FFXV: Pocket Edition
Credit: Square Enix

5 Best RPG Titles You Should Definitely Play

Are you looking for the best RPG titles to play? Mobile phone games are often looked down upon as shallow or offering little more than pay-to-win gacha games.

But dig a little deeper, and there are plenty of high-quality games out there, just waiting for discovery. After all, mobile phones offer far more processing power than many classic game consoles. They are more than capable of supporting ambitious titles that offer plenty for players to enjoy.

With that in mind, here are five of the best RPG titles we think you should experience for yourself. If you’re a fan of the RPG genre, this selection offers a range of great experiences that are sure to appeal. Without any more delay, let’s get into it.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Credit: LucasArts

We’ll start with a stone-cold classic. Star Wars: KOTOR marks the high point of Star Wars games. You are the last hope of the Jedi order. You take control of a nameless character who suffers from amnesia as they seek to uncover their past and train to become a Jedi.

As you progress through the story, players’ choices will dictate whether they fight for the Light or succumb to the lure of the Dark Side. While this game is set 4000 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire, players still get to visit iconic Star Wars locations and build a party from nine customizable characters.

It is, quite simply, one of the best Star Wars games ever made; and arguably one of the best RPGs.

Stardew Valley

Farm on Stardew Valley
Credit: ConcernedApe

If KOTOR is all action, then Stardew Valley takes us to the other end of the RPG spectrum. In this game, players inherit a plot of land from their grandfather. You then have four in-game years to turn that dilapidated farm into a prospering homestead.

Raise animals, make friends, find someone to love, and even go and explore dungeons, as most farmers are wont to do.

It’s a gentle, almost soothing RPG with a pleasing soundtrack, excellent writing, and a classic art style. It’s also suitable for playing alongside someone else or with kids.

Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition

FFXV Pocket Edition
Credit: Square Enix

Is it even possible to write a list of the best RPG titles without including at least one Final Fantasy game? While there are plenty to choose from, we’ve gone for Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition on this occasion.

Given the monumental scale of FFXV, it’s perhaps no surprise that the pocket edition is a slightly abridged version of the original game. That said, the overarching story remains the same, and it’s accessible for players who aren’t familiar with the world of Final Fantasy.

The Pocket Edition is optimized for mobile phone play to make it even easier to play.

Genshin impact

Genshin Impact characters stand under a red tree
Credit: MiHoYo

Realistically, it would be hard to exclude Genshin Impact from this list. If somehow you’ve never heard of this game, Genshin is a sweeping, vast RPG made by MiHoYo, that has taken the world by storm since its release in 2020.

The game takes place in the world of Teyvat, where you play as the Traveller in search of their lost twin. You’ll travel across the seven nations of Teyvat, complete different missions, and meet new characters.

It’s a constantly evolving world, with updates regularly delivered to introduce new characters, adventures, and even new gameplay mechanics.

Yes, there is the gacha element, which we’d be remiss to ignore completely. But you can easily play Genshin Impact without spending any money, unlike plenty of other games.

Transistor

Red with a mic in her hands
Credit: Supergiant Games

Last, but by no means least, is a beautiful action RPG from Supergiant Games, the developers behind classics such as Bastion and Hades. So it’s already got pedigree.

In Transistor, players control a famous singer known as Red, who has come into contact with the Transistor. As a result, Red is pursued relentlessly by a force of robots known as the Process. Red must fend off these robots while discovering the Transistor and why they are after it.

It’s a game where you may not initially know what’s going on, but as the story evolves, the mystery gradually reveals itself.

A beautiful game with an innovative combat system, Transistor is a great RPG worthy of its place on our list.

That rounds up our list of the 5 best RPG titles you ought to play. Obviously, it’s subjective, and there are many, many more worth exploring. But if you are struggling with what to pick, these are all great options to consider. And when you’re ready, why not check out the other guides we’ve got on iFanzine?