Highlights
- Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling offers a whimsical quest with a recognizable art style and in-depth combat that requires strategy.
- Dave The Diver is surprisingly an action-oriented game with in-depth RPG mechanics focused on resources and sushi creation.
- Romancing SaGa 3 , a beloved JRPG game, boasts amazing visuals that update the game while staying true to its original art.
The RPG genre is one of the longest-standing in all of video game history. Having been inspired by the long legacy of tabletop RPGs that preceded them, RPGs pride themselves on offering intense and dramatic stories, as well as in-depth mechanics that allow players to get truly immersed in the action.
The genre still persists to this day and is perhaps more popular than ever before, with so many RPGs of varying kinds. One of the most unique kinds is the 2.5D RPG; this list will look at the very best 2.5D RPGs available on PC right now!
10 Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a slightly lesser-known RPG that boasts an art style immediately recognizable to ardent RPG enthusiasts. Lifting its art style from the popular Paper Mario RPG series, Bug Fables takes players on a whimsical quest through the dangerous lands of Bugari as they take control of Vi, Leif, and Kabbu, the game’s three loveable party members.
Players loved not only the great sense of humor that Bug Fables presents but also the in-depth combat that requires a surprising amount of strategy!
9 Dave The Diver
This is one of the most surprising games on this list. Though it presents itself as an action-oriented game, Dave The Diver features some very in-depth RPG mechanics. The game is focused on the titular Dave The Diver, as he delves into the depths of the ocean in the daytime to procure ingredients for his Sushi restaurant, which he manages in the nighttime.
The structure of the game ensures that players are always considering resources, not only so they can survive while spelunking the deep seas but also so that they can create perfect sushi to satisfy hungry customers.
8 Romancing SaGa 3
Romancing SaGa 3 is one of the most treasured JRPG games of all time, but despite being so beloved, it has always remained a cult classic, due to the fact that, until now, it has never been released in the West! When it comes to 2.5D RPGs on PC, there are none quite like Romancing SaGa 3!
Avid fans of the game prize it for its amazing visuals, which manage to update the game, bringing it a whole new lease of life while still staying true to the original game’s charming sprite art!
7 Grime
RPGs are often known for featuring crushing difficulty curves that can make the play experience all the more rewarding. Grime is a game that proudly adheres to this tradition by providing players with a gameplay loop that is simultaneously satisfying and unforgiving.
With gameplay that is reminiscent of the addictive Metroidvania style and plenty of RPG elements to keep players hooked, Grime is a game designed for players to sink hours and hours into!
6 Triangle Strategy
Published by Square Enix and developed by the beloved ARTDINK studio, fans of the Bravely Default series will easily get a kick out of the 2.5D antics of Triangle Strategy.
Set within the nation of Norzelia, players are forced to make a number of tough decisions throughout Triangle Strategy, not only within combat but also within smaller character-driven moments. Players cannot simply make decisions for the whole party but must instead convince the party of the best approach to any situation.
5 Cris Tales
Cris Tales sets itself apart from its RPG contemporaries thanks to its adorable art style that almost looks like the concept art for an unreleased Disney movie. However, this isn’t just a beautiful-looking game but also a remarkable game to control. Players loved the way that the combat felt, with flashy animations, weighty attacks, and plenty of strategies needed to make it through some of Cris Tales’ toughest encounters.
4 Cat Quest
What could possibly make any RPG better? Adding adorable cats! Cat Quest takes a relatively simple RPG combat system and injects it with plenty of style and charm. Players of Cat Quest found themselves drawn in by the offer of adorable cats and exciting combat and found themselves immensely satisfied.
The combat takes on an action-RPG style, allowing players to engage in real-time combat, which is supplemented by in-depth customization that allows players to create a feline hero to admire!
3 Darkest Dungeon 2
True to its name, Darkest Dungeon 2 is easily one of the darkest RPGs available on PC. The combat is full of gritty and violent animations that really help to drive home the hostile and horrifying environments that the player will spend much of their time exploring.
The Lovecraftian horror found behind every corner of Darkest Dungeon 2’s world helps to make the satisfying combat feel even better, making this a truly amazing RPG for the ages and one of the best 2.5D games available on PC!
2 Live A Live
Unlike many re-releases of cult classic JRPGs, Live A Live’s 2023 rerelease saw the visuals of the game being completely overhauled for the better. Though the game still honors the original charming sprite art of its 90s release, it now features fully realized 3D environments that help to bring the game into a 2.5D style.
Players of Live A Live praised its anthology format, following 7 unique stories, each with their own unique playstyles and mechanics. The game also offers plenty of challenges for returning players while also not being too tough as to alienate new players.
1 Octopath Traveler
With a sequel having recently been released, there is perhaps no better time to delve into Octopath Traveler. Originally released exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, the game has recently seen a rerelease on PC.
When most people think of 2.5D RPG games, this is very often the game that springs to mind. It laid the graphical blueprint for games like Live A Live’s 2023 re-release and Triangle Strategy. And its combat more than complements its amazing visual style! Octopath Traveler is a game that is destined to become a classic!