RPGshad already been around for many years before the 2000s. The likes of Final Fantasy, Pokemon, and Dragon Quest were already very well-established. However, each of these series would continue to grow during the 2000s. Plus, several new series would arrive on the scene as the world was treated to the debuts of Fable, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and more.
The genre arguably became more cinematic during the decade asreally long cutscenesbecame a more common sight. Additionally, these games began to shift towards a more action-oriented approach as developers started to move away from turn-based RPGs in the late 1990s, a trend that continued into the 2000s. So, it was a significant decade for RPGs. Here is the best game for each year of it.
The decade began well for RPGs, as the first Deus Ex was released in 2000. It is an iconic immersive sim game set in a cyberpunk world. The story revolves around the protagonist, JC Denton, who must deal with all sorts of issues as an anti-terrorist agent. The dialogue isn’t the greatest, but the story is solid.
What’s even better is the core gameplay that, as expected from an immersive sim, gives you a lot of freedom. You can sneak around, talk your way into places, or simply shoot everyone. You can even do a bit of all three, as the game isn’t very restrictive. It is truly a special RPG, but it wasn’t the only incredible role-playing game to release in 2000. There was also Vagrant Story, Skies of Arcadia, and Diablo 2.
Since there have been so many Final Fantasy games, any that are often regarded as one of the best must be very good. Final Fantasy 10 is certainly among the greatest FF titles. The story of the game is that you play as a guy named Tidus, who joins up with other adventurers to take down a beast named Sin. During this adventure, you meet plenty of interesting and well-written characters and get in plenty of battles. Those battles are turn-based and feel great to play.
The storytelling is excellent, too, as the narrative grabs you straight away and only becomes more compelling as things continue to unfold. For a year that is often considered one ofthe best in gaming history, there weren’t many iconic RPGs released in 2001 outside of Final Fantasy 10.
In the early 2000s, BioWare was a studio whose reputation was on the rise. This was helped a lot by the release of Neverwinter Nights. It’s an RPG set in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. The story follows your character as you take on a cult, attempt to cure a plague, and attempt to save the city of Neverwinter. It makes for an exciting and well-told narrative.
In classic DnD fashion, you get a lot of control over who your character is, as there are deep customization options. Also, many of your actions are defined by dice rolls, like in the famous tabletop game. You don’t actually see the dice roll, but it happens in the background as you do things like attack enemies or use skills. This brings an element of chance to the experience, which makes things a bit more exciting and unpredictable. It narrowly edges out The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind as 2002’s best RPG.
The world has been treated to many excellent Star Wars games, including some RPGs. Among the best of them is 2003’s Knights of the Old Republic. In this game, you play as an amnesiac Jedi who travels to different planets to take down the evil Darth Malek. Along the way, you make allies and complete a bunch of quests.
While the combat is fine in this one, it’s really the story and characters that shine. It’s easy to be captivated by the main narrative, as it takes plenty of twists and turns. The individual character arcs are also compelling. There were a few other notable RPGs released in 2003, including Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku 2 and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
The Fable series began in 2004 with the first entry in the action RPG series. It wasn’t a series that took time to get going, as the original game is excellent. The story begins with your character’s village being raided and your family being killed. So, it isn’t the happiest start. Things pick up when you join the Hero’s Guild and start your adventure.
This game puts a lot of emphasis on morality, as you get the option of going down the light or dark path. A morality system like this was still a novel concept in 2004, making it an impressive feature at the time. Also impressive is the game’s witty writing and nice world. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines was the biggest contender for Fable when it came to 2004’s best RPG.
Mario is known more for being a platforming series, but the Mario & Luigi spin-off titles are RPGs. In Partners In Time, Princess Peach goes missing once again, and the Mario Bros have to find her. However, they’re not alone, as they’re joined by the baby versions of themselves from another time.
As with any Mario game, this title’s brilliance doesn’t come from the story. Instead, it’s the gameplay that shines the most. In this game, you solve plenty of clever puzzles and take part in a bunch of exciting turn-based battles. There weren’t a lot of other great RPGs released in 2005, but the year did boast one ofthe better BioWare games, Jade Empire.
In Oblivion, your character has to stop a dangerous cult. At least, that is what they have to do in the main quest. However, this game is enormous, and there are plenty of other quests and things to do during the adventure.
The world is vast and feels incredibly alive due to the inclusion of many NPCs and numerous small details. So, just roaming around this place is a very enjoyable experience. It’s also enjoyable to battle things in this game. You can use various swords, bows, and your magic powers to defeat your opponents. Alternatively, stealth is often an option if you’d prefer to avoid battles. The other RPGs from 2006 aren’t quite as deep as Oblivion.
2007 saw the release of the original Mass Effect. In this action RPG, you play as Commander Shepard, and your mission is to bring down a traitor who is leading an army of synthetic beings called the Geth. The story is incredibly well-told and features a bunch of memorable moments.
Equally memorable are your companions and the interactions you have with them. Each companion is very well-designed, as they each have distinct personalities, motivations, and backstories. Getting to know them is one of the greatest joys of the game. The dialog choices and the universe’s deep lore are other highlights. The general gameplay isn’t bad, either. It was certainly the best RPG of 2007, but the likes of The World Ends With You and Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions were good additions to the genre, too.
Fallout 3 wasa game that truly reinvented its seriesby offering a vastly different experience from the first two games. However, all of these titles were still RPGs. Fallout 3 is a particularly action-packed RPG. So, it’s good that the core combat feels smooth and is a lot of fun.
What’s also enjoyable is exploring the post-apocalyptic wasteland in the game. The place is dangerous, but it contains plenty of interesting things, including fascinating locations to visit and engaging people to talk to. You have to cross the wasteland to find your father after he left the vault you grew up in. It sounds like a basic story, but it soon evolves into something a lot more exciting. It wasn’t 2008’s only great RPG, as the year also saw the release of Persona 4 and Fable 2.
The Dragon Age series began in 2009 with the wonderful Dragon Age: Origins. While its combat doesn’t hold up incredibly well, its story, characters, and world are still exceptional.
The story in question revolves around your customizable character joining the order known as the Grey Wardens and taking the fight to the monstrous Darkspawn that are trying to invade. You do this with several allies by your side, and the game does a good job of allowing you to get to know these companions on a deep level. They really feel like your friends by the end of the game. Origins was one of a few brilliant RPGs released in 2009, alongside Demon’s Souls and Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story.
