Top 10 Western RPGs of the 2010s

in the modern era Western role-playing

in the modern era Western role-playing has branched out beyond imagination

welcome to watchmojo.com and still be

welcome to watchmojo.com and still be counting down our picks for the top ten

counting down our picks for the top ten

counting down our picks for the top ten Western RPGs of the 2010s now you’re

Western RPGs of the 2010s now you’re

Western RPGs of the 2010s now you’re asking me what I think you have the mark

asking me what I think you have the mark

asking me what I think you have the mark and you are the one we must keep alive

and you are the one we must keep alive

and you are the one we must keep alive for this list we’re highlighting the

for this list we’re highlighting the

for this list we’re highlighting the brightest and most fitting examples of

brightest and most fitting examples of

brightest and most fitting examples of Western role-playing games released in

Western role-playing games released in

Western role-playing games released in the 2010s as usual we’re placing a limit

the 2010s as usual we’re placing a limit

the 2010s as usual we’re placing a limit of one game per franchise and we’re not

of one game per franchise and we’re not

of one game per franchise and we’re not including MMORPGs as they already have

including MMORPGs as they already have

including MMORPGs as they already have their own list it is or maybe was

their own list it is or maybe was

their own list it is or maybe was something of value and that’s enough to

something of value and that’s enough to

something of value and that’s enough to get people motivated we’re also focusing

get people motivated we’re also focusing

get people motivated we’re also focusing on games that embody a western style and

on games that embody a western style and

on games that embody a western style and Sensibility

Sensibility

Sensibility not just where they were developed for

not just where they were developed for

not just where they were developed for example despite being Western made South

example despite being Western made South

example despite being Western made South Park the stick of truth has the tropes

Park the stick of truth has the tropes

Park the stick of truth has the tropes and mechanics more akin to a JRPG as

and mechanics more akin to a JRPG as

and mechanics more akin to a JRPG as does undertale so sadly they won’t make

does undertale so sadly they won’t make

does undertale so sadly they won’t make the list number 10 wasteland 2 what

the list number 10 wasteland 2 what

the list number 10 wasteland 2 what allow be god damned we haven’t seen any

allow be god damned we haven’t seen any

allow be god damned we haven’t seen any synthetics around for almost 15 years

synthetics around for almost 15 years

synthetics around for almost 15 years over 20 years since the original and the

over 20 years since the original and the

over 20 years since the original and the series still stands strong wasteland 2

series still stands strong wasteland 2

series still stands strong wasteland 2 picks up years after its predecessor

picks up years after its predecessor

picks up years after its predecessor with the desert Rangers returning to

with the desert Rangers returning to

with the desert Rangers returning to embark on a new quest to investigate the

embark on a new quest to investigate the

embark on a new quest to investigate the death of their comrade ace and complete

death of their comrade ace and complete

death of their comrade ace and complete his original mission I appreciate you

his original mission I appreciate you

his original mission I appreciate you coming to Captain ease his retirement

coming to Captain ease his retirement

coming to Captain ease his retirement party when you hardly knew the man

party when you hardly knew the man

party when you hardly knew the man despite being a newer release wasteland

despite being a newer release wasteland

despite being a newer release wasteland 2 maintains the first game’s nonlinear

2 maintains the first game’s nonlinear

2 maintains the first game’s nonlinear design and focus on exploration mixed

design and focus on exploration mixed

design and focus on exploration mixed with a more character-driven tale and

with a more character-driven tale and

with a more character-driven tale and improved visuals

it’s a blend of new and old that works

it’s a blend of new and old that works well in practice no Ranger who dies in

well in practice no Ranger who dies in

well in practice no Ranger who dies in the line of duty will ever be forgotten

the line of duty will ever be forgotten

the line of duty will ever be forgotten number nine pillars of eternity good

number nine pillars of eternity good

number nine pillars of eternity good could we maybe stay here and rest a few

could we maybe stay here and rest a few

could we maybe stay here and rest a few hours retro revivals certainly have

hours retro revivals certainly have

hours retro revivals certainly have found their place in the 2010s

found their place in the 2010s

found their place in the 2010s developed by Obsidian Entertainment as a

developed by Obsidian Entertainment as a

developed by Obsidian Entertainment as a spiritual successor to games like

spiritual successor to games like

spiritual successor to games like Baldur’s Gate and I Swindell this

Baldur’s Gate and I Swindell this

Baldur’s Gate and I Swindell this isometric role-playing game carries with

isometric role-playing game carries with

isometric role-playing game carries with it a certain nostalgia factor from its

it a certain nostalgia factor from its

it a certain nostalgia factor from its pre-rendered environments to its

pre-rendered environments to its

pre-rendered environments to its tactical combat there’s much in the way

tactical combat there’s much in the way

tactical combat there’s much in the way of classic design yet fillers of

of classic design yet fillers of

of classic design yet fillers of eternity paves its own way in execution

its story of a foreign traveler battling

its story of a foreign traveler battling a curse remains compelling to the very

a curse remains compelling to the very

a curse remains compelling to the very end the game’s experienced system

end the game’s experienced system

end the game’s experienced system rewards exploration and the art style is

rewards exploration and the art style is

rewards exploration and the art style is equal parts detailed and idyllic I know

equal parts detailed and idyllic I know

equal parts detailed and idyllic I know you’re not some helpless

you’re not some helpless

you’re not some helpless Tenderfoot not like most of this lot but

Tenderfoot not like most of this lot but

Tenderfoot not like most of this lot but you drop dead I don’t want to be looking

you drop dead I don’t want to be looking

you drop dead I don’t want to be looking for the body got a schedule to keep

for the body got a schedule to keep

for the body got a schedule to keep number eight Dragon Age Inquisition

every now and again and Inquisition is a

every now and again and Inquisition is a good thing as the third major game in

good thing as the third major game in

good thing as the third major game in the Dragon Age series Inquisition acts

the Dragon Age series Inquisition acts

the Dragon Age series Inquisition acts as a climax of sorts kill him now you

as a climax of sorts kill him now you

as a climax of sorts kill him now you take on the role of the Inquisitor the

take on the role of the Inquisitor the

take on the role of the Inquisitor the survivor of a mysterious magical event

survivor of a mysterious magical event

survivor of a mysterious magical event tasked with unifying the land of fetus

tasked with unifying the land of fetus

tasked with unifying the land of fetus while also contending with a forthcoming

while also contending with a forthcoming

while also contending with a forthcoming demon invasion unless we act the breach

demon invasion unless we act the breach

demon invasion unless we act the breach may grow until it swallows the world

may grow until it swallows the world

may grow until it swallows the world among other things Inquisition

among other things Inquisition

among other things Inquisition constantly delivers compelling

constantly delivers compelling

constantly delivers compelling characters plot threads with fascinating

characters plot threads with fascinating

characters plot threads with fascinating moral choices and intense combat

moral choices and intense combat

moral choices and intense combat scenarios topping it all off is a huge

scenarios topping it all off is a huge

scenarios topping it all off is a huge open world Italy brought to life by the

open world Italy brought to life by the

open world Italy brought to life by the ultra powerful frostbite engine Oh left

ultra powerful frostbite engine Oh left

ultra powerful frostbite engine Oh left sure what’s on your mind

sure what’s on your mind

sure what’s on your mind you are and I’d like you and the rest of

you are and I’d like you and the rest of

you are and I’d like you and the rest of me to I thought I read you right number

me to I thought I read you right number

me to I thought I read you right number seven Borderlands 2 sorry about the mess

seven Borderlands 2 sorry about the mess

seven Borderlands 2 sorry about the mess everything jet kills he sounds here

everything jet kills he sounds here

everything jet kills he sounds here bandits fault hunters claptrap units

bandits fault hunters claptrap units

bandits fault hunters claptrap units this ain’t no place for a hero but don’t

this ain’t no place for a hero but don’t

this ain’t no place for a hero but don’t feel discouraged from playing five years

feel discouraged from playing five years

feel discouraged from playing five years after the events of the original

after the events of the original

after the events of the original Borderlands a new group of vault hunters

Borderlands a new group of vault hunters

Borderlands a new group of vault hunters land on the deadly world of Pandora only

land on the deadly world of Pandora only

land on the deadly world of Pandora only to be faced with a dictatorial regime

to be faced with a dictatorial regime

to be faced with a dictatorial regime say you’re right on time thus up to four

say you’re right on time thus up to four

say you’re right on time thus up to four players must once again engage in varied

players must once again engage in varied

players must once again engage in varied gunplay with increased character

gunplay with increased character

gunplay with increased character customisation building on the

customisation building on the

customisation building on the role-playing aspect add to that the

role-playing aspect add to that the

role-playing aspect add to that the hilarious witty writing and the

hilarious witty writing and the

hilarious witty writing and the charismatic handsome jack as our villain

charismatic handsome jack as our villain

charismatic handsome jack as our villain and this action RPG doesn’t lack for

and this action RPG doesn’t lack for

and this action RPG doesn’t lack for reasons to experience it

number six divinity original sin there’s

number six divinity original sin there’s trouble offshore so we’ll have to sail

trouble offshore so we’ll have to sail

trouble offshore so we’ll have to sail in carefully whether playing alone or

in carefully whether playing alone or

in carefully whether playing alone or with a friend there’s always good times

with a friend there’s always good times

with a friend there’s always good times to be had this prequel to divine

to be had this prequel to divine

to be had this prequel to divine divinity focuses on a pair of magic

divinity focuses on a pair of magic

divinity focuses on a pair of magic destroying source hunters steadily drawn

destroying source hunters steadily drawn

destroying source hunters steadily drawn into a broader conspiracy Wow very

into a broader conspiracy Wow very

into a broader conspiracy Wow very curious and how very disquieting the

curious and how very disquieting the

curious and how very disquieting the intricacies of the plot pairs well with

intricacies of the plot pairs well with

intricacies of the plot pairs well with the gameplay of original sin based

the gameplay of original sin based

the gameplay of original sin based around intense turn-based combat and a

around intense turn-based combat and a

around intense turn-based combat and a world full of interactive options from

world full of interactive options from

world full of interactive options from the way that enemies use the environment

the way that enemies use the environment

the way that enemies use the environment in combat to the openness of the skill

in combat to the openness of the skill

in combat to the openness of the skill point distribution this game is

point distribution this game is

point distribution this game is engrossing in its embrace of choice and

engrossing in its embrace of choice and

engrossing in its embrace of choice and consequence without sacrificing any of

consequence without sacrificing any of

consequence without sacrificing any of the thrill of adventure

the thrill of adventure

the thrill of adventure Kathlyn there’s a mine in the middle of

Kathlyn there’s a mine in the middle of

Kathlyn there’s a mine in the middle of our path someone must have an interest

our path someone must have an interest

our path someone must have an interest in protecting whatever’s kept here

in protecting whatever’s kept here

in protecting whatever’s kept here number 5

number 5

number 5 Fallout New Vegas whoa easy there easy

Fallout New Vegas whoa easy there easy

Fallout New Vegas whoa easy there easy you cannot cold a couple of days now the

you cannot cold a couple of days now the

you cannot cold a couple of days now the desert could be a dangerous place but

desert could be a dangerous place but

desert could be a dangerous place but it’s worth the risk set in the Mojave

it’s worth the risk set in the Mojave

it’s worth the risk set in the Mojave Desert Fallout New Vegas both calls back

Desert Fallout New Vegas both calls back

Desert Fallout New Vegas both calls back to the earliest Fallout titles and

to the earliest Fallout titles and

to the earliest Fallout titles and deviates from them effectively city folk

deviates from them effectively city folk

deviates from them effectively city folk they always think they deserve better

they always think they deserve better

they always think they deserve better than what they got players are put in

than what they got players are put in

than what they got players are put in the shoes of the courier shot in the

the shoes of the courier shot in the

the shoes of the courier shot in the head and left to die the courier can

head and left to die the courier can

head and left to die the courier can investigate their circumstance further

investigate their circumstance further

investigate their circumstance further or explore the deserts various locales

or explore the deserts various locales

or explore the deserts various locales to their heart’s content some of the

to their heart’s content some of the

to their heart’s content some of the fine folks in town not be able to help

fine folks in town not be able to help

fine folks in town not be able to help ya with that most notably Vegas marks

ya with that most notably Vegas marks

ya with that most notably Vegas marks the return of reputation as a gameplay

the return of reputation as a gameplay

the return of reputation as a gameplay factor combining with a focus on skills

factor combining with a focus on skills

factor combining with a focus on skills to make for a player driven experience

to make for a player driven experience

to make for a player driven experience I’m always fixing to be the center of

I’m always fixing to be the center of

I’m always fixing to be the center of attention we did also consider fallout 4

attention we did also consider fallout 4

attention we did also consider fallout 4 for this slot but we ruled that it

for this slot but we ruled that it

for this slot but we ruled that it didn’t do quite enough to improve upon

didn’t do quite enough to improve upon

didn’t do quite enough to improve upon its predecessors thus new vegas seals

its predecessors thus new vegas seals

its predecessors thus new vegas seals the deal

yes Dark Souls was made in Japan but in

yes Dark Souls was made in Japan but in gameplay this is strictly a Western RPG

gameplay this is strictly a Western RPG

gameplay this is strictly a Western RPG now a long-dead I’ve chosen the nine

now a long-dead I’ve chosen the nine

now a long-dead I’ve chosen the nine exodus from the undead asylum maketh

exodus from the undead asylum maketh

exodus from the undead asylum maketh pilgrimage to the land of ancient Lords

pilgrimage to the land of ancient Lords

pilgrimage to the land of ancient Lords in Dark Souls you were an undead being

in Dark Souls you were an undead being

in Dark Souls you were an undead being sent into the world of Lordran to ring

sent into the world of Lordran to ring

sent into the world of Lordran to ring the twin bells of awakening said quest

the twin bells of awakening said quest

the twin bells of awakening said quest takes you into a largely nonlinear realm

takes you into a largely nonlinear realm

takes you into a largely nonlinear realm with an open skill system numerous

with an open skill system numerous

with an open skill system numerous weapons with useful upgrades to invest

weapons with useful upgrades to invest

weapons with useful upgrades to invest in and the ever-present threat of death

this is an RPG built around overcoming

this is an RPG built around overcoming and dealing with death right down to the

and dealing with death right down to the

and dealing with death right down to the collection of souls as currency and

collection of souls as currency and

collection of souls as currency and experience let me guess fate of the

experience let me guess fate of the

experience let me guess fate of the undead right

yet it’s a popular design decision

yet it’s a popular design decision especially going by the existence of its

especially going by the existence of its

especially going by the existence of its spiritual successor blood one number

spiritual successor blood one number

spiritual successor blood one number three the elderscrolls v Skyrim

three the elderscrolls v Skyrim

three the elderscrolls v Skyrim if they think you’re Dragonborn who are

if they think you’re Dragonborn who are

if they think you’re Dragonborn who are we to argue long live to Dragonborn

we to argue long live to Dragonborn

we to argue long live to Dragonborn the Elder Scrolls 5 takes place 200

the Elder Scrolls 5 takes place 200

the Elder Scrolls 5 takes place 200 years after the previous game with a new

years after the previous game with a new

years after the previous game with a new player character designed to kill the

player character designed to kill the

player character designed to kill the returning dragons departing from the

returning dragons departing from the

returning dragons departing from the previous games is class selection and

previous games is class selection and

previous games is class selection and using the in-house creation engine

using the in-house creation engine

using the in-house creation engine Skyrim offers gamers not only the

Skyrim offers gamers not only the

Skyrim offers gamers not only the freedom to play as they wish but

freedom to play as they wish but

freedom to play as they wish but countless opportunities to do so from a

countless opportunities to do so from a

countless opportunities to do so from a cavalcade of side quests to intricate

cavalcade of side quests to intricate

cavalcade of side quests to intricate crafting and magic mechanics to the

crafting and magic mechanics to the

crafting and magic mechanics to the sheer scope of the province of Skyrim

sheer scope of the province of Skyrim

sheer scope of the province of Skyrim itself everything on display is built

itself everything on display is built

itself everything on display is built for engagement I used to be an

for engagement I used to be an

for engagement I used to be an adventurer like you then I took an arrow

adventurer like you then I took an arrow

adventurer like you then I took an arrow in the knee number 2 The Witcher 3 Wild

in the knee number 2 The Witcher 3 Wild

in the knee number 2 The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt tell me everything from the start

Hunt tell me everything from the start

Hunt tell me everything from the start greater stakes greater freedom this is

greater stakes greater freedom this is

greater stakes greater freedom this is the promise of The Witcher 3 which picks

the promise of The Witcher 3 which picks

the promise of The Witcher 3 which picks up with our lone Witcher antihero Geralt

up with our lone Witcher antihero Geralt

up with our lone Witcher antihero Geralt in the midst of a personal quest we were

in the midst of a personal quest we were

in the midst of a personal quest we were meant to me in will it be that’s what

meant to me in will it be that’s what

meant to me in will it be that’s what she wrote yet despite the emphasis on

she wrote yet despite the emphasis on

she wrote yet despite the emphasis on Geralt own struggles players are granted

Geralt own struggles players are granted

Geralt own struggles players are granted an open world to explore and hundreds

an open world to explore and hundreds

an open world to explore and hundreds upon hundreds of quests to undertake I

upon hundreds of quests to undertake I

upon hundreds of quests to undertake I can find your arsonist provided you’re

can find your arsonist provided you’re

can find your arsonist provided you’re willing to pay oh not much left I’ll

willing to pay oh not much left I’ll

willing to pay oh not much left I’ll give you all if you bring me that horse

give you all if you bring me that horse

give you all if you bring me that horse Wild Hunt built on the action based

Wild Hunt built on the action based

Wild Hunt built on the action based combat and magic elements of the past

combat and magic elements of the past

combat and magic elements of the past games introducing such new features as

games introducing such new features as

games introducing such new features as fighting on horseback

combined with the stunning nature of the

combined with the stunning nature of the game world this is truly a remarkable

game world this is truly a remarkable

game world this is truly a remarkable experience from start to finish one more

experience from start to finish one more

experience from start to finish one more thing Shh I know before we have a large

thing Shh I know before we have a large

thing Shh I know before we have a large op pick here are a few honorable

op pick here are a few honorable

op pick here are a few honorable mentions

number one Mass Effect 2 I’ve got some

number one Mass Effect 2 I’ve got some of the best working with me if we stick

of the best working with me if we stick

of the best working with me if we stick together we’ll make it a suicide mission

together we’ll make it a suicide mission

together we’ll make it a suicide mission like none other

like none other

like none other and a smash success at that Mass Effect

and a smash success at that Mass Effect

and a smash success at that Mass Effect 2 kicks off with our spacefaring hero

2 kicks off with our spacefaring hero

2 kicks off with our spacefaring hero Commander Shepards demise before leading

Commander Shepards demise before leading

Commander Shepards demise before leading into a bold quest to put together an

into a bold quest to put together an

into a bold quest to put together an elite team and investigate the

elite team and investigate the

elite team and investigate the disappearance of human colonists we

disappearance of human colonists we

disappearance of human colonists we can’t worry about whether the Normandy

can’t worry about whether the Normandy

can’t worry about whether the Normandy can get us home we came to stop the

can get us home we came to stop the

can get us home we came to stop the collectors that means coming up with a

collectors that means coming up with a

collectors that means coming up with a plan to take out this station while its

plan to take out this station while its

plan to take out this station while its combat leans more on the action side

combat leans more on the action side

combat leans more on the action side with regenerating health and limited

with regenerating health and limited

with regenerating health and limited Allen to boot this is still a matter of

Allen to boot this is still a matter of

Allen to boot this is still a matter of making tough choices and building a

making tough choices and building a

making tough choices and building a character of your own wait a minute

character of your own wait a minute

character of your own wait a minute are you jealous don’t be absurd with

are you jealous don’t be absurd with

are you jealous don’t be absurd with tight pacing a grim yet colorful visual

tight pacing a grim yet colorful visual

tight pacing a grim yet colorful visual style and a lively cast of characters

style and a lively cast of characters

style and a lively cast of characters this is one of gaming’s finest do you

this is one of gaming’s finest do you

this is one of gaming’s finest do you agree with our list I won’t disagree

agree with our list I won’t disagree

agree with our list I won’t disagree what’s your favorite Western RPG from

what’s your favorite Western RPG from

what’s your favorite Western RPG from the 2010s for more timely top 10s

the 2010s for more timely top 10s

the 2010s for more timely top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe

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to watchmojo.com now I’ve got my

to watchmojo.com now I’ve got my eyesight back if you’re uglier than I

eyesight back if you’re uglier than I

eyesight back if you’re uglier than I remembered