The 20 Best RPG Games on PS4

After all was said and done, The Witcher III: Wild Hunt got its flowers for being one of the most immersive open world action RPGs ever released. The base game and its wealth of expansions have done a phenomenal job of making the adventures of Geralt of Rivia too hard to ignore. For the uninitiated, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition features an expansive world to explore as you take control of Geralt in an effort to protect a loved one from an encroaching faction. You'll swing your blades, dole out magical attacks, and get embroiled in all sorts of political drama across the main campaign and the game's huge DLC add-ons.

2022 was damn sure the year of Elden Ring. Fans of FromSoftware's style of action RPG and even first-timers were simply enamored with this daunting yet still captivating experience. Exploring the many biomes in this "Soulsbourne" action RPG in any order you see fit truly fits the description of "choose your own adventure." Prepare yourself for some tough battles with random foes and epic boss fights as your chosen "Tarnished" so you can get your hands on the lauded "Elden Ring" and rule over the "Lands Between" as the new "Elden Lord."

PlayStation console fans who are addicted to the RPG genre have most certainly dipped their toe in Bandai Namco's Tales series. And currently, the strongest installment in that franchise is the one we've chosen to highlight here. And if you haven't played it already, now's the best time to do so. The adventure you'll embark on here takes place across two realms, which are the medieval world of "Dahna" and the advanced world of "Rena." With two main characters hailing from those worlds and a party of fellow world saviors who all get caught up in a conflict that will determine the fate of the world, Tales of Arise is an astonishing action RPG with a high-stakes story put in place.

You can pour hundreds of hours into the base version of Persona 5 and love every single minute of it. The incredible soundtrack, art style, charm, character interactions, story, and battle systems make that lengthy adventure worth a dedicated playthrough. We're choosing to highlight Persona 5 Royal as it offers the ultimate package for one of the best JRPG games released in the past decade. Prepare yourself for a super lengthy yet highly enriching experience as you take control of the "Phantom Thieves" and navigate a wealth of dungeons within a supernatural realm birthed from humanity's subconscious desires. You're definitely going to get your money's worth here with this one.

One of Koei Tecmo's biggest franchises is its line of Atelier RPGs, which follow lovable girls who help the people and world at large around them through their talents as an alchemist. The undisputed queen of the series is Ryza, a hyperactive and reliable alchemist that has gotten three Atelier games to her name. Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout kicks things off as Ryza and her hometown friends grow into adulthood during their trek to the so-called forbidden "island across the shore." What follows is a whimsical trek that entails lots of item creation, fast-paced battles, and warm moments between characters that Atelier fans have grown to love.

Ryza's second adventure is definitely worthy of getting a mention here on our list of the best RPG games on PS4. Like its predecessor, Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy sees Ryza embark on another exciting escapade. And with her old friends by her side, Ryza finds herself far away from "Kurken Island" as she explores a massive city and plenty of new locales while trying to discover the origins behind a beloved "treasure." The extensive alchemist item crafting system makes its return here along with the series' signature "real-time tactics" battle system. And as far as new features go, Ryza can employ new field actions to climb, swim, and swing across this sequel's immense world.

After playing through Ryza's first two games, you'll be inspired to see where her final episode takes her. And to the surprise of no one, this threequel is definitely worthy of getting a look here in our collection of the best RPG games on PS4. In the Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, Ryza and her huge cast of close allies find themselves in the middle of a mystery centered around magical keys that play a part in battle, item synthesis, and adventuring. Everything you loved about the first two Atelier games starring Ryza is kept intact here, so you'll be getting the most refined version of her series as you get to the emotional climax of all her magical deeds.

Back on the PS2, action RPG fans got attached to the unexpected mashup between the worlds of Final Fantasy and Disney's wondrous animated movies. That combination gave rise to the Kingdom Hearts series, which has seen a ton of sequels and spinoffs created in its wake. If you want a playable and watchable deep dive into every part of the series' complex storyline, go all the way in on the Kingdom Hearts All-in-One Package. Hype-inducing keyblade combat, fun treks into worlds inspired by Disney's greatest animated films, and shocking storyline developments can all be experienced here in this compilation of seven games and three cinematic presentations.

In 1987, Square earned its place among the most recognized and esteemed game publishers/developers thanks to the launch of the first Final Fantasy. From that point forward, the NES and SNES became the home of the five next entries in the turn-based RPG saga. Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a wonderful anthology of the first six games in the series that feature fully remastered 2D pixels that simply look dazzling in motion. This collection is the best way for FF fans to revisit the series' 2D origins. Plus it's the preferred method for FF7 diehards to check out the games they may have missed before the 3D gaming renaissance. Side note - you can totally play FF VII, VIII, and IX on the PS4, too!

In 1997, Squaresoft made dropped the monumental seventh entry in the Final Fantasy franchise. The smashing success of that game has forever marked it as one of the best RPGs ever made, one of the best Final Fantasy games, and certainly a shining example of the PS1's ROG output. Final Fantasy VII Remake is the playable realization of fans' desire to play a modern-day take on the Cloud Strife and his buddies' struggle with the crazed ex-SOLDIER named Sephiroth. This first part of the FF7 Remake trilogy focuses on the initial trek through Midgar and sees Cloud, Barrett, Tifa, and Aeirth rise up against the eco-unfriendly company known as Shinra. The game's highly improved graphics are fantastic, plus its unique mix of turn-based and real-time combat systems makes each enemy encounter sensational.

Final Fantasy fans were treated to a true next-gen experience when the series finally debuted on the PS2 with its tenth mainline series entry. Then their jaws dropped in unison when an actual follow-up continued the adventures of the first game's captivating "High Summoner" Yuna. Now both of those games come packaged in a remastered collection that offers turn-based RPG fans two of the best games in Square Enix's extensive catalog. Final Fantasy X follows Tidus and his companions as they seek out a monster named "Sin" that must be brought down for good, while Final Fantasy X-2 features Yuna in a starring role as she seeks to reunite with Tidus and take down a new threat called the "Vegnagun." This HD remaster compilation is definitely one of the best RPG games on PS4.

Let's continue to stay in the mythical realm of Final Fantasy for another noteworthy pick on our list of the best RPG games on PS4. For this next list entry, we're going to put you onto this definitive version of Final Fantasy XII, which is known as The Zodiac Age. Within the world of "Ivalice," Vann and his fellow adventurers make an attempt at fighting for their small kingdom by battling the "Archadian Empire." Besides all the mainline content that made the original release so great, The Zodiac Age comes with a new "Zodiac Job System," more streamlined battle mechanics, New Game+, and so much more.

The original version of Final Fantasy XIV frustrated everyone due to its archaic design and less-than-satisfying gameplay loop. Insert Naoki Yoshida aka "Yoshi-P," who helped steer the game's ship to a much better release thanks to the help of some other talented game developers who wanted to see this MMORPG realize its full potential. And that's exactly what came to pass with FF XIV: A Realm Reborn, which is filled with enticing journeys to embark on, a wealth of intriguing stories to watch unfold, plenty of fun battles to engage in with fellow online heroes & heroines, and strong expansions that offer new battles classes to master & so much more.

Yakuza diehards were none too pleased with the reveal of their favorite Japanese crime series being turned from an action game into a turn-based RPG. But somehow someway, this transition unexpectedly worked to perfection and is now widely accepted by the Yakuza fanbase and is heralded as one of the best RPG games on PS4. Yakuza: Like a Dragon follows the new franchise frontman Ichiban Kasuga, who finds a bunch of fellow dregs of society and seeks out revenge against the former criminal organization he once repped so proudly. You'll get a good laugh out of this game's jobs system and the outlandish "summons" that aid you when things get dire. The serious moments sprinkled in between those humorous happenings are thankfully just as memorable.

There are two mega JRPGs that regularly sell millions of copies in Japan - Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior. In the States, the latter is known as Dragon Quest and has also amassed quite a dedicated fanbase. The latest entry in the series is Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition, which incorporated retro JRPG elements that call back to the golden age of the sub-genre. We placed this one on our list of the best RPG games on PS4 for several reasons - we love the warm camaraderie between the game's party members, the turn-based combat system is simple yet satisfying, and the epic adventure (which there are two big halves of) deliver in spades. Plus the 2D mode is pretty cool for fans of Dragon Quest's pre-3D franchise entries.

The NieR franchise comes in the form of two mainline games that touch on some pretty heavy subjects and feature a unified front of some of the strangest characters you'll ever meet. It's definitely worth taking a chance on NieR: Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition, which features the amazing mainline campaign and all the extra content added to the game post-launch. You'll get a ton of mileage out of this action RPG thanks to its multiple campaigns that let you engage in exciting battles and come to grips with a deeply emotional storyline that surprises you when you least expect it. The deeply effective realizations that combat androids 2B, 9S, and A2 come to will certainly hit you right in the feels, we're sure of it.

When Sony tapped FromSoftware to apply its trademark blend of moody environments, punishing gameplay, and impactful third-person active combat mechanics, Bloodborne was born. This game's H. P. Lovecraft and Bram Stoker-inspired world is packed to the brim with bloodthirsty beats that want to tear you limb from limb and insane citizens that are hell-bent on killing you. With your Hunter in tow, you'll need to keep all your enemies at bay with a combination of melee and ranged weapons alongside careful dodging since blocking isn't a main part of your arsenal here. You better be well prepared to brave the dangers housed within the Gothic expanse of "Yharnam."

The Ys action JRPG series has earned quite a loyal following thanks to its beloved main protagonist Adol and the game's finely tuned-tuned active combat mechanics. The eighth mainline entry in the series takes players to the cursed "Isle of Seiren" after getting shipwrecked on the high seas. With a second protagonist in tow (Dana), a combat system that's incredibly deep & rewarding, and a surprisingly addictive village upgrading system, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana offers a ton of extensive content to sink your teeth into.

Nihon Falcom is a creative stalwart in the world of Japanese game developers when it comes to putting out top-notch RPGs. While the Ys series is its bread-and-butter franchise, the Trails series has risen to become just as important as that aforementioned IP. For this latest selection on our list of the best RPG games on PS4, we've chosen to show some love to The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel. Kicking things off here will throw you deep into the sub-series four-part story arc, which follows a class of young military students caught up in an immense power struggle between two ruling classes. While you get sucked into this game's story, you'll find yourself enjoying its signature battle system that allows characters to "Link" up to pull off powerful moves and take advantage of special benefits.

Speaking of child soldiers enrolled in a military academy, let's highlight Sega's beloved Valkyria Chronicles. This remastered PS4 port of the 2008 original release follows a crew of determined youngsters who align themselves with "Squad 7" in order to push back the forces of the invading "East Europan Imperial Alliance." As part of the nation of "Gallia," you and your infantry will get embroiled in explosive battles where third-person movement/aiming is blended with tactical turn-based strategies via the "BLiTZ" (Battle of Live Tactical Zones) system. This game's plot comes with insanely high stakes, plus its special approach to combat is highly regarded as one of the very best in the genre. If you end up loving this one, check out the fourth game in the series when you get a chance!