Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about role-playing games of the 2010s, part 1.
What does this encyclopedia cover under 'RPGs of the 2010s, Part 1'?
Part 1 surveys the video-game role-playing titles released between 2010 and 2019, focusing on their design, cultural impact, and the communities that grew around them. It treats both Western and Japanese RPG traditions as a single conversation rather than two separate genres.
What are the main subgenres a newcomer should know before diving in?
The decade is broadly split into cinematic action RPGs (The Witcher 3, Dragon Age: Inquisition), tactical or turn-based CRPGs (Divinity: Original Sin 2, Pillars of Eternity), and Japanese-style JRPGs (Persona 5, Final Fantasy XV). Each uses different pacing, combat structure, and narrative delivery, so picking a subgenre first helps narrow the field.
Which studios defined the 2010s RPG landscape?
CD Projekt Red, BioWare, Larian Studios, Obsidian Entertainment, and Square Enix are the most frequently cited names, each shipping at least one title that reshaped player expectations. Bethesda's open-world approach with Skyrim and Fallout 4 also set a template that many smaller studios still reference.
Where should a complete beginner start if they have never played an RPG?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the most commonly recommended entry point because its story-driven missions, forgiving difficulty, and cinematic presentation lower the barrier to RPG mechanics. If turn-based combat appeals more, Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers a modern, accessible take on classic tactical play.
What was the biggest design shift in RPGs during the 2010s?
The industry moved decisively away from isometric, menu-driven interfaces toward over-the-shoulder, real-time combat with cinematic camera work. This made RPGs feel closer to action-adventure titles and broadened their audience, though it also sparked long-running debates about lost depth and player agency.
Which single title is most often called the decade's landmark RPG?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) consistently tops fan polls and retrospective lists for its world-building, side-quest writing, and the way it proved a narrative RPG could be a mainstream commercial hit. It also demonstrated that a mid-size studio could out-execute much larger competitors on story quality.
What was the Dragon Age: Inquisition controversy and why does it still matter?
BioWare's 2014 release shipped with significant performance bugs and a late-stage design pivot that alienated a portion of the fanbase, leading to public developer statements and a prolonged community rift. It remains a case study in how studio decisions and fan expectations can collide when a beloved franchise changes direction mid-production.
How did modding communities shape 2010s RPGs?
Skyrim (2011) became the decade's modding hub, with thousands of user-made overhauls extending its lifespan well past its 2011 release. Bethesda's relatively open engine and the Steam Workshop made modding a mainstream activity, influencing how later titles approached content updates and DLC.
What role did the Japanese RPG tradition play in the 2010s?
Square Enix's Final Fantasy series shifted to real-time combat and open-world elements (FFXIII, FFXV), while Atlus's Persona 4 and Persona 5 proved that turn-based JRPGs could reach mainstream Western audiences. Nintendo's Fire Emblem: Awakening and Fates reinvigorated tactical JRPGs on handheld and hybrid hardware.
What distinguishes 'Part 1' of this encyclopedia from later parts?
Part 1 covers the 2010–2019 release window and the design, cultural, and community threads that defined that era. Subsequent parts will address individual deep-dive entries, comparative timelines, and the post-2019 landscape, so Part 1 is intended as the foundational overview rather than an exhaustive catalog.