Summary
There area lot of things that make anRPG,and two games that bear the description might look completely different, but one important commonality of the genre is that it features mechanics that make the player more powerful over time, offering new interactions and stronger abilities to help the characters take on more dangerous threats.
Many RPGs rely on a traditional leveling system; players gain XP as they defeat enemies, and can use that XP to unlock better stats and new moves. Other games throw in some interesting and exciting twists that make leveling up a much more engaging experience. Here are ten ofthe best RPGs for progression systems.
The infamousSkyrimis one of the most well-known RPGs on the market. In addition to its expansive open world, the game features a relatively simple but very intuitive leveling system to help players buildthe character they truly want to play as.
As a character uses a specific type of weapon, or casts a spell from a specific school of magic, their experience with the relevant skill will increase. Once players have gained enough combined experience, they level up, and can gain a perk from whatever skill they’d like. These perks are gated by the amount of experience a player has in the relevant skill, ensuring that players are always well-equipped to get the best abilities in the skills they’re focusing on.
The venerableDragon Questfranchise isone of the oldest RPG seriesin the industry, and the most recent mainline entry,Dragon Quest 11, has a lot to offer fans. This game includes a robust roster of heroes, each with their own traits and playstyles. Players have complete freedom to shape these characters and determine their specialty in combat through robust and elaborate skill trees.
These skill trees take the form of expansive fields of hexagons, each of which features a new skill, stat bonus, or spell for the character to learn. As players unlock hexagons, they’ll gain access to new skills in adjacent panels, letting them carve a path of their choice as the character progresses.
The free-to-play action RPGPath of Exiletakes heavy inspiration from theDiabloseries in its fast-paced action and massive, over-the-top skills. When it comes to leveling up, the game has an extremely distinctive approach to player skills.Path of Exileboasts a truly massive skill tree, with well over a thousand passive skills sharing an immense and interconnected web.
This colossal skill tree is combined with a unique approach to skills and abilities where players must slot specific gems into their weapons and armor in order to unlock new moves. These two systems combined mean players have near-total freedom to build their characters however they want.
Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s first open world Soulslike, is a game that needs no introduction. The massive open world of The Lands Between ispacked with weapons and spellsfor players to experiment with in search of their perfect build.
Careful allocation of skill points is vital inElden Ring. Upgrading Strength and Dexterity will unlock the ability to wield deadly new weapons, while Intelligence and Faith can unlock powerful spells and incantations. The intrinsic reward of becoming innately more powerful is satisfyingly paired with the ability to wield incredible new tools in battle.Elden Ringalso makes it easy to respec characters once players have defeated Rennala, so there’s plenty of room for experimentation.
Nintendo’s venerableFire Emblemfranchise is the biggest name in the tactical RPG space, andThree Housesis one of the most prominent games in the series. The decisions players make for their young lords and warriors in training will have profound implications for the world around them, and the second half displays this in shocking fashion.
The game’s school setting gives players many ways to train and prepare their students. While units still gain XP and level up on the battlefield, they can also improve their skills through private lessons, and even set up a personalized lesson plan for more in-depth playstyle customization. When they’re ready, students can even take exams to branch out into new classes and gain even more abilities and specializations.
InPersona 5, progression isn’t just about leveling up. While players do gain XP over time and increase their stats from it, the more important form of progression comes from the main character’s bonds with his teammates and friends. Carefully managing one’s day-to-day life is vital to success inPersona 5, and this includes making time tostrengthen bonds with Confidantsthroughout the city.
Strengthening relationships unlocks powerful new abilities and buffs in combat. Of course, it also deepens the player’s connection with that NPC and exposes more of that character’s storyline and backstory.Persona 5perfectly marries mechanical progression with social interaction in a way that wonderfully exemplifies the nature of the game’s storyline.
TheDiablofranchise is an excellent choice for players seeking a power fantasy. Characters inDiablo 4unlock unbelievable spells and abilities that will let them clear a screen of demonic foes in seconds. Coupled with the satisfying feedback loop of unlocking incredible new weaponry and armor,Diablo 4characters will eventually be on a truly incredible power level.
This progression system is all the more satisfying becauseDiablo 4characters start so low on the proverbial food chain. Low-level characters must fight and struggle for each piece of gear they find. Theabsurdly powerful late-gameabilities are much more enjoyable knowing how hard the player has had to work for them.
Baldur’s Gate 3took the world by storm when it got its full release in 2023. This iconic RPG is based on the 5th edition ofDungeons & Dragons, and gives players the chance to explore some of the TTRPG’s most iconic published settings without needing to find a playgroup in real life.
This inspiration extends to leveling up, which, as anyD&Dfan will admit, can be one of the most satisfying parts of the tabletop game. Leveling up inBaldur’s Gate 3gives characters the chance to learn powerful new spells and abilities that will dramatically impact future encounters. They can even multiclass, broadening their utility in whatever creative and distinct way they can think of.
Many fans of the franchise still considerFallout: New Vegasto be the best game in the series, and with good reason. The game features one of the most immersive progression systems in the franchise, even though the process of leveling up is quite simple. When players level up, they get points to distribute among their various skills, and at every other level they can choose a new perk as well.
This progression system ties into the game in some surprising and satisfying ways. Many dialogue options require a sufficient number of points in a given skill to pass, and Speech isn’t the only skill represented in conversation. Medicine, Guns, Barter, and even Explosives can all impact how the character interacts with NPCs and progresses quests. The perks help build out one’s playstyle in immersive and impactful ways, and the demanding skill requirements for the higher-level options make it not just easy, but almost necessary to build a character to the ideal specifications.
Darkest Dungeonis all aboutmaking the best of a bad situationand crawling back from abysmal failure. The game’s central progression system reflects this. While individual adventurers do level up and get stronger as they go on more missions, they’re also ultimately disposable and easily replaced. The more important progression system revolves around the Hamlet.
This small town serves as the player’s base of operations throughout the game. When the protagonist and their fledgling mercenary force first arrive, the town is in ruins, scarcely functioning and sparsely populated. Using the goods and resources claimed from successful expeditions, players can begin fixing it up. This unlocks new ways to improve individual heroes, as well as resources to make them stronger, such as better weaponry and useful trinkets. By the end of the game, the Hamlet is a modestly bustling little town, its buildings in good condition and its walls sturdy enough to repel the horrors of the night.
