The sci - fi subgenre , much likes fantasy , lends itself specially well to the RPG gambling genre , with the likes of Bethesda’sStarfieldset to continue that sentiment next class . It pay for a similar level of imaging to its fantastical counterpart , and even if it ’s not quite the first thing some participant might cerebrate of when they hear the condition " RPG , " game like this make up some of the just in the literary genre .

conflate it with other subgenres help its creative versatility , whether it ’s cyber-terrorist or post - apocalyptic . BioWare’sMass Effecttrilogy is perhaps the shining good example , but Bethesda ’s ownFalloutseries has also proven to be a treble - A juggernaut in RPG gaming .

10Final Fantasy VIII (PlayStation - 90)

Final Fantasy VIIIsimultaneously became known as one of the series ' most factious entries and one of themost critically acclaimedFinal Fantasygames . Once again using a more modern sci - fi setting , FFVIIIfollows the brooding mercenary protagonist Squall Leonhart as he and his Friend are finally rope into a conflict concerning a nearly all - powerful sorceress who ’s become the autocratic leader of a military land .

The divisiveness stemmed from its convoluted - to - a - error gameplay mechanics surrounding summons and even out up , but was more appreciated as compelling when dominate those systems . also , its narrative has been regarded as one of the franchise ’s most emotionally rewarding .

9NieR:Automata (PlayStation 4 - 91)

For plot designer Yoko Taro , NieR : Automatawas an acclaimed turn decimal point in the Divine ’s unique JRPGs . Taking place in a dystopian sci - fi future , Automatafollows a proxy war between alien - craft machines and man - crafted androids on a bleak Earth . It begins with androids 2B and her partner 9S , with the story switching protagonists along the agency .

The game retains developer PlatinumGames ' vintage brand of exhilarate action - focalise fight , as well as some minigames that switch up genres . NieR : Automatawas well - received for its engrossing and heart - wrenching story research philosophic stem , such as the base of the desire to kill and the rhythm of war .

8Mass Effect (Xbox 360 - 91)

Before EA and BioWare ’s fall from grace in the eyes of many fans , Mass Effectwas a part of the publisher and developer ’s play prime . Taking a pageboy from influential sci - fi serial likeStar TrekandBattlestar Galactica , theMass Effectseries become a mod pillar of the RPG genre as well as some of the best sci - fi in play .

Playing the role of the heroic Commander Shepard , the tale catch him and his team take on the mission of stopping a widespread astronomic invasion by the Reapers . An unforgettable game of its clock time ( gratefully facelifted with the recent remastered collection),Mass Effectwas lauded for its histrion - choice - labor storytelling , cinematic air , and blend of third - mortal flash with function - playing gameplay .

7Final Fantasy VI (Nintendo Game Boy - 92)

require theFinal Fantasyfanbase the expert mainline game is quite a loaded question , but aside from hearing the likes ofVIIorIX , Final Fantasy VIis another pop answer . The plot was hail as one of the great RPGs in general of its genesis , from its gameplay to its absorbing report . Steering aside from traditional mellow phantasy , VIinventively meshed the former with sci - fi steampunk elements for its setting .

Taking inspiration from the Second Industrial Revolution , the plot abide by a revolving cast of heroes as they band together to overthrow a dictatorial military government profiting off the horrors of war . On top of its gripping and superimposed turn - based combat and customization , Final Fantasy VIwas also acclaimed for its thematically innovational and challenging storytelling .

6Chrono Trigger (Nintendo DS - 92)

Often cited as one of thebest biz from the Super Nintendo console coevals , Chrono Triggerwas an emphatic milestone game in the RPG genre . It was also part of Square Enix ’s golden eld of games , with the game blending a variety of genres for its assumption and the iconic art direction ofDragon Ballcreator Akira Toriyama .

Chrono Triggersweeps the role player through eras of prehistory , midway - eld fantasy , and dystopian sci - fi in a memorable metre - traveling story of heroes trying to prevent the remnant of the humans . The game was widely praise for its unproblematic , yet effective tour - based combat to make it easily reachable to fledgling and genre old-timer likewise , as well as its sprawling story .

5Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation - 92)

While the new remaking by Square Enix is one ofthe good modern JRPGs to play , the PlayStation original still stands as a fabled classic of both the subgenre and gambling . At the time , this was the second consecutiveFinal Fantasytitle to encompass sci - fi as its primary setting over more traditional high phantasy .

Final Fantasy VIItakes place in a begrimed cyber-terrorist - themed humans as the player follows the amnesiac mercenary Cloud and his eventual grouping of Friend as they take on the grander pursuance of stopping Sephiroth from inciting a world - ending disaster . Its gameplay and visuals are true dated , but the act - ground ATB combat organization stay piquant .

4Mass Effect 3 (Xbox 360 - 93)

Thoughthe controversial ending ofMass Effect 3soured many fans , the game – and trilogy – overall has been received as a crowning achievement of the genre . The story ofMass Effect 3concludes Shepard ’s eccentric arc , as well as the overarching story of the Reaper Invasion spread across the Milky Way .

It was nonetheless critically applaud on the whole , with reception citing its improved visuals , systematically interesting eccentric , and the plot ’s live emotional impact . Combat gameplay was also warmly received as building off its predecessor , as well as its impressive multiplayer player - versus - environment mode ( PvE ) .

3Fallout 3 (Xbox 360 - 93)

Fallout 3also cemented the iconic " V.A.T.S. " fight organization , allow players to intermit time and direct specific body parts to hit on opposition for effective impairment . The game is set in a ruined Washington D.C. , as the world has deign into lawless ruin as a result of earthly concern governments spiraling out of control into atomic warfare .

2Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic (Xbox - 94)

Regarded as one of the most belovedStar Warsgames since LucasArts ventured into the video secret plan medium , Knights of the Old Republicbecame a gold standard in role - playacting during the early 2000s . It was also one of the game published by EA and developed by BioWare at the pinnacle of their respective powers .

Taking place thousands of age before theSkywalker Saga , the player take on the role of a customizable amnesiac Jedi questing with a group of ally to defeat Darth Malak ’s Sith Empire in the latest intergalactic war . fundamentally aDungeons & Dragons - inspired CRPG with aStar Warstheme , Knights of the Old Republic ’s plaudits spat it for being some of the greatest storytelling in the enfranchisement overall , its substantial content , customization automobile mechanic , and player - driving force story .

1Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360 - 96)

To many fan , Mass Effect 2was see as the peak of the original trilogy . The story , this time , pore around Commander Shepard , tasked with acquire a new team to go on a suicide mission to protect the galaxy from an insectoid alien race know as the Collectors .

Once again , the game ’s high marks went toward its thoroughly engaging storytelling and the unique , various cast of characters that made it so investing . TheMass Effectseries , in general , expand on its cinematic demonstration . And though the game leaned a bit harder into its third - person shooting gameplay than its progenitor ’s theatrical role - playing , it was still well - receive for its firm balance of both .

NEXT : Starfield & 8 Other Upcoming westerly RPGs , Ranked

GTA 6 artwork of Jason and Lucia with guns on a pier.

Naoe from Assassin’s Creed Shadows with the game’s map to her left and gameplay to her right.

Lydia from Skyrim next to Balgruuf in front of gameplay from NCAA Football.

Split image of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect 2, and NieR:Automata.

Final Fantasy VIII key art featuring Squall, Rinoa, and Seifer.

NieR:Automata key art featuring 2B, 9S, and A2 fighting a horde of machines.

Promotional art for the first Mass Effect, most prominently featuring Commander Shepard, Ashley Williams, and Garrus Vakarian.

Final Fantasy VI promo art with Terra atop a mech.

Chrono Trigger OST key art featuring the hero and his supporting cast.

Mass Effect 3 promo art featuring Commander Shepard and ships descending on Earth in the background.

Fallout 3 cover showing a character in Power Armor on a weathered background.

Promo art for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic featuring a collage of the cast.

Mass Effect 2 promo art featuring Commander Shepard, Miranda, and Thane in action.