5 most underrated RPGs of all time

Every year we see the release of many RPGs that revolutionize the genre. These games set a new standard for the gaming industry, inspiring other developers in the process. For example, Lies of P is an RPG that heavily takes inspiration from the Souls games, impressing everyone by being a near-perfect video game in the genre. While titles like Elden Ring and The Witcher 3 get recognition for being incredibly designed RPGs, other games often go unnoticed.

This usually happens when these titles get overshadowed by other big releases, or because they don't appeal to a large audience. These hidden gems deserve their roses, which is why in this article, we will take a look at the five most underrated RPGs of all time.

NOTE: This article solely reflects the writer's opinions and is not ranked in any particular order.

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These are the most underrated RPGs of all time

1) Planescape: Torment

Planet: Torment features an isometric view (Image via Beamdog)

Even though Planescape: Torment is rated highly by critics, it hasn't been a widespread success among gamers. This is because of the game's choice of unconventional gameplay and niche setting that narrows down its player base. In this RPG, you step in the shoes of the Nameless One, who is on the search for the truth about his past.

The game leans more towards the narrative side, resulting in minimalistic combat elements in the gameplay. It takes inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons, allowing you to issue commands by passing the action. With more emphasis on the story unlike other RPGs, Planescape: Torment stands out in the genre.

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2) Vagrant Story

Vagrant Story was released in 2000 (Image via Square Enix)

Vagrant Story is another underrated game that has a small audience for its mature themes and intricate gameplay mechanics. The title takes place in Lea Monde, where you play an agent Ashley Riot on a special mission to solve a case. The gameplay here allows players to customize their weapons by applying various attributes to make them more powerful.

The game failed to get enough recognition in the market, due to the gaming community focusing more on titles like Final Fantasy and Chrono Cross. Vagrant Story handles its gameplay and gothic themes extremely well by using a dark atmosphere to set the tone for the entire playthrough.

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3) The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky features turn-based combat (Image via XSEED Games)

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is a less popular JRPG, known for its world-building and interesting plot. Its story revolves around Estelle Bright, an adventurer on a mission to find the hidden truth behind political conspiracies. The game takes place in Liberl, where you will meet unique characters and learn about the lore of the people and the kingdom.

Even with a great storyline and a deeply structured turn-based combat system, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky falls flat as it was released late in North America compared to Japan. This late release impacted the game's momentum and it was left unnoticed by many in the gaming community.

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4) Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan is a dungeon crawler (Image via Atlus)

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan is a dungeon crawler that you can explore by creating and adding friends to your party. The game's most unique feature is that it requires players to manually draw the dungeon maps, which forces the player to apply strategy before starting exploration.

Due to the other big RPGs, this title often gets overshadowed, which is why it's so underrated. Even though the dungeon crawling mechanics are outdated by today's standards, making the game more difficult than it already is, Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan is still a must-play for many.

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5) Lost Odyssey

Lost Odyssey is an Xbox 360 game (Image via Microsoft Game Studios)

Lost Odyssey puts you in the shoes of an immortal protagonist, Kaim Argonar, who has been alive for centuries with a terrible past that haunts him to this day. Through various dream sequences, we get to follow and understand the themes of love and loss in this JRPG. The game features turn-based combat with strategic elements which force the player to plan their attacks before execution.

Lost Odyssey is an underrated game on the Xbox 360, as its release was overshadowed by other big JRPGs at the time. The game features very high-quality visuals and a strong storyline, which deserves to get recognition.