularly important and largely serves as a way to chauffer players from one zone to the next. MHR is also intended to be played long after the narrative stops, and the endgame could readily keep someone engaged for hundreds of hours. With 14 weapon types that each control very differently and an extensive roster of hunts, Capcom’s title has quite a bit of replay value.

Shadowrun Trilogy

Three titles for the price of an Xbox Game Pass subscription, this compilation contains Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Director’s Cut, and Shadowrun: Hong Kong – Extended Edition. These cyberpunk tactical RPGs guide players through mission-based levels that feature solid combat, great stories, and an immersive world.

While the CRPG subgenre can be intimidating for the uninitiated, Shadowrun is one of the more approachable representatives since the games do not have an overabundance of mechanics that need to be memorized. Consequently, this trilogy serves as a good entry point into this style of game.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty continues Team Ninja’s fascination with Souls-likes, and while taking a few ideas from Nioh, the 2023 game is very much its own beast. Set during the Han dynasty in China, Wo Long blends historical figures with supernatural and mythical elements, guiding players through a fairly lengthy campaign that tells an over-the-top but serviceable storyline. Ultimately, these sorts of projects live and die by the strength of their gameplay, something Team Ninja has generally excelled at. In some ways, Wo Long‘s combat seems like a more streamlined version of Nioh‘s offering, one that emphasizes deflecting attacks above everything else.

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The latter mechanic serves as the heart of the game’s battle system, to the point that the first boss fight is designed to ensure players gain some experience executing deflections. Many Souls-likes include this option, but Wo Long thrives on it; consequently, deflections are relatively forgiving, although they still require skill and mastery. Xbox Game Pass does not have too many full-blown Souls-likes on its roster, and Wo Long is one of the subgenre’s more blatant additions. It is fast-paced and generally challenging, while still extending a few aids for people who might need them.

Cassette Beasts

Xbox Game Pass has a couple of monster-collecting games, with Persona obviously taking center stage. Those titles can keep someone busy for months on end, but Atlus’ series has some competition. Initially launching on PC before making its way to consoles, Cassette Beasts is a fantastic indie project that takes inspiration from the likes of Pokemon, particularly the older isometric entries, while also crafting a unique voice that sets it apart from its peers. Arriving at a peculiar island called New Wirral, players are quickly greeted by a ranger who tells them about their ability to transform into beasts, which they will need to do to survive the habitat’s wildlife.

Cassette Beasts‘ title gives its monster-taming mechanic away: players “catch” creatures by recording them on a cassette tape. If successful, the protagonist and their human partners will be able to transform into them during battles. Set in a vibrant and diverse open-world, the game offers a creative modernization of this RPG subgenre’s typical formula, and it even manages to incorporate a pretty interesting story. Along with the main campaign, players have quite a few side activities to keep them busy.

Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon is a cutthroat game that takes no prisoners. Players inherit a mansion sitting on top of a strange dungeon, so they hire heroes to explore the creepy labyrinth within. Like most RPGs, these characters come in a variety of classes and can be leveled up; unlike most RPGs, death is permanent in Darkest Dungeon. There is nothing quite as infuriating as watching a powerful hero meet their maker, never to be seen again.

Red Hook’s game uses a turn-based combat system that centers around parties of four characters. While exploring the dungeon, players have to monitor the heroes’ stress levels along with a myriad of other mechanics. It is quite a challenge.

Rune Factory 4 Special

Debuting in 2006, Rune Factory strives to be a jack of all trades, which is not always a recipe for success. Along with its immediate predecessor, the fourth entry is generally regarded to be the franchise’s strongest project, and the enhanced version elevates the solid vanilla experience. As a new prince, Rune Factory 4 Special puts players in charge of revamping a town, a process that involves farming, mingling, crafting, and dungeon-crawling. Marvelous’ game casts a wide net, resulting in a diverse albeit sometimes shallow experience; however, the core gameplay loop is fun enough to keep things interesting for a few dozen hours.

Generally, Rune Factory 4‘s campaign does not take too many risks structurally as the story is largely framed around the introduction of dungeons. The latter sequences are built around an isometric hack and slash combat system that gets the job done, even if it is not especially deep. And that’s probably the best way to describe Rune Factory 4: the Game Pass RPG gets the job done in nearly every area. It might not be the best dungeon crawler or farming sim on the market, but it is one of the few games to combine those elements with romance, crafting, and town-building.

Chained Echoes

Chained Echoes is a throwback to classic 16-bit JRPGs that dominated the scene during the ’90s. Nowadays, these sorts of projects are relatively common, but few titles manage to reach the heights seen by this 2022 release. Chained Echoes is set in Valandis, a continent divided by three warring kingdoms. Following the use of a powerful superweapon, the nations sign a peace treaty, but not everyone plans to honor this agreement. Players take control of a group of characters who seek to keep war at bay, a journey that will reveal some rather dark secrets.

Chained Echoes‘ art style is stunning, and it is a good fit for the story being told. While taking inspiration from old-school JRPGs, the game is not afraid to shake things up. Chained Echoes opts against using traditional experience points, instead building progression on upgradable skills and crafting. This decision means that grinding is not much of a factor, so players can prioritize the story. The turn-based combat system also throws in a unique concept in the form of an Overdrive bar that impacts the player’s performance depending on its state.

Costume Quest

Double Fine’s resume does not consist solely of Psychonauts. Costume Quest and its sequel are fantastic kid-friendly RPGs oozing in charm and personality, courtesy of both their settings and characters. While the second game is very good, newcomers should 100% start with its predecessor, especially if they find themselves craving Halloween imagery.

Costume Quest‘s story is simple but effective: on the spookiest night of the year, a cul-de-sac becomes home to monsters, some of whom kidnap a child. Now, it is up to their sibling and friends to defeat these ghoulish entities and save the day. Accomplishing this task requires finding parts to create costumes that, once worn, provide unique powers in battle. The latter comes in the form of turn-based combat that, while nothing amazing, is generally fun.

Soul Hackers 2

Soul Hackers 2 is the closest thing to a mainline Shin Megami Tensei on Game Pass, and the JRPG contains many of the standard elements associated with Atlus’ franchise. Unlike Persona, Soul Hackers 2 focuses almost exclusively on dungeons, although the campaign is fairly character-driven when compared to Shin Megami Tensei 5. Like those properties and games, Soul Hackers 2 utilizes a turn-based battle system revolving around targeting an enemy’s weak points; more importantly, the protagonist can recruit demons to fight for their side.

Even if it does not reach the heights of Game Pass’ Persona titles, Soul Hackers 2 is still a confident and enjoyable game created by a company that has been perfecting turn-based JRPGs for decades. People who just want an experience that prioritizes battles are likely to enjoy this title.

Sea Of Stars

August and September 2023 produced two of 2023’s biggest RPGs: Baldur’s Gate 3 and Starfield. Most indie projects released around the same time as these games were destined to be overshadowed, and that’s without even mentioning Armored Core 6 and Lies of P. Therefore, the fact that Sea of Stars still managed to make a decent splash speaks to its quality. Inspired by ’90s JRPGs, Sabotage crafted a gem that pays tribute to its influential ancestors without fully anchoring itself to them.

Set on an island, Sea of Stars follows two heroes tasked with defeating a spreading corruption. On the surface, this premise might sound generic, but it is all about the execution. Not only does the lengthy storyline take a few genuine risks as it progresses, it is also packed with endearing characters and fun optional content. The turn-based combat system is pretty great too.

Torment: Tides Of Numenera

Inspired by Planescape: Torment, one of the all-time great RPGs, Torment: Tides of Numenera is a unique beast since it emphasizes dialogue above everything else. This is a story-focused game that casts players as a lowly being who is simply striving to survive, an ambition that sees them form relationships with an array of companions.

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Most of the campaign revolves around reading text and exploring some widely creative locations, with battles occasionally sprinkled in for good measure. As the writing is top-notch throughout, Tides of Numenera manages to weave a fascinating and gripping tale.

Stardew Valley

Launching in 2016, Stardew Valley has blossomed into one of gaming’s most enduring farming sims. The indie game comes packed with so much content and freedom that two people could wind up having completely different experiences. Whether planning out a year’s worth of farming or sparking a romance with one of the NPCs, Stardew Valley is incredibly immersive.

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Offering endearing visuals, expansive customization options, and a lot to discover, this game will keep somebody playing for months on end. For those looking for a title that doesn’t prioritize combat but is still quite challenging in places, Stardew Valley is a stellar pick.

Mount And Blade 2: Bannerlord

Bannerlord is ambitious. TaleWorlds’ project blends action RPG elements with strategy mechanics, crafting an experience that is quite unlike anything else on the market. Players start from nothing as they steadily build their mercenary group, eventually seeking to take over land and spread their influence.

Mount & Blade 2 can be overwhelming, particularly for people who did not play the previous games. However, it might be able to scratch an itch that no other title on Game Pass can reach.

Wasteland 3

All three Wasteland games are available on Xbox Game Pass, and each one improves on the last. Wasteland 3 is a challenging strategy turn-based RPG reminiscent of classic Fallout titles, and it comes with a dark sense of humor and a desire to constantly challenge players with difficult decisions.

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A deep and flexible combat system should keep the game feeling fresh throughout its considerable length, while Wasteland 3‘s story and world-building are second to none. Co-op is also possible for those who want to travel through Colorado with a friend.

Fable 2

Released in 2008, Fable 2 returns players to the wonderful world of Albion. All three games in the series have their positives and negatives, but Fable 2 is the most complete and satisfying experience in the trilogy. Players roam an enchanting realm as they set out to carve their own paths and highlight their unique quirks. Albion reacts to the player’s actions, developing to match the choices made throughout the adventure.

Fable 2 takes place in a living, breathing world that empowers users but also doesn’t forget the deeds (or misdeeds) they perform. Although not amazing, the real-time combat system is serviceable and offers enough variety to remain engaging throughout the campaign.

Fable and Fable 3 are also on Xbox Game Pass.

Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire – Ultimate Edition

Obsidian Entertainment is firmly established as a leading developer in the RPG sphere, and Pillars of Eternity might be the company’s crowning achievement. Both entries in the series rank among the best role-playing games on Xbox Game Pass, but Deadfire gets the nod since it saw the franchise grow out of its Baldur’s Gate roots into something more singular.

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A pirate-themed adventure, this isometric RPG gives players a ship and a crew to sail the ocean, allowing them to visit a multitude of islands and take part in naval battles throughout their journey. The story is solid, but Deadfire shines the brightest in its combat, customization, and sense of discovery.

Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition is also on Xbox Game Pass.

Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is not simply a retread of its predecessor. Level-5’s JRPG features reasonably different combat and also completely removes the Pokemon-like monster-taming system; consequently, people who did not like Wrath of the White Witch might still enjoy its sequel, particularly if they appreciate hack and slash action similar to something like the Tales franchise. Even though it struggles to match the whimsy and heart of its more decorated older sibling, Revenant Kingdom still succeeds in telling a gripping story filled with memorable characters. Visually, the game looks gorgeous, and Level-5 did an impressive job of replicating Studio Ghibli’s aesthetic for the cutscenes.

As Revenant Kingdom has very few direct ties to its predecessor, newcomers can jump straight into the sequel without feeling like they are missing out. It is arguably more satisfying to play than Wrath of the White Witch, although both rank among the best JRPGs on Xbox Game Pass.

Middle-earth: Shadow Of War

Middle-earth: Shadow of War did not enjoy the most glowing of debuts, courtesy of a grind-heavy final act that pushed players to spend cash. Those microtransactions were eventually removed, and the game is in a much better place these days. Building upon Shadow of Mordor‘s foundations, Shadow of War is an action-heavy romp through The Lord of the Rings universe.

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A massive map and a fun combat system that progresses nicely as new abilities unlock are both great selling points, but Shadow of War‘s crowning achievement is its nemesis system, which allows Talion to build rivalries with Orcs. This system makes each playthrough feel adaptive and unique, and few things in gaming are as satisfying as a player finally besting an Orc who had their number up to that point.

Dragon Age: Origins

The addition of EA Play to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate brought with it plenty of great RPGs, including some of the best trilogies in gaming. Dragon Age: Origins is the definition of an epic; a grandiose adventure filled with political intrigue, narrative depth, complex combat, and unforgettable characters.

The game is at its best on PC, but the Xbox 360 version is perfectly playable. The sequels are also worth checking out, but Dragon Age arguably peaked with its first entry, setting a standard that few fantasy RPGs have come close to replicating.

Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition are also on Xbox Game Pass.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

There are more than a few well-established JRPG franchises, but the genre received a surprising addition when Yakuza: Like a Dragon was released. Replacing its traditional beat-’em-up combat with a turn-based battle system, Like a Dragon pushed the Yakuza license in an exciting new direction while paying tribute to classic properties like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.

With a new protagonist and setting, this entry is a great starting point for newcomers to the series, and it is a must-play for anyone who liked the stories but was indifferent to the gameplay of previous Yakuza games. More importantly, long-time fans will find that, despite the significant changes to the core gameplay, Like a Dragon is still the same Yakuza they know and love. The storytelling is just as good as ever, and the same can be said for the exploration, side quests, and minigames. Ichiban, the new main character, is a stark departure from Kiryu, but he is likable and charming in his own right. Wisely, the developers opted to take the protagonist in a completely different direction than his predecessor, allowing Ichiban to completely step out of the Dragon of Dojima’s shadow.

Citizen Sleeper

Citizen Sleeper is an RPG that wears its tabletop influences loudly and proudly, all the while still crafting a unique experience that is not just a digital version of a board game. The eponymous sleeper refers to a humanoid robot implanted with a human’s brain, a process designed to reduce the person to a company’s worker bee. Right out of the gate, players flee their corporate overlord’s gaze and hide out in a space station, where they must not only try to escape but also make a life for themselves in the meantime. As the days roll by, the Sleeper will gradually learn more about the people who live in the space station, creating connections and uncovering personal stories along the way.

Citizen Sleeper focuses on these small-scale role-playing moments rather than combat, and the game uses a dice system to determine and limit the protagonist’s actions. Xbox Game Pass’ selection of RPGs includes shooters, melee action, fantasy, MMOs, tactical, and most other common subgenres. The streaming service casts a wide net, and Citizen Sleeper scratches an itch that most other games do not really attempt to reach. It might not be the most well-known title on Microsoft’s service, but it is pretty fantastic.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate owners have access to the full Mass Effect franchise. If they prefer, they can jump into the original Xbox 360 versions. These hold up reasonably well, particularly the sequels; however, Mass Effect Legendary Edition is the best way to experience Commander Shepard’s story in this day and age. The package contains remastered versions of BioWare’s classic trilogy, and the compilation also includes most of the DLC.

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Beyond a facelift, the Legendary Edition revamps the original Mass Effect game quite extensively, bringing it more in line with the content and gameplay of its sequels. These changes make the trilogy a more consistent overall experience. Each entry is fantastic in its own right, and when combined, Mass Effect makes one of the best video game trilogies of all time.

Mass Effect: Andromeda is also on Xbox Game Pass. While not as good as the trilogy, it is still decent.

Fallout: New Vegas

All the main 3D Fallout games are on Xbox Game Pass, and they each offer something that sets them apart from their siblings. Fallout 76‘s multiplayer-focused design provides longevity, while Fallout 4 fine-tunes the gunplay to deliver a streamlined but enjoyable campaign.

If someone is specifically seeking an RPG, Fallout: New Vegas is almost unquestionably the pick of the bunch, and Obsidian’s game has aged well in the areas that matter the most (writing and world-building). Its gameplay has always been quite clunky, but it does not take anything away from the title’s impeccable storytelling and quests. Newcomers to the franchise should consider starting with this entry.

Fallout (PC Game Pass)

Xbox Game Pass has the 3D Fallout games, but anyone yearning to get the full package will need to pick up a PC Game Pass subscription. Along with the modern releases, PC Game Pass has Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics, all of which are highly regarded games in their own right. While Bethesda’s era has produced the most popular entries in the series, some fans might argue that Fallout and its immediate sequel are the franchise’s strongest RPGs.

The original Fallout was groundbreaking in 1997, delivering complex writing and systems that encouraged player choice and experimentation. The Wasteland is a harrowing and devastatingly punishing world that chews out all but the most adaptable survivors. Fallout 2 is just as great as its predecessor, but newcomers should start with the first game before jumping into its sequel.

The Outer Worlds

The balancing act that is The Outer Worlds carries all the calling cards that developer Obsidian is known for, walking the tightrope between meaty mechanical depth and expert storytelling in fine fashion. After being plucked from an ill-fated colony ship by liberty-loving fugitive Phineas Welles, players have an impressive amount of agency in deciding their narrative impact on the colonies and how they make it — whether by big guns, big words, or big brains.

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The atmosphere of Halcyon is beautifully sardonic and darkly humorous, making even the heavy-handed social commentary of Fallout: New Vegas blush when compared to its hilarious corporate caricatures. Try the Saltuna while you’re passing through.

Skyrim has essentially ruled the open-world RPG roost since its unsubtle and highly-anticipated release in 2011 — that alone should be enough to showcase its necessity for any RPG enthusiast’s repertoire. While it can be safely accused of shedding the deeper mechanical complexities of its predecessors, the cold fact of the matter is that Bethesda did more than a few things right.

Skyrim preserves the franchise’s legacy of beautifully designed open worlds filled with enough content to keep even the most dedicated gamers busy for years while expanding the scope of its audience exponentially. It’s practically gaming’s equivalent to required reading at this point, and it’s not hard to see why.

Morrowind and Elder Scrolls Online are also on Xbox Game Pass.

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