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The Best PC RPGs for 2020

Genshin Impact is just one of 16 expertly reviewed PC role-playing games. If you've ever wanted to slay dragons, save the universe, or fulfill an ancient prophecy, this is the place to start.

 & Jeffrey L. Wilson Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

  • Dark Souls III (For PC)

    Dark Souls III (For PC)

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Excellent visuals and amazing art direction.
      • Highly satisfying combat marries elements from Bloodborne and the Souls games.
      • Rich RPG customization lets you create a variety of fighting builds.
      • The most linear game in the Dark Souls series.
      • Game suffers from performance issues.
      • Some weapons are unbalanced and highly overpowered.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    From Software invigorates the Souls series with faster combat, deeper customization, expanded lore, and gorgeous visuals. Performance issues aside, Dark Souls III is a fantastic addition to the series.

    Specs & Configurations

    Product Category Games
    Product Category Gaming
    Product Category PC
    Product Price Type Direct
    Get It Now
  • Genshin Impact (for PC)
    Best for Zelda Fans

    Genshin Impact (for PC)

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Rich action-RPG combat
      • Expansive world with many hours of content
      • Cross-platform support
      • Outstanding soundtrack
      • Free to play
      • Pricey cash shop
      • Tedious artifact farming system
      • Lacks key-binding options

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Despite its superficial similarities to a certain popular Nintendo property, Genshin Impact has grown into a phenomenal, free-to-play action-RPG that offers creative combat and an engrossing world to explore.

    Specs & Configurations

    ESRB Rating T for Teen
    Games Genre Role-Playing
    Games Platform PC
    Get It Now
  • Mass Effect 2 (for PC)

    Mass Effect 2 (for PC)

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Deep story.
      • Intuitive combat.
      • Solid role play.
      • You can import your character from Mass Effect.
      • Almost too many options.
      • Side missions can be distracting.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    This kick-ass sequel to the popular role-play combat game Mass Effect offers something for returning and new players alike.

    Specs & Configurations

    Product Category Games
    Product Games ESRB Rating M for Mature
    Product Games Genre Action Games
    Product Games Platform PC
    Product Games Platform Xbox 360
    Product Price Type List
    Get It Now
  • Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town (for PC)
    Best for Simulation Fans

    Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town (for PC)

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Addictive gameplay
      • Many entertaining tasks and goals
      • Charming artwork and music
      • Enjoyable relationship-building system
      • Somewhat clunky controls
      • Lackluster character models

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town puts a contemporary spin on a charming farm-sim that sees you plant crops, raise livestock, and start a family. The controls and character models could use additional work, but this leisurely game is incredibly addicting.

    Specs & Configurations

    ESRB Rating E for Everybody
    Games Genre Simulation
    Games Platform PC
    Get It Now
The Best PC RPGs for 2020

Compare Specs

Select Up To 3Select Up To 2
Our Pick
Rating
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.5 Outstanding
Best For
Best for Zelda Fans
Best for Simulation Fans
Best for Zelda Fans
Product Price Type
DirectListDirectList
Product Games Platform
PC, Xbox 360PC, Xbox 360
Product Games Genre
Action GamesAction Games
Product Games ESRB Rating
M for MatureM for Mature
Product Category
Games, Gaming, PCGamesGames, Gaming, PCGames
Games Platform
PCPCPC
Games Genre
Role-PlayingSimulationRole-Playing
ESRB Rating
T for TeenE for EverybodyT for Teen

Buying Guide: The Best PC RPGs for 2020

About Our Expert

Jeffrey L. Wilson

Jeffrey L. Wilson

Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming

Since 2004, I've written about consumer tech for many publications, including 1UP, Laptop, Parenting, Sync, Wise Bread, and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skill set as the managing editor of PCMag's apps and gaming team.

The Technology I Use

As a member of the App & Gaming team, I use a wide variety of apps and services. Google Drive is an essential file-syncing service for moving documents between team members in this work-from-home era. Scrivener has been an invaluable writing tool as I rework my fiction manuscript. YouTube Premium and YouTube TV deliver hours of entertainment (though I only use the latter service during the F1 and NBA playoff seasons).

In terms of hardware, I use a Lenovo Thinkpad Carbon X1 laptop for work and an Origin PC tower for playing PC games. I also have a Steam Deck, which lets me play my favorite titles under a shade tree. Of course, I have a smartphone, and the Google Pixel 9a is my handset of choice.

My main input devices are the Das Keyboard 4 Professional and Logitech MX Vertical Ergonomic Mouse, though I bust out the Hori Fighting Commander Octa or Hori Fight Stick Alpha when mixing it up in fighting games. I have a thing for arcade sticks. I collect Neo Geo AES games, too, but only if I can find the carts on the (relative) cheap.

For video and music consumption, I fire up my Lenovo Tab P11; it has a sharp screen and great Dolby Atmos-powered speakers. My Kindle Paperwhite has received much use, too. I have a standalone, Sony Blu-ray player connected to a TCL television when it's time to go full cinephile. I'm also a vinyl guy, so the Bluetooth-enabled Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT keeps the wax spinning.

My first computer was a Commodore 64. Long live BASIC and retro computers!

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