RPGs with the Best Storytelling in 2024

1. Final Fantasy XVI

Release Date: June 22, 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC (TBA)

Final Fantasy XVI continues the legendary franchise’s tradition of exceptional storytelling. It introduces players to a darker, medieval-inspired world called Valisthea, where players control Clive Rosfield, the firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria. The narrative intricacies revolve around magic, politics, and the conflict between nations relying on powerful Eikons and their respective Dominants.

Key Story Elements:

• Complex Character Relationships: The bond between Clive and his adoptive brother Joshua, who is connected to the Eikon Phoenix, adds emotional depth. Betrayals and alliances provide twists that keep players engaged, making every decision feel consequential.
• Themes of Destiny vs. Free Will: The ongoing struggle against predestined roles is woven throughout the narrative, allowing players to explore choices that influence the outcome of various kingdoms and characters.
• Rich Lore: The game’s extensive backstory is filled with intricate histories of the Eikons, kingdoms, and their devastating clashes, creating a believable and immersive universe.

2. Baldur’s Gate III

Release Date: August 3, 2023
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (TBA)

Based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe, Baldur’s Gate III redefines narrative depth through player agency. Designed by Larian Studios, this RPG emphasizes choices and their ramifications, providing a unique twist to reactive storytelling.

Key Story Elements:

• Diverse Character Backgrounds: Players can choose various races and classes, each with unique story arcs and dialogues. The tailored experience enhances immersion, making character interactions feel organic and meaningful.
• Dynamic Choices: Every decision, from dialogue options to combat strategies, paves a pathway that affects the story’s course. This responsiveness creates a world where players’ actions have real consequences, influencing party dynamics and relationships.
• Epic Scale of Adventure: The narrative explores multiple factions and crises, from mind flayers to the Shadowfell, allowing players to shape their journey significantly within a robust framework.

3. Starfield

Release Date: September 6, 2023
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC

As Bethesda’s flagship RPG in a new sci-fi universe, Starfield encapsulates exploration and storytelling in an expansive cosmos. Players become space explorers in the 24th century, unlocking secrets of the universe while pursuing their personal stories.

Key Story Elements:

• Personalized Narratives: Players can craft their hero’s journey through modifiable backgrounds and choices, leading to varied experiences that affect their interactions with planets and characters.
• Compelling Factions: Engaging with diverse factions such as the United Colonies or the Crimson Fleet enriches the lore, as players must navigate their political landscapes and moral dilemmas.
• Philosophical Questions: The quests often tackle themes of existence, technology’s role in society, and the implications of discovery, adding layers to the overarching narrative.

4. The Outer Worlds 2

Expected Release Date: 2024
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC (TBA)

The Outer Worlds 2 continues to build on its predecessor’s satirical take on capitalism and corporate consumerism while enhancing the narrative depth with more character-driven story arcs. The humorous yet poignant storytelling places players in deeply flawed societies that are ripe for exploration.

Key Story Elements:

• Character-Driven Quests: Players can expect deeper motivations from their companions, with complex backstories that influence the main narrative, creating an emotional connection with the game.
• Satirical Themes: The narrative explores contemporary issues such as corporate manipulation and individual freedom through a humorous lens, offering social commentary while being entertaining.
• Non-linear Storytelling: Player choices significantly impact the story’s direction and outcomes, allowing for multiple endings and replayability that enhances the storytelling experience.

5. Elden Ring: The Shadow of the Erdtree

Expected Release Date: 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (TBA)

Elden Ring was lauded for its intricate lore and storytelling, and the upcoming DLC, The Shadow of the Erdtree, promises to expand this even further. Players venture back into the beautifully tragic world of the Lands Between, with new quests and character arcs that delve deeper into the mythos introduced in the core game.

Key Story Elements:

• Rich Lore Expansion: The game is steeped in lore created with input from George R.R. Martin, promising additional histories, complex character arcs, and intertwined narratives that draw players deeper into the world.
• Themes of Decline and Hope: The continuing struggle for power and the quest for redemption are interwoven into the quests, prompting players to confront their motivations and the consequences of their actions.
• Ambiguous Narratives: The non-linear storytelling allows players to piece together narratives through exploration and environmental storytelling, inviting engagement for those who seek to uncover all the depths of the lore.

6. Dragon Age: Dreadwolf

Expected Release Date: 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (TBA)

The Dragon Age franchise returns with Dreadwolf, focusing on the enigmatic Solas from Dragon Age: Inquisition. The story shifts to the aftermath of the chaos following the destruction of the Veil, exploring the consequences of magical imbalance.

Key Story Elements:

• Character-Centric Focus: As players journey alongside various companions, the protagonist’s interactions become significantly deeper, with personal stakes affecting the broader narrative.
• Compelling Morality: Choices regarding alliances with different races and factions heighten the thematic depth, questioning the nature of loyalty, sacrifice, and what it means to wield power responsibly.
• Expansive World-Building: Players will encounter new and familiar locales in the Dragon Age universe, layered with rich lore that evolves based on player interactions, enhancing the sense of individual story impact.

7. Hogwarts Legacy

Release Date: February 10, 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch (TBA)

Set in the iconic Harry Potter universe, Hogwarts Legacy provides an immersive world steeped in magic, its story culminating in a battle against dark forces threatening the wizarding world. Players assume the role of a student at Hogwarts during the late 1800s, forging their path through an enchanting narrative.

Key Story Elements:

• Personal Growth: Players craft their identity as they choose their house and develop unique magical abilities, leading to a personal journey through friendships and rivalries.
• Rich Side Quests: The game features numerous side quests that delve into character backstories and historical lore, enriching the overall narrative and encouraging exploration beyond the main story.
• Combative Choices: The narrative challenges players with moral decisions, affecting relationships within the school and how they approach darker aspects of the magical world.

8. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Expected Release Date: September 26, 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

The highly anticipated expansion to Cyberpunk 2077, Phantom Liberty, revisits Night City with renewed vigor, offering a spy-thriller narrative infused with elements of tension, betrayal, and intrigue. This substantial DLC promises to redefine player experiences in a richly detailed cyberpunk world.

Key Story Elements:

• Complex Questlines: Players navigate through treacherous factions and political machinations, with dialogues that shape the flow of the narrative and influence essential characters’ fates.
• Exploration of Identity: The narrative delves into themes of humanity in a tech-saturated world, exploring how technology affects identity, loyalty, and consciousness, allowing for deeper engagement with the protagonist’s journey.
• Dynamic Interactions: As players make choices, the reaction of the world is palpable, enhancing the sense that actions have consequences and leaving a lasting imprint on Night City’s ecosystem.

9. Tails of Arise: Beyond the Dawn

Expected Release Date: 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Following the success of Tales of Arise, the anticipated DLC Beyond the Dawn expands upon its engaging narrative and immersive gameplay mechanics. The game’s creative storytelling methods incorporate visual novel elements, accentuating character development and emotional storytelling.

Key Story Elements:

• Emotional Character Arcs: Continuation of character relationships introduces new dynamics, allowing players to explore personal narratives while facing external threats.
• Crisis and Redemption: The expansion tackles themes of redemption and personal responsibility, placing characters in morally ambiguous situations that test their resolve.
• Lush World Design: The beautifully crafted environments support storytelling, enriching the narrative through exploration and interaction within a breathtaking landscape.

10. Persona 6

Expected Release Date: 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC (TBA)

Persona 6 returns to explore the blend of everyday life and supernatural elements that the series is best known for. The game is expected to focus on a new cast of characters as they navigate the highs and lows of adolescence, enhanced with social and mystical challenges.

Key Story Elements:

• Blending Lives and Fantasies: The narrative begins with ordinary life in a new city, leading characters to confront their inner demons and societal issues, creating relatable themes for players.
• Relationship Building: The game’s social elements allow players to cultivate friendships that deepen the impact of personal narratives and influence party dynamics during significant events.
• Yearning for Identity: As characters wrestle with their personas, themes of self-discovery pave the way for thoughtful storytelling, making player decisions essential to narrative progression.

These RPGs exemplify the evolving landscape of storytelling in video games. Each title presents unique narratives that challenge players both emotionally and intellectually, reinforcing the power of interactive storytelling. Through intricate worlds, dynamic characters, and player agency, they demonstrate how RPGs can craft compelling sagas that resonate long after the game is over. Explorations of fate, friendship, and morality create experiences that leave an indelible mark, showcasing the best storytelling that 2024 has to offer.