Roleplaying in video games is about more than just stats and gear — it’s about stepping into a character and making the world your own. Some games are designed around narrative freedom, while others thrive on player-driven storytelling and community expression.
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Whether you’re imagining your life as a frontier outlaw, a city cop, or a magical warrior, the best roleplay games give you the tools to truly become someone else. From structured multiplayer communities to immersive single-player experiences, these are the top games that let you live the life you want to play.
8
Grand Theft Auto 5
Where Online Roleplay Became Mainstream
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
-
September 17, 2013
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
-
Rockstar North
- Engine
-
Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
-
no
- Cross Save
-
yes
While GTA 5 is already known for chaos and open-world freedom, its dedicated RP servers on GTA Online have transformed it into one of the best roleplay platforms ever created. Players take on everything from gang members and police officers to real estate agents, paramedics, and even news anchors.
The modded servers, like NoPixel, offer rules, systems, and social structures that reward creativity and character immersion. You can roleplay your character’s backstory, climb a career ladder, or live a slow, grounded life in Los Santos. It’s a constantly evolving world where the line between gameplay and storytelling completely disappears.
The Ultimate Single-Player Roleplay Sandbox
Skyrim
- Released
-
November 11, 2011
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes
- Engine
-
Creation
- Expansions
-
Skyrim: Dragonborn, Skyrim: Hearthfire, Skyrim: Dawnguard
Skyrim remains one of the most beloved roleplaying sandboxes in gaming, offering endless opportunities to craft your own story. Whether you want to be a noble knight, a wandering bard, a vampire assassin, or a pacifist alchemist who never leaves their cabin, the game supports it all, and often without needing to touch the main quest.
Modding expands those possibilities even further. From immersive survival overhauls to custom dialogue systems and fully voiced companions, players have turned Skyrim into a living stage for personal storytelling. With hundreds of hours of exploration, detailed lore, and reactive systems, few games give you the freedom to become exactly who you imagine — and live with the consequences.
6
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14
- Released
-
August 27, 2013
- ESRB
-
T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Engine
-
Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it’s a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine.
- Multiplayer
-
Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Playable
Final Fantasy 14 isn’t just a massively multiplayer RPG, it’s a hub for immersive, character-driven storytelling. Entire servers like Balmung and Mateus are known for their roleplaying communities, with players hosting in-game taverns, dueling arenas, and social events.
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The game provides robust tools like customizable housing, emotes, glamours, and titles, allowing players to express their characters in detail. Whether you’re weaving your own personal narrative or joining player-run guilds and story arcs, FF14 supports both casual and deep roleplaying styles. It’s one of the most welcoming MMOs for those who love character and lore as much as combat.
5
Red Dead Redemption 2
Everyday Cowboy Life, One Scene At A Time
Red Dead Redemption 2
5.0/5
- Released
-
October 26, 2018
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Engine
-
RAGE
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
-
N/A
Both the single-player and Red Dead Online versions of Red Dead Redemption 2 offer a surprisingly rich environment for immersive roleplay. The detailed world, realistic animations, and slower pace make it easy to fall into character, whether you’re an outlaw, rancher, bounty hunter, or simply a wandering traveler.
Online servers and custom communities take it further, organizing player-led towns, law systems, and trade routes. With built-in mechanics like campfires, hunting, and horseback travel, the game invites players to live a cowboy life on their own terms, complete with saloon chats and old-west duels.
4
Guild Wars 2
High-Fantasy Roleplay With Flexibility
Guild Wars 2
- Released
-
August 28, 2012
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
ArenaNet
- Publisher(s)
-
NCSoft
- Engine
-
Havok, Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
-
Local Multiplayer
Guild Wars 2 has always encouraged storytelling, but its roleplay community continues to thrive, especially on servers like Tarnished Coast. Players organize everything from political intrigue in Divinity’s Reach to merchant caravans in the wilderness.
Thanks to its detailed character creation, expansive open world, and non-linear progression, GW2 gives players the room to explore their characters’ personalities and backstories without being locked into a specific path. Housing, fashion, and mounts help build your character’s identity, and in-game social hubs like inns or plazas serve as great RP meeting points. It’s a flexible space where lore and imagination collide.
3
Kenshi
Grim Sandbox For Harsh Roleplay Adventures
Kenshi
- Released
-
December 6, 2018
- ESRB
-
nr
- Developer(s)
-
Lo-Fi Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Lo-Fi Games
- Engine
-
OGRE
Kenshi isn’t a typical roleplaying game, but it might be one of the best for storytelling through systems alone. Set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world with no main quest, it lets players craft their own survival saga. You can be a wandering exile, slaver, rebel, thief, monk, or warlord, and the game’s mechanics fully support those paths.
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With no hand holding and deep world simulation, every decision feels like a permanent mark on your character’s story. Starvation, amputation, escape, recruitment, it’s all part of your narrative. Kenshi lets you roleplay through gameplay, not dialogue, and the resulting stories are often unforgettable.
2
World Of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
- Released
-
November 23, 2004
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence (online interactions not rated)
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
-
pc, ps
Despite its age, World of Warcraft remains a pillar of the online roleplaying world. Servers like Moon Guard and Argent Dawn are home to sprawling player events, city-states, guild wars, and tavern dramas that span years.
With its deep lore and recognizable world, players easily step into roles as nobles, soldiers, traders, or scholars. In-game tools like transmogrification and emotes help develop your character’s image, while community add-ons enhance RP immersion. If you want a massive, populated world where roleplay isn’t just allowed but celebrated, WoW is still a top-tier destination for it.
1
Baldur’s Gate 3
Single-Player Roleplay With Tabletop Roots
Baldur’s Gate 3
5.0/5
- Released
-
August 3, 2023
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Engine
-
Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
-
Local Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
-
Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t support crossplay
Based on the rules of Dungeons & Dragons, Baldur’s Gate 3 delivers a roleplaying experience that feels handcrafted, whether you’re playing solo or with friends. You’re constantly making choices, moral, strategic, and personal, that shape your character’s story.
Even outside of combat, the game is filled with moments to define how your character sees the world, handles relationships, and solves problems. And if you play with others, you can each bring unique characters to life, interacting through dialogue, exploration, and decisions. It’s a perfect blend of narrative and mechanics, built to support creative roleplayers from start to finish.
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