There have been plenty of amazing releases that have come out in the past year, with a great scope of different genres and many best-selling titles that are suitable for a range of ages. One genre that is always sought-after by many gamers are RPG games, and 2020 has had plenty of brand-new titles for fans to enjoy.
For anyone looking to purchase the perfect Christmas gift for the avid RPG fan in their life, we have a great list of ten of the very best RPGs that released this year, check them out!
10 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Though it could be argued that 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is more of a visual novel game than a full-blown RPG, there are still some RPG elements to it as it mixes multiple genres into one. Additionally, it has been highly praised for its narrative and graphics.
The game features different gameplay sections, such as points where players can explore the world and converse with characters, while other sections involve mech warfare with real-time strategy battles. In total, there are thirteen different characters for the player to control (hence the name).
9 Immortals: Fenyx Rising
Immortals: Fenyx Rising was created by the same Ubisoft team that gave fans Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which this game was also inspired by. It's not hard to see why either, Fenyx Rising essentially offers up a more family-friendly version of Odyssey that even kids can enjoy.
Though the map is small compared to Odyssey, the world is incredibly dense and full of secrets, challenges, puzzles, and more. The game is crammed with humor, Greek mythos, and interesting tales. This is a great game choice for kids as well as adults, with humor aimed at both, including a few innuendos for the older players.
8 Genshin Impact
Labeled a Breath of the Wild clone, Genshin Impact surprised players all around the world with just how good a game it was, not only as many expected a cheap knock-off, but especially considering that it's free to play. While this game isn't giftable (as it's free), PlayStation credit can be gifted for players to purchase in-game currency.
Players can explore an open-world fantasy realm as they search for their lost twin, all the while becoming involved in the various problems and affairs of the world that they have found themselves in. Though the game has a lot in common with Breath of the Wild, it also has a lot of unique elements that make the game particularly enjoyable.
7 Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima is an action RPG that released earlier in the year for the PlayStation 4. The story follows Jin Sakai during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Players take on the role of Jin as he strives to protect Tsushima Island and struggles to remain the honorable samurai that his family expects him to be.
One of the most interesting aspects of Ghost of Tsushima is that the Lethal difficulty doesn't just increase the hardiness of enemies. It makes the battles more realistic in that after one of two slashes of a blade, the enemy will be dead, or Jin if it is the enemy landing the successful hits.
6 Demon's Souls
Demon's Souls originally released for the PlayStation 3 in 2009 and had numerous successors under the Dark Souls banner. Heralded as one of the most difficult games to ever play, Demon's Souls has been a fan-favorite challenge for years and players have been begging for a remake ever since.
Fortunately, their prayers were answered and this year saw the release of the remake for PlayStation 5, so now fans can prepare to die all over again, and often, as they take on the challenge once more.
5 Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the seventh main title in the Yakuza series, but is the first to be of the RPG genre. The game still retains much of the well-loved Yakuza DNA but offers up turn-based combat, party members, romance, the ability to change job roles, summonable battle allies, and more.
It's also the first main title in the series to not have Kiryu has a protagonist, and instead, players follow Ichiban and a new cast of characters on their journey. For lovers of the older titles, there is still plenty of fan service provided, as well as cameos of many loved characters from past games.
4 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Fans have been asking for a Viking-based Assassin's Creed game for years and they finally got it this year with the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Players take on the role of Eivor, a fierce warrior, and they can explore the vast open-world that the game has to offer while building their own settlement and becoming a legend.
Following on in the footsteps of its predecessor, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Valhalla maintains a lot of the more RPG-like elements that were introduced and players are still able to choose between a male or female protagonist, as well as a new option of interchanging between the two at will.
3 Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 was a massive hit when it released in 2016, so it's no surprise that the enhanced version, Persona 5 Royal, which released earlier this year has also gone down astoundingly well. This new version added a new female protagonist, other new characters, additional confidants, new locations, extra story content, a new grappling hook mechanic, and more.
The great thing about Royal is that it has such a host of new content that it's still very worth playing even for those who have completed the original to its fullest.
2 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Final Fantasy 7 Remake recently won the award for Best RPG at the Game Awards 2020, so it's no surprise that there will be many RPG fans happy to have this on Christmas day. It is a remake of the 1997 PlayStation title, Final Fantasy 7, which is often considered to be the top fan favorite out of the entire Final Fantasy franchise.
This game is currently only half of the original title, with the latter half due to release in the future; however, that's not to say it's not a decent length for a game. Players follow Cloud and his companions as they struggle to fight against the tyrannical rule of Shinra.
1 Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is an action-adventure RPG that has only just released, and even though it's currently riddled with bugs, fans are still hyped about this latest title from CD Projekt Red. The bugs will of course be fixed eventually, allowing for a smoother play experience for all, but if players can stand the odd glitch here and there, it's still worth playing right now just to be part of the hype train.
The game takes place in a large open-world area called Night City, which is split into six different regions. Players assume control of a mercenary named V on their quest to find an implant that grants eternal life.