Weird West (Xbox Series X|S)
We really should have anticipated that Weird West would be an excellent addition to Xbox's lineup of RPGs, considering it was advertised as "an immersive sim from the co-creators of Dishonored and Prey."
That's exactly what it turned out to be, with us giving it an "Excellent" 9/10 score in our review here at Pure Xbox, calling it "a slick and addictive action-RPG that delivers a top-notch narrative alongside some delightfully chaotic combat in a world that absolutely oozes atmosphere." Again, this is a game that released on Xbox Game Pass at launch, so if you're a subscriber to the service and you're interested in this one, it's a no-brainer!
- Xbox Game Pass? No
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (Xbox Series X|S)
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty was one of the highlights of the March 2023 Xbox Game Pass lineup, arriving day one on the service. The game is an action RPG from the masterminds at Team NINJA, although be aware that it's not an easy game - if you enjoy the likes of Elden Ring and Dark Souls, we think you're going to love this.
In fact, we even called the game "Team NINJA's finest soulslike experience to date and a must-play for action fans" in our Pure Xbox review, granting it a "Great" 8/10 rating in the process. Here's a bit more of what we said:
"Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a solid soulslike experience that serves up top-notch combat in a hugely atmospheric setting which incorporates real-life historical events, Chinese mythology and dark fantasy elements."
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Xbox Series X|S)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon, deviates from the original series by introducing some kick-ass turn-based combat into proceedings, replacing the franchise's traditional arcade street-slugging with something a little more complex and, in our opinion, engaging.
It's a unique Yakuza title that infuses its JRPG combat and systems into a contemporary modern day setting. Exploring the streets of Japan has never felt more immersive and the emotional story resonates, right up to its heart-wrenching conclusion. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is one of the very best in the series and a perfect entry point for newcomers who have been put off by the long list of previous titles in the franchise.
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
What other Xbox Series X, Series S and Xbox One RPGs would you add to this list? Tell us down below.
Comments 39
I would like Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen to get 60 fps patch .
Dragon Quest XI is a must for anyone that is a fan of old-fashion JRPGs with modernized visuals, voice acting and the like.
Yakuza Like a Dragon, same story, but add that they managed to bring that magic into a contemporary urban setting without getting rid of the amazing turn based systems [yes, I know that is new for the Yakuza series, but this is a whole new series, for what is worth.]
Both games are classic turn based JRPG gold!
So many great games on display, That reminds me i need to get around to playing Final Fantasy 15
Tbh, I'll wait on finishing FFXV, Witcher 3 and Fallout 4. I want to experience them on Series X.
Nice list but I wouldn't say Diablo III or Stardew Valley are RPG.
@Tasuki I have not played Stardew Valley, but Diablo is definitively an Rpg. It just happen to be an Action RPG. RPGs have plenty of sub-genres.
@Tharsman Stardew is a simulation game, while Diablo III is an action adventure game.
It's kind of sad with all the tryouts available on Game Pass, that there aren't any surprises in this list. Why chose Destiny 2 (repeat repeat repeat blergh) and not Jedi Fallen Order, for example?
Also: Ikenfell and CrossCode are amazing old-fashioned RPG's, SO much more inspired than Dragon Quest.
Lost Odyssey and Final Fantasy IX are available on Xbox one as well. As are some classics like Phantasy Star 4.
Nier: Automata is easily my all time favorite game. The combat was fun and fluid, the game was unique and the story was incredible. I can’t recommend it enough.
@Tasuki I haven’t played Stardew either, but I agree with Tharsman about Diablo 3; it is definitely an action RPG.
I wouldn't call The Guardians of the Galaxy an RPG. Great game though
I really can’t wait for The Witcher 3 upgrade! They said 2022 Q2 so am hoping to see some gameplay soon.
@Tasuki "Stardew is a simulation game"
It has some simulation elements like farming but also many RPG elements. Just as Assassin's Creed is now considered an RPG so is Stardew Valley. The developer/publisher even lists it as an RPG.
The lines of genres are blurring nowadays. You rarely get games that fit firmly into one category or another.
@Tasuki lol half the list aren't RPGs
In a couple years this list will be much longer. Avowed, Outer Worlds 2, Fable, Redfall, Starfield... and those are just first party games
Why does it say Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is on Game Pass when it is not at all? I wish it was so I could play it cooperatively with a buddy of mine who never buys games and waits for games to arrive on Game Pass. I have purchased the game on my PS5 and I’m loving the hell out of the game; it’s a real gem. With that said, I never played any other Borderlands games so I don’t have much to judge it on.
@Xiovanni I think AC Unity is possibly the last game that has the older style gameplay before they switched it to RPG. I've played the first and the Ezio trilogy and they're not RPGs, but currently playing AC Odyssey and it most definitely is an RPG.
Apart from a couple that are still relevant
Like ACV and Destiny 2, it’s like the old games collection has been rolled out yet again.
Hades is a rogue lite… Not really an RPG. You generally aren’t meant to die.
@Dezzy70 Omori rust came out, something tells me you haven’t played it.
half these games are not RPG's. A good chunk are action games, adventure games, shooters, dungeon crawlers with RPG elements, might as well throw in fifa, 2k, madden, ring fit as well as they also have just as much rpg elements if not more then some of the games on this list.
Oh I see, we're still playing the "let's use a term liberally" game! My favourite
Citizen Sleeper sounds cool and I didn't knew about it!
Judgment/Lost Judgment should have been put here
@rhyno_888 I'm still just making my way through Judgment and I LOVE it so far. It will definitely make the list soon 💪
@FraserG good to know you also like it! anyway you should try Valkyria Chronicles 4 too. it's great
I hope by next year Xbox will get Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Complete Edition, especially with the rumors of a sequel in the Bandai leaks and other RPGs formerly only on Switch or PS coming to it recently.
Most of these games aren't really role-playing games. An RPG needs, a degree of choice and decision making which shapes the story, and for those choices to be informed by a characters attributes. Without that you aren't really playing a role.
As AC Valhalla is on the list then I suppose Odyssey, Origins and Immortals Fenix Rising should be on there too? All have RPG elements and all decent games too.
wolcen lords of mayhem release tommorrow, i'm glad pure xbox staff decided to write this article on rpgs without them i would have stop gaming they are the cream and butter of why i play videogames they fuffil you like no other genre on the market and when they are well done they can be addictive 😊✌️❤️ my first rpg was chapion on norrath on ps2 but my real first encounter with a true rpg in his essence was oblivion on 360 back to 2006 👍
Valhalla shouldn’t be listed as it’s a really bad game , not an assassins creed game but a mediocre Viking rpg(not any good)
@Benjamin sorry Ben I'm replying to a comment you made ages ago.
I disagree with your comment, although philosophically you are correct and it should be the case.
RPGs are catchall genre for a multitude of gameplay and story types. Compare FF7 to The Witcher 3 to Mass Effect 2. The only similar aspects are they have indepth menus and grand stories. Most early RPGs gave no choice really. A lot of the 'build' meta we see in more recent games are completely absent in many earlier games. Take Persona 5, it has as many similarities with a deck building game than it does with Disco Elysium which has more in common with a visual novel. I've been playing this idea around since turn based combat (which I assumed was integral) was swapped out for live action.
The only similarities with anything placed in the RPG camp are indepth menus. From linear RPGs to open world. From turnbased to action. From grandiose to mundane. It's all included. And now we have modern 3rd person action games with rpg elements. And all that means are upgrade paths and indepth menus.
RPG = game with essential menus
@themcnoisy I agree with your summary of RPGs but I don't think the right reaction is to keep using an inaccurate term. How far do we extend its meaning? - Microsoft Word has essential menus! (half joking)
Some might say, this mistake is so widespread we may as well adopt it. However, language is a communicative tool, which does evolve but sometimes it evolves in the wrong direction and regresses. I think any change that erodes communication should be remedied rather than accommodated.
The term "RPG" is now so unspecific that when used in reference to a game, further information is needed to clarify what "RPG" means, making the term pretty useless.
Also, your Profile Image gif is tremendous and I salute it.
@PJOReilly Nice additions, although Guardians of tbe Galaxy is no longer on Gamepass, and in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands you said that Bunkers and Badasses is a fictional game. It's a real TTRPG.
@FraserG I've been playing RPGs since the SSI gold box games and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is the best CRPG I've ever played. It's insulting that it isn't on this list while a bunch of action and FPS games are. Please fix this injustice ASAP!
@ActionPanther Yes and before I die would be nice.... I appreciate the new IP that is Starfield but I'm not so sure that it'll be worth the cost. The cost being at least a decade before ever seeing 1 of those Bethesda titles. Sure we can all jump to their defence and make predictions that'll it'll be 5 years but I myself doubt it. Maybe not a full decade but it'll be close. Plus I'm curious what happens to Fallout after Todd leaves? He has stated the next Elder Scrolls will be his last game. Fable, yes we finally saw something but again no real date. The only things I trust to see soon is OW2 and Avowed. New Vegas 2 would make my day (life) but I'd like a full high production Remake first. For one the game deserves it we could munch on it while we wait for 2. Also it will introduce it to the new age of gamers who expect a more modern experience. If they can fix the clipping issues to them great if not I still don't care, make it happen.
Mr. Fantastic levels of stretching for what's considered an RPG. IDK why 360 & OG Xbox titles are excluded, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, & Gladius would be good choices.
Omori is not available to purchase on Xbox — it was delisted in 2023.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...