There are many reasons why gamers are extremely fond of the RPG genre. For instance, it features vast maps to explore, diverse and challenging quests, deep and customizable characters, as well as emotionally rich storylines and choices… Therefore, RPGs tend to have long-lasting popularity, often seeing continued sales years after their release. To uncover the standout titles over the years, let’s take a look at the top 10 best-selling RPGs of all time.
Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation
Developer: Square Enix / Eidos
Release Year: 2011 (originally 1988)
Estimated Sales: At least 6.2 million copies (including remakes and ports to other platforms)
The Dragon Quest series became popular due to a significant number of fans of the JRPG genre. Among them, Dragon Quest III was even more sought after than the legendary Mass Effect 2 (at least 6 million copies). Although it is the third installment, the story serves as a prequel to the first Dragon Quest. In the game, you play as a young hero tasked with saving the world from the evil demon Baramos.
Together with your teammates, you will explore an open world and face enemies in turn-based combat. Despite being released a long time ago, the game still possesses several engaging RPG elements that attract players to this day, such as a day/night system, diverse enemies, and a hybrid class system. Additionally, the storyline of Dragon Quest III is captivating, drawing players in until the very last moment. Thus, it’s no surprise that Dragon Quest III easily makes it into the list of best-selling RPGs.
Dark Souls III
Developer: FromSoftware
Release Year: 2016
Estimated Sales: At least 10 million copies
Dark Souls III is not just a highly successful RPG; it is the pinnacle of a game series that created a genre known as Souls Like. The terrifying difficulty of the Dark Souls series is one of the main reasons for Dark Souls III’s impressive sales. The game offers you an arduous yet magnificent journey to conquer, and its difficulty increases significantly with each replay (NG+).
It depicts a world on the brink of ruin, dark, desolate, and harsh yet strangely captivating. Each time you complete the game, you feel more accomplished than in your previous playthrough. Moreover, this series is filled with mysteries to explore, from the stories of characters behind the legends and items in the game to hidden areas with rewards for those who dare to be curious.
Fallout 4
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Release Year: 2015
Estimated Sales: At least 12 million copies (units shipped to stores on launch day)
Fallout 4 received countless positive reviews from gamers, especially in terms of sales, which are undeniable. Perhaps it is because Fallout 4 is a massive open-world game with numerous quests and locations to explore, as well as the heavy post-apocalyptic atmosphere characteristic of the game that made gamers overlook its somewhat outdated graphics.
When discussing the success of Fallout 4, one cannot forget the efforts of modders who tirelessly tweaked the game mechanics and graphics to make it as beautiful and stunning as possible. Although the game has old graphics (which some consider poor), using the right mods can still deliver a great experience. This also served as a stepping stone that encouraged gamers to buy and experience the great aspects of Fallout 4 without worrying about the negative impact of outdated graphics on their gameplay experience.
Final Fantasy VII
Developer: Square
Release Year: 1997
Estimated Sales: At least 12.8 million copies (due to multiple versions, not including the Remake)
It can be said that Square seems to possess a perfect formula for creating some of the best RPGs of all time, and Final Fantasy VII is proof of that. The third installment of the Final Fantasy series was first released in 1997 on a PlayStation game disc. Immediately, it attracted a massive number of players rushing to buy it. Part of this was due to it being the first Final Fantasy title to feature a novel 3D graphic style at the time, not to mention the game also had incredibly realistic cutscenes that captivated players.
Final Fantasy VII is considered one of the most outstanding and best-selling RPGs ever created in gaming history. Additionally, it also became an influential product for subsequent games of the same genre and even boosted sales for the PlayStation console itself. The only factor that hindered FFVII’s success at the time was the English version and its poor performance on PC. While you may now experience a visually stunning version of FFVII, the feeling it evokes can never replicate that of the original.
Cyberpunk 2077
Developer: CD Projekt RED
Release Year: 2020
Estimated Sales: At least 13 million copies
Although the production team faced some issues, CD Projekt Red’s marketing campaign was clearly a resounding success. Despite the controversy surrounding game bugs, Cyberpunk 2077 achieved commercial success and became one of the best-selling RPGs of all time. Of course, Cyberpunk 2077’s success also owes much to the reputation left by The Witcher III, but it still has its own merits. In positive light, and despite the “scandals,” Cyberpunk 2077 offered a vibrant open world for PC gamers to explore. The city of Night City holds many exciting secrets that you must navigate through every nook and cranny to uncover. This makes Cyberpunk 2077 feel more authentic and convincing.
The game’s storyline is also meticulously crafted, featuring many compelling scenes and characters that provide enough content for hundreds of hours of gameplay. While it may not reach the heights of the masterpiece The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it still surpasses many other games. Additionally, the cyberpunk theme has been explored many times before, but Cyberpunk 2077 elevated it to a new level and expanded its scale significantly. Besides the main quests, the game also offers numerous side quests that breathe life into every corner of Night City.
According to GVN360