What should I play next? RPGs and Roguelites!
With such a broad selection of PC games even in an individual genre or two, sometimes it’s challenging to find something new and fun to play. I’ve put together a list of games with a brief rundown of each. These are all games that I’ve found to be particularly entertaining. I’ve included played time so you can get an idea of how much time you can expect to lose from each game if you’re anything like me (aka how engaging they were)!
I’ve avoided titles like Skyrim (and other The Elder Scrolls single-player games), Mass Effect, World of Warcraft, Bioshock, and the Fallout series as I expect anyone who loves their RPG’s will most likely have played many of these (if you haven’t then you really should try them out!) and the idea of this article is to find something new for you! Wasteland of course is still very well known but it’s surprising how many people love Fallout but are unaware of these gems!
In all instances, I reviewed the PC variant of the game. On other platforms, your results may vary. Alright, so here we go in no particular order!
Wasteland 1, 2, & 3
Platforms: PC (Windows/Linux), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox (One, Series X|S), Switch. (support for each platform may vary with the title, remasters and Wasteland 3 have excellent coverage)
Game Pass: Yes
Time played: > 60 hours (Per title – Wasteland 2 & 3)
These games are awesome! If you’ve not heard of these games, they’re an RPG with strategic turn-based combat. They’re based in the Fallout universe so expect quirky, bleak post-apocalyptic adventures. The older iterations are still very playable. The newer game stays true to the original formula and simply adds modern polish without too much fluff. If you like Fallout universe games you’ll probably love this. An engaging storyline with much much much content to explore, and missions with various endings. Even some of the premature endings are quite amusing (I mean who wouldn’t push a big red button?).
Undermine
Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox (One, Series S|X), Switch.
Game Pass: No (was previously available but has been removed)
Time played: > 30+ hours
This game is a Roguelite/action/RPG game. Each playthrough you’ll end up with different builds as you progress you’ll unlock upgrades, gain strength making subsequent playthroughs easier. As you explore you’ll free/discover NPC’s many of whom will unlock additional features in town. This one was quite a lot of fun, simple but effective with the odd puzzle. I finished the first part of the game however there was much more to unlock when I stopped playing. I played this one when it was available on Game Pass however it’s no longer available there which is why I had to take a screenshot from a video.
Graveyard Keeper
Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux), Mac, Xbox (One, Series S|X), Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android.
Game Pass: No
Time played: 60 hours (Base game)
This game is truly unique, it’s an RPG with farming elements however the primary focus is managing your graveyard. It’s morbid, quirky and overall a whole lot of fun. Do whatever it takes to improve the quality of your graveyard. Complete missions and find out more about this quirky town. Cut corners, with ethical behaviour largely being optional. Playing the base game was very enjoyable, so I played it through to completion. I won’t comment much on the DLC’s as I do not recall why the first one failed to hold my attention. I have not played the subsequent DLC’s. With that being said don’t let that discourage you, the base game was a lot of fun! It’s entirely plausible I was simply suffering a little burnout by the time I hit the DLC.
Atomicrops
Platforms: PC (Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox (One, Series S|X), Switch.
Game Pass: Yes.
Time played: 19 hours (but would have played more – see my notes on this below)
A Roguelite/action/farming game, explore to find equipment, enlist animals to help with your farm by day, defend your crops from an onslaught of enemies by night, farm roses to make friends/find partners and sell crops in town each morning. Between all of this exploring, farming, and socialising make sure that you feed the town as best you can! I played this for about 19 hours, I stopped playing as I lost my cloud save twice. I’d have gladly have invested more hours if this had not occured. Don’t let this discourage you. If you play on Game Pass I highly recommend keeping play of this title to one PC as I believe sync issues are what caused my save losses (something I’ve not experienced with other titles).
Forager
Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox (One, Series S|X), Switch, Android, iOS.
Game Pass: yes
Play Time: unknown as this title does not show in my activity log despite playing for quite a few hours.
This game is a cute RPG, gather, build, explore, murder overly-friendly sentient turnips (if you so wish), solve puzzles with a side of farming. It starts quite slow but picks up quickly as you skill up (even quite a lot after the first 20-30 so minutes).
Moonlighter (Controller highly Recommended)
Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox (One, Series S|X), PlayStation 4, Switch, iOS, Stadia
Game Pass: Yes
Time Played: 37.9 hours
This is a fun little Roguelite/action/RPG game which kept my attention for 37.9 hours (I completed the game + Between Dimensions DLC in that time). Best played with a controller as frankly, you’ll probably get stuck at the menu (I know I did) and end up mashing keys otherwise before discovering you can use WSAD to navigate + J to select, backspace to go back. The premise of the game is you are a shopkeeper, you explore dungeons to both discover the secrets of the dungeons as well as to stock your shop. With the profits, you make from the spoils of your expeditions you upgrade both your shop and the town’s facilities.
The main game is quite enjoyable, the DLC adds a little but is quite quick to complete.
Final Words
All the games listed here I enjoyed thoroughly, if you’re a fan of these genres I’d be VERY surprised if you don’t find something you enjoy! I hope this article has helped you discover a gem or two of a game!