8 RPGs players always recommend to friends

Everyone likes to get a good recommendation from a friendand in turn, everyone likes to be the one to recommend something they're passionate about. In video games, RPG fans are a very dedicated group who always have the knowledge of the best gaming connections.

The following games are not necessarily the best or even the most popular RPG games of all time. They offer something unique in the genre and are good examples of just that type of game. From hardcore action RPGs like Fire Ring to classic turn-based games such as Final Fantasy 7there is a reason RPG fans can't stop recommending these games to friends and family alike.

Baldur's Gate 3

Your choices matter

Baldur's Gate 3 reached an unprecedented level of hype for the long-forgotten franchise when the game launched. It blew players away with the number of narrative choices it offered, and really let players create their own experience. That's why it was the talk of water coolers everywhere: every player had a different story to tell, one they were happy to expand on with anyone who would listen.

From character models to classes to dialogue choices that changed the story, everything was exciting. Freedom to this degree in gaming is a rare commodity, which is why fans had to preach the good book about Baldur's Gate 3 to others to make them play and see for themselves how magnificent and open it is.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Old-School JRPGs aren't dead

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is another Western RPG that captured a large quadrant of not only RPG fans, but gamers from across the spectrum. It was the talk of 2025, from its launch in April to this year's awards season. The game showed that a turn-based RPG can be just as exciting as an action RPG, provided it's unique and challenging enough.

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

Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

An epic journey awaits

Dragon Quest, as a series, didn't take off in the West as much as other Japanese RPG franchises like Final Fantasy did, mostly because of the level of challenge. Dragon Quest games are grind sessions, and not all RPG fans enjoy a heavy grind or a difficult journey. That's why Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age was such a breath of fresh air, leading many fans to recommend it to their friends.

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

Fire Ring

A modern Skyrim

Together with Dragon Quest Games that were known for being difficult, Soulslike games became known for not being for the faint of heart. Dark souls, Nioh, Lies by Pand so many others are good examples of the genre, but they're not as accessible as regular action RPGs thanks to the level of punishment and somewhat linear nature of the level design.

That's why Fire Ring quickly became a regular recommendation, as it offered players an open world to explore. If one area was too hard, they could go elsewhere. It was still difficult, but with a friend or two in co-op it became easier, further helped by the more liberating world design. When it comes to open world RPGs, Fire Ring became the new go-to recommendation, replacing The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim in many circles.

Final Fantasy 7

A whole universe awaits

Final Fantasy 7 is often THE Final Fantasy game that people tend to recommend to other RPG fans who have never touched the series before. It can be daunting to enter such a big franchise so late into its life cycle, especially since then Final Fantasy 7 is special, because it has an expanded universe.

That said, it's also easily accessible. The remaster is basically available on all modern systems, and the built-in cheats allow players to do whatever they want. They can play it normally or activate bonuses like an accelerated combat system and unlimited health. It also has a good mix of fantasy and sci-fi, which feels a bit modern in some of the designs, from bustling cities to futuristic transportation devices.

Hogwarts Legacy

The closest thing to magic you'll find

People who don't usually play big triple-A games but like to read or watch Harry Potter was probably attracted by the potential of Hogwarts Legacy. RPG fans who also love Harry Potter sang its praises to his fellow witches and wizards fans, because the game was good and not just playing Harry Potter stamp. As Fire Ringit's also a great modern example of an open world RPG.

Players get to explore the area of ​​Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and the school itself. It is the ultimate dream for one Harry Potter hell, because it's the first game that isn't based solely on the books or on the Harry Potter character. Between participating in classes and fighting epic battles, Hogwarts Legacy 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 favourites, but if there is one that stands above all others, this is it Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Originally released and locked away on GameCube for many years, it saw the light of day once again in 2024 thanks to a remaster on Switch, making it accessible to modern audiences.

That's why the die-hards came out to encourage others to finally give it a shot. 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 fun it is, and they're not wrong.

Persona 5

A long Odyssey

Persona 5as Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Ageis a long RPG that can easily take a hundred hours to complete. It's a commitment that can be daunting for many, even the most die-hard RPG fans. The linear nature of the story, following teenagers going to school on a daily basis, can also seem weak structurally.

It's a slow burn, like even Persona fans will admit, but it's a slow burn that pays off in the end. Players get so much time to spend with their party between schoolwork, hangout sessions, and dungeon diving to battle in turn-based gameplay that they'll bond with their crew of companions like no other RPG. By the end, fans may even wish it was another hundred hours long because they won't want to say goodbye.