HT Games
* Sales: This is one objective measure, but it's hard to get exact numbers for older games and it doesn't always reflect long-term impact.
* Cultural impact: Some RPGs have profoundly shaped the genre and influenced countless others, even if they didn't sell the most copies.
* Community size: Games with active, passionate fanbases can be considered popular even if they aren't the biggest sellers.
Here's a list of games often considered among the most popular RPGs, categorized by their impact:
By Sales & Cultural Impact:
* The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011): One of the best-selling games of all time, with over 60 million copies sold. It popularized open-world RPGs and continues to have a massive following.
* Final Fantasy VII (1997): A landmark title for PlayStation and the most popular entry in the Final Fantasy series. It pushed the boundaries of storytelling and graphics.
* The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015): A critical darling and award-winning game, it's renowned for its story, characters, and world. It's also one of the best-selling games of the current generation.
* Fallout 3 (2008): Resurrected the Fallout franchise and helped solidify Bethesda's place as a leader in RPG development.
* Grand Theft Auto V (2013): Though it's primarily an action-adventure game, it also contains strong RPG elements and has become a cultural phenomenon.
By Cultural Impact & Community Size:
* Dungeons & Dragons (1974): The tabletop RPG that started it all. It continues to have a thriving community and has influenced countless other games.
* World of Warcraft (2004): The most popular MMORPG of all time, with a massive online community and lasting cultural impact.
* Final Fantasy XIV (2010): While initially a flop, its relaunch in 2013 was a huge success, establishing it as one of the leading MMORPGs.
* Baldur's Gate (1998): A classic isometric RPG that set the standard for computer RPGs.
* Fallout (1997): The original Fallout game helped define the post-apocalyptic RPG genre.
Other Notable RPGs:
* The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017): A groundbreaking open-world adventure game with strong RPG elements.
* The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998): A classic action-adventure game that is considered a landmark in the history of gaming.
* Disco Elysium (2019): A critically acclaimed RPG with a unique focus on dialogue, character building, and detective work.
* Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017): A highly regarded RPG with a deep tactical combat system and a captivating story.
It's important to note that this is just a small sample of the many great RPGs that exist. The best RPG for you will depend on your individual preferences.