Despite the year 2020 being a difficult year for game releases and delays, there has been a surprisingly decent line up of quality games. This includes a strong list of the RPGs from AAA studios and indie developers alike. There have been long-awaited remakes, remasters, and brand new IPs making their mark in a year that’s far from over.

RPGs whether they are from Japan or the West provide gamers with the kind of longevity and depth that gamers needed in the year 2020. The year is far from over with major releases on the way like Cyberpunk 2077 from the developers of The Witcher series and Sega’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon still on their way. However, there’s already a great selection of RPGs out this year and according to Metacritic, these are the best so far.

10 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore – Metascore 81

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore was released for the Nintendo Switch in January 2020. It’s an updated and enhanced port of the original game that released on the Nintendo Wii U in 2016. It’s a crossover game featuring elements and characters from the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem universes.

It’s an interesting premise that doesn’t quite reach the potential of either franchise but the game is still a lot of fun to play. The combat system and the contemporary setting will definitely appeal to fans of the Persona series and the inclusion of the Fire Emblem characters is executed well.

9 Crosscode – Metascore 82

Indie developed RPG Crosscode was released on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and the Xbox One in July 2020. It’s an RPG that’s taken inspiration from classic Japanese RPGs like Chrono Trigger and the Trials of Mana series.

It cleverly recreates the feeling of being in a fictional MMORPG while also telling an intriguing story with well-realized characters. Crosscode also has some of the best puzzle-solving quests and dungeons since the classic Legend of Zelda games on the SNES.

8 Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales (Switch) – Metascore 84

The Nintendo Switch version of Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales was released in January 2020 and it feels like it was game made for the Switch. From the outset, Thronebreaker looks and plays like an old-school CRPG with its top-down viewpoint.

However, the combat mechanics couldn’t be any different as they played using the in-game card game Gwent from The Witcher 3. Naturally, there’s more depth in this game’s version of Gwent and it works surprisingly well. More importantly, Thronebreaker more than lives up to the legacy of the mainline Witcher games in terms of storytelling.

7 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel III (Switch) – Metascore 84

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III was released on the PC and the Nintendo Switch in March and June 2020 respectively. It’s a port of the PlayStation 4 original was released the previous year and even without prior knowledge of its predecessors is still one of the deepest and satisfying JRPGs of the year.

Trails of Cold Steel III has a huge main story, meaningful side-quests, and endearing characters that players can get behind. Furthermore, the world-building in this series is second-to-none and is absolutely worth investing in.

6 Nioh 2 – Metascore 85

Released on the PlayStation 4 in March 2020, Nioh 2 is action RPG in that has often been compared to the Dark Souls series. While that is a fair comparison, Nioh 2 has enough depth in its combat system and mechanics to set it apart from other Souls-likes.

In addition, Nioh 2 is far more fluid and faster game than the series Souls series and is more comparable to the Ninja Gaiden series which also came from the same developer. It’s a relentlessly tough game that becomes incredibly satisfying when it starts to click with gamers and the amount of customization on offer will satisfy even the most hardened RPG fans.

5 Wasteland 3 – Metascore 86

Released in August 2020 for the PC, Xbox One, and the PS4, Wasteland 3 is a post-apocalyptic RPG developed by inXile Entertainment. Just like its predecessors, it features very open-ended gameplay and choices. It has the trademark twisted sense of humor but it will also leave the player with some very difficult choices.

Interestingly, the Fallout series was developed to be a spiritual successor to the original Wasteland game. So gamers looking for post-apocalyptic RPG that harks back to the classic isometric style of the first two Fallout games should definitely have Wasteland 3 on their radar.

4 Persona 4 Golden (PC) – Metascore 87

Released in June 2020 for the PC, Persona 4 Golden is a port of the original that first released on the PlayStation Vita in 2012. Persona 4 is often regarded by fans as one of the best Japanese RPGs of all time and with the PC port of the ultimate edition, the game finally gets the exposure it deserves.

Persona 4 Golden is itself an enhanced port of the original PlayStation 2 game that released in 2008. Despite the time that’s passed the game’s coming of age story and the characters feel just as fresh today as they ever did.

3 Final Fantasy VII Remake – Metascore 87

Released in April 2020, the first part of the long-awaited Final Fantasy VII Remake released as a timed exclusive on the PlayStation 4. The game not only achieved the impossible by bringing to life a much-beloved classic into the modern era but it actually exceeded many fan’s expectations but expanded on an already brilliant story.

The remake’s visuals are outstanding and the developers did an amazing job of adding more context and depth to characters like Aerith, Tifa, Barrett, and even Cloud.

2 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Metascore 89

Released in May 2020 for the Nintendo Switch, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is a from the ground remaster of the original game that released in 2012 for the Nintendo Wii. Even upon its original release, Xenoblade was loved by fans for its story, content, and massive open world.

With this definitive version, the game’s story and the world have been expanded with post-game story content and beautiful visuals. Xenoblade’s remaster and good sales on the Switch gave one of the best RPGs of a generation the audience it deserved the first time around.

1 Persona 5 Royal – Metascore 95

Released in March 2020, Persona 5 Royal is an enhanced version of the original Persona 5 that released on the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4 in 2017. The original game was already praised by many critics and fans as a masterpiece in storytelling and character development.

The game’s beautiful animated art-style remains timeless and with the additional story content and gameplay mechanics, Personal 5 Royal is worth another look for long time fans. For new players, this new version which can be considered something of a director’s cut should be the version to buy.

NEXT: Persona 5 Royal: I Hate Akechi Goro (But It’s Not His Fault)