I have always believed that the true charm of RPG games lies in their ability to let you start as an ordinary character and gradually grow into a legendary figure who can change the course of the world. This immersion doesn’t just come from numerical growth and gear upgrades, but from the depth of the story, the authenticity of the world, and the emotional bond I gradually build with my character.
This year, I played several brand-new RPG titles that made me lose track of time again and again, as if I had truly stepped into another world. I want to share in detail my immersive experiences in these games. Each one has its own highlights—some focus on the freedom of open-world exploration, some excel in narrative design, and others captivate with addictive combat systems.
1. Dragon Age: The Veilguard
I waited nine whole years for this one. Ever since the end of the last installment, the unresolved plot threads had been like a thorn in my heart. This year, The Veilguard finally launched, and I jumped into the game almost exactly at midnight.
This time, the continent of Thedas feels more vast and detailed than ever before. The game blends storytelling and exploration seamlessly—not just a main quest plus side quests, but an ecosystem where every mission and character interaction is naturally integrated into the world. For example, in the mangrove area, I initially set out to search for a missing mage, but unexpectedly got caught up in a conflict between the local elves and a human trade caravan. It wasn’t just “accept quest—kill monsters—turn in quest.” Instead, I had to negotiate with both sides, investigate evidence, and decide the final outcome. My choices not only determined the quest’s ending but also changed how NPCs reacted to me when I returned later.
In terms of combat, the game introduced a smoother skill combo system with a strong sense of synergy between different classes. I started as a mage, but mid-game, when working with a rogue and a warrior, we could chain skills to unleash bursts of high damage in a short time. On higher difficulty, this kind of team coordination was far more engaging than simple grinding.
2. Stellar Blade Chronicle
Although the name might make you think it’s a sci-fi action game, this title actually incorporates rich RPG elements. It turned out to be my biggest surprise of the year.
The story takes place on a newly colonized planet, where I play a bounty hunter exiled from Earth, burdened with an unsolved crime from my past. This premise kept me invested in uncovering the protagonist’s true identity while exploring the new world.
The game’s biggest highlight is its dynamic open world. Weather, ecosystems, and events change in real time. The first time I encountered a “crystal storm,” it nearly wiped out my party, but later I learned to use it as an ambush opportunity. Enemy distribution and behavior patterns also shift depending on the weather and time, adding to the realism and immersion.
The weapon system is unique—not just upgrades, but crafting through dismantling enemy tech parts and collecting meteorite fragments. Each weapon has its own skill tree, and combining different weapons creates entirely different combat styles. Once, I used a long blade capable of firing energy blasts to single-handedly defeat a giant beast—the sense of accomplishment had me cheering out loud in real life.
3. The Age of Hexcraft
This is a magic-themed open-world RPG and one of the most talked-about games among players this year.
What immersed me the most wasn’t the gorgeous graphics, but the freedom of its magic system. In traditional RPGs, you’re given fixed spells like fireballs, lightning, or healing. In The Age of Hexcraft, you can freely combine elements, forms, and triggers to create magic. For example, I once made a “wind + fire + delayed detonation” spell to unleash a timed fiery windstorm—perfect for clearing enemy camps. Even more creative, the player community invented ways to use “ice + gravity” to form ice bridges over canyons, and the developers openly encouraged such creativity.
The story is told through non-linear narrative. You aren’t forced to follow a single main quest; instead, you can piece together the world’s history region by region. Once, I found an ancient manuscript in an abandoned monastery, and the story inside completely changed my view of a certain faction. This led me to make choices that were entirely different from those of other players later on.
4. Heart of the Sky: Dawnfall
This game reminded me of the Final Fantasy series, but with new innovations in both gameplay and storytelling.
Set in a civilization of floating islands, I played as a young pilot who gets entangled in a war between the sky islands. The game’s map spans various floating islands at different altitudes, and you must pilot an airship to travel between them. Flying isn’t just a means of transportation—it’s an exploration experience full of danger and opportunity. Storm clouds, sky pirates, and ancient ruins can appear along the way, turning even a simple delivery into a full-scale aerial battle.
The combat system blends real-time and turn-based elements. Ground battles are semi-real-time, requiring careful management of skill cooldowns and enemy attack timing, while aerial battles are fully real-time, demanding precise movement and aiming. My favorite tactic was using a “dive + rapid fire” combo to break enemy shields in the air, then switching to ground combat to deliver the final blow.
5. Black Tide Remnants
Unlike the previous epic or fantasy-themed games, this one is a post-apocalyptic RPG. The world has been devastated by a mysterious tsunami, and survivors are rebuilding their lives in the flooded ruins of cities. I played as a diver and explorer, tasked with searching underwater ruins, salvaging resources, and finding lost technology.
The immersion comes from the mix of pressure and freedom in underwater exploration. Visibility is low, and you can hear your own breathing and heartbeat inside the diving suit. On one expedition, I was trapped inside a sunken ship, watching my oxygen meter tick down—my hands were sweating on the controller from the tension.
The story is filled with survival and moral dilemmas. For example, I once found a water purification device, but it had only one power core. Should I bring it back to save my own town, or give it to another survivor settlement desperately in need of fresh water? These decisions lingered in my mind long after I put down the controller.
Personal Reflection
This year’s RPGs truly made me feel the process of going “from zero to legend”—not by mindlessly grinding numbers and killing monsters, but through countless details and choices that allowed me to shape my own story.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard gave me an epic narrative experience, Stellar Blade Chronicle showcased the allure of a dynamic world, The Age of Hexcraft let me indulge in the joy of crafting magic, Heart of the Sky: Dawnfall expanded the boundaries of RPGs with its floating islands and aerial battles, and Black Tide Remnants made me feel the weight of humanity in a world on the brink.
I think this is the true value of RPG games—they are not just entertainment, but journeys you can write yourself and revisit again and again. In these worlds, I am not a bystander, but a real participant. And when I take off my headphones and put down the controller, the emotions and memories I built in these virtual worlds will stay with me for a long, long time.
