Best Offline RPGs On PC You Need To Play
Offline games often go overlooked with PC gamers. These offline RPG’s are a must play for fans of the genre.
RPG developers are continually raising the bar. With innovations that expand gameplay opportunities without changing the fundamentals, the RPG genre will forever remain relevant.
The PC platform contains some of the most influential RPGs in gaming history. Even years after their debuts, game series like The Witcher and The Elder Scrolls are still reverberating in the industry because of the great leaps and bounds they made to gaming as a whole. With many RPGs on the way, it seems all but likely the best is to come. For now, let’s take a look at the best offline RPGs on PC.
RELATED: RPGs With The Most Impressive Customization Options
Updated August 17, 2022 by Mark Sammut: Role-playing games come in all shapes and sizes. Some opt for an isometric angle and a sci-fi setting, while others are full 3D games set in medieval fantasy worlds. The sky truly is the limit when it comes to this genre, and there should be a few dozen great projects to suit everyone’s tastes. This article has been expanded to include a few more of the greatest offline PC RPGs.
19
Tales Of Arise
Developer
Bandai Namco Studios
Subgenre
Action JRPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
40 Hours
Bandai Namco’s Tales has produced a few stellar games, and Vesperia or Symphonia would not look out of place in an article discussing the best offline PC JRPGs. However, Tales of Arise gets the nod since it is the franchise’s most recent and, more importantly, one of its most complete entries.
Unlike some of its predecessors, Arise delivers great combat, memorable characters, and a gripping storyline with a relatively mature tone. Visually, the game also looks pretty good.
18
Persona 4 Golden
Developer
Atlus
Subgenre
Turn-Based JRPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
70 Hours
Slowly but surely, more people are being exposed to Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei franchise. For the longest time, these JRPGs were limited to consoles, and usually only a select few, but Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne and Persona 4 Golden eventually found their way to PC. Both of those games are fantastic and should be sought out by any fan of turn-based JRPGs, but Persona 4 Golden takes the cake slightly due to its more diverse gameplay.
RELATED: Things You Never Knew About Persona Localization
When not taking on (challenging) dungeons and engaging in straightforward but enjoyable battles, Persona 4 Golden is a social sim. Players must spend their time wisely as they seek to foster their relationships with the other characters, not only to unlock new story beats but to also gain advantages in combat.
17
Neverwinter Nights
Developer
BioWare
Subgenre
3D RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
55 Hours
When it comes to memorable games for PC, Neverwinter Nights still shines as a masterful blend of retro and modern-style RPGs. Though there’s a slight learning curve, this 2002 classic is still renowned by fans and critics alike, with its nuanced isometric role-playing and lavish detail.
Using the immensely rich Dungeons & Dragons lore as a backdrop, the game captivates throughout its robust journey of over 50 hours. Careful not to confuse this title with the 1991 game of the same name — which is ironically online.
16
South Park: The Stick Of Truth
Developer
Subgenre
Turn-Based RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
12 Hours
Despite being viewed by many as one of the best adult cartoons ever, this zany franchise hasn’t always translated well in the gaming realm. But Obsidian Entertainment soundly defies conventions with this charmingly depraved RPG. Both on a visual and contextual level, The Stick of Truth draws from a wealth of hilarious and memorable South Park lore.
This sets the stage for a fun — and achingly funny — journey, rife with goofy toilet humor and witty satire of fantasy and pop culture. The game truly feels like playing through an epic South Park episode, while the gameplay takes on the appealing vibe of Paper Mario meets D&D.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole is also fantastic.
15
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Developer
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Subgenre
Turn-Based JRPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
45 Hours
For the seventh main entry in the series, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio opted to start a new chapter in the Yakuza story. Kazuma Kiryu steps down as the protagonist to make room for Ichiban Kasuga, a man who bites the bullet for his clan and spends 18 years in prison for a murder he did not execute. Once he is released, Ichiban finds himself shunned despite his sacrifice, so he decides to become something of a hero.
RELATED: Yakuza: All Of The Main Games’ Combat Systems, Ranked
Set in Kamurochō, which is based on Kabukichō, Yakuza: Like a Dragoncontains the gloriously grandiose storytelling that the series is famous for, along with plenty of hilarious side quests and addictive mini-games. Rather than beat ’em up combat, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a turn-based RPG inspired by the likes of Dragon Quest, and it is a pretty good attempt at replicating that style of gameplay.
14
Cyberpunk 2077
Developer
CD Projekt Red
Subgenre
FPS RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
25 Hours
Though it’s rough around the edges both thematically and with regards to bugs, this CD Projekt Red hit nonetheless entices. It draws in fans with its awesome style and gameplay that’s both thrilling and deep. Cyberpunk 2077 takes players on a cinematic sci-fi ride full of heart-pumping action, breathtaking visuals, and a gripping, emotional story.
The game takes a page from the Fallout and Borderlandsplaybook when it comes to blending RPG elements and arcade-style shooting chaos. It also utilizes stealth and hacking concepts one might find in Watch Dogs. Even disregarding the awesome Keanu appearance as renegade Johnny Silverhand, there’s much to enjoy about this thrilling romp for PC.
13
Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows Of Amn
Developer
BioWare
Subgenre
Top-Down RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
70 Hours
Though seemingly lost to the pages of history for some, this BioWare series remains a cult classic for fans of old-school fantasy and PC RPGs. This 1998 title is one of the series’ strongest. Despite the fairly weak online features, this game really flourishes with its deep campaign, whose core experience alone runs 50 hours.
With its lush fantasy settings and multi-layered strategy gameplay, Baldur’s Gate 2 feels like virtual D&Don steroids. It also serves as a charmingly retro prototype that games like Dragon Age and Mass Effect would build on.
12
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Developer
BioWare
Subgenre
Sci-Fi RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
30 Hours
BioWare is no stranger to appealing RPGs that stress offline gameplay, as this Star Wars classic from ’03 reestablishes. Many fans consider KOTOR one of the best Star Wars games to this day, with a gripping story and solid writing that lives up to the stellar standards of the original trilogy.
RELATED: Star Wars: KOTOR – Awesome Side Quests You Shouldn’t Miss
This semi-open-world epic also captivates from a gameplay standpoint. Star Wars fans and newcomers alike will revel in slashing and blasting through tons of colorful locales, while carving their path and opting for the path of light or darkness.
11
Hades
Developer
Supergiant Games
Subgenre
Action Roguelike
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
22 Hours
Finally, this game is out for everyone to enjoy, and players will have a blast grinding it out in this hack and slash RPG. Hades takes players to the Underworld, where they defy Hades’s ruling as the Prince of the Underworld. Players assume the role of an immortal character in this rogue-like.
Following the troubled hero’s death, the player is brought back to a hub where they can refine and improve their character with permanent upgrades as well as new weapons. Hades takes after games like Dead Cells and Diablo 3 but offers unique content to relish.
10
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Developer
BioWare
Subgenre
Action RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
50 Hours
While the previous Dragon Age games had more linear designs, Dragon Age: Inquisition was inspired by open-world games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. BioWare did a great job of listening to its fanbase since the release of Dragon Age 2.
Although there is an option for multiplayer, Dragon Age: Inquisition can be played entirely offline. The single-player mode is separate from the game’s four-player co-op.
9
Final Fantasy 10/10-2 HD Remaster
Developer
Square Enix
Subgenre
Turn-Based JRPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
75 Hours
The Final Fantasy 10/10-2 HD Remaster collects the remasters of two PS2 classics. It contains Final Fantasy 10 and Final Fantasy 10-2 and bonus content previously found only in the games’ international versions.
RELATED: Every Main Final Fantasy Game Ranked On How Long They Take To Beat
Some criticize the collection for merely being a remaster and not a remake from the ground up. However, it’s also a phenomenal way to play the two classic RPGs. Undoubtedly, the graphics have improved, and the sound quality is better than the originals. There are also a numbers of quality of life improvements that make the games less of a grind.
8
Disco Elysium – The Final Cut
Developer
ZA/UM
Subgenre
Adventure
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
25 Hours
Disco Elysium is something special, and comfortably one of the best single-player RPGs on PC to come out over the last few years. Rather than concentrating on combat, this neo-noir thriller is built on a deep dialogue system that is influenced by the main character’s chosen skills and behavior. This creates a strong connection between the story and gameplay as they feed into each other at all times.
Speaking of the plot, Disco Elysium weaves an incredible tale that starts as a murder mystery before expanding into a character study. The RPG tackles quite a few intriguing themes and philosophical ideas, which are naturally integrated into the game’s setting and society.
7
Elden Ring
Developer
FromSoftware
Subgenre
Open-World RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
55 Hours
FromSoftware has been crafting fantastic Metroidvania games for more than a decade, and Elden Ring is a top contender for the company’s greatest achievement. Set in the Lands Between, the 2022 title takes the Dark Souls formula and transfers it to a vast open-world that is absolutely stacked with bosses, secrets, and quest lines. For people who prefer the more contained approach of FromSoftware’s previous games, each region has a central dungeon that follows a more traditional structure.
Elden Ring gives players plenty of freedom on how they would like to tackle its content, and that goes beyond just character builds. Except for a few endgame sections, the map unlocks almost all of its areas right out of the gate, permitting players to just pick a direction and venture forth into the unknown. Now, Elden Ring’s online components do enhance the overall experience, but the game can be played offline without any issues.
6
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Developer
Bethesda Game Studios
Subgenre
Open-World RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
45 Hours
While many people’s go-to The Elder Scrolls game is Skyrim, Morrowind is considered a timeless adventure that has hardly aged. The graphics are not on par, which does hurt immersion, but the game has arguably better storytelling.
It offers a more significant challenge than Skyrim, so playing it afterward is advised. Putting the nostalgia factor aside, Morrowind is an objectively fun RPG played entirely offline.
5
Fallout: New Vegas
Developer
Obsidian Entertainment
Subgenre
Open-World RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
30 Hours
The further players dive into Fallout: New Vegas, the more they get a sense of the scale of this game. The quality of the writing is masterful, making this a must-play. As an RPG, it offers dialogue options that let the player influence the events of the game.
Fallout: New Vegas was developed by Obsidian Entertainment (not Bethesda Softworks, as previous entries in the series). Yet, the game is somehow on equal footing or better than the mainline games. The colorful Vegas setting and amusing features like gambling give New Vegas a unique charm.
4
Mass Effect 2
Developer
BioWare
Subgenre
Sci-Fi RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
25 Hours
Mass Effect is gaming’s definitive space opera. Widely recognized as one of the best RPGs of all time, Mass Effect 2 is an offline sensation. The weapon customization, dialogue options, and romance possibilities put this game up there with the greatest RPGs. A variety of mods further up the ante when it comes to the game’s intrigue.
RELATED: Hidden Details Everyone Missed In Mass Effect 2
Once again, players play as Commander Shepard, a human whose background is chosen by the player. This protagonist, who can be a male or a female, appears in the first Mass Effect trilogy.
3
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition
Developer
Bethesda Game Studios
Subgenre
Action RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
30 Hours
Skyrim is a critically acclaimed RPG with tremendous replay value. Quests regenerate, meaning there is almost no end to the game. Players can join guilds, serve demonic gods, and choose paths of good or evil.
Exploring the game’s medieval towns, players sense the scale of the world. Each town is filled with small nuances that add to the game’s overall enjoyability, including unique characters and plenty of hidden secrets. Skyrim is offline only and available on the PC platform.
2
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Developer
Larian Studios
Subgenre
Turn-Based RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
60 Hours
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the reason Larian Studios has been trusted with Baldur’s Gate 3, and if that RPG’s early access state is anything to go by, Wizards of the Coast picked the perfect developer for the job. Released in 2017, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an ambitious and deep RPG that works on nearly every level. The character customization is expansive and liberating, the combat system is challenging but rewarding, and the writing is consistently strong, particularly in the side quests.
This is the type of game that can and will keep someone busy for months on end. Even after dropping a hundred hours into the campaign, Divinity: Original Sin 2 can still find ways to surprise players.
1
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Developer
CD Projekt Red
Subgenre
Action RPG
How Long to Beat (Main Story)
55 Hours
The bright minds at CD Projekt Red are continually innovating with their latest games. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was an ambitious project with a high payoff. The quests are immersive, and the game has a robust progression system along with a large world that is ripe for exploration, discovery, and intrigue.
Although the game doesn’t grant many stat bonuses, the player’s character improves through worn gear. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a standout RPG title played entirely offline.
MORE: The MMORPGs With The Best Storytelling, Ranked
