The humble RPG comes in many shapes and sizes. Some are set in far-fetched fantasy kingdoms, others take place in our own po-faced world – we’re looking at you, Shenmue. Whether a role-player stars an inquisitive teen trying to avenge his dead pop, or a randy, cat-eyed monster hunter, truly great RPGs are defined by their ability to make you buy into the notion of shaping a character.
Over the next few pages we guide you through the most influential RPGs to ever to hit Xbox. Be it Destiny’s life-swallowing shootouts as you customize every single facet of your Guardian’s look and arsenal, Dark Souls’ peerless combat and drip-fed levelling progress, or GTA Online’s ever-evolving take on leading a virtual second life, these titles redefined what it meant to be an RPG while inspiring rafts of (lesser) pretenders.
Each one of these classics has had a significant impact on a genre that’s arguably changed and evolved more than any other in videogames. Spanning action elements, online clans, real-time fisticuffs, and screen shaking firefights, the following titles helped change the perception of what RPGs could be. After all, not all role-players have to be turn-based.
DESTINY
BUNGIE LIGHTS IT UP
DEV BUNGIE RELEASE September 2014
This story is from the March 2020 edition of Official Xbox Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of Official Xbox Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why I love... Roaming the post-apocalypse
How modern releases are continuing to find creativity and beauty within gaming’s most prevalent setting: the end of the world
10 Best Multiplayer Games
From shooters to kitchen chaos, these titles are best played with friends
Revved up and ready to go
EA hands the wheel of Need For Speed back over to Criterion Games
The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor
Return to Tamriel’s frigid North this summer Chris Burke
Remothered: Broken Porcelain
We’re going potty for this cult classic survival horror sequel
Yakuza 0 Yakuza Kiwami Yakuza Kiwami 2
Triple trouble: Sega’s crime drama trio brings glorious thug‑thumping action to Xbox
Mosaic
ALL AROUND ME ARE FAMILIAR OFFICE SPACES
The Falconeer
Savouring the joys of flight with an indie that’s living on a (gigantic) wing and a prayer
10 Best Examples Of Great Architecture On Xbox
Games are crammed full of gorgeously crafted designs and architecture. From gables to gargoyles, we look at the best building designs on Xbox One
THE PROMISED 'LANDS
With so many great games competing for our time, how do you keep gamers locking and loading? Gearbox’s looter-shooter, Borderlands 3, knows how…