RPGs to Play in 2023
Between fascinating in-depth storylines, epic combat and rewarding level-ups, who doesn’t love RPGs? Ever since the birth of the home console, the role-playing genre has been a staple of the video gaming experience. These days, RPGs of all variants populate the Google Play store. But which ones are worth sinking hours of your precious free time into? Here at Hardcore Droid, we’ve compiled a list of the best Android RPGs as of 2023, so you can start your year off right.
10. Battle Chasers: Nightwar
From developer HandyGames, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a stellar retro JRPG-inspired role-playing title. Players lead a team of six companions as they attempt to thwart an evil sorceress’s plan to raise a powerful demon and steal all of the island’s mana.
The game features a compelling turn-based combat system. However, while your team consists of six engaging characters, only three can enter into a battle at a time. Luckily, each individual can fill multiple party roles, like Alumon, who can attack a healer or deal high magic damage.
Along your journey, you also come across randomly generated dungeons containing treasure, traps and enemies. With beautiful 2D graphics, a fun storyline and engaging combat Battle Chasers: Nightwar is easily one of the best Android RPGs as of 2023.
Available on the Google Play Store
9. Pascal’s Wager
The sun is dead and humanity is on the brink of destruction. The remnants of humankind cling to the light of giant luminous beings known as Colossus, which is all that stands between them and the sanity-leeching dark mist. As Terrance, a church courier, players explore a dangerous and unforgiving world.
Drawing inspiration from Dark Souls, Pascal’s Wager isn’t for the faint of heart. Combat is unrelenting and challenging, so be ready to die often. As you progress, you’ll unlock new companions to aid you in your journey. There’s the whip-wielding nun Benita and Viola, a young woman equipped with a gun and specialized bullets. Terrance and his companions will lose sanity as they battle horrifying creatures. If their sanity gets too low, they’ll enter the abnormal state, which makes enemies stronger and curses the player with additional weaknesses. It features brutal yet satisfying combat, an engaging sanity system and sweet 3D graphics. Pascal’s Wager is not only one of the best RPGs on Android, but it is also the closest you’ll get to a mobile Dark Souls.
Available on the Google Play Store
8. Atom RPG
Enter an alternate reality in which a 1986 nuclear bombing has turned the Soviet Union into a wasteland in Atom RPG from Atent Games. Players journey across the Soviet wastes unraveling a sinister conspiracy over 60 hours of gameplay. An in-depth RPG that takes inspiration from old-school titles, the title features multiple skills like tinkering or lockpicking for players to master. Engage in random encounters with NPCs and take advantage of the deep well of dialogue options. There may not be a mobile Fallout game, but Atom RPG fills that void and brings the apocalypse to your fingertips.
Available on the Google Play Store
7. Vampire’s Fall: Origins
This old-school-inspired RPG may be all about vampires, but unlike the Undead, it definitely doesn’t suck. Vampire’s Fall: Origins is an open-world RPG in which you take on the role of a new vampire hellbent on hunting down your sire, the Witchmaster. This beauty of a game from Early Morning Studio includes epic turn-based combat where you’ll wield vampiric abilities against your foes. Vampire’s Fall Origins keeps it simple with a sweet plot, engaging combat and fun side quests. One of the most epic RPGs on mobile, Vampire’s Fall: Origins, is sure to enthrall you.
Available on the Google Play Store
6. Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent
One of the absolute best titles to come to mobile in 2022, Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent offers players three paths to follow—Wealth, Fame and Power. The game, which serves as a prequel to Octopath Traveler, thrusts players into the role of the chosen one bears one of the 8 Divine Rings. As the chosen one, you must reclaim the other seven rings from those using them to fulfill their selfish desires. With lovely pixel art, multiple gameplay paths and intriguing NPCs to recruit, Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent is a top-notch mobile RPG you won’t want to miss.
Available on the Google Play Store
5. Genshin Impact
Undoubtedly one of the best Android RPGs as of 2023, Genshin Impact takes players on a journey to find the Seven–elemental gods that inhabit the world of Teyvat. Separated from your sibling and drained of your powers, you must seek out the seven to find the answers you seek. From Cognosphere PTE. LTD, this open-world RPG, features elemental combat abilities which players can combine to deliver devastating attacks. For instance, wield Hydro with Pyro to use Vaporize, which removes status effects from an enemy. Full of gorgeous environments and engaging characters, Genshin Impact is a genuinely epic role-playing title you definitely want to check out.
Available on the Google Play Store
4. Knights Of The Old Republic
May the force be with you in this thrilling RPG ported to mobile by Aspyr Media. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic lets you choose which side of the force you’ll fight for. Journey across planets like Tatooine and unlike epic force abilities. Wield your lightsaber and the force as you battle to either save the republic or doom it. Live out your Jedi dreams in one of the best Android RPGs to ever grace the Google Play Store.
Available on the Google Play Store
3. Final Fantasy Series
From the original Final Fantasy to Final Fantasy VII, a variety of the series’ iconic titles have been ported to mobile over the years. Others, like Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier and Final Fantasy XII Pocket Edition, were made specifically with mobile in mind. The classic RPG series from Square Enix is known for its in-depth engaging plots, compelling characters and epic combat. Whether you’re taking on the evil corporation Shinra in Final Fantasy VII or leading four orphans as they restore the world’s balance in Final Fantasy III, you’ll find yourself utterly entranced.
Available on the Google Play Store
2. The World Ends With You
Recently deceased teenager Neku finds he’s been thrust into the Reaper’s Game-a seven-day competition in Square Enix’s The World Ends With You. If Neku loses the competition, he’ll be erased from existence. The game features a unique control system. Beyond tapping the screen, players must also drag their finger to create specific shapes as well as make slashing motions during combat.
Additionally, the game features a risk-rewards system that allows you to level down to gain better loot in battle. With a beautiful, engaging plot and a unique yet fascinating combat system, The World Ends With You is hands down one of the best Android RPGs as of 2023.
Available on the Google Play Store
1. Bioware/Beamdog
Bioware is the king of old-school D&D RPGs, so it’s no surprise that the ports of its early role-playing titles remain some of the best that Android has to offer. Ported to mobile by Beamdog, each game provides a compelling plot, excellent combat and hours upon hours of content. Regain your memories as the Nameless One in Planescape Torment, investigate the iron crisis in Baldurs Gate or explore the vast tundra of the Forgotten Realms in Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition. From Baldur’s Gate to Neverwinter Nights, these story-driven titles are the cream of the mobile RPG crop.
Available on the Google Play Store
Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check out our list of the Best Android RPGs of All Time. And while you’re at it, be sure to peruse the Best iPhone RPGs of 2023 on our sister site Hardcore iOS.
