Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about role-playing games of the 2010s, part 3.
What does Part 3 of this encyclopedia cover?
Part 3 focuses on the latter half of the 2010s RPG landscape, roughly spanning 2015 through 2019. It tracks the CRPG renaissance, the JRPG resurgence, and the explosion of indie role-playing titles that defined the back end of the decade.
Who are the most frequently discussed developers in this section?
Larian Studios, Atlus, and FromSoftware dominate the conversation, alongside indie creators like Toby Fox and the team behind Divinity: Original Sin 2. These studios produced the titles that most define the late-2010s RPG era.
Where should a newcomer start reading Part 3?
Begin with the Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Persona 5 entries, as they represent the two most accessible gateways into the late-2010s RPG scene. From there, the NieR: Automata and Fire Emblem: Three Houses articles will round out your understanding of the period's range.
What is the single most-cited milestone in Part 3?
The 2017-to-2019 stretch is widely regarded as the peak of the modern CRPG renaissance, with Divinity: Original Sin 2, Tyranny, and Pillars of Eternity II collectively proving the party-based genre had a durable audience. That same window saw JRPGs reclaim mainstream attention through Persona 5 and Final Fantasy XV.
How does Part 3 differ in scope from Parts 1 and 2?
While earlier sections lean heavily on open-world action RPGs and the early indie wave, Part 3 shifts focus toward narrative-driven and strategy-adjacent role-playing games. It also gives significantly more space to Japanese-market titles and the indie scene's maturation.
Which title generates the most fan debate in this section?
NieR: Automata consistently tops the discussion threads, with fans splitting on whether its combat loop, narrative structure, or thematic ambition makes it the defining RPG of the late 2010s. Persona 5 is a close second, particularly regarding its cultural impact beyond the gaming community.
What role did crowdfunding play in the titles covered here?
Kickstarter and similar platforms funded several key entries, most notably Pillars of Eternity II and Tyranny, both developed by Obsidian Entertainment. This funding model became a defining feature of the late-2010s CRPG ecosystem.
Are mobile and free-to-play RPGs included in Part 3?
The encyclopedia touches on them briefly but keeps its primary focus on premium, full-length titles for PC and console. The 2010s saw a flood of mobile gacha RPGs, but this section treats them as a separate commercial category outside the traditional RPG canon.
What is the most surprising entry for longtime RPG fans?
Undertale's 2015 release is frequently cited as the section's most unexpected highlight, since it redefined what a role-playing game could be in terms of tone, structure, and player agency. Its influence rippled through the indie RPG space for the rest of the decade.
How does Part 3 connect to the 2020s RPG landscape?
The design philosophies and audience expectations established in these late-2010s titles directly shaped the next generation, from Baldur's Gate 3 to the continued popularity of Persona and Fire Emblem. Part 3 essentially documents the creative peak that the 2020s have been building upon.