If gaming as a pastime is intended to act as an escape from reality, then Role Playing Games (RPGs) could be interpreted as the best examples there are. Whether it's galloping around the expansive fields of an ultra-detailed fantasy kingdom or customising your galactic superhero so they look just like you (perhaps being slightly too generous with the six-pack), assuming the role of a fictitious character over whom you have complete control is perhaps the easiest avenue through which to escape reality of any media, whether it be through a film, TV or a book. Ever since the late 80s RPGs have been extremely popular among gamers as we cant avoid the fact that the opportunity of finding the best loot, slaughtering the toughest bad guys and exploring amazing fantasy lands is about as good as it gets in a video game. Indeed, many of the titles appearing on this list would also arguably earn a spot on a more general Top 10 Games Ever list. RPGs simply have the power to absorb a gamer like no other genre can, where we spend hours in the games virtual universe forgetting how much time is passing us by in the far less interesting world of 2014. Here are the 10 Greatest Role-Playing Games Of All Time:
Honourable Mention: Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age is an incredibly absorbing game and indeed were the competition not so strong, it could even be at the top of this list. With the story mode taking a massive 50+ hours to complete, this game does what every great RPG should do. With its incredible story which sees you going from deep in the depths of the Dwarves mines to the top of Dragons roosts, the memory of Dragon Age has certainly endured. However, its highly valued stock may have been damaged with the release of Dragon Age II which was a weak attempt to recapture the brilliance of the original. The combats tempo was increased so much that it was barely recognisable as the sequel to the original. Perhaps BioWare should return to their origins if they intend on releasing a third title (pun entirely intended).
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
