There is no single objective winner among 2024’s RPGs: the year brought remakes, sequels, new entries in long-running series and very different approaches to combat and storytelling. This list focuses on games released between January and December 2024, including remakes but excluding expansions and re-releases. It is an editorial selection, not a strict score ranking, and includes games across platforms and regions rather than claiming every edition is available everywhere.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is the strongest overall pick here: RPG Site named it its 2024 RPG of the Year. The other recommendations are ordered for variety, not as a definitive ranking.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
10 standout RPGs released in 2024
-
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Start here if you want a major new fantasy RPG and a strong narrative focus. RPG Site selected it as its overall RPG of the Year; The Game Awards also recognized it for Best Narrative and Best Art Direction. Those awards are distinct from a universal verdict, but they make it the clearest first recommendation on this list.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
A large-scale sequel for players invested in the ongoing reimagining of Final Fantasy VII. RPG Site placed it among its top five RPGs, and it won The Game Awards’ Best Score and Music award. It is the most natural choice here if music and a continuing story are high on your list.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
The Game Master's Book of Instant Towns and Cities: 160+ unique villages, towns, settlements and cities, ready-on-demand, plus random generators for ... RPG adventures (The Game Master Series)- Each location is packed with interesting people to meet, locations to explore and story hooks to investigate (or avoid!). It's a problem-solving tool unlike any other, certain to take the pressure off game masters who find themselves in need of a creative solution for urban areas at any time in any location.
- This game-saving collection brings together nearly 170 fully-realized places organized by environment and divided up into villages, towns, cities and capitals
-
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
One of RPG Site’s top-five selections, and a strong option for players who want a character-led entry in an established series. Its placement reflects RPG Site’s staff judgment rather than a directly comparable score or test.
-
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
This remake made RPG Site’s top five. Consider it if you are looking for a revived entry from a long-running RPG series rather than a wholly new property. Its position on that list is an editorial recommendation, not a claim that it suits every newcomer.
Rank #2
Sale
Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player's Handbook (D&D Core Rulebook)- UNLEASH NEW POSSIBILITIES—Introducing the 2024 Player’s Handbook, the new and improved guide for fifth edition Dungeons and Dragons. Redesigned with 10 years of feedback from the D and D community, the essential Dungeons and Dragons rulebook is bigger and better than ever before
- NEW CHARACTER OPTIONS YOU’LL LOVE—Create unforgettable characters with 12 core classes, 48 intriguing subclasses, and 10 distinctive species. Buff up your character’s backstory with 16 compelling backgrounds and 75 fantastic feats.
- STUNNING ARTWORK—With vibrant new illustrations of every single character class, subclass, background, species, weapon, and armor, our thrilling artwork also features new and familiar spells, brought to life for the first time ever.
- FRESH and ENGAGING GAMEPLAY—Change up your combat style with fascinating new Weapon Masteries for your character class. Our new Tools and Crafting system lets you use your tools to craft items and impact travel and exploration.
- DESIGNED JUST FOR YOU—We’ve thoughtfully redesigned this book with an improved layout, better organization, and an alphabetized Rules Glossary. Find whatever you’re looking for with ease
-
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak
A new story-arc entry in a continuing series, with an overhauled combat system, according to GameSpot’s description. It appeared in RPG Site’s top five and was also among the games GameSpot highlighted; it is a promising pick if you want to begin a different arc, though the franchise’s ongoing continuity may matter to some players.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Dragon’s Dogma 2
GameSpot describes it as a wide-open fantasy adventure. It is a good fit for players who want room to explore rather than a narrowly linear experience. GameSpot relayed an 86 Metascore for the game as of December 5, 2024; that is a dated snapshot, not a current score.
Rank #3
Election Night! Game Citizenship Test Expansion Pack: for Use with Election Night! Game. Great Stocking Stuffer that Makes Learning U.S. Civics Fun!- Cards to be Used with Election Night! Game (sold separately)
-
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
GameSpot frames this as a turn-based remake, making it an approachable choice for readers who prefer deliberate battles to real-time action. GameSpot relayed an 88 Metascore as of December 5, 2024, the highest of the five displayed figures in its roundup. That figure is time-specific and should not be read as a current rating.
-
Persona 3 Reload
GameSpot describes this as a modernized remake. It is a useful option if you want to revisit a known RPG in a refreshed edition; newcomers should check the premise and tone before choosing it. GameSpot relayed an 87 Metascore as of December 5, 2024.
Rank #4
Sale
Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Monster Manual (D&D Core Rulebook)- MONSTERS GALORE—Venture into the mightiest Monster Manual yet! In addition to iconic D&D favorites like dragons and mind flayers, this monstrous menagerie introduces over 75 brand-new monsters and contains over 500 unique creatures in total.
- INTRIGUING NEW ENCOUNTERS—Inject more variety into your games with unique encounters! Raise the stakes with terrifying new monsters for higher level play, such as the arch-hag and blob of annihilation. Craft unusual and memorable NPC encounters by using over 40 humanoid stat blocks as inspiration.
- STUNNING ARTWORK—Gaze upon the legendary D&D dragons in all their splendor. In this book of majestic beasts, we’ve created stunning redesigns of the chromatic and metallic dragons, and over 300 pieces of breathtaking new artwork for almost every monster.
- DESIGNED JUST FOR YOU—Easily locate whatever monster you’re looking for and save prep time with revised, easy-to-use stat blocks. We’ve categorized all monsters by creature type and have redesigned their stat blocks to be easier to use and understand. Running encounters has never been easier!
- PART OF THE 2024 CORE COLLECTION—1 of 3 revised Dungeons & Dragons core rulebooks, the 2024 Monster Manual is designed for use with the fifth edition 2024 Player’s Handbook and 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide
-
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
For a more classical, approachable JRPG, GameSpot points to this remake as a strong candidate. It offers a contrasting choice to the year’s sprawling action adventures and newer story arcs. GameSpot relayed an 84 Metascore as of December 5, 2024.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
RPG Site included it in its top ten. It broadens this selection beyond remakes and the highest-profile established franchises, and is worth considering if you want a different RPG option from the year. The available year-end list does not establish a platform-by-platform ranking or a comparable score for it.
Best Value
Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide (D&D Core Rulebook)- NIFTY RESOURCES FOR DUNGEON MASTERS—We've packed this book with incredibly useful tools and advice for Dungeon Masters of all levels. Make your game sessions special with over 400 total and 18 new magic items, practical solutions for common Dungeon Master pitfalls, and Greyhawk, a customizable premade campaign setting.
- WONDERFUL WORLDBUILDING INSPIRATION—Introduce inspiring new mechanics into your game! Tinker away with revised rules for crafting magic items, creating NPCs, and more. Excite your party and keep them engaged between sessions with the new system for bastions, which are strongholds built and controlled by players.
- STUNNING ARTWORK—Delight in spectacular artwork featuring new magic items, legendary D&D figures, cinematic fantasy landscapes, a double-sided poster map of the Greyhawk setting, and more!
- LEVEL UP YOUR DUNGEON MASTER EXPERIENCE—We’ve built useful handouts and resources to help you keep track of your campaigns and added a Lore Glossary that helps you easily find information about key D&D characters and locations.
- PART OF THE 2024 CORE COLLECTION—1 of 3 revised Dungeons & Dragons core rulebooks, the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is designed for use with the fifth edition 2024 Player’s Handbook and 2024 Monster Manual
How to choose among them
| What you want | Try | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| A new fantasy RPG with narrative and art recognition | Metaphor: ReFantazio | RPG Site’s overall pick; The Game Awards winner for Best Narrative and Best Art Direction. |
| A continuing story and award-winning music | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | RPG Site top-five selection and The Game Awards winner for Best Score and Music. |
| Turn-based combat | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | GameSpot describes it as a turn-based remake. |
| A wide-open fantasy adventure | Dragon’s Dogma 2 | GameSpot’s description emphasizes its open-ended adventure. |
| A classic RPG revived in a new edition | Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake | GameSpot characterizes it as a more classical, approachable JRPG. |
| A fresh story arc in a continuing series | The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak | GameSpot notes the new arc and overhauled combat system. |
What “best of 2024” means here
Year-end lists use different rules. GameSpot’s roundup was based on Metacritic scores as of December 5, 2024. RPG Site’s awards considered releases from December 2023 through November 2024, treated re-releases separately, and named an overall winner while listing the rest of its top five and ten without a full internal ranking. This article instead uses calendar-year 2024 releases and makes an editorial selection across subgenres and formats. Remakes qualify; expansions do not. The list is intended for a broad international audience, but a specific game’s platforms, edition, language options and regional availability should be checked before purchase.
The scores cited above are only the Metascores GameSpot displayed on its December 5, 2024 roundup; they are not a consistent score for all ten games or a substitute for choosing by platform, combat style and story preference.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
