Top-Down RPG is a video game genre that was once at the peak of popularity among gamers, but over time, got overshadowed by other genres.
However, recently, it seems that the genre is experiencing a resurgence and many new titles have adopted some of its features and improved upon them, attracting a wide audience of gamers in the process.
So if you are somebody who is looking to experience some of the best Top-Down RPGs out there, then look no further than this list.
1. Path of Exile
Path of Exile is an action RPG that was originally published and developed by Grinding Gear Games and first released on PC way back in 2013. The game quickly gained popularity and was deemed a spiritual successor of the Diablo franchise which led to it being released on other platforms in the following years.
Path of Exile takes place on the continent of Wraeclast, once a powerful kingdom, now fallen to ruin and serving as a place where criminals and troublesome individuals are exiled. The player assumes the role of a character who has been exiled to Wraeclast for unknown reasons and the player’s journey begins.
Path of Exile offers everything that you would expect from an RPG in terms of gameplay mechanics. Character classes, attributes, endless customization, dungeon crawling, quests, and of course a plethora of items and weapons to use on your adventure.
- Developer: Grinding Gear Games
- Publisher: Grinding Gear Games, Tencent, Garena, Kakao Games
- Release Date: 23 October 2013
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, macOS
2. Diablo II
Released in the year 2000, DIablo II is a direct sequel to the original 1997 Diablo game and the second installment in the popular Diablo franchise. Developed by Blizzard North, Diablo II quickly became a staple of its genre and many consider it to be one of the best RPGs ever made even today. Diablo II received an expansion pack titled Diablo II: Lord of Destruction and more recently, a full remaster titled Diablo II: Resurrected.
The story of the game picks up right where its predecessor left. Set in the world of Sanctuary, the game follows the player character as he attempts to put a stop to the invading forces of Hell.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, Diablo II pretty features seven different classes, all with unique abilities and playing styles, a rich storyline, a multitude of quests, weapons, and items, as well as dungeons filled with evil creatures that you can and should vanquish.
- Developer: Blizzard North
- Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
- Release Date: 29 June 2000
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS, macOS
3. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is an indie simulation RPG that was developed by Eric Barone, who is better known as ConcernedApe within the video game community. The game was originally released in February 2016 on PC, Xbox One, PS4, and macOS, with ports to other platforms being made in the following years.
The game takes place in a fictional small city called Pelican Town and the player takes control of a single character whom they create at the start of the game. The player inherits a house and rundown plot of land within the town, and this is where your adventure begins.
Gameplaywise, Stardew Valley provides the player with a lot of freedom to explore, craft, raise their own crops, and expand the farm while at the same time completing quests for the town locals, obtaining weapons and equipment, and exploring dangerous caves and dungeons.
- Developer: ConcernedApe
- Publisher: ConcernedApe
- Release Date: 26 February 2016
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android
4. Tunic
Tunic is an indie action-adventure game that was released in March 2022, which makes it one of the more recent entries on this list. Developed by Andrew Shouldice and published by Finji the game was released on multiple systems and achieved great success among the player base. The PS5 and PS4 ports are scheduled to release in September 2022.
The player assumes control of an anthropomorphic fox character as he travels through a strange world in an effort to unveil the secrets hidden within it.
Many players describe Tunic as a crossover between Dark Souls and Legend of Zelda, and while it doesn’t feature stats and deep customization that one would normally see in an RPG, it does feature a plethora of items, weapons, puzzles, and interesting locations to explore which is why it earns a spot on this list.
- Developer: Andrew Shouldice
- Publisher: Finji
- Release Date: 16 March 2022
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
5. Diablo III
Diablo III is a hack-and-slash action RPG and the third installment in the Diablo franchise that was released back in 2012 on PC and ported over to numerous other platforms within the next few years. The game received an expansion pack titled Diablo III: Reaper of Souls in 2014.
Diablo III takes place twenty years after the events of Diablo II in and follows the Nephalem, the character controlled by the player, battling against the invading evil forces.
When it comes to gameplay mechanics, Diablo III comes equipped with everything you would expect to see in an RPG including classes, a procedurally generated world, random encounters, weapons, armor, and items as well as upgrade stations which you can use to increase the power of your gear.
- Developer: Blizzard Team 3
- Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
- Release Date: 15 May 2012
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
6. Graveyard Keeper
Graveyard Keeper is an indie management simulation game developed by Lazy Bear Games studio that was released in 2018. The game was inspired by games such as Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon and received three separate DLCs from 2018 to 2020.
Graveyard Keeper takes place in a fictional medieval fantasy setting with the player character being tasked with taking care of a nearby church and graveyard and acting as a middleman between the locals and the afterlife.
While Graveyard Keeper is quite a bit different from a standard RPG and focuses mostly on gathering materials, crafting items, and exploring the world around you, it does feature dungeons, quests, and a great story, all of which makes it a worthy entry on this list.
- Developer: Lazy Bear Games
- Publisher: tinyBuild
- Release Date: 15 August 2018
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android
7. No Place for Bravery
No Place for Bravery is an upcoming 2D top-down action RPG that is currently being developed by Ysbrud Games and scheduled to be released in September 2022 for PC and Nintendo Switch.
The player takes control of Thorn, an old experienced warrior who goes to explore a rundown world in order to find and rescue his missing daughter.
While not much information is available about this game, what lands it on this list is its combat system that revolves around RPG mechanics such as dodging, parrying, and cleaving.
- Developer: Ysbrud Games
- Publisher: Glitch Factory
- Release Date: 22 September 2022
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
8. Pillars of Eternity
Pillars of Eternity is an RPG that was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and released on multiple platforms in March 2015. The game is widely considered to be a spiritual successor of titles such as Baldur’s Gate and received two expansion packs as well as a sequel titled Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
The player takes control of the character dubbed the “Watcher”, a person with the ability to see and interact with souls with whom you progress through the game’s story.
As Baldur Gate’s spiritual successor, Pillars of Eternity brings with it a whole package of RPG tropes and mechanics. Different races, unique classes with specific abilities, different factions and a reputation system, and a rich story that is directly impacted by your choices and actions are just the tip of the RPG iceberg.
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive, Versus Evil
- Release Date: 26 March 2015
- Platform: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux
9. Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is an RPG that was developed and published by Square Enix. Originally developed for the Super NES and released in 1995, the game achieved great success and quickly became praised as one of the best titles in its genre. Over time, multiple releases of the game were made and ported to other platforms with the latest being the Steam version of the game that launched in February 2018.
Our story begins within the kingdom of Guardia during a Millennial fair where our protagonist Crono meets a girl named Marle, and while exploring the fair, they visit a Telepod exhibition. Marle decides to help out with a demonstration, but something goes wrong and she gets transported to a different dimension. Crono follows her but finds himself in a world four centuries in the past. It is up to the player to discover a way to travel through time, gather allies, and save the world.
The gameplay mechanics revolve around exploring a wast world, solving puzzles, completing quests, obtaining items, and equipment, and vanquishing your enemies in battle.
- Developer: Square Enix
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: 11 March 1995
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo DS, PlayStation, i-mode, iOS, Android
10. Titan Quest
Titan Quest is an action role-playing hack and slash game that was developed by Iron Lore Entertainment and released back in June 2006 for PC. Over the years, the game was ported to various other platforms and received a few DLC packs with the latest being Titan Quest Eternal Embers from 2021.
The story of the game follows a player-created protagonist as he travels across ancient lands of Greece, Egypt, China, and many others in an effort to defeat the Titans who somehow managed to break out of their prison.
As players explore the map and complete quests for individuals that they meet on their journey, they will gain experience points which they can spend in order to learn new spells and abilities. The game features attributes such as strength, dexterity, and intelligence, and while it doesn’t feature classes in the traditional sense of the word, it allows players to choose multiple masteries such as warrior, defense, or a specific element, and focus on upgrading abilities within them.
- Developer: Iron Lore Entertainment
- Publisher: THQ, THQ Nordic
- Release Date: 26 June 2006
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, iOS, Andriod, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
11. Broken Road
Broken Road is an upcoming narrative-driven RPG that is currently being developed by Drop Bear Bytes and scheduled to be released sometime in 2022.
The game is set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic Australia which players can explore while controlling a party of up to five characters.
From what little information is available about the game, we know that it will feature a combination of both traditional and original RPG mechanics, as well as turn-based tactical combat.
However, one of the more unique features of the game will be the Moral Compass, which is basically a morality system that will be affected by the player’s actions and dialogue choices.
- Developer: Drop Bear Bytes
- Publisher: Drop Bear Bytes
- Release Date: 2022
- Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
12. Haunted Chocolatier
Haunted Chocolatier is an upcoming indie RPG title that is currently being developed by Eric Barone, the person behind another popular indie RPG title, Stardew Valley. At the time of writing this, the game doesn’t have a set release date and will be released for PC, however, the creator of the game has confirmed the plans to bring the game to as many platforms as possible.
From what little information is available, we know that the player will take control of a single character and that the game takes place in a small city that features a haunted Chocolatier castle.
Compared to Stardew Valley, the Haunted Chocolatier will have a greater focus on RPG elements and combat that will this time include shields, stuns, and a lot more variety in every aspect.
- Developer: Eric Barone
- Publisher: Eric Barone
- Release Date: Unknown
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
13. One Lonely Outpost
One Lonely Outpost is an upcoming sci-fi life sim that is being developed by Aurorian Studios and scheduled to be released across multiple video game platforms sometime during the third quarter of 2022.
The player fills the boots of a pioneer who finds himself on a strange, barren alien planet and is tasked with terraforming and colonizing his new home by using a multipurpose tech gauntlet.
One Lonely Outpost mostly focuses on collecting resources, crafting and collecting and recording various native flora and fauna. However, the game also features some RPG elements such as world exploration and dungeon crawling.
- Developer: Aurorian Studios
- Publisher: Freedom Games, Freedom Family Limited
- Release Date: 2022
- Platform: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, PlayStation 5
14. There is No Light
There is No Light is an upcoming action-adventure RPG scheduled to release on all major platforms in September 2022.
The game is set in a fictional world in which a catastrophic event occurred that wiped out most of the human civilization. Those who survived the cataclysm went underground and formed a new religious society that worships the Great Hand.
Every few years, the Great Hand takes away a bunch of newborn children from the humans, and it is up to the player to travel through the treacherous underground world in an effort to rescue his own child.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, There is No Light comes packaged with a unique combat system and a plethora of weapons and skills to upgrade them, a karma system and numerous dialogue choices as well as more than seventy enemies and bosses to overcome, all of which are staples of modern RPGs.
- Developer: Zelart
- Publisher: HypeTrain Digital
- Release Date: September 2022
- Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
15. Children of Morta
Children of Morta is an action RPG that was developed by Dead Mage and came out back in September 2019 on multiple platforms.
The plot of the game revolves around the Bergson family, custodians of Mount Morta, and also the characters whom the player controls.
Each of the family members comes with their own unique personality and abilities which you can improve by leveling up. The characters progress through a multitude of dungeons and fight off evil creatures while progressing through the game’s main storyline.
- Developer: Dead Mage
- Publisher: 11 Bit Studios
- Release Date: 3 September 2019
- Platform: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Classic Mac OS
16. Witchbrook
Witchbrook is an upcoming life sim RPG that is currently being worked on by Chucklefish. At the time of writing this, the game is in early development and has no set release date.
The player takes control of a witch-in-training who finds herself at Witchbrook College in Mossport. Your main goal is to develop your magical skills and become the best witch you can be,
The gameplay revolves around developing new spells and abilities, forming relationships and completing tasks for the local residents, growing magical crops, and much more.
- Developer: Chucklefish
- Publisher: Chucklefish
- Release Date: Unknown
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
17. Moonlighter
Moonlighter is an action RPG that features rogue-lite elements and was originally developed by Digital Sun and released for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, however, over the years, the game was released on various other platforms including Stadia, Switch, and Android. In 2019, the game received a DLC expansion pack titled Moonlighter Between Dimensions.
Taking place in a fictional village of Rynoka, the player is tasked with running a shop during the day and exploring the surrounding landscape during the night.
Your daily chores include selling items, expanding your shop, and obtaining upgrades for your character which can come in handy when exploring the dangerous dungeons at night in search for new items. Additionally, you can befriend the locals, craft items, enchant your gear, and much more.
- Developer: 11 Bit Studios, Digital Sun, Crunching Koalas
- Publisher: Netflix, 11 Bit Studios, Merge Games
- Release Date: 29 May 2018
- Platform: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, iOS, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Google Stadia, Linux
18. Nobody Saves the World
Developed by Drinkbox Studios, Nobody Saves the World is a hack-and-slash action RPG that was released in January 2022.
The player assumes control of a character named Nobody who carries a wand that allows him to transform into eighteen different forms.
Nobody Saves the World features a procedurally generated world and a multitude of dungeons filled with traps and enemies, as well as treasure and bosses who guard it.
On this journey, the player can help the individuals he comes across by performing various tasks in order to gain new forms and unlock new abilities.
- Developer: Drinkbox Studios
- Publisher: Drinkbox Studios
- Release Date: 18 January 2022
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
19. Hero Siege
Hero Siege is an indie action hack-and-slash RPG that was released back in January 2014. Developed by Elias Viglione and Jussi Kukkonen, and published by Panic Art Studios, the game was released on all major platforms and received multiple DLC packs.
The game takes place in the Kingdom of Tarethial which was taken over by Damien, the son of Satan. It is up to the player to battle his forces and save the kingdom before it’s too late.
Hero Siege features a randomly generated world, seventeen different classes with unique abilities and talent trees, a plethora of loot and items, and more than thirty unique boss encounters.
- Developer: Elias Viglione, Jussi Kukkonen
- Publisher: Panic Art Studios
- Release Date: 29 January 2014
- Platform: Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
20. Dysmantle
Dysmantle is an open-world survival RPG that was developed by 10tons LTd. and released in November 2021 on all major platforms.
The game features a post-apocalyptic setting and the player takes control of an unnamed character who emerges from the shelter many years after the cataclysmic event had taken place. With no other human benign in sight, it is up to the player to unravel the ancient secrets hidden underground and survive long enough to figure out a way off the island.
When it comes to gameplay, Dysmantle combines survival elements such as crafting and resource gathering with the RPG elements such as dungeon crawling, puzzle solving, and upgradable stats.
- Developer: 10tons Ltd.
- Publisher: 10tons Ltd., DOCOOL LIMITED
- Release Date: 16 November 2021
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, macOS
