The 15 Most Underrated RPGs Of All Time

• Release date: April 27^th 1986
• Developer: Activision
• Platform: Apple II, Commodore 64, Mac OS, MS-DOS

This game was made and released before a lot of you reading this list were even born. Alter Ego allows you to make decisions for a fictional male or female, from infancy onwards. Picking an experience to go through in the game and seeing what the consequences are is incredibly addicting.

• Release date: June 22^nd 1993
• Developer: Dynamix
• Platforms: MS-DOS

If you’re a fan of any books from The Riftwar Cycle by Raymond E. Feist, then you’ll already be familiar with Midkemia, the setting for this game. The game itself is set into chapters, narrated and has bookmarks that act as quick saves, so if that sounds enticing, give it a try.

• Release date: November 28^th 2000
• Developer: Capcom Development Studio 3
• Platforms: PlayStation, Windows

In this game, you play as Ryu, who has the power to transform into dragons. In this edition of the series, Ryu teams up with other warriors in an attempt to stop an immortal emperor from attaining God-like powers and destroying humanity. This is considered by many to be the best game in the series, but the entire series is worth checking out.

• Release date: October 26^th 1999
• Developer: Game Arts
• Platforms: PlayStation, Saturn, Switch, Windows

In Grandia, you take on the role of Justin, an aspiring adventurer who discovers a magic stone. It sends him on a journey to uncover uncharted territory and a lost civilization. This game is the first in the series and is praised for a great combat system that became the basis of its successors. 

• Release date: February 26^th 2016
• Developer: Crate Entertainment
• Platforms: Windows, Xbox One

One of the newer games on this list, Grim Dawn was developed by an independent company called Crate Entertainment. It has sold around 5 million copies (including DLC), but it still doesn’t get mentioned often enough. It has a good story, but not one you’ll feel tied to. Character customization is great, as is leveling up and looting.

• Release date: June 29^th 2000
• Developer: Black Isle Studios
• Platforms: Mac OS, Windows

Icewind Dale takes place in the Dungeons & Dragons-Forgotten Realms campaign setting and even if you’re a fan of the trilogy of books The Icewind Dale Trilogy, this game will be fresh because it has its own story. If hack and slash action is your thing, this is a great option.

• Release date: April 12^th 2005
• Developer: BioWare
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Mac OS, Xbox, Windows

The world that Jade Empire is set in is inspired heavily by Chinese mythology. You play as the Spirit Monk who must save his tutor and defeat Sun Hai, a corrupt but powerful emperor. Choices have consequences on the story and gameplay progression. 

• Release date: April 30^th 1997
• Developer: Media. Vision
• Platform: PlayStation

If you like both 2D and 3D gameplay for different reasons, Wild Arms offers the best of both worlds. Most of the game is in 2D, but the combat takes place in 3D. You play as Rudy, who with his friends Jack and Cecilia, must conquer a potentially devastating evil.

• Release date: October 2^nd 2009
• Developers: Piranha Bytes, Wizarbox
• Platforms: Windows, Xbox 360

Risen is a somewhat gothic role-playing game that is at its best during its battle sequences. The entire game is based largely around combat because you need to learn moves and blocks to progress. If you like it, there are a pair of sequels ready to be played.

• Release date: June 28^th 2005
• Developer: Sting Entertainment
• Platforms: GameBoy Advance, PSP, WonderSwan Color

Accompanied by Fia, Lina, Rose, Cierra, and Serene, you play as Ein, a Grim Angel who is tasked with battling the Grim Angels and sealing away the Accursed. There are multiple endings based on your decisions throughout the game.

• Release date: December 12^th 2001
• Developer:  Sacnoth
• Platforms: PS2

Shadow Hearts acts as a sequel to the 1999 RPG Koudelka, but can also be played as a standalone. Set In 1913 and 1914 in Shanghai, London, and more, you step into the shoes of Yuri Hyuga, who can capture and transform into monsters.

• Release date: November 13^th 2000
• Developer: Overworks
• Platforms: Dreamcast, GameCube

In Skies of Arcadia, players control Vyse, a pilot (or air pirate) who must stop the Valuan Empire from reviving ancient weapons and wiping humanity with them. Battles are turn-based here and you level up with XP.

• Release date: October 14^th 2015
• Developer: Iron Tower Studio
• Platform: Windows

Although it was released in 2015 and is one of the most recent games on this list, with The Age of Decadence, Iron Tower Studio wanted to restore the feeling of old-school RPGs a little, so you’ll get a vintage vibe from it. It puts an emphasis on choices and consequences.

• Release date: August 14^th 2012
• Developer: AQ Interactive, Mistwalker
• Platform: Wii

Lazulis, along with the rest of the world, is being drained of life. Zael, who dreams of becoming a knight, encounters a mysterious force and is granted magical power by it. He uses it to fight for the greater good. This RPG has elements of stealth in it.

• Release date: August 29^th 2000
• Developer: Tri-Ace, Tose, FINE Co.
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Playstation, PSP

In this game, you play as Lenneth, who collects the souls of the dead and trains them to prepare for their own battles and Ragnarok. She’s a Valkyrie, which means her human life was wiped from her memory, but along the way, she learns more about herself too.