The best RPG that mixes modern and mythical

Summary

  • RPGs combine modern settings with traditional fantasy elements such as elves and orcs to create iconic titles.

  • Ni No Kuni combines traditional mythology with 1950s America in an amazing game inspired by Studio Ghibli.

  • Tiny Tina's Wonderlands combines modern sci-fi weaponry with classic RPG fantasy elements in a tabletop setting.

RPGs have become known not only for their variety of characters and party members, but also for their settings and the way they often blend different styles together. And when it comes to blending the modern and the mythical, some of the best games ever made in the genre have done it brilliantly. Blending modern times with traditional fantasy tropes isn't unique, but it's one that RPGs tend to do in some spectacular fashion.

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Some of them are set in decidedly modern settings, but contain traditional fantasy elements such as elves, orcs, and magic. Others may do the opposite and introduce concepts of our current time into a traditional fantasy setting. It's powered some of the genre's best games, and it's an approach that has cemented the legacy of several iconic titles over the years. These games were rated based on how well they combine setting, art direction, writing, and their combat systems.

7

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

A charming collaboration between Level 5 and Studio Ghibli

Released

January 22, 2013

The collaboration between Level-5, one of the most famous RPG developers of all time, and Studio Ghibli, the legendary animation company behind some of the most incredible films ever made, seemed like a match made in heaven. The end result was Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witcha unique RPG that feels like a combination Pokemon and traditional JRPGs like Final Fantasy.

Ni No Kuni combines elements of 1950s America and old-school fantasy as the city of Motorville evokes nostalgic feelings of the past, all while incorporating traditional elements from mythology and folklore. Its stunning art design feels like a Studio Ghibli movie come to life, with lush landscapes and a completely unique combat system. This masterful RPG has recently been remastered for modern hardware and is readily available today.

6

Tiny Tiny's Wonderlands

Borderlands Spin-Off Stars Tiny Tina in a Tabletop RPG

Systems

PlayStation-1 Xbox-1

Border has often tried to mix modern settings with fantasy elements, as its combination of sci-fi FPS games with RPG systems has been a winning pattern since 2009. Tiny Tiny's Wonderlandsan excellent spin-off title that takes place within a tabletop RPG, all mixed with classic sci-fi weaponry.

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Tiny Tina acts as the dungeon master as the changing world of Bunkers & Badasses, the TTRPG in which the game takes place, presents the best possible challenge for the player. It continues the franchise's whimsical storytelling and charismatic characters, often seeing traditional fantasy tropes within the confines of a decidedly modern world. Gear recently announced Borderlands 4 for release in 2025, but Tiny Tiny's Wonderlands it's still worth returning to because its unique blend of fantasy and sci-fi, fun weapons and engaging combat is some of the best work the team has done in years.

5

Shin Megami Tensei 5: Revenge

Survive post-apocalyptic Tokyo while recruiting demons

The Shin Megami Tensei the series consistently explores the connections between modernity and mythology as the franchise sees its characters struggle to survive a deadly world full of demons and monsters from ancient folklore. But no entry has done it as well as Shin Megami Tensei 5which was released as a Nintendo Switch exclusive in 2021 and then given an expanded re-edition to all modern hardware in 2024.

This dark exploration of humanity's final days sees a young high school student become Nahobino as he travels between a post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo and the present, all while recruiting and training the franchise's signature collection of demons. SMT has always teetered between mythology and modern times, and the fifth entry continues to do so, as demonic characters from folklore and traditional cultures blend perfectly with the game's exploration of teenage angst.

4

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

Protect the Masquerade at all costs

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

Released

November 16, 2004

Developers

Games of threes

While the sequel remains tragically stuck in a state of purgatory, the original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines it continues to be one of the most innovative RPGs of its time. Even over twenty years later, Bloodline is a brilliant RPG with strong writing and an excellent cast of characters that helped cement it as a guaranteed cult classic.

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Set in present-day Los Angeles, Bloodline sees the player control a cub who is destined for execution after their father violates the Masquerade, a secret pact that hides the existence of vampires. This riveting combination of classic vampire mythology set in the dark, seedy underworld of modern LA is an absolute slam dunk, as traversing its complex world and navigating its various alliances is still a stellar experience.

3

Shadowrun returns

A fascinating mash-up of fantasy and cyberpunk

Released

July 25, 2013

Developers

Harebrained schemes

Based on the hugely popular tabletop RPG, Shadowrun returns was the first video game in the series since the 1990s to be released in 2013 and bring the IP back into the limelight. In the end it was worth the wait, like Shadowrun returns faithfully executed an excellent TTRPG in video game form, becoming one of the most impressive CRPGs of 2010.

Shadowrun returns is set in a sci-fi world with weapons and cybernetic implants that also features orcs, elves, and all sorts of traditional high fantasy tropes. It's an endlessly compelling RPG where the combat, narrative, and world design are flawless as it utilizes every single trope in perfect harmony. This excellent RPG was recently made available on Nintendo Switch along with two others Shadowrun games, Dragonfall and Hong Kong.

2

Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy explores a dark cyberpunk world

Released

January 31, 1997

After their public split with Nintendo, Squaresoft took over Final Fantasy in a radically different direction, harnessing the power of the PS1 to create something truly exceptional. Released in 1997, Final Fantasy VII was a massive game that deftly combined cyberpunk dystopia with ancient mythology, as the world of Gaia is placed as a living organism on the brink of disaster.

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World Final Fantasy VII he is at the mercy of the Shinra Electric Power Company, whose desire to drain the mako energy from the planet is based on the belief that doing so will allow them to reach the promised land, associated with an ancient race known as the Cetra. This combination of mythology and science fiction was unique for its time Final Fantasy VII blurring the lines between ancient folklore and science fiction. Its winning combination of swords, magic, weapons and energy weapons influenced an entire generation as this legendary game still proves its longevity nearly thirty years later.

1

mother 3

The emotional conclusion of the Mother Trilogy explores the corruption of nature

Systems

8-bit grayscale logo

After surviving a troubled development process, mother 3 was finally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2006 and is still one of the most incredible games of all time. Set in the fictional islands of Nowhere, mother 3 is a dark, complex story about the arrival of an army of pigs and twins Claus and Lucas as they embark on an amazing adventure that explores the dichotomy between nature and technology.

The village of Tazmila and its surrounding areas feel like something out of a fairy tale, which is in stark contrast to the cold, mechanical nature of the Pigmask Army. mother 3The exploration of nature and fantasy clashing with machines and the corruption of the past is one of its best features as it combines this with a brilliantly written story and characters. It's one of the best RPGs of all time, and even though it's without an English translation, it remains one worth playing for anyone who loves the genre.

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