Western RPGs have a special place in many gamers hearts. Some grew up playing them while others got into them later in their gaming careers. It's hard to deny the alluring elements of WRPGs, from intricate customizations to the addicting gameplay.

Every WRPG is their own entity and follows their own set of rules and some tend to have slower starts with tedious introductions as a result. While not every game can be a slam dunk from the beginning, some find their groove as the story progresses and the gameplay tightens.

Updated March 11, 2022 by John Charron: Western RPGs are only getting more and more popular with each passing year, as gamers across the board are exploring the best video game developers have to offer. Lush worlds, alluring quest lines, and killer gameplay make the best western RPGs the cream of the crop. But, as with many RPGs, there is still the looming threat of a slow beginning. Tedious or boring plot lines, monotonous grinding, or off-kilter pacing can make the intro of RPG games feel more like work than a video game. Nevertheless, getting past those first rough few hours is a badge of honor for many gamers once they get into the rhythm.

15 Jade Empire

jade empire gameplay

One of the more visually stimulating western RPGs from the sixth generation consoles, Jade Empire is still a fascinating RPG to jump into, albeit a bit dated. Still, the game is a lot of fun and uses Ancient Chinese mythology to build a compelling world filled with interesting characters.

The plot and quests are somewhat linear, but once players get into the flow of the game after the first few hours, it starts to get more compelling. The combat, while simplistic, also gets more in-depth as the player progresses.

14 Undertale

Undertale Standing Next To Christmas Tree

Considered by many one of the most iconic indie RPGs ever, Undertale is deserving of the praise it receives as a truly wacky video game. Choices and dialogue options are the most engaging aspects of the game and players will often find themselves second guessing every option they choose.

Perhaps all the options make the game seem longer in the beginning, especially on subsequent playthroughs. Players were meant to play this game multiple times to experience the different paths. Unfortunately, that can make the intro a little boring after a while.

13 Vampire - The Masquerade: Bloodlines

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines Werewolf

An oft-overlooked classic example of great Western RPG gameplay, Vampire - The Masquerade: Bloodlines is a wildly fun game that explores the dark world of vampire gangs. For such a cool concept, gamers should be skeptical, but this game is the real deal and utilizes customization and dialogue options to create one of the steadiest RPGs in recent memory.

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The first few quests are a bit bland, but that’s no surprise. They are worth getting through just for the quests later in the game.

12 System Shock 2

System Shock 2

A game that is just as creepy as it was when it came out in 1999, System Shock 2 perfectly blends RPG elements with action gameplay into a survival horror sci-fi setting. If players don’t mind some rough graphics and glitches, System Shock 2 is a wild ride with an even wilder story.

The game takes a few hours to get going, focusing on plot development in the first areas of the game, but once the backstory of the first game is covered, all bets are off and the terror begins.

11 Skyrim

Image from Skyrim showing a guard in the foreground with the Throat of the World mountain in the background.

Probably the most recognizable western RPG of all time, Skyrim is something of a behemoth in the RPG world. The game’s iconic icy tundra is a welcome home to many players, including those who had their first foray into the Elder Scrolls series through Skyrim.

The first playthrough is always magical, but the subsequent playthroughs can be a real drag, especially in the first areas of the game. The initial quests are fun, but pale in comparison to what comes after the first few hours.

10 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Morrowind Dunmer Standing In Seyda Neen

For a game that is almost twenty years old, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind still holds up remarkably well. The tale of the Nerevarine and their adventures laid the groundwork for countless WRPGs since and the vast amount of customization and exploration will always make the game worth returning for.

Still, the introduction is somewhat tiresome and the first set of quests aren't anything to write home about. After players obtain few key weapons and clothing items, the game gets more variety in the gameplay department.

9 Fable 2

Fable 2 in-game screenshot

Known for intricate worlds and a diverse morality system, the Fable series is considered a modern WRPG classic. The second game in the series keeps many of the elements of the first game that fans fell in love with, while adding more customization, combat, and in-depth exploration.

While the changes to gameplay have been welcomed by fans as years have gone on, the long introduction and slow starting story have been a thorn in the sides of many die-hards since it first came out in 2008.

8 The Witcher

The Witcher 1

The first Witcher game is legendary in its own right, having kicked off one of the most beloved fantasy franchises in gaming history. The story of Geralt of Rivia is one of hardship and turmoil, exemplified by the tough choices players must make in each game.

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The first game is a bit different from the following two, focusing more on decision-making and building the universe and characters. The combat and alchemy are significantly different from the other games and take a rough few hours to really get used to, but the amazing plot alone is worth the playthrough.

7 Borderlands

borderlands claptrap promo image art

It's pretty typical for RPGs to get more exciting and interesting as the player levels up, it's almost a requirement for the genre. The first Borderlands game is a perfect example, as the game is heavily reliant on the eccentric guns that become available to players as they level up higher.

The first sections of the game are pretty basic as far a WRPG shooters go with introducing the gameplay and characters, but it is still a bore and tends to drag for the first few hours. After a few more areas of the map open up and cooler guns unlock, the game starts to look more like the Borderlands fans have come to know and love.

6 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl

Just as much a survival horror game as it is a role playing game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is a scary good time filled with terrifying mutants and plenty of abandoned buildings to explore. Featuring multiple endings and a heaping pile of side quests to traverse, the game builds a believable world constructed around mystery and intrigue.

The game has a slow start and steep learning curve to overcome, but once players make it over the hump, the rest of the game is an amazing treat.

5 Mass Effect

Mass Effect

Another beloved franchise, Mass Effect is one of the most original WRPG series of all time, mixing space exploration and crew building with traditional RPG elements. Like so many other first entries for top notch franchises, Mass Effect needed to work out a few kinks in the gameplay. However, the game still establishes many critical series elements such as romances, varied dialogue options, and deep customization.

The pacing is a bit touch and go, either gripping players through its involved story or losing focus through aimless missions. This game takes a few hours to ease into the fun, but it's worth it.

4 Fallout 3

Fallout 3 gameplay screenshot

Considered a modern classic, Fallout 3 is the game that helped establish WRPGs as a powerhouse in the contemporary era of gaming. A revolutionary game, the concept of a role playing game went through a complete redesign through the lens of a post-apocalyptic society set around the Washington D.C. area. Its main story and side quests are still considered building blocks for countless subsequent WRPG titles.

For all its impressive features, the opening sequences are long and tedious and filled with awkward dialogue and gameplay. Perhaps the long introduction and lackluster beginning quests are a necessary evil for the rest of the game to flourish.

3 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II

The second game in the Star Wars: KOTOR series is still considered a pinnacle for Star Wars games among fans. Some of the most iconic characters and storylines in the galaxy far far away are featured in this impressive sequel.

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The game is noteworthy for its in-depth story and dialogue options that make each playthrough a truly unique experience. Although the game is a bit long in the tutorial stages, most of that can be chalked up to introducing plot lines and establishing the gameplay, the amazing stuff comes a bit later once players have a few skills under their belt.

2 Deus Ex

trooper in deus ex the conspiracy playstation 2

A monumental game for many WRPG players, Deus Ex is an influential document for the cyberpunk genre. Originally released in 2000, the game laid the groundwork for countless WRPGs thanks to its strong emphasis on stat management and versatility in terms of gameplay. A single mission can be tackled any numbers of way, whether players want to take a stealth approach or go in guns a blazing.

The first few sections of the game are simple and designed to ease players into the controls, but as the game gets a few hours into the story, the missions get more interesting.

1 Dragon Age II

The Arishok in Dragon Age 2 sitting

Another memorable fantasy WRPG, Dragon Age II is a brilliant sequel that sucks in players with its fluid combat system and earnest characters. The story itself is a bit disjointed, somewhat by design due to an unreliable narrator presenting the facts.

It's an ambitious game with a rewarding conclusion, but the first act of the game lingers for a long time, although the amazing combat alone makes it all worth it.

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