Best RPGs Without Medieval Settings

The RPG genre is among the most popular in the gaming market, with its mechanics being applied to various other types of titles. While widely recognized for Medieval or high-fantasy settings popularized by series such as The Witcher, Baldur’s Gate, and The Elder Scrolls, RPGs are not confined to these environments.

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RPGs can also excel in other settings, providing fascinating narratives and diverse content for players. From epic space adventures to dystopian futures where humanity is lost, many notable RPGs explore beyond the Medieval environment, offering rich diversity for all tastes.

10 Earthbound

Metacritic Score: N/A

Released for the Super Nintendo in 1995, EarthBound is an RPG that breaks away from Medieval settings, standing out for its originality and humor. Players control Ness, a young boy with psychic abilities on a journey to save the world from an alien force. Instead of fantasy realms, EarthBound is set in a contemporary environment with modern cities and suburbs.

The game subverted player expectations with its unique narrative and memorable characters, offering an innovative RPG experience for its time that inspired many other games that came afterward. Also, the combination of an engaging storyline, turn-based battles, and a captivating soundtrack contributed to its cult classic status.

9 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

Metacritic Score: 80

When it comes to video games based on tabletop RPGs, Baldur’s Gate is the major reference. However, it is not the only game of its kind available on the market. Released in 2004, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines places players in the vampire underworld of Los Angeles.

Packed with references and rules from the RPG of the same name, the game offers an immersive experience where players can choose from various vampire clans, each with unique abilities and characteristics. The deep and complex narrative also allows for decisions that directly impact the story's progression, making each journey unique. Despite its initial problematic release, the game has garnered a dedicated fan base, and is revered for its dark setting.

8 Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Metacritic Score: 84

Once a icon in the beat 'em up genre, the Yakuza franchise underwent a significant genre shift with the release of its seventh game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, transforming into an RPG set in modern Japan. Here, Ichiban Kasuga takes the fall for a crime he didn't commit and, after 18 years, finds the world vastly different from how he knew it.

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Through dynamic turn-based combat, where players can use a variety of classes and interact with the environment, as well as engaging characters, Yakuza: Like a Dragon has everything a JRPG fan desires. Additionally, the game retains several elements that made the franchise famous, including the appearance of familiar characters, and the series' trademark humor.

7 Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

Metacritic Score: 86

The Star Wars franchise has received numerous adaptations in films, books, and games. However, few video games based on this universe are as exceptional as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, this RPG puts players in the shoes of a former Jedi who must face the consequences of past choices while trying to restore order in the galaxy.

The game is known for its complex narrative, deep characters, and moral dilemmas challenging players to consider their actions. Combined with a robust combat system and the ability to explore various parts of the galaxy, Knights of the Old Republic 2 captures the essence of the Star Wars universe, making it a gem in the genre.

6 Cyberpunk 2077

Metacritic Score: 86

Cyberpunk 2077, inspired by the tabletop RPG, completely departs from Medieval settings to transport players to the dystopian future of Night City. Developed by CD Projekt Red, players assume the role of V, a mercenary aiming to become a legend in the city by stealing a cybernetic implant from Arasaka.

The story, full of twists, allows players to explore all corners of Night City, meeting complex characters with their own agendas and undertaking missions for them. Despite a tumultuous launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has reinvented itself to become one of the most innovative RPGs released in recent years, thanks to its excellent narrative.

5 Fallout 4

Metacritic Score: 87

Fallout 4 offers a unique setting, reimagining humanity's history in a world mixing 1950s esthetics and technology in a dystopian future. Society flourished under the promise of a nuclear-powered life, but this utopia crumbled, leading to a devastating war for resources. The remnants of humanity now live on in a post-apocalyptic world filled with irradiated ruins, mutant creatures, and retro-futuristic technology.

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Released in 2015, Fallout 4 continues this narrative in the Commonwealth. Players take on the role of the Sole Survivor, a vault dweller emerging 200 years after the war and seeking answers about what happened while they were frozen. This franchise is perfect for players looking for humorous references to the American lifestyle.

4 Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Metacritic Score: 89

Final Fantasy is an RPG franchise developed by Square Enix, known for deviating from Medieval clichés, but both the original version of Final Fantasy 7 and its remake excel in their setting. Set in a steampunk world, players control Cloud Strife, an ex-soldier who joins the eco-terrorist group Avalanche to fight against the powerful Shinra corporation, which is draining the planet's life.

The game is acclaimed for its narrative, iconic characters, and a combat system that blends traditional RPG elements with action mechanics. The remake enhances these elements with modern graphics, voice acting, and refined gameplay, bringing new life to this timeless classic.

3 Disco Elysium

Metacritic Score: 91

For players seeking an innovative RPG experience far removed from Medieval settings, Disco Elysium is a perfect recommendation. Players assume the role of Harrier "Harry" Du Bois, an amnesiac detective who awakens after a night of heavy drinking and must solve a complex murder mystery in the city of Revachol. The game stands out for its deep narrative and the absence of traditional combat, focusing on rich dialogue and choices that impact the story's progression.

Disco Elysium offers a unique approach to RPGs, blending investigation elements with character development based on psychological skills. Players can shape Harry's personality according to their decisions, exploring themes such as politics, morality, and identity. The combination of an intriguing story, memorable characters, and an innovative gameplay system makes Disco Elysium an unmissable experience for any RPG fan.

2 Persona 5 Royal

Metacritic Score: 95

The fifth game in the Persona franchise was a resounding success, bringing the series into the mainstream and captivating players with the universe created by Atlus. Wrapped in themes of freedom and overcoming modern life's limitations, the game puts players in control of Joker, a student balancing school life with battles against society's injustices.

Praised for its narrative, interesting characters, and dynamic turn-based combat, Persona 5 Royal combines RPG elements with time management, where players must choose their actions throughout the day, but only have so much time until night falls. The soundtrack is another highly praised aspect, adding further dynamism to the game.

1 Mass Effect 2

Metacritic Score: 96

Considered one of the best sci-fi RPGs in history, the original Mass Effect trilogy, particularly the second game, place players in command of Commander Shepard, who must achieve the impossible alongside their allies to confront the Reapers' invasion, even if it requires sacrifices.

Developed by BioWare, the same company behind Dragon Age, Mass Effect is a recommendation for any player interested in an RPG that deviates from Medieval themes. Filled with interesting characters and an equally epic story, the game offers a rich experience with moral choices and consequences affecting the galaxy's fate, alongside dynamic combat and impressive graphics for its time.

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