Summary
RPGs have become noted not just for their diversity of characters and party members, but also for their settings and the way they often meld different styles together. And when it comes to the mash-up of the modern and the mythical, some of the best games ever made in the genre have done so brilliantly. The melding of modern times with traditional fantasy tropes is not a unique one, but it is one that RPGs tend to do in some spectacular ways.
Some of them take place in a decidedly modern environment, but feature traditional fantasy elements like elves, orcs and magic. Others may do the opposite, introducing concepts contemporary to our time into a traditional fantasy setting. It has powered some of the genre’s best games, and it is an approach that has solidified the legacy of a few iconic titles over the years. These games have been ranked based on how well they blend the settings together, art direction, writing and their combat systems.
A collaboration between Level-5, one of the most celebrated RPG developers of all time, and Studio Ghibili, the legendary animation company behind some of the most incredible films ever made, seemed like a match made in heaven. The end result wasNi No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, a unique RPG that feels like a combination ofPokemonand traditional JRPGs likeFinal Fantasy.
Ni No Kunicombines elements of 1950s Americana and old-school fantasy, as the town of Motorville evokes nostalgic feelings associated with the past, all while incorporating traditional elements from mythology and folklore.Its stunning art design feelslike a Studio Ghibli movie come to life, with lush landscapes and a wholly unique combat system. This masterful RPG was recently remastered for modern hardware, and is readily available today.
Borderlandshas often looked to mix a modern setting with fantasy elements, as its combination of science fiction FPS gameplay with RPG systems has been a winning formula since 2009. But no game in the series has committed to that quite likeTiny Tina’s Wonderlands, the excellent spin-off title that takes place within the confines of a tabletop RPG, all of which merges with classic sci-fi weapons.
Tiny Tina acts as the dungeon master, as the shifting world of Bunkers & Badasses, the TTRPG thatthe game takes place in, challenges the player in the best possible way. It continues the franchise’s whimsical storytelling and charismatic characters, often seeing traditional fantasy tropes within the confines of a decidedly modern world. Gearbox recently announcedBorderlands 4for a release in 2025, butTiny Tina’s Wonderlandsis still worth going back to, as its unique blend of fantasy and science fiction, fun weapons and engaging combat is some of the best work the team has done in years.
TheShin Megami Tenseiseries has consistently explored the connections between modernity and mythology, as the franchise sees its characters trying to survive a deadly world filled with demons and monsters from ancient folklore. But no entry has done it quite as well asShin Megami Tensei 5, which launched as a Nintendo Switch exclusive in 2021 before beinggiven an expanded re-releaseon all modern hardware in 2024.
This dark exploration of humanity’s final days sees a young high school student become the Nahobino, as he travels between a post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo and a present-day one, all while recruiting and training the franchise’s signature collection of demons.SMThas always balanced between mythology and modern times, and the fifth entry continues that, as the demonic figures from folklore and traditional cultures blend perfectly with the game’s exploration of teenaged angst.
While the sequel remains tragically stuck in a state of purgatory, the originalVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlinescontinues to be one of the most innovative RPGs of its time.Even over twenty years later,Bloodlinesis a brilliant RPG with strong writing and an outstanding cast of characters, which has helped to solidify it as a surefire cult classic.
Set in modern-day Los Angeles,Bloodlinessees the player control a fledgling who is set for execution following their sire’s violation of the Masquerade, the secret pact that keeps the existence of vampires hidden. This riveting combination of classic vampire mythology set in the dark, seedy underworld of modern LA is an absolute slam dunk, as traversing its complex world and navigating various alliances is still a stellar experience.
Based on the hugely popular tabletop RPG,Shadowrun Returnswas the first video game in the series since the 1990s, releasing in 2013 and bringing the IP back into the spotlight. It ended up being worth the wait, asShadowrun Returnsfaithfully executed the excellent TTRPG in video game form, becoming one ofthe most compelling CRPGsof the 2010s.
Shadowrun Returnsis set in a science fiction world with guns and cybernetic implants that also features orcs, elves and all sorts of traditional high fantasy tropes. It is an endlessly compelling RPG where the combat, storytelling and world design are all flawless, as it uses every single trope together in perfect harmony. This outstanding RPG was recently made available on Nintendo Switch alongside two otherShadowrungames,DragonfallandHong Kong.
Following their public split with Nintendo, Squaresoft tookFinal Fantasyin a radically different direction, utilizingthe power of the PS1to create something truly special. Released in 1997,Final Fantasy 7was a massive game that deftly combined a cyberpunk dystopia with ancient mythology, as the world of Gaia is positioned as a living organism on the brink of disaster.
The world ofFinal Fantasy 7is at the mercy of the Shinra Electric Power Company, whose desire to siphon mako energy from the planet is built on a belief that doing so will allow them to reach the Promised Land, linked to an ancient race known as the Cetra. This combination of mythology and science fiction was unique for the time, asFinal Fantasy 7blurred the lines between ancient folklore and science fiction. Its winning combination of swords, magic, guns and energy weapons has gone on to influence an entire generation, as this legendary game continues to prove its longevity almost thirty years later.
After surviving a troubled development process,Mother 3was eventually released on the Game Boy Advance in 2006 and is still one of the most incredible games of all time. Set in the fictional Nowhere Islands,Mother 3is a dark, complex storysurrounding the arrival of the Pigmask Army and sees twins Claus and Lucas go on a stunning adventure that explores the dichotomy between nature and technology.
Tazmily Village and its surrounding areas feel like something out of a fairy tale, which is in sharp contrast to the cold, mechanical nature of the Pigmask Army.Mother 3’s exploration of nature and fantasy colliding with machines and the corruption of the past is one of its best features, as it combines this with the brilliantly written story and characters. It is one of the best RPGs of all time and despite being without an English translation, remains one that is worth playing for anyone who loves the genre.
