I said it before but this is a site of lists at this point, haha.
It has been my plan for years to release a top 100 list but
I just keep playing games and some of them are good
enough to mess up the list!
BUT here it is, the very top shouldn’t be surprising, in fact the
most surprising part is probably the games not on the list, haha.
10 of the games are NOT RPGs, and I must say it was hard to
leave out about 50 amazing games that felt like top 100 material…
it is worth noting that the list is purely my favorites, no attempts
at making a balanced list or include diversity or balance
between series or genres etc. The things I value the most is how
much the games have affected me, how often I think about them
and maybe most of all the soundtrack!
Anyway, if you don’t like the list feel free to send me your own,
these are my favorites of the 1400+ I have beaten:
#1 Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra
I will not write my big love letter today but it has been
19 years and no other game have even tried to compare
to this yet. So much and so little have happened in the world,
in my life and the game industry since this released but it is still
there as a constant mockery to every other game.
It has been over 7000 days since I beat Xenosaga II
and it has been 0 days since then where I haven’t thought about
Epidsode III. Yes it is an obsession and placing it as number one
is an understatement, I would throw out every other game on
the list and only keep this if I had to.
#2 Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse
By many a hated game, by even more people a skipped game
based on rumors, for me the second best game ever made!
Of course there are some problems, the change in character
style is mostly to the worse, some cutscenes have less animation
and detail (some scenes have fingers other blobs), some of the
English voices got downgraded and with worse direction.
BUT, all of that is made up by the second best battle
system ever, the second best soundtrack ever, the story
and the one thing the rest of the series is missing (sidequests).
Varied quality for sure but still glad they exists, in fact more than
half of the game is optional content!
#3 Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
I knew in the very intro that this would be something
completely different and spectacular, back then people still
thought it would connect to Xenogears but I am glad it
was and is its own thing. To this date still the best English dub
and voice direction!
#4 Xenogears
When I first played this I kept Chrono Trigger as number 1 but
it is a game that requires a second playthrough and after
replaying it and “fully” understand it Chrono Trigger just had
to make way. I won’t write about the greatness of the game,
play it or watch the long analysis by the
Resonant Arc podcast, many words are needed and they
got them, haha.
#5 Xenosaga I.II
This is a more accurate version of what Xenosaga I was
supposed to be before they realized it needed to be split
into two. Some very interesting changes and details
only found here and the gameplay is at least decent
in this demake.
#6 Xenosaga Pied Piper
While far from a great GAME, it happens to have vital
parts of the best story. Be sure to play the fan version
fully available in English and improves the game part drastically.
#7 Chrono Trigger
The former number 1!
This was the game that once and for all cemented my love
for games and RPGs specifically and forever changed me
and my focus. I have beaten it 120+ times and enjoyed
every single one.
#8 Valkyrie Profile
A great game if you go for the normal ending, a top 10 game
if you look up and experience the route to the true one!
This remains one of the craziest design decisions ever,
hiding one of the very best games this well.
Motoi’s best work, godly pixels, amazing varied dungeons that
only unlocks on hard mode, one of the very best
combat systems… the list goes on.
#9 Nier Automata
The best game in the last 19 years! I still wouldn’t say it
tries to compare to Xenosaga, it keeps to the Nier formula
and Yoko Taros principles of not taking itself serious even
when fans do. When Route C started I stood up and raised
my hands in victory, I was disappointed by the first
ending and never thought they could turn it around
but somehow they did, they sure did!
#10 Suikoden II
The Castle in this really feels like my second home,
I love it so much! True or not but I heard this was the game
they wanted to make from the start but Konami said it was
too ambitious. Comparing 1 and 2 it really seems true and
probably good they had one prototype before perfecting
the concept!
#11 Tales of Phantasia
Tied with Star Ocean for most impressive SNES game
technically, with simulated shadows, water reflections,
surround sound and voiced intro song!
Aside from the encounter rate there is
nothing I don’t like in this.
#12 Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
This game have so much to teach modern games!
Top class tutorials, shortcuts and options in all menus
and battles. One of the most touching stories, soundtrack,
dungeons, puzzles, humor it has it all!
Including the best roguelike ever: Ancient cave!!
#13 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV
This is the trickiest part, there is just no way to judge these
games by themselves, they are all one story and they all
require the context of the last to shine.
With that I have arranged them with Cold Steel IV as favorite,
Sky 3rd least favorite. I never thought I would care this much
about a series again after Xenosaga and Suikoden died but
here we are 1000 hours into this, the biggest and most
impressive video game series there is scope and content wise.
#14 The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the Second Chapter
The conclusion to the build up from 1 and
just great all around!
#15 The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Azure
There is just something about Crossbell and its
citizens! I spoke to all 300+ of them so many times.
#16 The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero
A lot less Geo front than I expected but
getting to know the NPCs was great.
#17 The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
I had nooo idea what I was in for but it was love
from the start, I wish the world could
stay as simple as back then…
#18 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III
I was skeptical to new class seven but by the end of
the game they were just as important as the old!
Second worst cliffhanger in any game!
#19 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II
I love the more open exploration and getting
the school back together!
#20 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel
Just a bit too slow and linear but quoting Xenogears
makes it up to me!
#21 The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie
The most fun to PLAY but this is where the
story really starts to derail.
#22 The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak
I might be the only one who dislikes the new
combat… other than that the story also keeps
getting worse along with the villains and the translation.
Longest game I have ever played!
#23 The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II
This really feels like a filler, even worse story and villains…
Still, the NPCs and some of my favorite characters are there!
# 24 The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 3rd
I was so disappointed by the whole concept and
lack of exploration. There is amazing story in there
as long as you come prepared though.
#25 Nier Replicant 1.23
Characters and the way they USE the music is better
than in Automata for sure but the improvements to
combat and systems are missed when you
replay this today.
#26 Terranigma
This is a game to play and experience,
not sit around reading about! Go play.
If you already played it you should know the greatness,
such an amazing journey through the evolution of the
world and its creatures, to this day there is nothing like it.
#27 Illusion of Time /Gaia
Content wise much weaker than Terranigma but this was one
of the first RPGs I ever played and beat before knowing
any English and it will always have a special place.
In fact I only love it more as time goes by!
I will forever be haunted by the flute music
and find comfort in the town music.
# 28 Suikoden III
The reason I bought a PS2! No game will ever be as epic
as the intro of this game implies but it sure tries!
The split scenarios adds so much, especially the secret one.
#29 Secret of Mana
An RPG with 3 player co-op!!
This game have meant a lot to me and my siblings and my
memories with it are many and fond.
The most buggy SNES game I have played but once
you learn to use them they are part of the fun, haha.
#30 Final Fantasy VI
Best in the series, mostly thanks to the music and second half.
This game shows how sidequests and an
open world should be done!
#31 Star Ocean 2 /The Second Story R
I can’t choose one, both are fantastic, the original with
charming voice clips, pre-rendered backgrounds etc.
The remake with so many upgrades and options that
it even pushed me to get all 99 endings!
#32 Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
While it can’t compare to the first game it still impresses with
one of the most advanced (and fun) battle systems ever,
the second best cutscenes on PS2, amazing environments
and massive rewards story wise for those that played the first.
#33 Chrono Cross
Ah, what an amazing game but terrible sequel.
The reason why I bought a PS1 and ever moved on
from SNES, I regret nothing!
#34 .Hack GU Recode
I try to get away with this as one game, hehe.
All of the .Hack games needs the context of each other
and the animes to deserve this high spot on the list
but even so, they each are fun and all three GU games
have amazing soundtracks and cutscenes, the one with
Tri-edge in the cathedral is forever etched in my mind.
#35 .Hack 1: Infection
Sadly I have to include all four of these even if they
clearly make up one single game.
This is the closest I will ever come to a MMO RPG and
it sure has that feeling and old charm.
#36 .Hack 2: Mutation
See above.
#37 .Hack 3: Outbreak
See above.
#38 .Hack 4: Quarantine
See above.
#39 Final Fantasy IX
Back to the roots with a working battle system,
fantasy setting, Hironobou etc.
They really mastered the prerendered backgrounds by 9
and the one thing I really love in it is how the story is told
with constant switching between parties and viewpoints
including the ATE system.
#40 Final Fantasy Tactics
The first I ever played in the genre and still the best one!
It really has it all from story to music, battles,
class systems etc. And of course the writing style!
#41 Tales of Symphonia
It is more or less a re imagining of Phantasia but with
it’s own world, cast and twists. The amount of side content
in this is crazy, most people don’t even know there are
multiple ways to get through the story with big and small
consequences and variations!
#42 Hollow Knight
The best of all indie games, and also the highest none RPG!
I was skeptical about the gray environments and the
bug theme BUT if you just get past the first two slow hours
it keeps getting better and better until it finally surpasses
even the classics of the genre.
I have beaten every boss, in all extra hard variants hitless,
path of pain is a cake walk and I am very ready for Silksong!
#43 Dark Souls 3
While it is the least interesting and mostly recycle ideas
from the the older games it also does it all the best and
by far the most polished. Unlike Elden Ring there
is even some kind of balance and still holds some challenge.
#44 Tales of Eternia
One of the first game I played with voice acting and
that added a lot. The painted backgrounds are also on
another level from the pixels and prerendered backgrounds
of the era. It just stands out in a lot of ways!
#45 Tales of Destiny
The encounter rate is a pain, the last third of the game is a
pain but I still love it for the pixels, characters, music and
general charm.
#46 Super Mario RPG
The first turn based game I ever beat and I still remember
asking what “RPG” meant back in 1996 when I saw that
magical combination of letters for the first time!
#47 Final Fantasy 7
It has never been my favorite but always remains a
strong game that opened the way for so many
other RPGs, especially outside of Japan.
#48 Rise of the Third Power
The best indie RPG, and second best indie game!
From the creators of Ara Fell, the humor remains but
few if any have managed to blend it so well with a
serious story! The world, the sidequests, the music!
The only negative is the use of standard RPG maker graphic,
while it looks great it also feels lazy and is already used by
thousands of other games finished or not.
#49 Xenoblade Chronicles DE
Aside from the last 15 minutes of the game that turns
into some kind of Xenogears parody it is just amazing!
The setting and exploration combined with the soundtrack
truly was next level when it released back on Wii.
#50 Shadow Hearts 2: Covenant
Maybe the first game deserves to be on the list too but
it melts together with 2 so much for me.
Just play it, the game is great and speaks for itself!
#51 Lunar 2: Eternal Blue
Just a bit better than the first with more sidequests etc.
#52 Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
This is the definition of RPG for me and the type of game
I want from the genre. Turn based combat, lots of NPCs,
towns to explore, some humor (maybe too much in this case)
pixel graphic etc.
#53 Rudra no Hihou
I really want to replay this but you could more or less call it
FFVI-2, more polished graphics in the same style, also sharing
the darker tones. The unique magic system, amazing
soundtrack and split scenarios all help too!
#54 Xenoblade 3
Combat/classes etc. are the best in the series for me,
so are sidequests which often have more substance than
the main story. The world is not as great to explore as the
first game and the story is also weaker but with some
big highlights here and there.
#55 Animal Crossing
I’m not going to specify a version, they are mostly the same
but if I had to choose I would go with gamecube where
it all begun for me. Concentrated coziness that have been
part of my and my sister’s lives ever since.
#56 Terraria
Playing this with my sister was so much fun,
without the co-op it wouldn’t make the list.
#57 Shining Force Neo
This should be a surprise for most people on a top list
but for me the pure joy of fighting a hundred enemies at the
same time and see the PS2 struggle in 2fps and slowly go
back to full speed once the enemies die is just the best, haha.
#58 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
I have beaten the game in all kinds of ways, no weapons,
no equipments, a boss only run… no matter what you do the
challenge is sadly zero.
Aside from that amazing and always fun!
#59 Wild Arms
Aside from the ugly 3D battles this is such a gem!
RPG dungeons done right!
#60 Legend of Mana Remaster
Eh, soundtrack and environments are fantastic,
battles and the co-op leaves a lot to wish for.
There is traces of a cool story in there, it’s just
hard to piece together…
#61 Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes
The story is holding it back from Suikoden levels
but building the castle town and gathering allies
goes a long way!
#62 Grandia HD
The battles, the humor, the unrivaled feeling of
going on an adventure, they really managed
to capture that!
#63 Environmental Station Alpha
Don’t let the simple 8×8 tile graphic fool you,
this is second only to Sotn and Hollow Knight!
The mysteries and challenges run deep with this
metroidvania.
#64 Signalis
This have my STRONGEST recommendation,
no matter what genre you usually play this combines
classic art and all kinds of media into one very unique
game highlighting the best medium there is: GAMES
#65 Inmost
I don’t want to spoil anything, it is short,
play it now if you like games and stories.
#66 Saga Frontier 2
I love the game, but hate the combat and
the usual terrible SaGa systems. Looking forward to
play the remaster SOON that might help it a bit…
#67 Lost Odyssey
The true FF… XI?
Some of Nobou’s best work and the side stories is
enough to place it this high but the premise of the
main character and his 1000 year journey is something
I am very weak to.
#68 Dragon Quest XI
Getting to the credits makes for a great RPG
BUT after the credits comes some of my favorite scenes
ever and it is a shame so many seem to miss the best
part of the game…
#69 Demons Souls / remake
It took me three tries to see the greatness of this
game and the “Souls” formula but today I can’t imagine
games without it!
#70 Octopath Traveler II
Some improvements from the first game but mostly
the same, better level design and more interaction
between characters, weaker soundtrack.
#71 Octopath Traveler
I might be the only person who isn’t a fan of the
HD 2D nonsense but everything else in the game makes
up for it, soundtrack, battles, some of the stories and the
disguised open world with a lot of ways to break and explore!
#72 Suikoden
The start of this epic story and while it is pretty
simple and dated I love the high tempo where you can get
a full RPG story and recruit 108 characters in about 20 hours!
#73 Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
I stopped playing the series after the move to PS3 and
from what I have seen this is still the best one with the
perfect mix of alchemy, story and exploration!
#74 Star Ocean
I could not believe it when I saw this game the first time,
the most impressive SNES game graphic wise and also
on some other fronts, just having a mini map on screen
felt so modern! I can just walk around and enjoy the
wind blowing in the grass, ah.
#75 Trails of Mana
If I could take parts of the modern remake and parts
of the SNES original and the fan version with 3 players
we would be close to a dream game…
#76 Soulblazer
Ahhh, my very first beaten RPG!
While it pales to Terranigma and Time/Gaia it
still has the amazing soundtrack and the pure
simple fun of resurrecting everything from a
tulip to a whole castle town!
#77 Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia
Another one where the soundtrack alone is enough to
make the list. The combat is fun enough and the
world feels cool and unique too. There are some parts
I could do without but as a whole it needs to be here.
#78 Arc the Lad II
What a great game and probably the biggest surprise
when I went through the whole library.
Godly pixels, great combat, story and world.
#79 Arc the Lad III
More or less the same level as II, some improvements
but the story is a bit weaker and lighter in tone.
#80 Final Fantasy X HD
There is a lot I like in this game, especially combat but
I wish Sin was the only villain…
#81 Ara Fell
The second best RPG maker game and made by
the same studio as Rise of the Third Power!
So much charm, so much humor, such
great quests and decent story too.
The only negative is the use of standard
RPG maker tiles even if they are used well.
#82 Xenoblade X DE
The story is pretty weak, the characters mostly joke
about eating each other and the music is mixed…
BUT the world and exploration remains unrivaled
when it comes to the feeling of freedom!
#83 Secret of Evermore
Being the one and only US developed Square game
makes it unique enough and the ambient soundtrack
and odd designs like a skeleton rowing a boat
through the desert left deep impressions on me.
#84 Super Castlevania 4
Hm, this is one of the games I have beaten the most
times for sure and I love it so much! The music and
atmosphere in this is on another level and somehow
still evokes those same feelings as it did over
30 years ago. If only I got exp from smashing those
Skeletons!
#85 Super Metroid
For a long time this used to be on or close to
the top 10 but after speedrunning and analyzing
it a lot and after Hollow Knight it is hard to
get much more out of it.
It just lacks the challenge and content today.
#86 Evoland 2
I wish I was the creator of this game, I have always
loved the idea of combining every game into
one great RPG, and this is it!
If you can name a game it probably have a
reference or whole section dedicated to it in this game!
#87 Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erdtree
I’m extremely mixed on this one, I hated the base game
and the terrible balance of bosses, repetitive catacombs etc.
BUT after accepting the terrible balance and just using
the mimic tear for everything I can enjoy the fantastic
environments. The DLC was such an upgrade in quality and
focus. I beat it ON the release day with very few deaths.
#88 Black Sigil
Apparantly a generally hated game?
For me it was the first indie game I played and also the
first to release on a Nintendo console depending on
definitions. The encounter rate is high, sure and
the soundtrack is pretty weak but the amazing
pixel art and the sidequests in the FF6/Chrono Trigger
style makes it up to me!
#89 Threads of Fate
I have played this so many times and I just can’t
resist the charm of it and the characters.
Big plus that the two characters have completely
different stories that still connect and overlap.
#90 Eternal Sonata
4 hour soundtrack in a 15 hour game, one of
Motoi’s best! The first game I ever saw in HD as if
the game isn’t magical enough that sure added
a layer!
#91 Tales of Legendia
Black sheep of the series, but the soundtrack from
Go Shiina is enough to redeem it, not to mention the
crazy part where they hid half of the game after
the end credits!
#92 Energy Breaker
It has been a while since I played it but the great
soundtrack, graphics, battles all ooze of SNES quality.
The faint connections to Lufia helps too!
#93 Breath of Fire 2
I’m still not sure why or how but this game fills me
with dread in a good way, the final boss song
is constantly in my head.
#94 Lufia and the Fortress of Doom
It felt old and outdated on release BUT the music,
characters and connection with the second game
still gets it into the list.
#95 Dark Chronicles
I would love to replay this but a bit too long sadly.
The main selling point is the amazing town building
that feels unique to this day. Not to mention that
you can use every dungeon as a golf course, haha!
#96 Radiata Stories
Tri-Ace! With the biggest playable party in any RPG,
the fantastic town where everyone is on a daily
schedule, a big twist/split in the story and the
bonus dungeon this fits right in on the list.
#97 Castle in the Darkness
The soundtrack is enough to make the list!
The game also have all the challenge and
joy of discovery I want in metroidvanias,
high tempo and a silly amount of references
that in this particular case was a positive for me.
#98 Drakengard
Well, as a game it is far from a pleasure to play,
the dragon parts holds up enough but any foot
combat gets old within 10 minutes.
It still gets a spot on the list as the precursor to Nier
and a window into Yoko Taros twisted mind. The most
disturbing party I have ever seen fights the most
disturbing enemies in the quest to get more disturbed.
#99 Gregory Horror Show
A pretty unknown game and yet the best horror game
from Capcom, haha. It might look silly and have a
cartoon style but don’t let it fool you, it is still
highly disturbing and scary when you get
chased around the hotel where it takes place.
#100 Skies of Arcadia Legends
I really added this in the last second. I want to
replay it myself but after watching it streamed
it really feels like it belongs here, haha.
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