The Most Underrated RPGs You Shouldn’t Miss

17 December 2025

Alright, let’s be honest—RPGs (Role-Playing Games) are like pizza. Even when they’re a bit cold and crusty, they’re still kinda good. But every now and then, a stunningly delicious slice gets buried under the pile, overlooked and underappreciated. That tasty piece? It’s the underrated RPG—those hidden gems that didn’t get the spotlight they deserved but are absolutely worth your time, energy, and snack stash.

In this article, we're diving headfirst into the overlooked, the misjudged, and the criminally underplayed RPGs. These are the games that flew under the radar like a rogue with +20 stealth but pack the punch of a dragon with anger management issues.

So, ready your inventory. We're going on a loot-filled adventure through the most underrated RPGs you shouldn’t miss!

🎮 What Makes an RPG “Underrated,” Anyway?

Before we jump in, let’s break this down. “Underrated” doesn’t mean “bad.” It means the game either:
- Got buried under bigger-name releases,
- Didn't have the marketing budget of a small country,
- Or simply got misunderstood (it happens to the best of us).

And trust me, some of these RPGs are straight-up diamonds disguised as pebbles.

🔥 1. Alpha Protocol – The Spy Thriller RPG That Fumbled, Then Soared

If Mass Effect and Jason Bourne had a slightly awkward but brilliant baby, it’d be Alpha Protocol. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, this game was riddled with bugs at launch, which is probably why it flew under so many radars—but under that glitchy exterior? Pure espionage gold.

You play as Michael Thorton, a spy with the ability to shape missions through dialogue and choices, not unlike those “choose your own adventure” books we all devoured as kids. The branching narrative in Alpha Protocol makes every decision feel like a butterfly flapping its wings into a storm of consequences.

Why it’s underrated: Clunky shooting mechanics scared off a lot of players. But if you like spy drama, complex characters, and morally grey choices, Alpha Protocol is basically RPG James Bond.

📜 2. Tyranny – When Evil Wins (And You’re Working For Them)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever questioned why you’re always the “chosen one” in RPGs. What if the bad guys already won… and you’re helping them keep the peace?

That’s the premise of Tyranny, another Obsidian gem that flips the classic hero trope on its head. You play a Fatebinder—basically Judge Dredd with magical flair—trying to maintain order in a world already conquered by evil. Yeah, no pressure.

The decisions you make here are weightier than grandma’s cast iron pan. Your choices can rewrite entire story arcs, reshape regions, and even rewrite laws.

Why it’s underrated: Released right between RPG blockbusters, Tyranny got lost in the shuffle. But wow, the storytelling? Chef’s kiss.

🐉 3. Divinity II: Ego Draconis – You Can Literally Become a Dragon!

Okay, hear me out. Most RPGs let you slay dragons. But how many let you become one?

Divinity II: Ego Draconis threw convention out the window by giving you the ability to turn into a freakin’ dragon—and not just for show. You duke it out mid-air, torching enemies while admiring your wingspan.

Beneath the flashy transformation lies a quirky fantasy world, clever writing, and rich lore. Sure, the mechanics aren’t 100% polished, but it’s charming in the way a scrappy underdog always is.

Why it’s underrated: Got overshadowed by the later Divinity: Original Sin series. But the roots of brilliance? They're right here. Fire-breathing included.

🤖 4. Anachronox – Sci-Fi Meets Goofy Genius

If classic Final Fantasy had a fling with Douglas Adams, Anachronox would be their eccentric lovechild. This game is just... bizarre in the best possible way. Imagine a space opera filled with oddball characters, razor-sharp wit, and turn-based battles that actually feel fresh.

The game throws you into the shoes of Sylvester "Sly Boots" Bucelli, a down-on-his-luck PI navigating a universe that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It mixes Western and Japanese RPG elements into a mind-melting blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling.

Why it’s underrated: Bad timing. It launched just as the industry was shifting away from turn-based RPGs. But if you want a surreal ride through space and time, Anachronox is pure cult classic gold.

🧛‍♂️ 5. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines – Cult Classic, Still Wildly Missed

Now this one’s a bit controversial because it has a cult following, but trust me—it still deserves way more love.

Set in the noir-soaked streets of early 2000s LA, Bloodlines puts you in the leather boots of a recently turned vampire navigating underworld politics and supernatural shenanigans. Every clan you can play adds a completely different flavor to the game, changing how people react to you, how you fight, and even how you speak.

Despite being buggy at launch (a recurring theme here), it remains one of the most atmospheric, deeply roleplay-driven RPGs ever made.

Why it’s underrated: A rushed release and limited marketing meant it never reached the heights it deserved. But with fan patches, it’s still a must-play.

⚔️ 6. Risen – The Pirate RPG No One Warned You About

Risen is that gritty low-fantasy RPG you never knew your soul was craving. Developed by Piranha Bytes (the folks behind Gothic), it drops you into a world full of tough choices, harsh battles, and NPCs with attitudes saltier than your average sea shanty.

You start out shipwrecked on an island—and from there, you're on your own. The world doesn’t hold your hand. You earn every win, every gold coin, and yes, every side-eye from the local thugs.

Why it’s underrated: It didn’t have the shine of its AAA cousins, but the atmosphere and freedom to explore make it a rugged little gem.

👾 7. Resonance of Fate – Gun-Fu in a Steampunk Shell

Ever wished “The Matrix” had more turn-based combat and steampunk vibes? Enter Resonance of Fate, a jaw-droppingly stylish JRPG where battles involve flipping through the air in slow motion while shooting enemies with dual pistols. Yep, it’s exactly as cool as it sounds.

Combine that with a unique world map, a post-apocalyptic setting, and layered strategy mechanics, and you get one of the most unique RPGs to ever grace a console.

Why it’s underrated: Weird difficulty spikes and a serious learning curve scared off casual players. But for those who stuck around? Pure tactical ballet.

🌍 8. Outward – Tough Love in Fantasy Form

Outward isn’t just a story about a hero saving the world. It’s about surviving. Period.

No chosen one. No prophecy. Just you, your backpack, and a world that doesn’t care if you catch a cold and die. It’s a survival RPG with a refreshing twist: You’re nothing special—and that’s what makes it brilliant.

Whether you’re hunting for food, bandaging wounds after a fight, or lighting a campfire in the rain, Outward makes every action feel meaningful.

Why it’s underrated: Released quietly and with limited polish, it didn’t make a splash. But if you love immersion and challenge over flashiness, Outward hits different.

🎨 9. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning – A Second Shot at Greatness

This game had a rocky history—it was part of a massive financial scandal involving a state government (yep, seriously). But it’s also a colorful and surprisingly deep action RPG with silky-smooth combat and a world teeming with lore.

Written in part by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, Amalur’s story doesn’t break new ground, but its world-building, flexible class system, and just plain fun gameplay make it ridiculously good.

Why it’s underrated: Politics and bad timing sunk the studio behind it. But today, it’s got a remastered version that brings it back from the grave like a necromancer on espresso.

🐺 10. GreedFall – The RPG Love Letter to Classic BioWare

If you miss the golden age of BioWare RPGs—think Dragon Age: Origins or Mass Effect 2—then GreedFall might just be the cure to your nostalgia fever.

Set in a pseudo-colonial fantasy world filled with strange creatures and stranger politics, GreedFall lets you carve your own path with deep dialogue choices, faction alliances, and companion stories that actually matter.

Why it’s underrated: Developed by a smaller studio (Spiders) with limited resources, it didn’t have the marketing muscle of its spiritual predecessors. But wow, it punches way above its weight class.

🤯 Final Thoughts: Stop Sleeping On These RPGs!

Not every amazing RPG needs a billion-dollar budget or a Netflix deal to be worth your time. Sometimes, it’s the underdogs—the games with passion in their code and guts in their gameplay—that leave the deepest impressions.

So, if you're tired of the same AAA RPG rehashes and are looking for something fresh, bold, and even a little weird, give these games a shot. You just might find your next favorite adventure buried beneath the mainstream mayhem.

Because let’s face it—some of the best RPG experiences are hiding behind a low Metacritic score and a wishful “You probably haven’t heard of it.