Best RPG Video Games of 2017

Horizon Zero Dawn

Best RPG Video Games of 2017

Guerrilla Games finally stepped out of their Killzone series this year, launching a brand new IP taking place in a primitive future. Horizon Zero Dawn stars Aloy, a girl who sets out to find answers about the strange earth and the “Old Ones,” an advanced civilization (much like ours) that mysteriously vanished long before her. What they left is a world overtaken by nature and machine animals, most of which want to kill you.

Horizon is one of 2017’s grandest RPG titles, with an engrossing open world, a likable protagonist, and intense combat that varies with each unique robo-dinosaur design. It’s also the most graphically impressive game of the year so far, with each region featuring extreme levels of detail and finely lit expanses. Between all of these well-crafted parts, Horizon is a captivating journey and one of the standout RPGs of the season.

Nioh

Best RPG Video Games of 2017

Nioh is this year’s “Souls-like” game, famed for its challenging boss battles and merciless mechanics. Players will battle their way through a fictionalized 1600s Sengoku period, taking on yokai and hunting down protagonist William’s enemy.

Gameplay focuses on precise combat, intelligent builds, and incredible amounts of patience. If you plan to play Nioh, plan to die. A lot. There’s exceptionally little mercy to be found here, but on the bright side, its encounters stay enthralling to the very end of its large campaign. Players should look forward to mastering strategic samurai action, utilizing special spirit guardians and weapons like katanas.

The comparisons to the Souls series have been many. The world is dangerous. You turn in experience at shrines in order to level up. Potions even work the same. But regardless of similarities, Nioh is a star on its own, and an RPG game you shouldn’t pass up if you’re up for the challenge.

Tales of Berseria

Best RPG Video Games of 2017

Tales of Berseria is another entry in the long-running Tales series, this time taking a darker tone than the usually bright stories of heroism and friendship. The title is actually set in the past of Tales of Zestiria’s world, connecting two games in a series that typically keeps its entries separate.

The connection actually turns Berseria into a fascinating in-depth look at the themes of not only its own story, but of Zestiria’s. The tale stars Velvet Crowe, a young girl who suffers a terrible event and later sets out for revenge as a Daemon. Actions are far grayer in this game, a welcome change of tone filled with a memorable cast and fast-paced combat. Its story and systems aren’t the simplest to grasp, leaving you to juggle ability mastery, tons of equipment, and even cooking.

Despite its moderate barrier to entry, Tales of Berseria is enjoyable and gripping, and one of the first must-try JRPGs of 2017.