Typically, the biggest and most hyped games of a given year are slated for launch between October and December. Most land in November to capitalize on the hype and the spending spree of the holiday season, but this year has been a little different. This typically affects the best RPGs of any given year, but several fantastic games have been released in the first half of 2025, if not the first quarter.
April saw shadow-dropped Oblivion Remastered, whose sales and popularity are a testament to how many fans are longing for The Elder Scrolls 6. Obsidian Entertainment came out swinging with three video game releases throughout the year, two of which are powerhouse RPGs. And of course, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 immediately became a darling to everyone who played it. The following titles (presented in alphabetical order) are the peak of role-playing games in 2025.
Best RPGs On Xbox Game Pass You Must Play
Xbox Game Pass has many fantastic titles from varying genres, and here is a look at the best RPGs the service has to offer.
Avowed
Read Game Rant’s Review of Avowed
Avowed is a game where choices matter and seamlessly blend in the context and logic of its world, giving players agency over how the story develops, what happens to the people of the Living Lands of Eora, and making the protagonist’s journey take new and unforeseen paths. The gameplay in Avowed is a textbook RPG with firearms and magic combined with deep skill trees, but it still makes room for innovations and interesting evolutions of developer Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity IP and RPG formulas. It’s also a game that’s very easy to pick up regardless of one’s experience with the genre, making it a great recommendation for friends or even a gift for loved ones.
- Released
-
February 18, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Publisher(s)
-
Xbox Game Studios
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Read Game Rant’s Review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Probably the game that requires the least introduction is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as it has been at the core of many online discussions about video game quality and how developers can punch above their weight since launch. The fact that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept The Game Awards 2025 nominations, alongside picking up several Golden Joystick Awards, is a sign that its impact is nothing to scoff at. A heart-wrenching story, a beautifully haunting score, a cast with endearing performances, a gameplay loop that raises the standard of turn-based combat, and scattered, yet poignant player agency all make Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a game that is worth playing for current and prospective fans of the genre alike.
- Released
-
April 24, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
-
Kepler Interactive
Digimon Story: Time Stranger
Read Game Rant’s Review of Digimon Story: Time Stranger
Much like Pokemon, Digimon is one of those foundational IPs from the ’90s that had generations upon generations grow up with it, and modern games like Digimon Story: Time Stranger try to appeal to that nostalgia while also creating avenues for new fans. Unlocking all Digimon in Digimon Story: Time Stranger is a core part of the game, and it does use the typical JRPG structure, with titles like Persona 3 and Shin Megami Tensei 5 being fairly comparable to it. With lots of options for teambuilding and plenty of replay value, digivolving the various critters and discovering their potential in combat is incredibly fun and also quite novel for the series in its approach. Digimon Story: Time Stranger mixes the tried and true formula of the IP with new concepts, plenty of dungeons, an interesting story, and many cool features to try.
- Released
-
October 3, 2025
- ESRB
-
Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
-
Media.Vision
Dragon Quest 1-2 HD-2D Remake
Read Game Rant’s Review of Dragon Quest 1-2 HD-2D Remake
Considering that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake was one of the best RPGS of 2024, it’s no surprise that Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake would follow suit. Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake is a re-imagining of the originals, with a more powerful approach to their stories, accompanied by the stunning signature HD-2D graphics Square Enix is using. The games are still faithful to their original loop of JRPG turn-based combat, with plenty of options to make the flow more easily customizable or to make both text and battles speedier. Thanks to an improved story and presentation, combined with a world that feels more lively and fun to explore than the originals, Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake are a treat for longtime fans, while providing a fantastic way to get into the series for newcomers.
- Released
-
October 30, 2025
- ESRB
-
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
Elden Ring Nightreign
Read Game Rant’s Review of Elden Ring Nightreign
Though Elden Ring Nightrein is a very different game compared to the original, it still delivers a top-notch mechanical RPG experience. Elden Ring Nightreign uses the familiar setting of its source in a new light, accompanying it with brutal PvE rogue-like gameplay. It retains what invites Soulslike fans to the IP, but it gives the genre a new twist that is novel in the increasingly saturated genre. Players will make a selection of Nightfarers, builds, and weapons, whether alone or in a party, and they’ll push the limits of all these gameplay choices. The various Nightlord boss fights are refreshing and compelling at different levels of play, making Elden Ring Nightreign a tremendous title to pick up and sink several hours into.
The First Berserker: Khazan
Read Game Rant’s Review of The First Berserker: Khazan
The First Berserker: Khazan is a perfect example of an action RPG with hardcore elements done well, mixing a smooth combat experience with Soulslike features. The First Berserker: Khazan‘s combat is intensive and deep, requiring players to truly master its gameplay to succeed in an otherwise brutal world. With a strong selection of gameplay features, plus fleshed-out skill trees and equipment, this is a great Soulslike RPG and a great introduction to the Dungeon & Fighter IP. Each enemy and boss is masterfully crafted as a challenge, so players will not want to give up, even when dying dozens of times in a row.
- Released
-
March 27, 2025
- Developer(s)
-
Neople
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Read Game Rant’s Review of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Praised as one of the best RPGs of the year since its February debut, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has shaped up to be that and then some. Whereas many other RPGs are fantastical in nature, KCD2 gives fans the most lively and accurate depiction of Middle Ages life in any media form. One could argue that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has no “filler” content, in the sense that all of its quests (both side missions and the main plot) and characters are fun, insightful, memorable, emotional, or a mix of these characteristics. A lot of in-game systems are great to interact with, with each detailed step being core to the experience, and a playthrough will inevitably have gamers attached to Henry and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2‘s cast. The DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 also expands on the game’s original story and mechanics, giving even more depth to the medieval city of Kuttenberg and its surroundings.
- Released
-
February 4, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
-
Warhorse Studios
The Outer Worlds 2
Read Game Rant’s Review of Outer Worlds 2
Freedom is the name of the game in The Outer Worlds 2, as players can have their character modeled the way they please, give them bad knees, resolve conflicts or complete quests in multiple creative ways, kill major NPCs, avoid combat entirely with speech, and even destroy entire areas. The Outer Worlds 2 is an RPG through and through, and choices do matter, even if sometimes this means that players will have to deal with frustrating or hilarious consequences. Some of the best weapons in The Outer Worlds 2 end up having fun or unique gimmicks, some characters are purposefully stereotyped, and players can customize most of their experience as they please. The true soul of this game is what players decide their journey will be like because, chances are, they will be able to make it happen.
- Released
-
October 29, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language
- Publisher(s)
-
Xbox Game Studios
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Read Game Rant’s Review of Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s story and cast of characters, as well as the many new Mega Evolutions for Pokemon of all generations, make it a very rewarding experience even if one intends to play through the campaign and call it quits. It does have a lot more to offer, though. This is particularly evident in emotional side quests, incredibly creative shiny hunting methods, and a battle system that is extremely different from what the series has offered in its almost 30 years of existence. Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s ranked battles and rewards are a great example of post-game done right, and considering that the leash of turn-based battles has been broken, the game is immediately more interesting to longtime fans and newcomers. A larger variety of Pokemon are actually very good in this new battle system, even if they were historically bad in other games.
- Released
-
October 16, 2025
- ESRB
-
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a JRPG that tells the story of siblings Estelle and Joshua as they deal with the disappearance of their father, their ambition to join the Bracer Guild, and an underlying plot that becomes clearer as players progress through the early game. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is one of the highest-rated games of 2025, and while it is a remake, it takes the term seriously with its own merits and unique features. The game has a mix of turn-based combat and real-time fights, and it thrives on character customization in terms of builds and typical RPG tasks that range from defeating world-ending threats while running errands to retrieving some items. This RPG can be both hilariously comedic and intensely serious with its story and characters, and it features voiced English cutscenes, unlike the original, whereas it remains faithful to it when it comes to quests, side missions, enemy types, and NPCs.