Gamers have been playing personal computer RPGs since time immemorial. And while graphics and gameplay mechanics have grown leaps and bounds since then, the core draw remains the same - to embark on a journey and actively take part in an incredible story. Whether you're a new gamer that wants to try out some new RPGs or an experienced one looking to add to your collection, there's no shortage of must-play games you should check out, whether from the "golden years" of the classic CRPG or the latest and greatest MMO to invade the internet.
There are a lot of exceptional RPGs for PC gamers to track down, and those featured below are the best places to start if you're looking to see all the genre has to offer. These RPGs stand out among as the best according to their cumulative scores on Metacritic.
10 World of Warcraft - 93
Remember the numerous TV commercials marketing this PC RPG? World of Warcraft has become one of the most memorable video games in existence. Released in 2004, World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer RPG, where players can venture across a huge world as various heroes alongside thousands of other gamers.
World of Warcraft still continuously creates new content to ensure that players could enjoy new experiences and challenges over time. This has cultivated a large fan base that still plays World of Warcraft to this day.
9 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - 93
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is set more than 4,000 years before the first Star Wars film back in 1977, in the Golden Age of the Republic. In this era, Jedi and Sith forces were at an all-time high. After a recent conflict with the Dark Lords has been quelled, Jedi and Sith forces have continued on.
Players take control of a Jedi who is responsible for ending the war and saving their people from extinction. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has also been rated as a "must play" by Metacritic. There are a lot of Star Wars titles for players to pick and choose from, but this one just may stand out as one of the best.
8 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - 93
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been rated by Metacritic as a "must play" RPG. In a nutshell, this game has been extensively described as the best open-world RPG ever made. Also, the choices players make in this game have a surreal impact on the rest of the world. This has led to gamers playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt over and over again to discover new realities and weird impossibilities.
Granted, this game does fall victim to some mildly annoying tropes in the open-world RPG genre. It also contains some bugs as you venture deep into the game. However, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt takes old-school Western-RPG qualities and revolutionizes them into a next-generation experience to be embraced by all generations of gamers as they venture alongside Geralt and face down terrifyingly monstrous creatures.
7 Diablo - 94
This game was released by industry icon Blizzard back on New Year's Eve of 1996, certainly making for one of the most aged entry featured here. Yet Diablo still ranks as one of the best PC RPGs even to this day. Reviewed by the likes of GameSpot and PC Gamer, Diablo was praised for its addictive storyline and more action-forward take on RPG combat.
The vivid storyline entails a massive cloud of darkness and chaos that has swallowed the once-sleepy hamlet of Tristram. Players can choose a courageous warrior, crafty rogue, or a mysterious sorcerer as they develop their character's abilities and save the world from the evil festering beneath Tristram's cathedral.
6 Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition - 94
This multiplayer game has a 94 Metacritic score, and it's for an excellent reason. There are so many great things to say about Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition. To begin, the critically-acclaimed PC game combines hilarious humor and precise customization with unique, turn-based combat seen in console series like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. However, the isometric perspective and tactical depth harken back to CRPG classics like Baldur's Gate.
Second, you can create the perfect hero without any defined classes. Simply upgrade your character through tough battles and quests while unraveling the mystery behind what at first seems to be a simple murder. Players can take advantage of their environment and utilize skills or spells in imaginative and sometimes hilariously overblown ways.
5 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - 94
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has some key differences from its sequel, which, rest assured, we'll be getting to. The skill and statistic systems are the major stand-outs, as Skyrim made quite a thorough departure from them. In Oblivion, they're much more in-depth and have a much more pronounced impact on your character's abilities.
With the previous emperor having been killed by an unknown assassin, the gates of Oblivion have opened and deadly demons ravage the world. Only by finding the new heir can the player return the world of Tamriel to normalcy. One of the best qualities of this game at the time of its release was its unique Radiant AI system, which enabled NPCs to make decisions based on their surroundings and needs.
4 Mass Effect 2 - 94
Released on Jan 26, 2010, this sequel to Mass Effect picks up where the original left off, and players are once again placed in the shoes of Commander Shepard and turned loose on an unsuspecting galaxy to beat back the Reaper threat and romance alien species. Because what more do you need for a proper Mass Effect title?
Mass Effect 2 has a Metacritic score of 94. Interestingly, this game has more than 50 critic reviews, unlike any of the entries on this list. There are also more than 4,000 user-generated reviews. Put simply, Mass Effect 2 is yet another brilliant game developed by the RPG wizards at BioWare.
3 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - 94
What can you say? Out of all of the PC RPGs on this list, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is likely the most memorable and easily recognized title. It almost matches the universal acclaim of Baldur’s Gate II - Shadows of Amn. It has a Metacritic score of 94 with 32 critic reviews and more than 11,000 user-generated reviews.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the fifth entry of the illustrious Elder Scrolls saga. In this game, players can literally play as any character they want and participate in all sorts of quests in a seemingly endless virtual world. As the cornerstone franchise of gaming industry juggernaut Bethesda and a household name even to non-gamers, it's no wonder why it ranks so highly.
2 Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition - 95
Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition enjoys a high Metacritic score of 95, having garnered five critical reviews and about 250 user-generated reviews. Make no mistake, The Divinity series has quickly become one of the most exciting video game series on PC. The award-winning game allows users to gather a formidable party, perform tactical fighting routines, and even join forces with three other players.
The twist of this game is that if you do decide to join with three other players, only one of you can become a god. This Western-Style RPG is a breath of fresh air for many experienced gamers.
1 Baldur’s Gate II - Shadows of Amn - 95
Receiving a score of 95 from Metacritic, Baldur’s Gate II - Shadows of Amn is the best RPG for PC based on universal acclaim. The game has received more than 25 positive reviews from critics and over 1000 user-generated reviews. Simply put, this game is truly amazing. Baldur’s Gate II - Shadows of Amn was released on Sep 24th, 2000.
It's an incredible sequel, picking up where Baldur's Gate left off. Players can venture into the southern region of Sword Coast and take advantage of 300 different spells and battle more than 100 various monster types while taking in a fantastic RPG plot unfolding in the Forgotten Realms D&D setting. If you want to play a traditional, action-packed RPG, then this game is definitely more than what you're looking for.