15. Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy (PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
Atelier Ryza 2 - Launch Trailer | PS5, PS4
If you liked everything about the first Atelier Ryza then you’ll definitely love what they’ve got in store for you the second time around. Atelier Ryza 2 follows the events from Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout where Ryza must reunite with friends and say goodbyes in order to discover a true, priceless treasure.
Everything about this entry to the Atelier franchise is super dense, from the story, dialogue and the lack of dull moments in the town you explore. In true Atelier fashion, characters and atmosphere are cute and charming with loads of things to do. Atelier is, of course, known for its alchemy and there’s more than enough of that to keep you occupied. Go nuts.
14. Nioh 2 (PS4, PC, PS5)
Nioh 2 - Launch Trailer | PS4
“The world is on fire, Nioh 2 presents an adventure that empowers us to believe in a better future.” That sums it up pretty nicely. In this prequel to the first Nioh, you play as Hide, a Yokai (demon) Slayer who’s world changes when he meets Tokichiro, a spirit stone peddler.
If you’re somehow into both Japanese history and folklore then you’ll most certainly enjoy the direction Nioh 2 takes with its art style and story. The game has refined itself well since the first installment for a much smoother and gorgeous adventure. There’s a great variety for RPG fans to combine and experiment with skill trees and create a unique experience for every player.
13. Scarlet Nexus (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5)
Scarlet Nexus - The Game Awards 2020: Story Reveal Trailer | PS5
If Cyberpunk was on speed, you got Scarlet Nexus. You can play as either Yuito Sumeragi or Kasane Randall, members of the OSF (Other Suppression Force) who are tasked with defending New Himuka from creatures known as the “Others”.
If you like neckbreak gameplay, rich lore and steampunk, oh boy are you in for a ride. Scarlet Nexus fills you with tons of story and great characters and plants you in the gorgeous, industrial backdrop of New Himuka. If that wasn’t cool enough, your character is gifted with psychokinesis! Combine that with cool weapons and teammates that actually do their job, this is entertainment at its finest.
12. Tales of Arise (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5)
Tales of Arise - Launch Trailer | PS5, PS4
If you’re really loving the rich story and character vibe in these RPG titles, then Tales of Arise has got you covered. You are caught in the longtime strife between two worlds, Dahna and the technologically advanced colonizers from the world of Rena.
It’s quite the feat when a video game can reach the narrative and emotional depths of a rich novel. There are characters here that you are bound to fall in love with and a story that is as old as time itself. Combat is great, characters are great, the way the story unfolds is great, Tales of Arise is a great experience overall for RPG and anime lovers alike.
11. Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon - PlayStation 5 Launch Trailer | PS5, PS4
If you’re not into swordplay, then turn your attention to this classic beat-em-up. You take up the bat of Ichiban, released from an 18 year stretch then betrayed by his former boss. Now you have to uncover the reason for this betrayal alongside other playable characters.
Let’s face it, this game is one big party. Characters are wild and bombastic and so is the outrageous storyline. There’s a hilarious variety of enemy types with hysterical movesets that are sure to make you chuckle. Whether you’re an old time Yakuza fan or new, this one is a true blast from beginning to end.
10. Cyberpunk 2077 (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5)
Cyberpunk 2077 - Next-Gen Update Launch Trailer | PS5
If you thought performance issues were holding back Cyberpunk’s potential, you’ll be happy that CD Projekt made this next-gen upgrade. You play as V, a mercenary outlaw hunting a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality in this vast, epitome of steampunk, open worlds.
There’s never been a better time to drop into Night City as the myriad of bugs that permeated the original release have been ironed out and the game plays like a dream. There’s even been an overhaul on the skill tree and character designs which is sure to peak your RPG appetites. Gameplay is fun, there’s lots to do, the city is gorgeous and, c’mon, you can’t go wrong with casting Keanu Reeves.
9. Dying Light 2 Stay Human (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC PS5)
Dying Light 2 - Stay Human Accolades Trailer
If the nighttime already makes you squeamish, this game may not be for you. You play as Aiden, a pilgrim in a post-apocalyptic world 15 years after a zombie outbreak.
In this intense, first-person search mission, zombies can pop up at any moment and leave you squashed in their hordes if you’re not quick on your feet. The world of Villedor is a huge, open sprawl which can actually make things more intimidating. You’ll definity know how Will Smith felt in I Am Legend after this hair-raising adventure.
8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition - Launch Trailer | PS4
Well, that took a minute, but The Witcher 3 has finally made it to the PS5. In this rich take on Slavic mythology, you play as Geralt of Rivia, a monster slayer for hire known as The Witcher as he travels through towns, cities and open plains in search for his adopted daughter.
If you missed The Witcher 3 on the previous platforms then there has never been a better time to jump right into this instant classic. There’s a reason Netflix adapted this into a TV show, because there is such an ambitious tale at the heart of Geralt’s journey. The game is gorgeous and there is so much to explore in some of the most dense lore a game has to offer.
7. Disco Elysium (Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut - Launch Trailer | PS5, PS4
Probably one of the most rewardingly rich indie games around. Disco Elysium has you playing as a detective, the type of detective of your choice, weaving through a war torn city full of mystery, misery, humor and deep dives into the macabre nature of the psyche.
There’s a great deal of RPG elements here used to masterful effect. The artwork is reminiscent of Picasso mixed in with a noir-like atmosphere that really boosts the world DE is going for. And how’s this for a really ballsy game design? The game encourages dialogue over violence and yet still knows how to keep you deeply engaged.
6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition - Upgrade Launch Trailer | PS4
Oh yeah, it still holds up. Skyrim is set 200 years after Oblivion where the main quest centres on you, the Dragonborn, tasked to defeat Alduin the World-Eater, a dragon prophesied to destroy the world.
If you somehow missed 2011’s Game of the Year then now is the perfect time to witness the majesty of why this Elder Scrolls installment was so praised. No, it’s not a remaster, but everything that made Skyrim what it is holds up well with a faster frame rate, loading times and extra content. This is the perfect way to prepare you for what Bethesda has coming up next in the franchise.
5. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC, PS5)
Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Launch Trailer | PS5
A viking world in Assassin’s Creed? It's about time! You play as Eivor, a legendary Viking raider on a quest for glory and power set in the time of England’s Dark Ages.
One of AC’s brutal worlds yet, you have to live up to the name of Viking in a time when death and torture are at an all time high. But make no mistake, the lands are gorgeous, especially the autumn, forest backdrops of old Norway. AC has always been good and recapturing history and if you’re into old English and Norse architecture then this will certainly be a treat.
4. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4, PC, PS5)
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade - Final Trailer | PS5
In a time of nostalgia and well-deserved remakes of old classics, Final Fantasy VII for the new generation does exactly what it’s meant to do. In this dystopian, cyberpunk metropolis, Cloud Strife embarks on a mission of recruitment to stop eco-terrorism and megacorporations from sucking the planet dry of energy.
Final Fantasy VII is imbued with everything that made the original a masterpiece with a glossy finish on par with the graphical qualities we love today. Gameplay is tight and the story is as dense and gripping as ever. There’s never been a better time to jump into the world of Final Fantasy.
3. Demon’s Souls (PS5)
Demon’s Souls – Launch Trailer | PS5
Whether you’ve played the original or are a newcomer, this remake of Demon’s Soul delivers everything that made the classic so memorable. A great fog has come over the kingdom of Boletaria and it is up to you to survive in this new, demon-infested world.
Like most fantasy games, there is a heap of lore to be discovered and a lot of opportunity to enhance your character to strengthen you against the darkness that has enveloped your kingdom. Who would've thought a world so gray could be so alluring; that pristine finish feels like a dream.
2. Horizon Forbidden West (PS4, PS5)
Horizon Forbidden West - Story Trailer | PS5, PS4
Gotta love it when big IP’s live up to the hype, and this one certainly does. Turns out, the big, sprawling story that was Horizon Zero Dawn was just the beginning of Aloy’s adventure. She must now venture to the Forbidden West in search for answers lest the land crumble and humanity is forever lost.
To say this game is breathtakingly gorgeous would be an understatement. Forbidden West improves on the first game in so many ways and now you get to see what happened to the Golden Gate bridge. If you thought the lore in the first game was dense, wait till you get a load of what’s in store for this new, epic chapter. There’s new everything! And honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
1. Elden Ring (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC, PS5)
Elden Ring - Official Gameplay Trailer | PS5, PS4
Another huge IP that lived up to the hype. The story is about you and your survival in a land chock full of demons, monsters and political strife that you must master by building strength and making allies.
Like any good RPG, Elden Ring bombards you with rich lore and deep themes that are sure to grip any fantasy lover. There are a great variety of magic, weapons and epic boss fights that are on par with what we love about being a medieval warrior. If you ever wanted Dark Souls to be open-world, this is it.
