FromClair Obscur: Expedition 33, toThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, toKingdom Come: Deliverance 2, 2025 has no shortage of great RPGs. Even better, a lot of them are available for free onXbox Game Pass. When it comes to defining an RPG as “great,” the weight of the various game design elements means different things to different people. Some fans wantmemorable and engaging narratives, some want colorful characters, and some want a strong sense of player freedom.
I would argue that the most important factor of any RPG, in addition to narrative, is the combat. It’s the RPG’s fundamental game system that players will be engaging with for dozens of hours. There have been some truly stellar combat systems this year, too, and even though I loveClair Obscur: Expedition 33’s turn-based combat,I think another RPG that came out earlier this year also deserves a mention for its outstanding combat.
Avowed Has A Great Combat System
Swords, Guns, And Magic Unite
Avowedwas met with a mostly mixed-to-good reception when it released back in February. Some long-time Obsidian fans found the game’s streamlined RPG mechanics andlack of world interaction to be problematic, while others appreciated the game for those same reasons, as it tightened the experience to focus on the core gameplay.The high quality of the combat system, however, is the one thing that most can agree on. Being able to mix-and-match swords, tomes, wands, and guns in each hand opened up a great level of player choice.
First-person RPGs (althoughAvowedcan also be played in third-person, it’s designed as a first-person experience) havelong struggled with combat. WhileOblivion Remasteredis an excellent experienceoverall, the game’s combat hasn’t aged well.Avowedmanaged to incorporate zippy dodge mechanics, multiple weapons, strategic use of party members' abilities, and enemy weaknesses and resistances in a combat system that feels good to play.
2025 Is A Stellar Year For RPGs
And The Year Is Barely Half Over
Even if combat isn’t the main element RPG fans are looking for when it comes to their preferences,it’s hard to deny how many great RPGs have been releasedthis year.Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2provided us with one of themost realistic medieval action RPG experiencesever released, whileClair Obscur: Expedition 33took the gaming world by storm with its underdog development story and fantastic story and music.
No matter what elements RPG fans value the most when deciding to play a new game, there is likely something for every type of RPG fan in 2025, and if it’s not out yet, it’s probably coming later this year. I value combat a lot when it comes to RPGs, andgames likeAvowedandExpedition 33onXbox Game Passnail that aspect. Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the all-time great years for RPGs.
