Having the freedom to shape your own story and character through the decisions you make is part of the magic of role-playing. Owning your own journey and feeling like you are the maker of your gaming destiny never gets old, so that’s why I’ve gathered up a list of the best RPGs to play today where your choices really matter.
Obviously, nearly all the best RPGs around offer some level of player choice, however, there are still plenty that still have a universal story where your customized character essentially experiences largely the exact same ending and NPC dialogue, no matter what. So, below are titles that all have branching narratives, and distinct variations based directly on how you decide to play them. With the kind of vibe you can expect from each (which you can learn more about in our FAQ section), I’ve focused on games where each new playthrough really does have the ability to feel extremely fresh and offer something unique here.
The best RPGs where choices really matter, starting with…
10. The Outer Worlds
Release date: October 23, 2020
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Vibe: Chill Out
Set in a star system colonized by megacorporations, The Outer Worlds is one of the best first person RPGs that really makes you feel like a star in your own off-kilter sci-fi TV series. You play as a passenger from a lost colony ship who is tasked to bring the corporations down, however, how your journey unfolds is highly dependent on several dialog decisions.
Your choices also add to the world-building of the game. In our The Outer Worlds review, we point out how “characters will react so acutely to your behavior, the company you keep, and the events that transpire around them”. It’s typical Obsidian Entertainment fair, and I also personally love that you’ll see a montage showcasing the consequences of all your choices at the end of the game, too. I recommend playing The Outer Worlds 2 after you get through this one; choices don’t cross over to the sequel, but it’s another great RPG in its own right.
9. Back to the Dawn
Release date: July 18, 2025
Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Story-driven
Back to the Dawn is a 2025 indie RPG that mainly revolves around social mechanics. Basically, in a similar vein to games like Disco Elysium, the direction and story will be determined by your interactions with other characters and what character stats you decide to focus on as well. This is the kind of title that pushes for multiple playthroughs, as your first choice can result in two wildly different experiences as you pick between playing as either a journalist or a seasoned criminal trying to break out of prison.
The game has real-time events that you’ll need to factor into your days, complex social systems that create both allies and enemies, and plenty of dice skill checks that can be your downfall. Both characters you can pick from have multiple endings, and that, paired with Back to the Dawn’s unique animal characters and art style, makes it stand out in the RPG space.
8. Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Release date: May 14, 2021
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Story-driven
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a bundle that includes the full Mass Effect trilogy, and by playing them all, you’ll really see how your choices affect the entire sci-fi story since the decisions you make are transferred between games. In Mass Effect, you play as Commander Shepard, who has to save the galaxy from a giant threat. The stakes are high, and how you choose to roleplay basically determines the fate of the universe itself.
Throughout the game’s shooter action, you’ll have to make either “Paragon” or “Renegade” choices, which end up massively affecting the ending of Mass Effect 3, thanks to the war point system that tallies up resources and allies that Shepard has gathered over the course of the three games. Every choice feels tense, and the game constantly reminds you of them. I can’t recommend this trilogy enough, and if you want to learn more, head over to our Mass Effect Legendary Edition review.
7. Deus Ex
Release date: June 23, 2000
Platforms: PC, PS2
Vibe: Story-driven
Deus Ex is a classic and one of the best ARPGs around. Its final mission is also very heavy on player choice when it comes to what ending you’ll get to see, so of course, I had to give it a shoutout in this list. This is a first-person shooter set in 2052, with terrorists causing havoc, and where the economy is on the verge of collapse. Fun stuff.
I will say that there isn’t much we can do in terms of plot interference compared to other entries, however, depending on how you choose to play the game, you get some great gameplay variations. I recommend this to any RPG fans looking for a less open-ended kind of RPG. Here, your choices still matter, but you’re still following a set plot, and the story isn’t solely dependent on all your actions. It’s great for newcomers and is also one of the best sci-fi RPGs of all time; you won’t be disappointed, folks.
6. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Release date: October 15, 2019
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Story-driven
Disco Elysium is probably the most complex RPG on this list, and every choice you make regarding the building of your character will give you a unique experience. It’s also one of those RPGs where there really is no “right choice”; you’re playing an imperfect detective on a murder case, who can’t remember anything. The game will give you options as you choose what kind of personality you want to embody, and those decisions will dictate how you interact with the world and also how other characters interact with you.
You also can’t progress certain parts of the story if you don’t pass the right skill check. For instance, if you’ve decided to invest in physical skills instead of intellect, you may be locked out of certain character interactions. This also makes each playthrough feel unique. Disco Elysium is almost overwhelming with the amount of choices you have to make, but it’s a stunning piece of art that everyone should experience.
5. Fallout: New Vegas
Release date: October 19, 2010
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Vibe: Chill Out
Fallout: New Vegas, in my opinion, is the best Fallout game ever made, mainly thanks to how everything you do is reflected in the world around you. You play as a courier in the Mojave Desert, and soon, you’ll also have to decide the fate of the Hoover Dam (aka the central source of conflict between the game’s main factions).
I’ll never get tired of tuning into Radio New Vegas and hearing the presenters talking about my exploits at Helios-One and more. This subtle worldbuilding, paired with the way all our actions dictate how certain groups in the Wasteland treat us, makes New Vegas feel like the ultimate RPG. Everything is remembered, and everything has a consequence that you’ll have to balance. You can’t make everyone happy, and with every choice, there’s a chance you’ve made a new enemy. No other Fallout game reflects that fact as well as New Vegas, and each of the four endings you can get comes with a unique gameplay experience because of it.
4. Undertale
Release date: September 15, 2015
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Expect the Unexpected
Undertale is a deceptively cute RPG that is packed full of consequences based on your choices during each combat encounter. Playing as a human child called Frisk, who has fallen into the Underground, a realm filled with monsters, you’ll have to try to get back to the surface, facing different creatures as you go in random encounters. In these encounters, you can flee, fight or try to befriend the monsters; however, most will go after your soul, releasing bullet-hell style attacks that you’ll need to dodge.
I won’t get into too many spoilers here, but I will say that your actions during fights can result in one of three different endings that also affect what fights you get to experience, and character dialogue as well. Also, one route permanently locks out another even if you start a new game, so yeah, think wisely before you jump into this gem.
3. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Release date: September 2, 2021
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One
Vibe: Story-driven
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous really doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves compared to the likes of the Divinity games and Baldur’s Gate series. However, this is a fantastic Isometric RPG that also employs a super interesting choice system around ethical questions that will lead you on different “mythic paths.”
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is based on the real table-top game Pathfinder, which is probably the second most popular fantasy franchise after DnD. Wrath of the Righteous draws from the rules of the TTRPG and gives us turn-based combat, as we take on the role of a Mythic hero on a crusade against a demon army. Each ethical choice we are faced with unlocks a new path. These tend to be morality-based but very interesting, for instance, one will let you become a lich. This is one of the best CRPGs around, and perfect for players looking to spend a few hundred hours or so on a new title.
2. Fable 2
Release date: October 21, 2008
Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Expect the Unexpected
The choices you make in Fable 2 not only affect the outcome of the story, it also directly affects the appearance of your character as well. In this fantasy RPG, you take on the role of a young hero who is destined to stop a madman from destroying the world. Set in the fantastical world of Albion, the game is also packed with some delightfully absurd humour and plenty of hilarious consequences.
Fable employs an alignment system that really dictates everything, from your love life, popularity, pets, and appearance. This character morphing has been expanded from the first game, and can result in some really varied characters, which make the morality-based RPG systems feel more alive as well. Personally, I love the fact that decisions are reflected physically in the game, along with all the interpersonal ramifications of NPC relationships. It’s a shame this feature won’t be in the new Fable game, so I really recommend giving this classic a try regardless of its age.
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
Release date: August 3, 2023
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Story-driven
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the best Dungeons and Dragons game that we currently have, and like with all the great table-top RPGs, the outcome of the story is crafted around our decisions. This statement is true for the main plot of the game and also true when it comes to the personal stories of your companions. Based on what path you decide to take, as well as your choice of class and stats, your experience will differ wildly.
I won’t get into any story spoilers here, but I will say that my charismatic bard talked herself out of two boss fights, had a main character ditch her based on her money-hungry actions, and managed to romance a toxic vampire in need of therapy. And, my second playthrough only had two companions, a faith-breaking romance, and non-stop carnage. In our Baldur’s Gate 3 review, we point out how the detailed choices make characters “feel like products of their own world rather than archetypes.” Each playthrough is unique, and there’s a massive amount of different endings as well as ending variations to explore.
The best RPGs where choices really matter FAQs
How do we pick our entries for the best RPGs where choices matter?
Every entry in our list of the best RPGs with meaningful choices has been played by me and is then vetted by a few other genre experts on the team. While all RPGs give you choices, we’ve made sure that our picks highlight the games where your choices can complete change your gaming experience and the story.
We also always keep in mind that these recommendations are for gamers to play right now. So, while both new games and golden oldies are considered, we are always measuring picks next to modern standards. So if some trailblazers are missing, it’s likely due to the fact that they are pretty inaccessible today or just missed out compared to newer offerings.
Why do we update our lists?
At GamesRadar+, we want to make sure that all our recommendations are always relevant and keep genre enthusiasts in the loop with the best titles in the genre to play right now. That means every time I get my hands on a new RPG that has meaningful choices, I’ll evaluate it and decide whether it beats out one of our current entries.
This logic also applies to any hidden gems or classics that we haven’t played yet (any recommendations in our comments section are welcomed). If we’ve played something new and we think it’s worthy of the spotlight, we’ll consider adding it to our list.
Our RPG Vibes explained
All our entries include a “vibe section”, which we use to indicate what kind of game experience you’ll largely be getting here. Of course, a lot of RPGs have multiple kinds of experiences, but the vibes we’ve chosen are specifically curated for the subgenre you’re after.
In this case, we’ve taken into account the main mechanics of when it comes to deciding vibes. You can also find a definition of all of our vibes below.
- Story-driven: RPGs where the story propels your journey forward, with unforgettable companions and impactful choices and consequences. We also have a dedicated list of the best story-driven RPGs if you want more like this.
- Better With Friends: RPGs that can be played solo but thrive with others. These offer the possibility for shared experiences, be that online or locally.
- Quick Play: RPGs that aren’t hard to pick up and play whenever you have the spare time. The perfect choice for busy folks after quick gaming sessions.
- Chill Out: RPGs that let you take things at your own pace, explore, and venture on side-quests if you choose. For those looking for a less demanding and more stress-free time.
- Expect the Unexpected: RPGs where you can get silly and find yourself in novel and very unusual situations. Things can go wrong quickly, but also in very funny directions.
How frequently do we update our ranking?
I’m a frequent RPG player who is also constantly on the hunt for games that give you choices that matter. As a New Vegas fan girl, consequences mean a lot to me, so I’ll personally consider updating this list ifa nd when I discover of play a new game that beats out one of our current entries.
I tend to check on lists each month, just so that we are always up to date on the latest gaming releases. However, if no new releases beat out our ranking, I won’t touch it. At the very least, I update lists yearly, but the frequency of them really is based on what is released and if the team and I can confidently recommend them to you.
For even more recommendations, head on over to our lists of the best JRPGs and the best turn-based RPGs to play today.
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