Summary
- Fantasy RPGs are predominantly set in immersive fantasy worlds with various subgenres.
- Dark Messiah of Might and Magic offers a unique blend of immersive sim and action RPG gameplay.
- Players will enjoy Fable for its charming world and innovative aging mechanics.
While most role-playing games cover a wide range of genres, people will be deluding themselves if they ignore that the bulk of these experiences take place in fantasy worlds of all shapes and sorts. From high fantasy epics with dramatic storytelling to dark fantasy tales with uncomfortable and mature themes, there's no shortage of quality RPGs for fans to sink their teeth into.
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Most players love just how fleshed out and believable the fantasy worlds in their favorite RPGs are. Others are bigger fans of the gameplay and don't mind some narrative fallacies. Either way, these fantasy RPGs from the 2000s show the very best of gaming from this decade.
8 Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic
A Tantalizing Combination Of Immersive Sim Gameplay And Action RPG Gameplay
Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic
- Released
- October 24, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Arkane Studios, Ubisoft Annecy
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360
Before Arkane became masters of the immersive sim genre, they were hard at work developing one of the best first-person action RPGs of all time. Despite the plot being rather clichéd, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic made up for this with its incredible combat and minor immersive sim elements.
Some play styles are more fleshed out than others, but players will still love hacking, stabbing, burning, and freezing their enemies. For a game developed two decades ago, it's impressive just how well Dark Messiah of Might and Magic holds up.
7 Jade Empire
A Wuxia RPG That's A Ton Of Fun To Play
Jade Empire
- Released
- April 12, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Xbox (Original), PC, Android, iOS
It's a shame that fans don't have access to compelling wuxia games, especially since games like Jade Empire showed the value of this setting. This wuxia fantasy RPG lets players control a martial arts prodigy who embarks on an adventure for the ages after their dojo is attacked by malicious forces.
During this adventure, players will uncover heartbreaking double-crosses and memorable side adventures as they bond with their party members. Jade Empire's fantasy roots are compelling and do a great job of immersing players in a beautiful action RPG developed by BioWare back when they were at the peak of their powers.
6 Golden Sun
One Of The Best GBA JRPGs Fans Can Get Their Hands On
Golden Sun
- Released
- November 12, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Camelot Software Planning
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Players who want to check out one of the best fantasy JRPGs for the Game Boy Advance will love what Golden Sun brings to the table. Despite the adventure being a bit too clichéd at times, the amazing gameplay sets this game apart as a compelling JRPG.
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Collecting Djinn to acquire a suite of different powers that aid players in both exploration and combat is a huge part of what makes Golden Sun such a blast to play through. It's a highly innovative JRPG in terms of gameplay, and it helps that the fantasy world is familiar enough for players to sink their teeth into the game without being overwhelmed.
5 Fable
A Classic Fantasy RPG That Fans Love To This Day
Fable
- Released
- September 14, 2004
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Big Blue Box Studios, Lionhead Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360
Fable is one of the most legendary fantasy RPGs of all time that kickstarted the rise of a legendary series. Players control a protagonist who must overcome malicious forces and become either a revered hero or a powerful villain.
Either way, fans will love Fable's charming world and how the hero ages naturally as they get stronger. The game single-handedly turned Fable into a household name, making it clear why fans can't wait for the game's reboot to arrive and knock their socks off.
4 The Witcher
Set The Foundation For A Special Series That Elevated CD Projekt Red To New Heights
The Witcher
- Released
- October 30, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC
The Witcher marked the beginning of something special. CD Projekt Red was a relatively small studio at the time that invested a ton of time and resources into helping Geralt's adventures break into the mainstream.
Despite some issues stemming from its combat, The Witcher's worldbuilding and storytelling helped this dark fantasy game strike a chord with audiences. It helped that the writing was so strong that choices weren't black and white, forcing players to make tough decisions during this compelling adventure.
3 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
Improved Upon Bethesda's Formula And Made Cyrodil A Blast To Explore
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Released
- March 20, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
There's a reason why Oblivion's remaster has quickly become one of 2025's biggest releases. Players will jump at any excuse to explore the world of Cyrodil and embark on a quest where they will end up as the Hero of Kvatch, and potentially even a Daedric Prince after the events of the Shivering Isles DLC.
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Any Elder Scrolls game is perfect for fantasy RPG fans who prioritize freedom and immersion in their games. Oblivion may not boast the greatest story, but its gameplay mechanics more than make up for its faults and let fans enjoy one of the best fantasy RPGs they can sink their teeth into.
2 Final Fantasy 10
The Fantasy World Of Spira Is Incredible
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PS2
Final Fantasy 10 is one of the best video games ever made and arguably the best entry in this illustrious series. The world has dabbled in its fair share of technology, but the world of Spira is clearly steeped in a fantasy setting first before anything else.
Players control a protagonist who is isekai'd into this world and slowly learns about Spira before embarking on a quest as one of Yuna's bodyguards. The amazing worldbuilding and narrative of Final Fantasy 10 help it stand out as one of the best fantasy JRPGs of all time.
1 Dragon Age: Origins
One Of The Greatest Dark Fantasy RPGs Of All Time
Dragon Age: Origins
- Released
- November 3, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
BioWare had already made a name for itself by crafting several amazing RPGs, but their popularity increased many times over after the release of Dragon Age: Origins. The role-playing potential of this game could be seen from the very moment players could explore one of six unique origin stories, depending on the race of their protagonist.
The adventure never lets up as players become familiar with the threat of the Darkspawn and must do everything in their power to save Ferelden. It was a promising start to this IP, and it's a shame that later games in the series have failed to live up to the potential of this dark fantasy RPG.
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