There are countless JRPGs that will remain forever classic to fans, and that’s because they are lean without a lot of bad content slowing players down. Chrono Trigger is one example, along with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Both SNES JRPGs are short and easily replayable, no matter how old they get.
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Go slow or fast, beeline for the next quest or spend a moment exploring: these RPGs encourage you to play as quickly as you want.
Western RPGs have some pretty stellar modern and classic examples out there, too. Just because games don’t waste the time of players with bad pacing doesn’t mean they are short. From expansive RPGs to shorter adventures, these Western-made RPGs will hit the spot every time, and they are fine counters to the JRPG classics.
Undertale
Short, Sweet, And Passive
Undertale
- Released
- September 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Undertale is not like most RPGs as it subverts what players are expected to do: kill monsters. While it can be played like a turn-based RPG, it’s much more enjoyable to talk through encounters and to dodge attacks while random monsters and bosses struggle with what they want.
It’s a silly RPG that is the full package, from great writing, music that could rival Mozart, a good battle system, and a short runtime. It’s even more incredible knowing that it’s an indie game with primarily one creator, Toby Fox, behind the whole thing, with a little side help here and there.
Baldur's Gate 3
A Lengthy Game Of Choices
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
Baldur's Gate 3 is a lengthy game and one that encourages players to replay it, but it never drags thanks to excellent pacing. Players can customize their character and then go on an adventure through tactical combat and dialogue choices. There is no one way to solve a scenario, from goblins raiding a village to a village hidden amongst a dangerous fog.
Decisions will affect the story and party members, making the outcomes unique to each player who decides to pick up the controller or keyboard and have themselves an adventure set within one of the greatest RPG franchises of all time: Dungeons & Dragons.
Costume Quest
Gimme Candy!
Costume Quest
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
Costume Quest is a turn-based RPG from Double Fine, which is set during Halloween. When a group of goblins starts stealing the core party’s candy, they follow them back to their world to try to get their loot back. Combat relies on imagination for the class system, as different costumes can turn these kids into robots, ninjas, knights, and more.
It’s a short game with an equally great DLC add-on, and a sequel that is fun to play through every spooky season. It doesn’t do anything new for the genre, but the simplistic story can provide players with some nice, wholesome nostalgia.
Mass Effect 2
The Reapers Strike Back
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
Mass Effect 2 gives off Star Wars: Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back energy as the dark middle chapter, which is why it’s a good recommendation beyond any other entry. It’s a more confident sequel for BioWare, as they improved a lot of the interface and battle system.
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Players can make decisions, being morally good or rebellious, collect party members who are well-written, and participate in squad-based, cover shooting antics. The shooting and power selection feel better, and there’s something just so entertaining about a narrative following the idea of putting the band back together to save the galaxy from cosmic entities wishing to wipe out everything.
South Park: The Stick Of Truth
The Kids Are Back In Town
South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Released
- March 4, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
South Park: The Stick of Truth is almost like Costume Quest, as it features a bunch of kids playing pretend, but the big difference here is the swearing. Players can customize their own South Park kid and form alliances with classic characters to save their imaginary kingdom from forces wishing to steal the titular Stick of Truth.
It’s a good turn-based RPG with active elements that manages to also be a good nostalgia trip through decades of South Park lore and jokes. Finally, at long last, an amazing South Park game was made.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Stealth-Based Cyberpunk
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Released
- August 23, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, PC
Deus Ex: Human Revolution has open-ended gameplay solutions, mostly revolving around stealth. In a cyberpunk world, players can mod their hero, Adam Jensen, with different cybernetics, which can aid him in exploration and combat. Hacking skills could get players through a door or vault, while better lungs could prevent passing out from gas.
Better gun and melee skills can make combat when the need calls for it. There are dialogue choices too, but the real fun of this stealth RPG is figuring out the best path forward with the upgrades players have available, and each mission is like a rewarding puzzle.
Nobody Saves The World
A Job-Based Zelda
Nobody Saves The World
- Released
- January 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- DrinkBox Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Nobody Saves the World is like a more deranged top-down Zelda adventure wherein a husk of a hero is given great power to transform himself into different humans and animals. There’s a skill tree, which is sort of like a class system that players can level up as they go. Archers and knights are good in combat, while a mouse could get through tiny holes.
Part action-adventure game, part Metroidvania, players are going to get sucked into this bizarre world, which never ceases to be entertaining, even though the core concept is nothing new. What Nobody Saves the World does, it does extremely well for an indie game.
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Be The Jedi
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Released
- July 15, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is decades old, but it remains another classic from BioWare. Players get to create their basic character before venturing off on a Jedi experience, wherein they are looking to cure their amnesia. It was one of the first games that gave players control of exploring a galaxy far, far away, including hopping on over to Tatooine to get a drink or cruising to Kashyyyk to hang out with some Wookiees in a forest.
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By comparison to game worlds today, they were small areas to explore, bout huge to players in the early 2000s. Beyond fanning out to Star Wars, the battle system was engaging, it allowed players to make their character how they wanted, and the overall writing might be some of the best in the franchise.
Children Of Morta
An RPG Roguelike
Children of Morta
- Released
- September 3, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Dead Mage
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Children of Morta’s greatest strength is its reliance on telling the story of one family, the Bergsons, who are entrusted with living above caves wherein a great darkness lies. It’s a good setup, as any for a top-down action roguelike. The combat is fast, fluid, and each member of the family behaves differently. Linda is an expert with her bow, while Mark is strong with his fists.
There is co-op as well, which is always good to see in a roguelike, although the balance is better than most, thanks to the RPG elements. When players return home, they can learn little moments about the family, and see how they grow, along with upgrading them for the next battle ahead. By the end, players will feel like they are a member as well.
Transistor
Talking RPG Swords
Transistor
- Released
- May 20, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Strategy
Transistor is one of the forgotten gems from Supergiant Games, released in 2014, way before the hype around Hades eventually emerged. It’s a turn-based RPG set in a cyberpunk world wherein players can equip a talking sword that can have chip-like skills inserted into it.
In battle, players are free to run around and dodge attacks, and then on their active turn, players can freeze time, plan their movement and attacks, and then restart time to see Red, the heroine, go through all of those planned moves. It is an interesting battle system that is tough to learn, and while the story is hard to put together, the mystery is thrilling and well worth the chase in Transistor.
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