The Best PS3 RPGs Of All Time, Ranked By Fans
If you owned a PlayStation 3 at any time during your life, then it's safe to say there were probably a few role-playing games in your collection. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we've decided to rank the best PS3 RPGs of all time.
This list features the most popular and best-selling RPGs that were released for PS3. While many of these games were console exclusives, we're allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Games on this list include BioShock and Ni no Kuni. Vote for your favorite video games below.
Exploring the vast, open world of Skyrim is an adventure that has captivated players for years, as this critically acclaimed RPG thrusts you into the role of the Dragonborn, a prophesied hero destined to save the kingdom from the return of dragons. With its seemingly endless side quests and customizable character builds, Skyrim offers a truly immersive experience, allowing players to delve into richly detailed lore, join various factions, and tackle epic challenges. Moreover, the game's modding community has added countless hours of fresh content, ensuring that no two playthroughs are ever quite the same.
A heartwarming tale of friendship and loss, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a collaboration between Japanese developer Level-5 and renowned animation house Studio Ghibli, resulting in a visually stunning RPG with a captivating storyline. Players take on the role of Oliver, a young boy who journeys to a parallel world to save his mother, aided by a quirky cast of allies, including Drippy, the charming Welsh-accented lantern-nosed fairy. The game features a unique real-time combat system, blending traditional turn-based mechanics with action-packed elements, while the creature collection and training aspects add depth to this unforgettable RPG experience.
- 2011
Notorious for its punishing difficulty, Dark Souls is a brutally challenging yet deeply rewarding action RPG, set in a bleak, decaying world teetering on the edge of oblivion. Players create their own unique character and embark on a perilous journey through a sprawling interconnected world filled with deadly foes and sinister secrets. The game's deep character customization and innovative combat mechanics encourage strategic thinking and tactical experimentation. In addition, Dark Souls pioneered asynchronous multiplayer elements, such as leaving messages or summoning other players for jolly cooperation, adding a layer of both camaraderie and competition to this dark, atmospheric masterpiece.
A fan favorite within the long-running Tales series, Tales of Symphonia is a vibrant, anime-inspired action RPG with a deep and engaging story centered around Lloyd Irving and his friends' quest to save their dying world. Known for its dynamic battle system, which skillfully combines real-time action with strategic team coordination, players can customize their party's tactics using an intricate "Exsphere" leveling system to dominate foes in exciting combats. The game encourages players to forge relationships with party members through skits and dialogue choices, impacting the story's outcome, adding emotional weight to the overall experience.
- 2009
The precursor to the acclaimed Dark Souls series, Demon's Souls is a challenging, atmospheric action RPG that invites players to explore the desolate kingdom of Boletaria, besieged by unspeakable horrors and malevolent spirits. Featuring an innovative online multiplayer component, players can collaborate or sabotage each other's progress, adding a unique twist to traditional RPG mechanics. As an unforgivingly difficult game, it rewards patience, persistence, and careful strategizing, making victory all the more satisfying. Demon's Souls laid the groundwork for what would become a beloved sub-genre, spawning a lineage of iconic games that have left a lasting impact on the gaming landscape.
- 2012
In Dragon's Dogma, players find themselves thrust into a thrilling open-world fantasy adventure, where they must reclaim their stolen heart from a fearsome dragon. Its distinguishing feature is the Pawn system, in which players create and recruit customizable A.I. companions for their party, enhancing combat strategies and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie. With a diverse array of vocations and skills to choose from, players can shape their character's playstyle and abilities, suiting their personal preferences. The game's thrilling, dynamic battles with massive mythical creatures and engaging character development solidify its place among the great RPGs of the PS3 era.