If there’s one thing that us nerds love, it’s some good old-fashioned roleplaying. Whether it’s inDungeons and Dragonsor in our favourite video games, there’s something special about taking on a persona and a life that isn’t your own.
In these video games, roleplay isn’t just a mechanic, but a mindset to enter, one that will help immerse players into a new world and bring their characters to life.
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The roleplay varies depending on the game, of course, allowing players multiple options on how to approach the story. Each playthrough is as fresh and organic as the last, since you’re putting on a new face and name with each save.
If anything, theseopen worldgames areperfectfor roleplaying.
10Thief (2014)
What Kind of Thief Are You?
Thiefis more unique in terms of an open world game, as it’ssemi-open world, sectioned in chapters that are free-roam until you progress. In Thief, you play as Garett, trying to make enough money for rent while trying to figure out what happened to Erin, your sister.
As youstealth around the world, you’re able to approach your thievery through a number of different approaches: theGhost(pure stealth), thePredator(aggressive combat and death), or theOpportunist(a blend of both). At the end of each mission, you’re given results that detail your playstyle and how well you did.
The multiple approaches to stealing in this game offer multiple different perspectives of a playthrough, allowing you to step into the shoes of a master thief in whatever form that takes.
While, yes, there is a plot and distinct characters in the game, it’s not difficult to immerse yourself as the master thief instead, especially when you play things your way.
9Breath of the Wild
No Rules, Just Link
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Of all the different games inThe Legend of Zeldafranchise,Breath of the Wildis easily the most malleable when it comes to how you may play it.Tears of the Kingdom, the sequel, plays similarly, but isn’t as good.
As you make your way across theabsolutely stunning landscapesof Hyrule, you’re able to build Link however you wish with the various outfits he can wear. The Sheikah Set, for example, will allow you to move quietly, allowing for a more stealthy approach in enemy camps.
What’s great about the builds being connected to the outfits is that you’re able to switch them out and change your playstyle on the fly, and that’s not even considering the myriad of weapons you can have.
That combined with the grand open world, you’re able to step into Link’s shoes, fully immersed in a legend of your own making.
8Dragon Age: Inquisition
Textbook BioWare RPG
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Fextralife Wiki
One of the most iconicRPGsof all time,Dragon Age: Inquisitionis literally built around roleplay, in trueBioWarefashion. You pick anInqusitorfrom 12 different options (classes), and you take over their story (and behaviour) from there.
It’s not uncommon to see players literally create backstories around these Inquisitors, as you’re given a relatively blank slate on purpose.
As you progress through the game, you’ll come into contact with various companions, some of which you can romance. It’s guaranteed not to provide the same experience twice, especially since they do have gender preferences.
Either way, you’ll feel like the Inquisitor more than whoever you selected at the beginning.
7Starfield
Explore the Final Frontier
While the launch ofBethesda’snewest franchise was incredibly underwhelming, the world (er, universe) ofStarfieldis anything but. Some may find it boring, but the valley of space is genuinely breathtaking to explore.
Similarly toNo Man’s Sky, youtake on the role of an astronautand set out into the cosmos, with some of the largest variety of dialogue options out of Bethesda’s entire library. It’s one of the most detailedspace RPGsout there.
Because of this, it’s incredibly easy to slip into character and mould the world around you based on your exploration. Just keep in mind some planets are not afraid to be painfully empty, reminding players that space isn’t rich in life everywhere.
Either way, Starfield is a lot more fun than players give it credit for, and it’s definitely worth a second chance.
6Fallout: New Vegas
Just Let Me Deliver Mail
Fallout: New Vegas
Out of all the games in theFalloutfranchise,Fallout: New Vegasis definitely the richest in terms of roleplaying. You suit up as The Courier,the coolest protagonist in the franchise, delivering mail across the Mojave Wasteland.
That’s about it in terms of character development, because you handle everything else from there. You choose who you align yourself with, the actions you take that lead to good or bad karma, and other dialogue options that allow you to fully immerse yourself in his shoes.
You can take a multitude of different pathways, all leading to different possible endings that you can obtain. Plus, this guarantees countless hours of replayability due to the different personas you can take on.
Starting with nothingand working your way up the ladder, the roleplay possibilities are endless.
5Elden Ring
The Best Souls for RPers
Elden Ring
Fextralife
Of all the differentSoulsgames,Elden Ringis, without a doubt, the best starting game for people wanting to get into these types in the series. It’s also the best when it comes to roleplay.
Based onEuropean folklore, Elden Ring offers a variety of classes and customisation options in your character creator. Playing asThe Tarnished, you’re able to be literally anyone while you navigate through the Lands Between.
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The Tarnished is also able to obtain multiple endings depending on the choices that the player makes throughout the game, and what they choose to do with their Maiden. You can become this character with ease.
If you’ve not tried going through the game as a Caster, it’s definitely worth a shot. Sure, you’re squishy for a little while, but your magic will cut through most enemies, especially since they’re not resistant to it. Well, except atRaya Lucaria.
How Do You Want to Do This?
Hitman World of Assassination
One of the most fun elements about a game likeHitmanis the endless number of waysyou can assassinatesomeone. It’snothing personal with Agent 47, it’s just business.
While the world of Hitman isn’t fully open, each level is free-roam and completely malleable in whichever approach you decide to take. I’ve seen Jacksepticeye literally take out an entire time using nothing but a rolled-up newspaper, hilariously enough.
Plus, since Agent 47 doesn’t have much of a backstory described in the games, you’re able to suit up as the perfect hitman, pun intended.
These games are ideal for more passive roleplay purposes, settling on a new mindset (and pattern of behavior) rather than carefully considering each dialogue option. Plus, with the sheer amount of options on how you can approach a target, it’s just easy to get into character.
3Cyberpunk 2077
Your V is A Blank Slate
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077’sNight City is without a doubt one of the most dazzling and lived-in open worlds I have ever had the pleasure of exploring – and creating a V to live in this world is just as enriching.
Your V can come from three different backgrounds:Corpo,Streetkid, andNomad, each offering different dialogue options and quests depending on what you pick. Plus, the way you build your V and what stats you upgrade will also unlock more dialogue options.
This is an open world game thatyou can get through relatively quickly, all things considered, and with the inclusion of Dogtown in thePhantom LibertyDLC, you’re granted more endings and pathways that you’d easily miss otherwise.
V is fully customizable apart from the voice you give them, and at that point it’s just up to your personal preference (personally, Female V has the best voice acting).
2The Elder Scrolls Series
Gaming’s RP Treasure Chest
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
When it comes to open world games rich with roleplay, players almost always think ofThe Elder Scrollsfranchise. It genuinely doesn’t matter if it’sSkyrimor not, the entire series is rich in content and possibilities.
Theoverarching narrative is a bit complex, but that doesn’t steer anybody away from these games, because they’re so caught up in the exploration and development of their characters. It’s a treasure trove of RP opportunities.
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The Elder Scrolls series is one of the pinnacle examples of how to make a full and detailed world, with equally detailed character creation to follow through. It doesn’t matter what build you make or what your background is, youareyour character, and you feel it.
And with the recent release of theOblivion Remaster, you’re able to dive right into the purest of RPGs with dozens of different builds for your Hero of Kvatch.
1Baldur’s Gate 3
Roll for Charisma
Baldur’s Gate 3
Without a doubt, one of the best roleplaying games that you may get your hands on isBaldur’s Gate 3, which is literally aD&Dgame.
You get the full D&D experience, with thelayered storytellingandnotetakingand the incredible variety of race and class options. With the additionalsubclasses that were added in Patch 8, there are now even more ways you can get into character.
What’s incredible is that the game rewards you for every single build that you choose to take. Just know that the game does tend tofavor those who put some points into Charisma.
Either way, roleplaying is one of the most fun things to do in this game, even if you’re replaying the same character and making the same choices all over again.
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