The Best Original Xbox RPGs
If you owned the original Xbox at any time during your life, then it's safe to say there were probably a few RPGs in your collection. There's something about role-playing games that really capture your imagination and make you feel like you're part of another world. Your party always has colorful characters, the abilities you gain along the way are amazing, and boss battles are usually nothing short of epic. 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 Xbox RPGs of all time.
This list features the most popular and best-selling RPGs that were released for the original Xbox. While many of these games were console exclusive, we're allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Vote for your favorite games on this poll, including Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and more.
- 1July 15 2003
- Developer: Aspyr, BioWare
A true gem in the landscape of video games, this classic RPG catapulted us thousands of years before the Galactic Empire. It framed an epic storyline packed with an enthralling light side/dark side morality system and luscious turn-based combat. Its choices, plot twists and diverse gameplay undoubtedly left a lasting dent in the realm of gaming, making Knights of the Old Republic a standard for many contemporary RPGs.
- 2Jun 04 2002
- Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Morrowind allowed players to lose themselves in an extensively detailed world, filled with diverse cultures, mysterious relics, and intricate politics. With a non-linear storyline and infinite roleplaying possibilities, this game truly embraced the 'open-world' concept, before it was a staple in video games. Morrowind, with its immersive gameplay, breathed fresh life to the RPG genre and set the stage for many massive world explorations to follow.
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
A worthy successor to its predecessor, this sequel brought a darker, more ethically challenging storyline, high-end graphics, and sharper gameplay mechanics. Exploring the morality of the force more deeply, and offering players granular influence over faction dynamics, it confirmed that morally complex storytelling could engage players as much as pure action. It went on to inspire many multifaceted character-driven games in the RPG genre.
- 4Oct 20 2005
- Developer: Big Blue Box Studios, Lionhead Studios
This updated version of the original Fable gave players a taste of power, allowing them to shape their characters from childhood to adulthood based on moral choices. Featuring an accessible combat system and unique aging mechanic, where not only your character but also their decisions visibly aged, it was an engaging blend of fantasy life simulation and action-adventure. Its innovative design and gameplay made significant strides in advancing immersive RPGs.
- 5Sep 14 2004
- Developer: Big Blue Box Studios
An addictive concoction of magic, swordplay, and player choice, Fable weaved an enchanting tale of a hero's rise against a malevolent force. It was one of the first games to introduce a real-time growth system based on choices, imprinting your good, evil, or neutral judgments directly onto your character's appearance and reputation. This unique element of choice crafted an unforgettable gameplay experience that resonated among the gaming community.
- 6Apr 12 2005
- Developer: BioWare, LTI Gray Matter
Jade Empire combined fantastical Eastern mythos and explosive martial arts-action to create one of the most unique RPGs ever. Players chose their fighting styles, moral leanings, and pursued romance in an epic struggle to shape ancient China's destiny. Its stunning visuals, combined with incomparable gameplay and storytelling, made it a standout game in the overcrowded RPG genre.
