8 RPGs that players always recommend to friends

Everyone likes to receive good recommendation from a friendand everyone is happy to recommend something that excites them. In video games, RPG Fans are a very dedicated group who always have the know-how for the best gaming connections.

The following games are not necessarily the best or even the most popular RPGs of all time. They offer something unique in the genre and are good examples of this particular type of game. From hardcore action RPGs like Elden Ring to classic turn-based games like Final Fantasy VIIthere is a reason for it RPG fans can't stop recommending these games to friends and family.

Baldur's Gate 3

Your choices matter

Baldur's Gate 3 achieved an unprecedented level of hype for a long-forgotten franchise once the game launched. It captivated players with the amount of storytelling options it offered and really allowed players to create their own experience. That's why it became the talk of water coolers everywhere: each player had a different story to tell, which they enthusiastically elaborated with anyone who would listen.

From the character models to the classes to the story-changing dialogue, it was all exciting. Freedom in games is a rare commodity to this extent, so fans had to preach the good book Baldur's Gate 3 others to play and see for themselves how spectacular and open it is.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Old school JRPGs aren't dead

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is another Western RPG that has caught the attention of a large quadrant of not only RPG fans, but players from across the spectrum. There was talk of 2025, from its launch in April until the end of awards season. The game proved that a turn-based RPG can be just as exciting as an action RPG if it's unique and challenging enough.

Players can dodge or counter enemy attacks during combat, and each playable character has a unique trait that makes them special. It's also a return to the classic world map design, which is another good reason why it's recommended for other RPG fans who miss the days of world maps in games from the SNES and PS1 era.

Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

An epic journey awaits you

Dragon Quest, as a series, it hasn't caught on as much in the West as other Japanese RPG franchises have Final Fantasy yes, mostly because of the challenge level. Dragon Quest games are grind sessions and not every RPG fan likes a heavy grind or a challenging journey. Therefore Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age was such a breath of fresh air that led to many fans recommending him to their friends.

It still required some grinding for EXP and gold, which was hard to come by, but it was also more fulfilling. The combat flowed better and the story progressed naturally. It's been a long campaign to give players more value for their dollar. When it comes to classic JRPGs in modern times, Dragon Quest 11 has definitely reached a critical peak in terms of player data.

Elden Ring

Modern Skyrim

Together with Dragon Quest games that were known to be difficult, Soulslike games gained infamy for not being for the faint of heart. Dark souls, Nioh, Lies Pand many others are great examples of the genre, but not as accessible as a normal action RPG due to the level of punishment and the somewhat linear nature of the level design.

Therefore Elden Ring quickly became a common recommendation as it offered players an open world to explore. If one area was too difficult, they could go elsewhere. It was still hard, but with a friend or two in co-op it was easier, helped by the more relaxed world design. When it comes to open world RPGs, Elden Ring became the new recommended recommendation that it replaced The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim in many circles.

Final Fantasy VII

The whole universe is waiting

Final Fantasy VII is often THE Final Fantasy people tend to recommend to other RPG fans who have never touched the series before. It can be intimidating going into such a storied franchise so late in its life cycle, especially since then Final Fantasy VII is special because it has an expanded universe.

This means that it is also easily accessible. The remaster is on pretty much every modern system, and the built-in cheats allow players to go as they please. They can play it normally or activate bonuses such as an accelerated combat system and unlimited health. It also has a good mix of fantasy and sci-fi, with a bit of a modern feel to some of the designs, from bustling cities to futuristic transport devices.

Hogwarts heritage

The closest thing to magic you'll find

People who don't tend to play big triple-A games, but like to read or watch Harry Potter they were probably enticed by the potential Hogwarts heritage. RPG fans who also love Harry Potter they sang the praises of other witches and wizards fans because the game was good and not just sports Harry Potter mark. Like Elden Ringit's also a great modern example of an open world RPG.

Players can explore the grounds of Hogwarts, Hogwarts and the school itself. It is the ultimate dream for a Harry Potter fan because it's the first game that isn't based purely on the Harry Potter books or character. Between attending classes and fighting epic battles, Hogwarts heritage offers fans plenty of magic to chew on.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Mario's Golden RPG Adventure

There are many RPGs based on Marioand all fans have their favorites, but if there is one that stands tall above all others, this is it Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Originally released and imprisoned on the GameCube for many years, it saw the light of day again in 2024 thanks to a remaster on the Switch that makes it accessible to a modern audience.

That's why the die-hards came out to encourage others to finally give it a chance. The active turn-based combat system was easy enough to understand, and the imaginative nature of the paper world was full of charisma. More than anything, fans love to talk about how funny it is, and they're not wrong.

Person 5

A long odyssey

Person 5like Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Ageis a long RPG that can easily take a hundred hours to complete. It's an undertaking that can intimidate many, even the most die-hard RPG fans. The linear nature of the story, following the day-to-day schooling of teenagers, can also seem structurally bland.

It is a slow burn that even Persona fans will admit, but it's a slow burn that pays off in the end. Players are given so much time to spend with the party between schoolwork, meetings, and dungeon diving to battle in the turn-based game that they bond with their cast of supporting characters like no other RPG. By the end, fans may be wishing it was another hundred hours because they won't want to say goodbye.