The Most Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi Website

9 Next-Gen RPGs With Superb Storytelling


Back in the day, video games were fun diversions that people played for the simple yet addicting mechanics. Today, technology and creative innovations in the industry have enabled video games to become an entertainment powerhouse, not just for mechanics, but for storytelling as well. In fact, the next generation of game consoles has some quality titles that prove that games can be as good of a storytelling medium as film. This is especially true with role-playing games, which are often focused on narrative just as much as gameplay.

I love RPGs with great stories that I can really get immersed in. Games are definitely more of a time commitment than movies or TV, but some video game stories are just too good to pass up. Sometimes you just want a great narrative and great gameplay to sink your teeth into for hours and hours. That's why we've put together this list of 9 next-gen games with superb storytelling. Take a look!  

  1. Bloodborne

    Bloodborne is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware, the studio behind the notoriously difficult Souls series. Bloodborne follows your character, the Hunter, through the city Yharnam, where a blood-borne disease has plagued the city's inhabitants. The Hunter's eventual goal is to eliminate the source of this plague, while unraveling the mysteries of Yharnam. In Bloodborne, the richly detailed gothic visuals, atmosphere, and character design create a deep sense of immersion and fantastic storytelling experience. Even though some of the boss fights and challenges will make you violently chuck your controller at the TV screen, this amazing RPG is full of mystery and discovery, and has a story that you need to experience. 

  2. Dragon Age: Inquisition

    Dragon Age: Inquisition is one of the most popular next-gen western RPGs for a reason. Well, many reasons actually, but one of them is the fantastic storytelling. The main storyline follows your created character, known as the Inquisitor. He or she is on a journey to seal an ethereal rift called the Breach, which allows dangerous demons to enter the world and cause havoc. The Inquisitor has a mark on his or hand that allows them to close the Breach, and this leads people to view the Inquisitor as a religious figure.

    The beauty of this game is that you have the freedom to make character choices that have actual consequences on the game world and the story. You can befriend who you want, make enemies with who you want, and even romance who you want. From the very start of the game, you have to make decisions that will affect how other game characters see you. For example, my character told people early on that he didn't consider himself to be the chosen one, and this affected the dialogue of certain characters.

  3. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn

    Final Fantasy XIV is a MMORPG, which means that it's a significant time investment, and not for players that only enjoy single-player games. That said, the main storyline is epic, evolving, and very satisfying. And long. Very long. We're talking over 120 hours, and that doesn't include the new main story quests included in the Heavensward expansion. Still, it's an incredible narrative, which takes place 5 years after the Calamity, a cataclysmic event that nearly destroyed the world. Your character has to team up with a group called the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to fight multiple threats to the world of Eorzea. These threats include summoned monsters called Primals, the evil Garlean Empire, and mysterious group of immortals called Ascians. 

  4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    Unlike some RPGs, The Witcher 3 is a direct sequel to the previous games in the series. If you're new to the series, you'll want to do some research and catch up on what happened in the first two games. If you're a veteran, you'll love the grand scope of the narrative in the third installment. Regardless, I won't spoil anything for you, except to say that the story of The Witcher 3 involves series protagonist Geralt on a quest to thwart a group called the Wild Hunt, who are set on abducting the emperor's daughter. There are also tons of side-quests in this game, which can get help get you better acquainted with the lore of the game world. 

  5. Fallout 4

    This sprawling, open-world RPG is one of the biggest games of the year. People are going crazy over it. In fact, there's a good chance you know somebody that hasn't left his or her living room since the launch of the game. The gameplay and sandbox town-building elements in Fallout 4 are excellent, and so is the story. It revolves around your created character's search for your lost baby, Shaun. The game takes place in a very unique setting – post-apocalyptic Boston in the year 2287, more than 200 years after a huge nuclear war. It's got a retro aesthetic, an open world full of quests and things to do, and a protagonist that is fully voice-acted, which adds layers of depth to the storytelling.

  6. Tales of Zestiria

    This Japanese RPG follows the story of Sorey, a guy who has the power to save the land of Glenwood from the Hellion, which are monsters spawned by negative emotions. Tales of Zestiria has some of the typical JRPG staples, including a lush fantasy aesthetic, lots of cutscenes and dialogue, and deep customization systems. Anyone familiar with JRPGs will feel right at home, but I encourage you to try it even if you're more comfortable with the conventions and storytelling of western games like Skyrim and Dragon Age. There are some differences in cultural lore and storytelling themes that you won't always find in the latest Bethesda or BioWare game. 

  7. Final Fantasy Type-0 HD

    This next-gen remaster of the Playstation Portable title Final Fantasy Type-0 has a gripping and emotional story. It focuses on a group of 14 students called Class Zero who have to fight the Militesi Empire, which is invading all the nations in the world. The story in this spin-off game is much darker than most main Final Fantasy titles, as it revolves around war. It definitely doesn't hold anything back in terms of blood and death. To get the most out of the narrative, I recommend taking the time to talk to optional non-player characters, who often have grim but thought-provoking things to say. 

  8. Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance

    In this tactical JRPG, the evil Emperor Void Dark annihilates numerous Netherworlds after rising to power, and the Overlords of those worlds rise up to get their revenge on him. The Disgaea series is well-known series for its deep, traditional RPG systems like character skill progression and turn-based combat. Disgaea 5 remains true to its roots, and features a story and side-quests that you can easily sink over 100 hours into. While the story is great, it doesn't take itself too seriously. There's a lot of funny dialogue and anime-like character tropes to keep you amused throughout the huge amount of content, which keeps the gameplay from becoming a chore. Disgaea 5 might actually be a good RPG to play after Bloodborne. I think you're going to need a laugh after dying a hundred times to the same boss. 

  9. The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited

    In this MMORPG, you play as someone called the Vestige, a soulless adventurer who has been killed by servants of the evil Molag Bal. Your job is to travel the continent, fighting demons and rectifying political unrest in Tamriel's military alliances. Unlike Final Fantasy XIV, ESO has lots of voice acting, which often makes quests and storytelling memorable and immersive. I can't speak for the PC version, but when I played The Elder Scrolls Online on PS4, the game felt much more like an Elder Scrolls title than a MMO. This could be good or could be bad, depending on how you look at it. Regardless, if you pick up this game you'll definitely be treated to an epic fantasy narrative that's worthy of your time.

    So there you have it – 9 next-gen RPGs that have great storytelling. Hopefully there is something on this list that appeals to you, but if not, don't worry. The Playstation 4 and Xbox One are still fairly new consoles, so the next-gen RPG library is still expanding and getting better. The future looks bright, with games such as Final Fantasy XIV and Kingdom Hearts 3 to look forward to. Know another must-play next-gen RPG that's out now? Let us know in the comments below!

For more articles like this, take a look at our Fandoms and Lists page.