Best RPG of 2023 - Article
by Miles Gregory , posted on 15 January 2024 / 4,692 Views
2023 was a fantastic year for video games in general, but it was particularly notable for those who love RPGs, especially those of a Western style. We saw the release of the highly anticipated Starfield from Bethesda, the same studio that arguably helped evolve the Western RPG genre into what it is today. Baldur’s Gate III took the world by storm, providing an experience that modernizes the old Western RPG formula while simultaneously paying close respect to the Dungeons & Dragons source material from which it's based off of. The release of Final Fantasy XVI pushed the series into a new direction, with combat that feels fast, fluid, satisfying, and distinctly Western in style contrary to what the series, and even the developer, is renowned for. But if you're looking for something that feels a bit more like the Square Enix of old, look no further than Sea of Stars, which once again proved that you don’t have to be a large studio to make a memorable and critically acclaimed RPG. With so many fantastic games to choose from, who will the winner be?
The Shortlist:
Baldur's Gate III
Starfield
Final Fantasy XVI
Sea of Stars
The Runner Up:
Final Fantasy XVI
Final Fantasy XVI is a great game through and through. Though some may take issue with its more Western style combat and de-emphasis on typical RPG tropes, such as leveling, it truly is a great experience once you set aside any preconceived notions of what Final Fantasy should be. Aside from the combat, Final Fantasy XVI also incorporates some Game of Thrones-esque plotlines, medieval influence, and the prototypical crystals, which, interestingly, shows a thematic return to the Final Fantasy games of yore. For the Final Fantasy fans that haven’t played this one because of the combat, I urge you to reconsider; Final Fantasy XVI is not just a great game, but the second-best RPG to come out in 2023.
The Winner:
Baldur's Gate III
Larian studios is known well enough for the incredible Divinity series, and particularly the more recent Divinity: Original Sin sub-series, which boosted the franchise's popularity to heights not seen before. Larian has done the same to the Baldur's Gate IP with Baldur's Gate III. Yes, the games are fantastic in quality and the series had a lot of fans before Larian ever got a hold of the IP. Yet Larian was still able to create a game with such passion and drive that quality oozes out from it as rich, warm chocolate would from a lava cake, and it's twice as delicious. If you like video games - and given you're reading this article right now you probably do - there's no reason to skip out on such an incredible experience. It really is THAT good.
More Articles
Great year for rpgs, Seas of Stars was my favorite followed by Star Ocean 2. Super Mario RPG was also great, a bit too easy but great.
BG3 was a magical experience!
BG3 sweeping awards is well deserved.
what an incredible list, but missing Hogwarts legacy. sea of stars is a pleasant surprise on here
For me it was Baldur's Gate III and the Star Ocean 2 remake
A shame Hogwarts Legacy didn't make the shortlist. It did have some shortcomings but honestly still one of the best licensed games ever
Was Hogwarts in the RPG category not Action Adventure? I already forgot. But if it was listed under RPG, that is another good game. But I also think the whole shortlist is a good selection. We had a pretty good year it seems.
It was in RPG yea
Bg3 wins
Ocotpath 2 robbed of any short list as was SO2 remake and Super Mario RPG. ff16 isn't even an RPG
Dude nowhere did I say being action negates it from being an RPG. I play Ys son, I've played HUNDREDS of ARPGs and TRPGs in all their various forms, Ys an ARPG before FF or Dragon Quest existed FROM JAPAN. No Stranger in Paradise IS an ARPG. SMT Raidou is an ARPG. FF16 is not an RPG when I can kill fire enemies with fire magic. Elemental damage no longer matters. Doesn't have status effects really.
SOP is fully stats-based and you know build your character classes like an RPG in armor sets, status reistences, and weaknesses. FF16 is an action game in the modern era. Bayonetta has accessories as well. This game is just an action game with watered-down combat. It's extremely basic for any kind of action game. There is more depth in a lot of the Ys games. combat and again those are ARPGs. Diablo is an ARPG.
If elemental effects don't happen or matter. If all you have is a new sword or accessories it's hardly an RPG. BAYOFUCKINGNETTA HAS ACCESSORIES. I can level up in Ninja Gaiden 3 Razors Edge. Even it's Ninpo is more effective on certain enemies than any magic in FF16 and still NG3RE aint an RPG. SOP has classes. FF16 has preset characters. Their ability is tied to their story which is an action/adventure deal. Leveling up is hardly a qualifier in the last 15 years as an RPG or Call of Duty is one. Racing games even lol. I mean unless you want to get into a discussion about which is a better car-racing RPG. Forza or Final Lap Twin on the TurboGrafx16?
I don't dislike FF16. It certainly had cool moments like the boss battles from Platinum games. Nice visuals and art style. Cool atmosphere (until the sky goes pink). The story is not the best and the female characters are poorly written. The last half of the game drags but I still had fun at points but it's not an RPG. DLC is not too bad either.
"...FF16 isn't even an RPG"
Yes you did.
IT's an action RPG. You level up, you can create a build and customize the character. IT's an RPG. HAving hack and slash elements doesn't make that not true.
You can argue it's less of an RPG than it is an action game (I disagree), but you can't claim it's NOT an RPG.
Add yoIT's an action RPG. You level up, you can create a build and customize the character. IT's an RPG. HAving hack and slash elements doesn't make that not true.
You can argue it's less of an RPG than it is an action game (I disagree), but you can't claim it's NOT an RPG.ur reply...
FF16 is still classified as an RPG. It's definitely more geared towards action/adventure though, but it still has many of the common tropes we see in RPG's. There are a variety of side-quests, you have customization of your abilities, stats tied to your character, armor, weapons, and accessories with various stat bonuses, etc.
The thing is, the Eikons ARE the classes. There isn't any elemental damage because the developer wanted people to use the fighting style they most preferred instead of being forced to fight a specific way. And, again, you can customize the abilities within the Eikon-styles as well, putting more points into not just the style you prefer, but the skills and abilities you prefer within that style as well.
Is it as much of an RPG as I think it should be? No...as a Final Fantasy title it's a bit disappointing in that regard. But it's definitely still there.
