The Most Popular RPG, Ranked

Choose the RPG you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 22, 2024 08:29
In a world inundated with an array of role-playing games, each offering its own unique universe and set of challenges, it becomes important for gamers to sift through the noise and find those gems that make every quest and battle worth engaging in. Having a consolidated list that ranks these games based on popular votes helps in highlighting the titles that have captivated the hearts and minds of the gaming community. This ensures that both newbies and veterans can make informed choices on what to play next based on collective preferences. By participating in the voting process, each gamer contributes to a dynamic ecosystem where opinions shape the living hierarchy of RPG greatness. This isn't just about finding out which games are liked the most, but also about steering the conversation and focus within the gaming industry. Your vote helps in elevating games that deserve recognition and can lead to fostering a richer, more varied gaming landscape.

Who Is the Most Popular RPG?

  1. 1
    69
    votes
    Being the original RPG, it has a vast and dedicated fanbase. It is known for its complex rules and vast world-building opportunities.
  2. 2
    50
    votes

    World of Warcraft

    Blizzard Entertainment
    A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), World of Warcraft is one of the most popular games of all time. It has a vast world and engaging gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.
    World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It is set in the Warcraft fantasy universe, where players assume the roles of various characters to explore and interact within the virtual world. With a rich lore, immersive storylines, and intense gameplay, it has become one of the most iconic and influential MMO games of all time.
    • Release Date: November 23, 2004
    • Platforms: Windows, macOS
    • Game Genre: MMORPG
    • Player Capacity: Up to millions of simultaneous players
    • Expansions: 8 main expansions and multiple smaller content updates
    World of Warcraft in other rankings
  3. 3
    17
    votes

    Final Fantasy

    Hironobu Sakaguchi
    A classic RPG series that has been around since the 1980s, Final Fantasy has a loyal following and a reputation for excellent storytelling and character development.
    Final Fantasy is a popular video game franchise developed and published by Square Enix. Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi in 1987, it has become one of the most iconic and influential role-playing game series in the world. The game features a mix of fantasy and science fiction elements, with each installment introducing a unique world and narrative.
    • Main Characters: Characters like Cloud Strife, Tidus, and Lightning are widely recognized and cosplayed.
    • Distinct Aesthetics: Each game in the series has its own distinct art style and character designs, providing a diverse range of cosplaying options.
    • Extensive Lore: The franchise boasts a rich and extensive lore, with detailed backstories and world-building that fans enjoy exploring through cosplay.
    • Weapon Replicas: Cosplayers often recreate the iconic weapons seen in Final Fantasy, such as Cloud's Buster Sword or Squall's Gunblade.
    • Elaborate Costumes: Final Fantasy characters are known for their intricate and detailed costumes, making them a favorite choice for skilled cosplayers.
    Final Fantasy in other rankings
  4. 4
    11
    votes
    A series of open-world RPGs, The Elder Scrolls is known for its immersive gameplay and vast, detailed worlds.
  5. 5
    27
    votes

    Mass Effect

    BioWare
    A science fiction RPG, Mass Effect is known for its engaging story and memorable characters. Players make choices that affect the outcome of the game, making it a unique experience for each player.
    Mass Effect is an epic action role-playing game set in a futuristic universe where players take on the role of Commander Shepard, a human soldier tasked with saving the galaxy from a threat known as the Reapers. The game combines intense third-person shooter combat with deep character customization, immersive storytelling, and decision-based gameplay that impacts the outcome of the game.
    • Release date: November 20, 2007
    • Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
    • Genre: Action role-playing, third-person shooter
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Setting: Science fiction
    Mass Effect in other rankings
  6. 6
    7
    votes

    The Witcher

    Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
    Based on a series of popular books, The Witcher has gained a massive following for its storytelling and immersive world. Players take on the role of a monster hunter in a dark fantasy world.
    The Witcher is a fantasy drama series based on the book series of the same name by Andrzej Sapkowski. It follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter in a world filled with supernatural beings. Geralt navigates through a tumultuous realm where humans, monsters, and sorceresses struggle to coexist.
    • Genre: Fantasy, Drama
    • Platform: Netflix
    • First episode release date: December 20, 2019
    • Number of seasons: 1 (as of 2020)
    • Main cast: Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan
    The Witcher in other rankings
  7. 7
    14
    votes
    A popular RPG series that has been around since the 1990s, Pokemon has a dedicated fanbase of all ages. Players collect and train creatures called Pokemon and battle against other trainers.
    Pokémon is a popular franchise that originated from a video game created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori. It has expanded into an animated television series, trading card game, movies, merchandise, and more. The world of Pokémon features creatures called Pokémon, which humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train to battle each other for sport. The objective for trainers is to become a Pokémon Master by collecting and training as many different species of Pokémon as possible.
    • Video Game Release Date: 26th February 1996
    • Animated TV Series Release Date: 1st April 1997
    • Number of Pokémon Species: 898
    • Number of Pokémon Generations: 8
    • Main Protagonist: Ash Ketchum
  8. 8
    3
    votes
    A series of RPGs set in a high fantasy world, Dragon Age is known for its engaging story and memorable characters. Players make choices that affect the outcome of the game, making it a unique experience for each player.
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    A series of post-apocalyptic RPGs, Fallout is known for its immersive world and engaging gameplay. Players navigate a dangerous world filled with radiation and mutants.
    Fallout is an open-world post-apocalyptic role-playing video game series. It is set in a retro-futuristic world devastated by a global nuclear war in the mid-22nd century. Players take on the role of a survivor who emerges from a vault, an underground shelter, and must navigate the wasteland to complete various quests, engage in combat, make choices that shape the storyline, and interact with non-player characters.
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Developer: Interplay Entertainment, Black Isle Studios, Bethesda Game Studios, Obsidian Entertainment
    • Publisher: Interplay Entertainment, Bethesda Softworks
    • Platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox
    • First Release: Fallout (1997)
  10. 10
    1
    votes
    A series of RPGs that blend elements of Japanese culture with supernatural themes, Persona has gained a dedicated following for its engaging story and memorable characters.
    Persona is a popular Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) franchise that blends elements of traditional turn-based combat with dungeon exploration and social simulation gameplay. The series is known for its unique blend of high school drama, supernatural themes, and deep character development.
    • Platform: PlayStation
    • Genre: JRPG/Social simulation
    • First Release: Revelations: Persona (1996)
    • Latest Release: Persona 5 Strikers (2020)
    • Number of Mainline Games: 6

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Ranking factors for popular RPG

  1. Player Base
    The size and engagement of the player community is crucial. The more active players a game has and the level of interaction within the community, the higher its popularity tends to be.
  2. Sales and Revenue
    The RPG's commercial success and financial performance indicate its popularity to some extent. High sales figures and strong revenue streams signify a game's appeal and market demand.
  3. Critical Acclaim
    Evaluations from professional game reviewers and critics can provide insights into the game's quality and its impact on the industry. High ratings and positive reviews often correlate with popularity.
  4. Cultural Impact
    The influence a game has on popular culture, spawning fan communities, memes, and other forms of media, can indicate its widespread popularity and enduring legacy.
  5. Longevity
    The ability of a game to maintain popularity over time is a significant factor. If an RPG continues to attract players and content updates years after release, it signifies its enduring appeal and popularity.
  6. Community Engagement
    The level of interaction between developers and the player base also plays a role. Active support, regular updates, and responsive communication with the community tend to foster popularity and player loyalty.
  7. Gameplay and Mechanics
    The quality of gameplay, game mechanics, storytelling, character development, and immersive world-building are vital factors that impact a game's popularity. Engaging gameplay experiences often attract a large player base.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular RPG. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or RPG is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1911 views
  • 205 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each RPG once every 24 hours. The rank of each RPG is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular rpg

Role-playing games (RPGs) have been a beloved genre in the gaming community for decades. From classic tabletop RPGs to modern video games, RPGs have captured the imaginations of players worldwide. With so many different RPGs available, it can be challenging to determine which one is the most popular. However, through our extensive polling data and community rankings, we have identified the top contenders for the title of the most popular RPG. Whether you're a fan of classic titles like Dungeons & Dragons or newer games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, there's sure to be an RPG that captures your heart and imagination. Join us as we dive into the world of RPGs and explore what makes them so popular among gamers of all ages.

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