•Over the past ten years, a wave of strong role-playing games has been released that never received the mainstream attention it deserved. From dungeon crawlers to farming sims and spiritual successors to long-dormant series, these titles have earned devoted followings among players who seek them out — yet rarely appear in conversation alongside behemoths like Final Fantasy.
This is a list of 10 of the most underrated RPGs of the last decade, assembled to point readers toward some of the best experiences they may have missed.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
The original release of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter came out in Japan in 2004, where it was known as Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki. A localized version reached North America in 2011 through Xseed Spiele, followed by a PC port in 2014. Falcom recently returned to the classic series with an ambitious remake that blends action and turn-based combat while retaining the rich world and epic scale of earlier entries.
A remake of the second chapter followed earlier this year. Both games launched to rave reviews and have found a passionate audience, though they are not discussed in the same breath as major franchises.
Harvestella
Ever since Harvest Moon launched on the Super Famicom in 1996, players have shown an enduring passion for virtual farming. Titles like Stardew Valley and remade Story of Seasons entries have kept that interest alive, while games such as Rune Factory mix classic farming with RPG elements.
Harvestella, an action-RPG from Live Wire, takes that second approach. It offers 12 character classes — including the fighter and the mage — while players manage a farm and interact with locals in a village called Lethe.
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk
Not everyone enjoys the old-school, first-person dungeon crawler style popularized by games like Wizardry and Etrian Odyssey. For fans of that approach, Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk is worth a look.
Originally released on PlayStation Vita in Japan in 2016, the game reached North America on Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC a couple of years later. Players take control of a magical book with the ability to create a brigade of puppet soldiers. The story centers on finding a way to revive a deceased loved one, though combat and exploration are what keep players engaged. A sequel, Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society, followed in 2020.
The DioField Chronicle
Having Square Enix as publisher might seem to guarantee RPG success, but that did not happen for The DioField Chronicle. Despite a rich plot exploring the consequences of war and free-flowing combat blending real-time strategy with tactics, the game appears to have gone largely unnoticed.
Square Enix published the game and contributed to its development alongside Lancarse (Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey). Character art was produced by Isamu Kamikokuryo (Final Fantasy 12).
Monark
Developed by Lancarse, a studio that frequently struggles to find a wide audience for its games, Monark takes place within Shin Mikado Academy. The high school is sealed off from the outside world, shrouded in a maddening mist powered by demonic forces.
To free themselves, students must defeat monsters by venturing into an Otherworld — which means plenty of combat. Although it drew criticism for its grinding requirements, the game’s systems and abilities stand out. The dark scenario was co-written by Fuyuki Hayashi (Crystar) and overseen by Kazunari Suzuki.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes was announced on Kickstarter in 2020 as an attempt to produce a spiritual successor to the Suikoden series, since Konami did not seem interested in pursuing that property. Developed by the newly formed Rabbit & Bear Studios and headed by Yoshitaka Murayama, who created Suikoden and directed its first two games, the game delivered much of what it promised.
Murayama passed away on Feb. 6, 2024, just two months before release. Upon launching, the game was well received by critics and players for its engaging plot and familiar gameplay elements.
CrossCode
If you appreciate 16-bit visuals, CrossCode is an action-RPG worth trying. Set in the far-flung future, it features brisk combat, challenging puzzles, and a unique sci-fi story. As sometimes happens in classic RPGs, the hero wakes with no memory and cannot speak.
The game’s design was influenced by classics from the era it mimics, including Chrono Trigger and even Terranigma (which will get an unexpected remaster). When it launched in 2018, CrossCode received enthusiastic reviews but has largely been overshadowed by mainstream releases.
The Caligula Effect 2
The Caligula Effect 2 comes from the minds of Tadashi Satomi and Takuya Yamanaka (Heroland). The series traces its roots to a 2016 Vita original, which was remade as The Caligula Effect: Overdose in 2018.
The first entry follows students who realize they are trapped in a virtual world called Mobius that feels like high school. The sequel revisits many of the same plot beats while offering more streamlined combat, improved dungeon designs, and enhanced visuals — a fresh experience that should appeal to Persona fans waiting for Persona 6.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Developed by Dontnod Entertainment (Life is Strange) and released in 2024, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden takes place in 1695 within the haunted wilds of North America.
The two heroes, Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith, work as “banishers,” invited to the New World by a friend who dies shortly after their arrival. Events grow increasingly bizarre as they move toward five unique endings. The game reportedly underperformed commercially, likely limited by an unconventional plot that defies easy categorization.
SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions
SaGa Scarlet Grace revived the dormant SaGa series on the PlayStation Vita in Japan on Dec. 15, 2016, where it went largely unnoticed despite its engaging narrative and gameplay. Square Enix did not localize it for overseas players.
Three years later, an expanded port called SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions arrived on Android, iOS, Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC in North America. The enhanced version offered voice acting, new characters, music, and additional plot elements. Critics and players responded favorably, though sales weren’t as brisk as they might have been for a Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest entry.
The SaGa series has remained active since 2019, a streak set to continue in 2027 with the Feb. 16 release of Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United.
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