Xbox RPGs have a special place in the hearts of many Microsoft console users. These games have amassed hundreds upon thousands of hours from players who diligently explored the worlds created by these studios.
Not all of these gems are available on Xbox Game Pass, but those who have the discs can experience these titles thanks to backward compatibility. So, if you have a Microsoft console and are eager for a unique RPG experience, here are 10 of the best the system has to offer!
10. Infinite Undiscovery
JRPGs are a big genre in themselves, and one of the most recommended on the Xbox is Infinite Undiscovery. Developed by tri-Ace and Microsoft Game Studios Japan, the game is a combination of team-based battles and situational decision-making.
Decision-making is one of the most important aspects of the game. These events can happen at any point during the game, even when the player is using the menu.
Every decision will also affect the eventual outcome of the game, so it makes the entire experience feel a bit more high stakes. With fast-paced action and enjoyable boss battles, Infinite Undiscovery is a great start to Xbox RPGs.
9. MagnaCarta 2
A follow-up to Magna Carta: The Phantom of Avalanche and Magna Carta: Crimson Stigmata, this South Korean RPG is one of the favorites in the Xbox JRPG community. Created by Softmax, the game implements a “mode” system that allows players to interact with the world.
Movement mode allows players to freely explore their surroundings and interact with objects and NPCs, while Combat mode slows movement speed for battle.
The game uses a turn-based combat system, and players must wisely choose their attacks. Set in the fictional kingdom of Lanzheim, the game follows the adventures of Juto, Zephie, and Argo as they try and bring peace to a region torn apart by a civil war.
8. Blue Dragon
Does Akira Toriyama’s style of art appeal to you? Then you’ll love spending your time in Blue Dragon, developed by Mistwalker, Cartoon, and Microsoft Game Studios Japan. The game is a turn-based dungeon crawler where the player will find most of the actions in the subterranean sections.
One of the core mechanics of the game is that of ‘Shadows.’ Each of the playable characters has a magical shadow that is linked to a dragon, phoenix, bat, minotaur, and saber-toothed tiger, which can be set to a single character class.
The more the player fights with these shadows, the better skills and abilities they unlock, and it makes for a unique twist on the usual RPG formula.
7. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
While the third game in the franchise has become one of the best RPGs to ever be released, The Witcher 2 is a gem in its own right. Many have said the second game in the franchise does some things better than the third and wished that the third would have incorporated the same.
Combat in the game was a massive jump from the first in the series, allowing players to set traps and use throwables and Witcher signs. With several different story paths in the game leading to multiple endings, it’s a classic CD Projekt Red title and a great revisit as you wait for the release of the fourth game in the franchise.
6. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Even after all the technological advancements of Oblivion and Skyrim, many still consider Morrowind to be the best entry in the franchise to date. The game implemented some revolutionary mechanics for the time and offered players a wide and expansive world they could explore as they wished.
Following the free-from experience we have come to expect from Elder Scrolls titles, the game enabled players to create their characters according to their specifications. Solid gameplay and an engaging story led the game to win multiple awards and also receive two expansion packs: Tribunal and Bloodmoon.
5. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Developed by BioWare, Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR) followed a d20 role-playing game system following the Third Edition Dungeons and Dragons rules. Fights in the game are round-based, and players can only perform a certain number of actions per round.
Players especially liked how the game would track all the decisions made to determine the character’s alignment with the Light or Dark side of the Force.
The game has won numerous awards and is regarded as one of the best Star Wars games of all time. Given the criticisms faced by Star Wars Outlaws recently, many have been hoping for a long time for this gem to get a remake or a sequel.
4. Lost Odyssey
Another title developed by Mistwalker, Lost Odyssey, can chew through hundreds of hours of your time. The title adopts the traditional turn-based combat system, and players can navigate using the world map at first before being given more freedom to explore later in the game.
Players will come across two types of characters: Mortals, who can learn new skills as they level up, and Immortals, who don’t have any skills but gain them by “linking” with Mortals.
The story of the game also deals with this dichotomy. The Immortals have lost their memories, and they must face both a magical industrial revolution and the pain brought about by their memories as they return.
3. Starfield
The latest big RPG to release on the system, Starfield has divided the community with what it brought to the table. When first revealed, the hopes for Starfield were sky-high, but many saw that the game didn’t exactly live up to the hype.
It’s not all bad, and many people have stated they have had a fun time in the game. But, the procedurally generated areas do leave a lot to be desired, and that might be why the upcoming Shattered Space DLC will have entirely handcrafted locations. The game still offers the player the classic Bethesda freedom, and the visuals are some of the best in the market so far.
2. Fable
If classic third-person RPGs that are not turn-based are your thing, Fable should check all the right boxes for you. Developed by Lionhead Studios, this game was one of the defining reasons to invest in Microsoft hardware when the title was first released.
The game also allows players to choose the fate of their character based on aligning with good or evil decisions throughout the game. With a mix of melee, ranged, and magic combat, enjoyers of fantasy worlds will feel right at home in this game.
1. Mass Effect
No list of Xbox RPGs would be complete without mentioning Mass Effect. BioWare’s magnum opus, while now available on all platforms, the first two games were released only on the Xbox. PlayStation users got their hands on the second game in the series a year after its initial release.
While all three games play into a large storyline, many consider the first to be the best entry. It’s not a perfect game, but one that delivered an impactful story and introduced the player to several characters who stuck by Shepherd’s side for the rest of the series. It’s a classic title that should be on everyone’s must-play list.
Which game would you add to this list? How many of these games have you played? Let us know in the comments below!
