Incredible RPG Video Games for Players Looking for Something Different

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RPG is one of the largest genres of the video games industry. As such, it's incredibly popular, with many titles that were played by thousands and millions of players. At the same time, players used to playing story-driven RPG video games may eventually have the desire to experience different and unique RPG video games. These players may search for new and different RPG video games than what they have experienced before.

In this article, it is supposed that you have already played mainstream AAA RPG video games such as Divinity, Dragon Age, Fallout, Final Fantasy, Mass Effect, Tales, The Elder Scrolls and The Witcher. It is also supposed that you have played AAA action RPGs such as Dark Souls and Diablo.

Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon (2016) is a roguelike RPG with strategy and horror elements. Inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's cthulhu mythos, Darkest Dungeon is a punishing video game which features permadeath. 

Darkest Dungeon is different from traditional mainstream AAA RPG video games in the sense that it has many similarities with strategy video games, such as management elements. Players must manage several aspects of their party of heroes, such as stress, afflictions and hunger. Moreover, Darkest Dungeon is inspired by the horror elements of Lovecraft's mythos, a setting which is not seen in many RPG video games.

Deus Ex

Deus Ex (2000) is an immersive sim RPG video game, set in a sci-fi dystopian future. Deus Ex is a video game with philosophical elements, secret conspiracies, complex politics and cyberpunk elements. Due to its unique setting, Deus Ex is quite refreshing and different from many RPG video games.

Deus Ex not only features a unique setting, its gameplay is also quite varied as it is an immersive sim. Players in Deus Ex are able to deal with challenges in multiple different ways, not only increasing its replayability, but also providing a different experience.

Dishonored

Dishonored (2012) is an immersive sim, and thus not a traditional RPG. However, the immersive sim genre originated in the RPG genre, and thus these two video game genres are related. Immersive sim and RPG are related in a similar way as open world and action-adventure. Dishonored is a story-driven video game in which players have different ways to deal with challenges and advance through the story.

Dishonored also features deep lore elements, and a variety of gameplay in a dystopian Victorian-era setting. Its unique setting, as well as gameplay, provide an experience that is quite different from many RPG video games.

God Eater

God Eater is a series of action RPG video games. These video games feature a main storyline and an engaging combat gameplay, similar to third-person hack-and-slash games such as Devil May Cry. More precisely, due to the blend of RPG elements and action elements, God Eater games also have similarities to Monster Hunter and Toukiden video games.

God Eater are sci-fi, post-apocalyptic RPG video games, which include character customization, NPCs and quests. They are an excellent choice for players looking for an action-focused sci-fi RPG adventure.

Megami Tensei

The Megami Tensei franchise, including the Megami Tensei original video games, Shin Megami Tensei video games, and Persona video games, is a franchise with a vast amount of RPG video games, and these games provide a very unique experience.

Shin Megami Tensei are well-known for being mostly post-apocalyptic RPG video games, which per se is an important difference from many RPG video games. Persona video games, on the other hand, are mostly set in modern day settings.

Persona

The Persona series, a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, itself a part of the larger Megami Tensei franchise, is a series of RPG video games set in modern day. Persona video games often feature modern cities and environments, such as streets and metro stations.

Due to the unique setting of Persona video games, as well as their gameplay, they can be a refreshing and different RPG video game experience.

Phantasy Star

Phantasy Star video games are sci-fi action RPGs. Phantasy Star video games feature a variety of locations, including different planets, and players must often fight alien invaders and other hostile life forms.

Phantasy Star video games are a very interesting experience for RPG fans looking for something different because of their heavy sci-fi influence, with spaceships, planets and overall futuristic tone.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video games, also referred to as Stalker video games, are post-apocalyptic RPG video games with horror elements and sandbox elements. In these video games, players are able to adventure in the wasteland of the Zone, a radioactive and dangerous location inhabited by mutants, bandits and warring factions.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video games feature quests, storylines, NPCs, many locations to adventure and an immersive and atmospheric gameplay. These video games are an excellent choice for a different RPG experience.

Star Ocean

Star Ocean is a series of sci-fi RPG video games which blend futuristic settings with some medieval elements. For example, Star Ocean games are often set in different planets, with spaceships and space travel, while players may often use swords to fight enemies.

Star Ocean video games are known for featuring space opera elements, which is a type of story in which different civilizations and nations are involved. This type of story is characterized by epic, large-proportion conflicts and intrigue.

Suikoden

Suikoden is a series of RPG video games which often feature intrigue between different nations and groups. While many RPG video games have a story focused on defeating evil monsters, Suikoden games often revolve around different nations fighting for power, with intrigues, conspiracies and wars.

Suikoden games are an excellent choice for a refreshing RPG experience because they often feature complex stories and deep character development.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing are a series of action RPGs inspired by the Van Helsing universe, with several gothic elements. Their gameplay is similar to isometric action RPG video games such as Diablo, Titan Quest, Path of Exile and Grim Dawn.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing are an excellent choice because of their unique storyline and gothic elements.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is a series of RPG video games, belonging to the larger The Legend of Heroes franchise. These RPG video games are story-driven experiences in which the player controls a party of characters, and the storyline is often epic and complex, similar to Suikoden video games.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky video games are great choices for a different RPG especially due to their unique 2.5D graphical style.

Vampire: The Masquerade

Vampire: The Masquerade video games are games inspired by World of Darkness franchise. In these video games, players are able to role-play as vampires in different time periods, although most Vampire: The Masquerade video games are set in modern day.

These video games are an interesting experience due to the presence of mythological creatures such as vampires, and also to their unique setting.

Vaporum

Vaporum is a steampunk, first-person dungeon crawler, with deep character customization and an expansive storyline. Vaporum is played in first-person in a very unique environment, with several steampunk elements, with some similarities to the environment of the BioShock video games.

Vaporum is a great choice for players looking for a first-person dungeon crawler RPG.

Warframe

Warframe is a sci-fi, looter shooter action RPG. In Warframe, players are able to fight enemies in a variety of gameplay styles, with fast-paced gameplay and different locations.

Warframe is an excellent choice for players looking for an action-focused RPG video game.

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Xenoblade Chronicles is a franchise of RPG video games. Xenoblade Chronicles X, in particular, is a sci-fi RPG with a vast world to adventure, featuring alien life forms and many NPCs.

Due to the heavy emphasis on science fiction elements, Xenoblade Chronicles X is an excellent choice for a different RPG experience, and also features a vast world to adventure.

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The Video Game Literate is the writer and owner of the website The Video Game Literate. The Video Game Literate has a passion for video games and has been writing guides and informational content related to video games for years. The writer has been playing video games for decades, and created a website to answer people's questions and change their perceptions about games, through analysis, information and research. Some of The Video Game Literate's favorite video game genres include RPG, strategy, open world, horror, fighting and racing. You can find more details about The Video Game Literate on the "About" page of the website.