In recent years, gamers have been spoiled with some of the best AAA mainstream RPGs ever developed in the west. Despite the resurgence of classically styled CRPGs likePillars of EternityandDivinity Original Sin,big-budget RPGs likeMass EffectandFallout 4have more global appeal.
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As a result, many of the lower budget RPGs that aren’t quite as a polished get unfairly compared to games that often have ten times the budget. However, long time fans of the genre - whether it is western or Japanese - know that it isn’t a budget that makes a great RPG it’s the story, character development, interaction, and world-building. Let’s take a look at 10 western-developed RPGs that have received much lower Metascores than they deserved.
10Arcania: The Complete Tale – Metascore 42
Originally released in 2010 on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC,Arcaniawas the fourth entry in theGothicseries. It controversial title for fans of the series because it was created by Spellbound after the original developers Piranha Bytes moved on until they regained the series’ rights in 2011.
After droppingGothic 4from the title an enhanced port calledArcania: The Complete Talewas released in 2015. It’s not the best looking game ever developed, in fact, it looked pretty weak on the Xbox 360. However, as a non-linear action RPG experience, it does a great job of giving the player several solutions when tackling quests all with their own risk-reward consequences that affect the game’s story and world.
9Risen 3: Titan Lords – Enhanced Edition – Metascore 51
Risen 3: Titan Lords – Enhanced Editionwas released in 2015 for the PlayStation 4. It was originally for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2014. It was developed by Piranha Bytes the same team that created the RPG seriesGothic.
For many hardcore fans ofGothic,theRisenseries was the true successor to Piranha’s hardcore RPG series with a more pirate based theme. It’s true thatRisen 3is janky and awkward to control, but those who stick with it and scratch beneath the surface will find a tough but rewarding, atmospheric and seafaring RPG experience.
8The Technomancer – Metascore 60
Released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and the PC,The Technomanceris a science fiction RPG developed by Spiders. It’s based in the same universe as Spiders’ digital-only RPGMars: War Logsbut one doesn’t need to have prior knowledge of that game.
Just like its predecessor,The Technomanceris set on a colonized Mars and places the players in the shoes of a titular Technomancer a sort sci-fi magic wielder fused with technology. There is an overall lack of polish in the gameplay mechanics but Spiders' attention to detail, world-building, and a solid story makeThe Technomancerworth a look for RPG fans.
7ELEX – Metascore 62
ELEXwas released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC in 2017. It is a new science-fantasy RPG series from the developers Piranha Bytes who previously worked onGothicandRisen.It’s an incredibly deep and complex game that blends medieval with technology. Additionally, the world-building and character development are up there with the best of the AAA efforts.
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Just likeRisenandGothic, ELEXis a bit rough around the edges and it launched with some significant technical flaws affecting the scores. Thankfully, Piranha Bytes has worked hard in patching the game on consoles and PC with tons of performance and quality of life improvements making it a much better game than was reviewed at launch.
6Alpha Protocol – Metascore 64
Alpha Protocolwas released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC in 2010. It’s a spy-based action-RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Prior to this, Obsidian was best known for developingNeverwinter Night 2andStar Wars: The Knights of the Old Republic II.
It wasn’t well-received at the time of its release butAlpha Protocolhas gained a cult following among RPG fans for offering something new and fresh to the genre. Taking inspiration fromJames Bond,Mission Impossible, and theJason BournefilmsAlpha Protocolgave gamers multiple dialogue choices based on how they want their secret agent to respond from suave to threatening.
5Mass Effect: Andromeda - Metascore 71
Released in 2017 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC,Mass Effect: Andromedawas the fourth installment in theMass Effectseries. It is set more than 600 years after the events ofMass Effect 3and featured brand new characters and story arcs.
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It wasn’t well-received by long-time fans of the series and suffered from a lot of bugs and character animation problems. That aside, it has greatly improved combat mechanics over its predecessors, an excellent sci-fi setting, the still visuals are fantastic, and the story is good enough to hold the player until the end.
4Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga – Metascore 72
Before the critically acclaimedDivinity Original Sinand its sequelOriginal Sin II, its predecessor wasDivinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga.It was built using Gambryo the same engine asThe Elder ScrollsIV: Oblivion.
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Players take on the roles of a Dragon Knight meaning they are capable of transforming into a dragon and traversing the open world. The RPG mechanics are very open-ended and there’s a ton of lore to enjoy especially if one is looking to expand their knowledge on the excellentOriginal Sintitles.
3Greedfall – Metascore 72
Released in 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and the PCGreedfallwas easily one of the year’s RPGs and absolutely deserving of more recognition on Metacritic. It was developed by Spiders the same team that createdThe Technomancerand it really shows how much the studio has learned with every release.
Set in a fictional 17thCentury inspired world,Greedfallthe story centers around colonialism and other historical themes while delivering a solid RPG with excellent world-building and memorable characters. It borrows a lot from the BioWare formula but there’s a deeper emphasis on diplomacy in addition to forming bonds with NPCs. While fans are still crying out for developers like BioWare to return to their former glory, Spiders are quickly establishing themselves as a viable alternative.
2Two Worlds II – Metascore 75
Two Worlds IIwas released on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC formats in 2010. It’s fantasy-based open-world RPG not dissimilar to Bethesda’sThe Elder Scrollsseries. Just likeOblivionandSkyrim, Two Worlds IIis packed with side-quests and sights to see in a stunningly designed world.
What makesTwo Worlds IIbetter than its original Metascore is that in 2016, developers Reality Pump released a huge patch for the game across all platforms completely upgrading its original engine. The upgrade gave players a more detailed world, characters, and more DLC maps. It’s the kind of support that doesn’t see from AAA developers.
1The Surge 2 – Metascore 75
Released in 2019 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC,The Surge 2is a science fiction action RPG in the vein of theDark Soulsseries. While it wasn’t a huge step up over its predecessor,The Surge 2fine-tuned and polished everything from its boss battles to the stylish and interconnected world design.
Special mention, however, should go the game’s impressive combat system which carries forward the limb targetting mechanic from the first game and add in a more technical counter and parry system. Players now have to block using the directional stick in a similar manner toFor Honorand the fighting system feels far more involved as a result.
