With a rich history that dates back to the earliest days of gaming, RPGs are an incredibly popular genre of video games with substantial longevity. However, unlike the tabletop RPGs that preceded them, the majority of RPGs in the video game medium are relegated to single-player experiences, with many of the most widely known and beloved RPGs being single-player. From Final Fantasy, to Chrono Trigger, the vast many of the most popular RPGs have no multiplayer capabilities.
Though they are fewer and farther between, there are still many lesser appreciated RPGs that can be enjoyed by numerous players through co-op rather than through a single-player controlling numerous party members. So today, we're going to examine ten underrated RPGs that can be played cooperatively with numerous players!
10 Moon Hunters
Released, in 2017, Moon Hunters is a co-op RPG available for Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, this short co-op RPG functions as the action RPG equivalent of a personality test. With six playable character classes, the gameplay is directly affected by player's choices and desicions, shaping each player's experience based on how they choose to play.
9 Super Kirby Clash
A free-to-play Kirby game on the Nintendo Switch, Super Kirby Clash features a surprising amount of RPG elements, allowing players to choose from four playable classes, each with their own abilities.
Playable with up to four players, rather the game cuts to the chase, being entirely made up of boss fights, with each fight getting progressively difficult as the game progresses. While technically playable with AI, the game is a much more enjoyable experience with friends.
8 Borderlands The Pre-Sequel
The Borderlands series is highly regarded for its first-person shooter co-op gameplay, its multitude of sidequests, and hilarious writing. While Borderland 2 and Borderlands 3 are toted as some of the best entries in the series, the third entry in the series, Borderlands the Pre-Sequel is an under-appreciated gem that takes place between Borderlands and Borderlands 2. Taking place on the moon of Pandora, the game introduced several additions to the series such as low gravity and the inclusion of ice-weapons while maintaining much of what made the series popular in the first place.
7 Phantasy Star 0
The Nintendo DS was home to several underrated RPGs, with a surprising amount of them having multiplayer functionality. A lesser-known entry in the action Fantasy Star series, Phantasy Star 0 supported both local and online multiplayer with up to four players. The game is very similar in gameplay to Fantasy Star Online, featuring somewhat simplistic third-person gameplay and three playable classes. While the Nintendo DS online servers are no longer in service, the game's local multiplayer still is available, allowing players to experience the majority of the game with several players.
6 Secret Of Mana
Originally released for the SNES in 1993, Secret of Mana is a classic JRPG developed by Square. Remade in 2017 for the PS4, the remake retains the original game's co-op functionality allowing the game to be played with up to three people. Once the player meets and recruits the second party member of the game, Primm, the remainder of the game can be experienced in co-op multiplayer with two players.
When the third party member, Popoi is recruited roughly a half-hour into the game, a third player will be able to assume control of them. From that point forward, the remainder of this classic RPG will be entirely playable in co-op.
5 Cat Quest II
Cat Quest II is an incredibly satisfying and fast-paced action RPG that is playable with up to two players. While not the most complex game on this list, this simplicity allows for anyone to pick up this charming game with ease to experience this cute and straightforward co-op adventure.
4 Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Though Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles' recent re-release was riddled with issues, its original release on the Gamecube was an endearing co-op dungeon crawler RPG with a great deal of charm. Requiring each player to use a Gameboy Advance with a link cable as a controller, while this could be a hassle to set up, it allowed each player to keep track of their inventory and other information on their own screen without pausing the game. With each player's character traveling in a caravan and progressing together (unlike in the remake), the game really makes players feel like a unified group working towards a collective goal. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles is one of the rare cases where the original iteration of a game is superior to its remake.
3 Dragon's Crown
Originally released by Atlus in 2013 and re-released for the PS4 in 2018, Dragon's Crown is a co-op beat 'em up RPG hybrid. With six distinct playable classes to choose from, each class comes with their own special abilities that allow a player to utilize differing strategies in combat. Additionally, as players progress, they are able to access more and more class-specific abilities of their choice, allowing a player to focus on abilities that interest them while providing more depth than a game like Castle Crashers.
2 Tales Of The Abyss
The Tales Of series is highly regarded for its co-op action RPG gameplay with Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Vesperia each being toted as some of the best games the series has to offer. However, there are several games in the series that tend to only be appreciated by those who are already fans of the series as a whoel.
Released for the PS2, Tales of the Abyss is a well-developed RPG that is well-regarded for its cast, world-building, and combat system. While the game would be able to stand well on its own as a single-player experience, the majority of the game can be played co-operatively, allowing another player to assume control of a part member of their choice.
1 Dragon Quest IX
Dragon Quest IX is easily one of the most criminally underrated co-op RPGs of all time. A main series Dragon Quest game with traditional turn-based RPG gameplay, after completing the first dungeon, the remainder of the game becomes playable with up to four players. As the game allows players to customize their characters and utilize a wide range of classes, a group of friends are able to essentially assemble their ideal RPG party in an experience that feels like a hybrid of Dragon Quest and Dungeons & Dragons.