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  1. Games
  2. RPGs
  3. Steam

10 Best RPGs on Steam to play in 2026

Best-lists
By Heather Wald published 12 May 2026

Scouring Valve's store for the best Steam RPGs? Then we're here to help with our top 10 recommendations for both PC and Steam Deck users

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
(Image credit: Sandfall Interactive)
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If you're looking for the best RPGs on Steam to play right now in 2026, then you've come to the right place.

Valve's storefront is absolutely bursting with games, and it can be quite overwhelming to find what you're looking for when there's so much choice at your fingertips. So, if you're after some RPG recommendations on Steam, I'm here to help you easily discover some notable highlights that are well worth picking up and playing right now. From some of the best RPGs that are well-suited for the PC, to some of the best Steam games within the genre, you're sure to find something to try out here.

Happily, with Valve holding sales throughout the year, there's every chance you'll be able to get your hands on these games for less in the future (it's always worth checking our Steam sales guide for upcoming dates). While there are plenty of familiar favorites included, I've also tried to include some picks that may have fallen under your radar, or that offer something a little different. Each entry also has a vibe listed to give a general idea of the kind of experience you can expect (find out more about that in our FAQ section).

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But without further ado, read on to explore my pick of the best Steam RPGs, and be sure to let me know what your favorites are in the comments below!

Best Steam RPGs, starting with...

10. Fallout: New Vegas

A player shooting a missle at three enmeies running towards them during the RPG Fallout: New Vegas.

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)

Release date: October 22, 2010
Vibe: Chill Out
Steam Deck compatibility: Playable

If you're after a role-playing experience you can comfortably sink lots of hours into on Steam, Fallout: New Vegas is absolutely your answer. As one of the best RPGs where choices really matter, Obsidian gives you the freedom to carve out your very own post-apocalyptic adventure, and the Mojave Wasteland will pay attention to what you do. With a karma system that gives tangible feedback whenever you misbehave or do good, it constantly feels like your presence has an impact.

Following one of the most memorable RPG openings that sees you get unceremoniously shot in the head, you create your courier protagonist, choose your starting skills and perks, and step out into the vast open-world to confront your attacker and find out what put you in a short-lived grave. You'll find it all too easy to get swept up in the many quests awaiting you, and there's always something to discover or encounter as you explore.

9. Wildermyth

Three heroes in the middle of a turn-based fight during the RPG Wildermyth.

(Image credit: Worldwalker Games LLC)

Release date: June 15, 2021
Vibe: Story-driven
Steam Deck compatibility: Verified

Wildermyth is the kind of RPG that demands to be replayed, and it's just one of the many reasons why it rightfully has over 11,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam currently. Reminiscent of some of the best tabletop RPGs around, Worldwalker Games' blends procedural generation, tactics, and character-driven role-playing goodness to bring us a reactive RPG that's satisfyingly shaped by your choices.

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Set in a papercraft-style world, you bring to life a group of heroes with their own unique histories and personalities. As you shape their journey from their humble beginnings to their heroic lifestyle, your characters can also form bonds and relationships with one another. Along the way, you'll have to navigate your way through mysteries and challenges across your heroes' lifetime. Wildermyth is filled with so much possibility, meaning no playthrough will be the same – even if you decide to reintroduce your hero in another run.

8. Caves of Qud

An overview of the complicated menu in the CRPG, Caves of Qud

(Image credit: Kitfox Games)

Release date: December 5, 2024
Vibe: Expect the Unexpected
Steam Deck compatibility: Verified

Not unlike some of the best CRPGs in recent years, Caves of Qud delivers a rich RPG roguelike experience that houses some deep simulation within its pixelated sci-fi setting. To give you an idea of the kind of in-depth experience you're in for, it had been in development for well over a decade before finally leaving Early Access in 2024, and boasts 15 years of worldbuilding to its name.

While there's a roguelike mode with permadeath that means you'll lose your character should you die, there's also a role-play mode that plays more like a standard RPG, allowing you to resume your run if your character falls in combat. Drawing inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons, you can build your own highly customizable character, and as a turn-based experience, the world will react after you take an action. With quests, all kinds of NPCs, and many different factions to align yourself with, Caves of Qud offers a unique and creative RPG experience.

7. Persona 5 Royal

A player performing an attack on a boss during a chapter in the RPG Person 5 Royal

(Image credit: SEGA)

Release date: October 21, 2022
Vibe: Story-driven
Steam Deck compatibility: Verified

If you want to snap up one of the best turn-based RPGs on Steam that packs a memorable story and toe-tapping soundtrack, then I can't recommend Persona 5 Royal enough. With some social sim elements at play as you choose how to spend your school days and who you bond with across calendar months, you also live out the life of a Phantom Thief who fights in the name of justice.

As protagonist Ren, who works together with his friends and peers, you delve into dungeons known as Palaces to combat the distorted desires of corrupt individuals and try to influence them to have a change of heart. By channeling the powers of different Personas, who all have their own unique styles and skills, the combat system is as stylish as it is satisfying to play with, and with an expanded story, Persona 5 Royal is well worth checking out.

6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

A sword woman jumping in the air ready to attack a stone monster during the RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

(Image credit: Kepler Interactive)

Release date: April 24, 2025
Vibe: Story-driven
Steam Deck compatibility: Verified

Taking inspiration from some of the best JRPGs over the years, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws you into an original story and setting you won't soon forget. Following a group who set out on a dangerous mission full of unexpected twists and turns, your objective is at once clear: put a stop to a mysterious figure known as the Paintress, who decides at what age people should die.

What's less clear is what's really going on in this world, or who this Paintress is or how she came to have power over life and death. But that's what makes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 so compelling. Developer Sandfall Interactive immediately impresses upon you the high stakes of the task you're trying to accomplish, and it's so easy to get invested from a role-playing perspective because of it. If you don't have this on Steam yet, then this is your sign to pick it up and give it a go.

5. Undertale

Frisk walking through the Temi Village during the RPG Undertale

(Image credit: tobyfox)

Release date: September 15, 2015
Vibe: Quick Play
Steam Deck compatibility: Playable

Undertale is the kind of RPG that will stay on your mind long after you've finished your first run. Taking on the role of a human who finds themselves falling into a world of monsters, you set out to find your way back out. As you do, you'll encounter all kinds of critters and creatures, and how you navigate past them is up to you. With a battle system that allows you to avoid hurting or killing anything if you so choose, you can do a full pacifist run, or take a more violent route.

Whatever you choose to do will determine the direction of the story and its outcome, and if you decide to see the other side of things in a new playthrough… Well, the RPG will recognize that in the most memorable way. With meaningful moments, surprises, and so much depth hidden beneath the surface of its pixelated art style, Undertale is one of the greatest story-driven RPGs on Steam.

4. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

Two soldiers fighting during the RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

(Image credit: Deep Silver)

Release date: February 4, 2025
Vibe: Story-driven
Steam Deck compatibility: Playable

As one of the best first-person RPGs to land in 2025, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is a must-play on Steam for anyone who's looking for an engrossing, rich role-playing experience. Set during the 15th-century in Europe, Warhorse throws you into a sweeping journey across a medieval open-world as Henry of Skalitz. Setting out to seek revenge for his murder parents, you'll get caught up in intriguing machinations, have to help your companion Hans Capon out of more than one bind, and decide how you take every step through the story.

Of course, there are so many ways to spend your time outside of the main questlines, with so many discoveries to make, memorable characters to meet, and locations to explore. Heck, you could even spend your time blacksmithing or brewing potions if you so desire. While progress can feel quite slow at first, stick with it, and you'll be in for a grand old time on Steam.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Gerlat in a bar with a group behind him looking at him in distaste during the RPG The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Release date: May 18, 2015
Vibe: Chill Out
Steam Deck compatibility: Verified

It's hard to believe The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt first released over 10 years ago, but that speaks to just how effectively it continues to capture longtime players and newcomers alike. As one of the best open world RPGs to this day, the sweeping story of Geralt of Rivia, who sets out to find his ward Ciri, is hard to forget. But so are the many side quests the game draws you into, with moral dilemmas that aren't so cut and dry, often presented to you as you navigate through the sprawling landscapes of Novigrad or the Skellige Isles.

Going off the beaten path could lead you to a cave with some curiosity or a local who needs a monster slayer like you to help them out. And with some incredible expansions that round off Geralt's adventure, The Witcher 3 continues to be one RPG you absolutely need in your collection if you're a role-playing fan.

2. Disco Elysium

An interaction during a murder case in the RPG Disco Elysium

(Image credit: ZA/UM)

Release date: October 15, 2019
Vibe: Story-driven
Steam Deck compatibility: Verified

Disco Elysium is another standout RPG on Steam that absolutely deserves to take up residence in your library. Following detective Harrier Du Bois, you go from trying to root out what the heck happened the night before, to having an identity crisis, and then getting swept up in a bigger, broader mystery. With a deep and unique skill system that lets you shape the kind of person and detective you want to become, you can decide to be the heroic type, or, in the words of ZA/UM, a bit of a disaster.

And that's the real beauty of Disco Elysium, with so many possibilities presented to you as you navigate the city and try to solve murders, it really feels like you can role-play your way. From making the most of the game's dialogue system to ask questions, make observations, or cause a bit of chaos, to using tools to open up new avenues, you won't forget your time with this hard-boiled detective.

1. Baldur's Gate 3

A close up of the character Kar'niss holding a light during Act 2 of the RPG Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

Release date: August 3, 2023
Vibe: Story-driven
Steam Deck compatibility: Verified

Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the best fantasy RPGs with consequences, and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone who's yet to pick it up on Steam and step into Larian's engrossing adventure. Not only can you role-play your way with so much freedom to shape your own customizable character and decide how they handle any given situation, but the game also directly recognizes and reacts to your every choice.

This kind of tangible feedback makes it feel like you're directly impacting the world around you and the people within it. Not to mention that you'll also entirely shape how the story plays out and ultimately ends when you reach the conclusion of the third and final act of the RPG. Many upcoming RPGs will no doubt be measured against Baldur's Gate 3's level of possibility and role-playing depth for years to come, and after you discover this memorable adventure for yourself, you'll understand why.

Best Steam RPGS FAQs

How do we decide on a ranking for the best Steam RPGs?

As an avid fan of RPGs, I've tried to pick role-playing experiences that I would personally recommend on Steam, as well as options unique to the PC platform that stand out, or are worthy of a place for one reason or another. With lots of fellow veteran RPG fans at GamesRadar+, I've also consulted with the team to bring together a varied selection that best represents the games we'd recommend the most on Steam.

Our RPG "Vibes" explained

Our RPG Vibes are used as short descriptors to highlight the kind of experience you can expect from the games in our rankings. While more than one vibe might apply to a particular RPG, I've picked the ones that I think best represent the experience they offer within the list they're in. You can find a breakdown of the vibes below:

  • Story-driven: RPGs where the story propels your journey forward, with unforgettable companions and impactful choices and consequences. Check out our list of the best story-driven RPGs for more.
  • Better With Friends: RPGs that can be played solo but thrive with others. These offer the possibility for shared experiences, be that online or locally. Check out our list of the best multiplayer RPGs for more.
  • Quick Play: RPGs that aren't hard to pick up and play whenever you have the spare time. The perfect choice for busy folks after quick gaming sessions. Check out our list of the best quick-play RPGs for more.
  • Chill Out: RPGs that let you take things at your own pace, explore, and venture on side-quests if you choose. For those looking for a less demanding and more stress-free time. Check out our list of the best relaxing RPGs for more.
  • Expect the Unexpected: RPGs where you can get silly and find yourself in novel and very unusual situations. Things can go wrong quickly, but also in very funny directions. Check out our list of the best unique RPGs for more.

Why do we update our ranking of the best RPGs on Steam?

Steam is absolutely fit to bursting with games, and with new RPGs arriving all the time, I tend to update the rankings to ensure it still best reflects what's currently available on the storefront. With so much available, I also like to go over the ranking to make sure it captures the kinds of RPGs I would personally recommend the most on Steam, as well as those fellow RPG fans on the team here at GamesRadar+ enjoy.

How frequently do we update our rankings?

We usually update our RPG rankings on a monthly basis. This is to ensure the list is as up-to-date as possible, and takes into account any new releases that may have dropped since the ranking was put together or last updated. Should a new game deserve a place, the ranking may change to reflect that, while other times it may stay the same if we think it still captures the best RPGs on Steam currently.


For more recommendations, check out our list of the best tactical RPGs. Or if you want more Valve goodness, we also have a ranking of the best Steam Deck games that you should check out right now as well.

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Heather Wald
Heather Wald
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Evergreen Editor, Games

Heather Wald is the Evergreen Editor, Games at GamesRadar+. Her writing career began on a student-led magazine at Bath Spa University, where she earned a BA (Hons) in English literature. Heather landed her first role writing about tech and games for Stuff Magazine shortly after graduating with an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University. Now with almost seven years of experience working with GamesRadar+ on the features team, Heather helps to develop, maintain, and expand the evergreen features that exist on the site for games, as well as spearhead the Indie Spotlight series. You'll also see her contribute op-eds, interview-led features, and more. In her spare time, you'll likely find Heather tucking into RPGs and indie games, reading romance novels, and drinking lots of tea.

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