I find the list a little bit strange and to me it leaves to the desire, so I would like to add a few thoughts and games (list incomplete, as I also left out some titles I like but can't mention all without writing a book):

To me this list feels more like a list of personal favourites. There are too many gaps and I also am a bit surprised to see two Ultima entries, although they belong to the same series. Anyway, I still feel the need to mention some great games not listed.

I found Ultima IV was actually a special highlight, as there was no boss enemy, but a journey focused on virtues and vices. I would definitely vote for this game more than Ultima I - III, even though they were the cradle of IV.

When you say some of the "best" RPGs, then you should also mention Divinity: Original Sin series, especially Divinity OS 2.

I undersand, that Mass Effect series does not exactly fit into the framework of a pen & paper inspired gameplay, but the character interactions and NPCs are some of the best I have seen in my life. Without narrowing down the list by applying criteria which kind of RPG you write about, it is hard to understand you did not mention it.

I believe that Disco Elysium definitely deserves a mentioning as one of the best RPGs. Also here one could argue that the typical D&D inspired leveling and combat gameplay is pretty much discarded makes this game fall out of the set of criteria. But also here it is an RPG, where you also play a role and even shape the character of the protagonist.

Why not mention Pillars of Eternity and Tyranny when speaking of PoE II? Where is a representative of Bethesdas Elder Scrolls Series like Morrowind? No Witcher game mentioned? No Fallout? No Baldur's Gate? No Pathfinder? What kind of list is this? Ok, I get it, you don't want to mention the top famous ones, which are well known and written about almost everywhere, but still... I wonder.

I could go on with more titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Elex, Alpha Protocol, and even "Neverwinter Nights" (the ones from Bioware!) as games worth your time, but I guess my personal list of the "best" RPGs is so much different taste...

Can't compare those. Dark Forces, especially part 2 "Jedi Knight" are great games, but not so much RPG, as action game with a plot and RPG elements. If you say Dark Forces would be an RPG, then you would need to mention also games like Bioshock, although you have very limited choices in the latter.

Anyway, if you like also more cRPG type of games where plot, choices, character development matter and action happens in dice-rolled, turn-based combat, try KotOR. There is a remake in the works, but I have no clue, if it will live up to the original, which is still one of the best RPGs of all times - even if the graphics didn't age that well compared to modern titles...

Wokeness? What the crap are you referring to? PoE2 is a phenomenal fantasy RPG and if you saw some sort of political message in it, then you were WANTING to find a political message in it.

In other news, yet another thread that was necro'ed. Gotta love the trolls. But hey, it's about great RPGs and being primarily an RPG player, I'm all good with that.

I love the KOTOR games, don't get me wrong, but I certainly prefer the Kyle Katarn Saga (which is what I call the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight games). They can't be compared as games, but as Star Wars stories, they can. Personally, I found the first KOTOR to have a relatively cliched story that gets way more praise than it deserves, especially if you compare it to the story of Jedi Outcast (which feels a lot more unique). KOTOR 2, on the other hand, is one of the most complex and well-written Star Wars stories and, IMHO, is a much better RPG yet it often gets demoted to "almost as good" by fans of the first game... which is a shame because cut content aside, KOTOR 2 is one of the best RPGs I've ever played. Then again, as much as I do like Bioware (old and new), Obsidian is absolutely my preference thanks to their knack for phenomenal writing.

Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't fit on this list because it was not released at the time.

I don't think it's reasonable to count an unreleased (and possibly unfinished) game among the best games ever, as said game has not had any chance to prove itself, or alternatively turn out to be garbage despite the hype.

Any list of best RPGs that includes Cyberpunk 2077 would have to be made after the game's release, not before.

EDIT: Damnit stop necro-posting.