10 Best Playstation 3 RPGs, Ranked (2024)

Role-playing games and the Playstation 3 were a match made in heaven. Unlike other consoles from the same generation, the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii, the PS3 had dozens of RPGs. From the West Coast to the East, fans had plenty of choices to pick from. Some may say that there are too many choices.

Players can go from riding on a dragon in a vast fantasy land to walking around the wasteland with their trusty dog by their side. From grand space opera to a land where every character is a musical pun. There is always something for every kind of player.

10 Eternal Sonata is There For the Music Lovers

Eternal Sonata is a fantastical game that revolves around music. From the characters' names to the entire world, there is something for every kind of music fan out there. Players control characters such as a young girl named Polka, a young man named Allegretto, and even the real-life composer Frederic Francois Chopin. The game primarily takes place in Chopin's dreams while he is on his deathbed. In the beginning, the cast of characters must travel all the way to the region of Forte to meet Count Waltz to talk to him about the addictive medication Mineral Powder, but it soon evolves into a grand journey.

Eternal Sonata is definitely made for music fans and pun lovers alike. The game boasts a beautiful and colorful art style that is sure to stun anyone who is playing the game. And, of course, has a magnificent musical score composed by Motoi Sakuraba and features seven of Chopin's own compositions.

Eternal Sonata

In Eternal Sonata, players embark on a fantastical journey through the dream world of composer Frédéric Chopin during his final hours. The game follows a group of characters, including Polka, Allegretto, and Beat, as they seek to overthrow an oppressive government exploiting a magical mineral called "mineral powder." Blending turn-based and real-time combat, players utilize music-themed abilities and harmonize their actions to defeat enemies.

Platform(s)

PS3 , Xbox 360

Released

September 17, 2007

Developer(s)

tri-Crescendo

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Studios

Genre(s)

JRPG

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol

How Long To Beat

30 Hours

System

PlayStation , Xbox

9 Tales of Xillia Takes a New Approach to the Franchise

The Tales franchise is known to have a grand cast of characters, a complicated story, and a grand sense of fun. Players can find all of these in Tales of Xillia. There is one twist to this, however. At the start of the game, players get to choose between two of the main characters, Jude or Milla. This choice will have players experience different things, such as different cutscenes, or even brand-new areas. This gives the game a reason to replay so fans can see everything.

The game follows both Jude and Milla as they uncover evidence of secret weapons and human experimentation. Milla, the incarnation of "The Lord of Spirits," loses her connection with the elements and can no longer control them. She goes on a journey to regain her powers with Jude, who is inspired by her determination. And, as most JRPGs go, the scale of the story widens to an end-of-the-world scale.

Tales of Xillia

Franchise

Tales of

Platform(s)

PS3

Released

August 6, 2013

Developer(s)

Namco Tales Studio

Publisher(s)

Namco Bandai

Genre(s)

Action RPG

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood, Mild Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

See Also

Is Fallout 3 map bigger than NV?

System

PlayStation

8 Valkyria Chronicles Brings a Twist to Strategy RPGs

Many players love a good strategy RPG, but some feel like the genre isn't immersive enough. But that's where Valkyria Chronicles steps in. Most strategy RPGs have players pick a character on a map, pick a destination, and do an action. In the classic Valkyria Chronicles, when a player chooses a character to move, they get full control over them. They can run to the spot where they are needed and aim where they would like to shoot. This gives players a sense of immersion, putting them directly onto the field of battle.

The story is set on the fictional continent of Europa where two countries are at war with each other. Players follow Welkin Gunther and his team, Squad 7. They will wage a campaign against the Imperial Forces to win the war and gain back their home. While playing the games, players will use a wide array of soldiers in battle. Such as Scouts, Snipers, Engineers, and even a super-powered warrior known as a Valkyrur.

Valkyria Chronicles

In Valkyria Chronicles, players enter the fictional continent of Europa, embroiled in the Second Europan War. The story follows Welkin Gunther, a young commander, and his squad in the Gallian Militia as they defend their neutral homeland from the invading East Europan Imperial Alliance. Combining tactical turn-based strategy with real-time action, players command troops, tanks, and unique units to overcome diverse battlefields. As the squad faces increasingly challenging missions, they uncover the hidden power of the Valkyria and confront the moral complexities of war.

Platform(s)

PC , PS3 , PS4 , Switch

Released

October 31, 2008

Developer(s)

Sega , Media Vision

Publisher(s)

Sega

Genre(s)

RPG , Tactical , Third-Person Shooter

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Animated Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence

How Long To Beat

30 Hours

System

Nintendo , PC , PlayStation

7 South Park: The Stick of Truth Puts Characters Into the Show

For years, companies have made South Park video games. Most of them have mixed reception at best. South Park: The Stick of Truth changed everything. While most games put the series in a 3D environment, The Stick of Truth places the player in a 2D map that fits with the style of the show. The game shows off the dark sense of humor that the series is famous forwhile being a sense of fresh air for longtime fans.

In The Stick of Truth, players create a custom character, "The New Kid," who has just moved into town. As they explore outside, they find the kids LARPing as wizards and warriors. The New Kid joins in on the game and begins fighting on the Wizard Cartman's side to protect the fabled "Stick of Truth" from the elves. As the game progresses, players will encounter a vast number of enemies, such as Underwear Gnomes, Aliens, and Nazi Zombies. While the game is great, it is not for every gamer, especially ones who are not fans of the show.

South Park: The Stick of Truth

As the New Kid, discover the lost Stick of Truth, and earn your place at the side of Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny as their new friend.

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , Switch , PC

Released

March 4, 2014

Developer(s)

Obsidian Entertainment

Publisher(s)

Ubisoft

Genre(s)

RPG

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence

How Long To Beat

12 Hours

Mode

Genre

System

Nintendo , PC , PlayStation , Xbox

6 Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Brings Studio Ghibli Into the RPG Scene

Developed by Level-5, Ni No Kuni brings the art style of a Studio Ghibli movie into players' hands. The team developing the game wanted the game to resonate with kids who want to go on a grand adventure. It makes sense why they went to the esteemed studio for the game's art style, which makes the game stand out. The art design was what critics focused on when doing their reviews, but the story itself is worth mentioning as well.

The story follows Oliver, who has just lost his mother. As he is crying, the doll that his mother gave him comes to life and tells him that he is from another world. Everyone there has a "Soulmate," a person who shares a link with another from the other world. Oliver learns that a great sage who looks like his mother has been kidnapped and soon sets out on a journey to find her. The story is heartfelt with many twists and turns with a wonderful cast of characters. With all of these combined, Ni no Kuni stands among one of the best RPGs that the PS3 has to offer.

Ni No Kuni

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS , Android , iOS , Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 3 , Microsoft Windows , Xbox One

Released

November 17, 2011

Developer(s)

Level 5

Publisher(s)

Level 5

Genre(s)

Action RPG , Action-Adventure

Engine

havok

ESRB

t

How Long To Beat

44 hours

System

Mobile , Nintendo , PC , PlayStation , Xbox

5 Dark Souls II Tests Players' Skills

Who doesn't know about Dark Souls? The franchise is famous for its difficulty. This is so well known, that when a player dies for the first time in the game, they will get a trophy titled "This is Dark Souls." With each new game, players take the challenge every time. Some of them will say that Dark Souls II is the hardest of the franchise. With bosses such as Sinh and Elana, they will definitely have their hands full.

The game begins with the player character becoming Undead. They are known as the "Bearer of the Curse." So that they can break the curse, The Bearer is tasked to obtain Four Great Souls from the powerful "Old Ones." Players will go through the fallen kingdom of Drangelic and fight creatures of unknown horrors and, most likely, die a lot of times. But fans know what they are signing up for, and with the reception Dark Souls II has gotten, it stands as one of the greatest.

Dark Souls 2

Prepare to die... Again. Dare yourself to engage against intense gameplay in a vast world powered by a new engine. Immerse yourself into mind-bending environments filled with new twisted monsters and deadly bosses. A vast array of threats will prey on human senses & phobias - auditory hallucinations, vertigo, acrophobia, etc. More intricate customization options provide weapons and armor tailoring to player style.

Franchise

Dark Souls

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC , Xbox One

Released

March 11, 2014

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , From Software

Genre(s)

Action RPG

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Violence

System

PC , PlayStation , Xbox

4 Fallout: New Vegas Lets the Player Do Almost Anything

Fallout is a franchise known for its number of options on how to build their character and shape their own story. New Vegas is known to the fanbase as the one that gives the player the most. Such as, how they can get revenge on Benny, the man that shoots the player at the beginning of the game. Players can either walk right up to him and shoot him in the face or let him live, but be enslaved by Ceaser the Legion. Players love the amount of characters that they can interact with, making this lawless wasteland feel alive.

The game follows the player character, known as "The Courier." As mentioned, they get shot in the face by a man named Benny while they are making a delivery. What starts as a mission of revenge builds to an almost state-wide journey through the wastelands fighting Supermutants, Ghouls, and Deathclaws. Players will go through hundreds of quests that span from the simple "Talk to Person A," to choosing who rules New Vegas as a whole.

Fallout: New Vegas

Franchise

Fallout

Platform(s)

PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC

Released

October 19, 2010

Developer(s)

Obsidian Entertainment

Publisher(s)

Bethesda

Genre(s)

RPG

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

System

PC , PlayStation , Xbox

How Long To Beat

28 Hours

Metascore

84

PS Plus Availability

Premium

3 Skyrim is One of the Biggest Games on the Console

What can be said about Skyrim that hasn't been said already? The game gives players a gigantic map to travel around with plenty of things to do. They can fight against dragons that fly around the air. They can go through ancient tombs filled with traps. They can even marry a character and adopt a child while buying a house. The amount of things players can do is astonishing, not even to mention the over two hundred quests that players can take on.

Players create a character that is soon to be known as the Dragonborn. They awaken in a carriage with Ulfric Stormcloak, the leader of the rebellion army. Just as the player is about to be executed, a dragon swoops in and attacks. Here the Dragonborn's adventure begins as they travel around Skyrim, going quest upon quest to learn why the dragons have returned and find out who they truly are.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V:Skyrimis a single-player role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks.

Franchise

The Elder Scrolls

Platform(s)

PC , PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Nintendo Switch , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

November 11, 2011

Developer(s)

Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher(s)

Bethesda Softworks

Genre(s)

RPG , Action , Adventure

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol

System

Nintendo , PC , PlayStation , Xbox

Engine

Creation Engine

Expansions

Skyrim: Dragonborn , Skyrim: Hearthfire , Skyrim: Dawnguard

How Long To Beat

35 Hours

X|S Enhanced

Yes

File Size Xbox Series

29 GB (DECEMBER 2023)

Metascore

96

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium (Special Edition)

2 Mass Effect 2 is an Amazing Space Opera

Mass Effect 2 is known to be the best of the series. With players in control of Commander Shepard, they are sent off on a grand journey to build up a team of old and new faces alike. The game is known for its many ways of playing and for the player building their own version of Shepard. They can be a good human, there for the weak. Or, they can be a straight-up jerk, who'll punch a reporter without hesitation.

Another thing Mass Effect is known for is its cast of characters that players will fall in love with, both figuratively and, possibly, literally. From the dashing bugman Garrus to the brilliant Tari, the player can have hundreds of dialogue options and a few quests, building their relationship with their favorite character. But if the player doesn't make the right decisions when it matters the most, that character may end up in trouble...or worse.

Mass Effect 2

Often considered the best installment of the Mass Effect franchise, Mass Effect 2 changed the landscape of video game storytelling. This game practically plays like a major motion picture. This is a testament to how grand the storytelling and characters are. Mass Effect 2 is the game credited for popularizing a choice based narrative otherwise known as interactive storytelling.

Franchise

Mass Effect

Platform(s)

PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC

Released

January 26, 2010

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Genre(s)

Action RPG , Third-Person Shooter

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence

How Long To Beat

25 Hours

X|S Enhanced

No

File Size Xbox Series

13 GB (December 2023)

System

PC , PlayStation , Xbox

1 Persona 5 Brings the Series Into the Mainstream

Persona has always been an interesting franchise. What started as a spinoff to the Shin Megami Tensei games, Persona can now be considered more popular than the originals. Fans can not stop talking about this game in particular. With mention of the battle mechanic, the characters, and the music, are only a handful of things that they love. One half of the game is tried and true dungeon crawling, while the other half is living school life. One day, players can go into a pyramid, trying to find a secret treasure, while the next day they can hang out with an artist trying to find their muse.

The Story follows the Main Protagonist, codename Joker, as he has to move to a new school due to a crime that he was falsely accused of. After finding an alternate world where people's desires come to life and how they can connect to the real world, Joker and his new friends will go through their "Palaces" and defeat the corrupt by "Stealing their Hearts."

Persona 5

Platform(s)

PS3 , PS4

Released

September 15, 2016

Developer(s)

P-Studio

Publisher(s)

Atlus

Genre(s)

RPG , Social Simulation

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

How Long To Beat

100 Hours

Franchise

Persona

Engine

Proprietary

X|S Enhanced

Yes

File Size Xbox Series

39 GB (May 2023)

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