
On its way to a historic awards haul last year, critics and fans breathlessly glazed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for "saving turn-based RPGs." A genre that's been around since the 1980s, the best RPGs have seen their ups and downs – but there was little to suggest that a French developer founded in 2020 would make one of the most critically lauded RPGs of all time. Like 2023's Baldur's Gate 3 before it, Clair Obscur blew up and proved, once again, that RPGs are for everyone.
Even before Clair Obscur's dominance during awards season, turn-based RPG fans were feasting. From Octopath Traveler, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Chained Echoes, Sea of Stars, Baldur's Gate 3, and Eiyuden Chronicles to high profile remakes and remasters of Final Fantasy 1-6, Dragon Quest 1-3, Suikoden 1 & 2, Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Eternal Blue Complete, Persona 3, and Bravely Default, there have been more turn-based RPGs released over the past five years than a dad with a full time job like me could keep up with. Hardly the signs of a struggling genre.