Best games
Best RPG games of 2010
The 32 best RPG games released in 2010, ranked from 19,376 critic and player ratings.
The best RPG game of 2010 is Mass Effect 2, with a critic score of 96/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2010.
- 32 games are listed on this page, carrying 19,376 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 32
01
Mass Effect 2
Are you prepared to lose everything to save the galaxy? You'll need to be, Commander Shephard. It's time to bring together your greatest allies and recruit the galaxy's fighting elite to continue the resistance against the invading Reapers. So steel yourself, because this is an astronomical mission where sacrifices must be made. You'll face tougher choices and new, deadlier enemies. Arm yourself and prepare for an unforgettable intergalactic adventure. Game Features: Shift the fight in your favour. Equip yourself with powerful new weapons almost instantly thanks to a new inventory system. Plus, an improved health regeneration system means you'll spend less time hunting for restorative items. Make every decision matter. Divisive crew members are just the tip of the iceberg, Commander, because you'll also be tasked with issues of intergalactic diplomacy. And time's a wastin' so don't be afraid to use new prompt-based actions that let you interrupt conversations, even if they could alter the fate of your crew...and the galaxy. Forge new alliances, carefully. You'll fight alongside some of your most trustworthy crew members, but you'll also get the opportunity to recruit new talent. Just choose your new partners with care because the fate of the galaxy rests on your shoulders, Commander.
96
/100
02
S
Red Dead Redemption
A modern-day Western epic, Red Dead Redemption takes John Marston, a relic from the fast-closing time of the gunslinger, through an open world filled with wildlife, mini-games, and shootouts. Marston sets out to hunt down his old gang mates for the government, who have taken away his family. Along his journey, he meets many characters emblematic of the Wild West, heroism, and the new civilization.
92
/100
03
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
90
/100
Mass Effect 2
Are you prepared to lose everything to save the galaxy? You'll need to be, Commander Shephard. It's time to bring together your greatest allies and recruit the galaxy's fighting elite to continue the resistance against the invading Reapers. So steel yourself, because this is an astronomical mission where sacrifices must be made. You'll face tougher choices and new, deadlier enemies. Arm yourself and prepare for an unforgettable intergalactic adventure. Game Features: Shift the fight in your favour. Equip yourself with powerful new weapons almost instantly thanks to a new inventory system. Plus, an improved health regeneration system means you'll spend less time hunting for restorative items. Make every decision matter. Divisive crew members are just the tip of the iceberg, Commander, because you'll also be tasked with issues of intergalactic diplomacy. And time's a wastin' so don't be afraid to use new prompt-based actions that let you interrupt conversations, even if they could alter the fate of your crew...and the galaxy. Forge new alliances, carefully. You'll fight alongside some of your most trustworthy crew members, but you'll also get the opportunity to recruit new talent. Just choose your new partners with care because the fate of the galaxy rests on your shoulders, Commander.
96
/100
02
S
Red Dead Redemption
A modern-day Western epic, Red Dead Redemption takes John Marston, a relic from the fast-closing time of the gunslinger, through an open world filled with wildlife, mini-games, and shootouts. Marston sets out to hunt down his old gang mates for the government, who have taken away his family. Along his journey, he meets many characters emblematic of the Wild West, heroism, and the new civilization.
92
/100
03
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
90
/100
04
Xenoblade Chronicles
Xenoblade Chronicles follows Shulk and his band of friends as they search for answers about the mysterious "Monado" sword and defend their homeland from violent robotic creatures known as the Mechon. The game contains an open world design and strongly emphasizes exploration due to the world's large size. The game was very well received by critics, with many citing it as a great example of innovation and improvement in Japanese role-playing video games. The game has spawned a sub-series of the larger "Xeno" series, including Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U) and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch).
89
/100
05
S
BioShock 2
BioShock 2 is the second game of the BioShock series and the sequel to BioShock. It continues the grand storyline of the underwater metropolis Rapture. BioShock 2 capitalizes and improves upon the high-quality effects, unique gameplay elements, and immersive atmosphere that defined the first game. It explores more brutal gameplay than its predecessor, with new enemies, weapons, Plasmids, and Gene Tonics.
88
/100
06
Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition
88
/100
07
Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version are paired Generation IV remakes of the Generation II games Pokémon Gold and Silver. Much like how Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen revisited the Generation I story of Kanto, HeartGold and SoulSilver retell the story of Johto, with the player's starting town being New Bark Town. While the games feature several expansions in key areas, the overall plot follows the same direction as the original Gold and Silver. Some aspects exclusive to Crystal are also included. Like how FireRed and LeafGreen could link up with Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald to complete the Pokédex by trading regionally exclusive Pokémon, HeartGold and SoulSilver can link up with Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum to obtain Pokémon unavailable in Johto and Kanto (such as the Sinnoh starters) and vice versa. Kris, despite being the female counterpart of Crystal's player character, is not included as the female player character, with a new character instead taking her place. Whether she is chosen to be the player character or not, this new character will still appear in the game. The unselected protagonist will take a pseudo-rival role similar to the unselected characters of Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. The games were released on September 12, 2009 in Japan, February 4, 2010 in Korea, March 14, 2010 in North America, March 25, 2010 in Australia and March 26, 2010 in Europe (this excludes the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of Belgium due to an in-game save error, with the patched copies later released on April 2, 2010).
87
/100
08
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Chaos Rising
85
/100
09
D
Fallout: New Vegas
In this first-person Western RPG, the player takes on the role of Courier 6, barely surviving after being robbed of their cargo, shot and put into a shallow grave by a New Vegas mob boss. The Courier sets out to track down their robbers and retrieve their cargo, and winds up getting tangled in the complex ideological and socioeconomic web of the many factions and settlements of post-nuclear Nevada.
84
/100
10
Mass Effect 2: Overlord
84
/100
11
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening
82
/100
12
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
82
/100
13
Final Fantasy XIV
82
/100
14
Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
82
/100
15
Darksiders
82
/100
16
Dungeon Defenders
81
/100
17
Pokémon White Version
80
/100
18
Costume Quest
80
/100
19
D
Metro 2033
79
/100
20
Gothic II: Gold Edition
79
/100
21
Mount & Blade: Warband
78
/100
22
Fable III
78
/100
23
Fable III
78
/100
24
King's Bounty: Crossworlds
78
/100
25
Yakuza 4
78
/100
26
ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead
73
/100
27
NIER
68
/100
28
Arcania: Gothic 4
64
/100
29
ArcaniA
63
/100
30
Alpha Protocol
59
/100
31
STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed II
59
/100
32
The Guild II Renaissance
56
/100
Xenoblade Chronicles
Xenoblade Chronicles follows Shulk and his band of friends as they search for answers about the mysterious "Monado" sword and defend their homeland from violent robotic creatures known as the Mechon. The game contains an open world design and strongly emphasizes exploration due to the world's large size. The game was very well received by critics, with many citing it as a great example of innovation and improvement in Japanese role-playing video games. The game has spawned a sub-series of the larger "Xeno" series, including Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U) and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch).
89
/100
05
S
BioShock 2
BioShock 2 is the second game of the BioShock series and the sequel to BioShock. It continues the grand storyline of the underwater metropolis Rapture. BioShock 2 capitalizes and improves upon the high-quality effects, unique gameplay elements, and immersive atmosphere that defined the first game. It explores more brutal gameplay than its predecessor, with new enemies, weapons, Plasmids, and Gene Tonics.
88
/100
06
Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition
88
/100
07
Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version are paired Generation IV remakes of the Generation II games Pokémon Gold and Silver. Much like how Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen revisited the Generation I story of Kanto, HeartGold and SoulSilver retell the story of Johto, with the player's starting town being New Bark Town. While the games feature several expansions in key areas, the overall plot follows the same direction as the original Gold and Silver. Some aspects exclusive to Crystal are also included. Like how FireRed and LeafGreen could link up with Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald to complete the Pokédex by trading regionally exclusive Pokémon, HeartGold and SoulSilver can link up with Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum to obtain Pokémon unavailable in Johto and Kanto (such as the Sinnoh starters) and vice versa. Kris, despite being the female counterpart of Crystal's player character, is not included as the female player character, with a new character instead taking her place. Whether she is chosen to be the player character or not, this new character will still appear in the game. The unselected protagonist will take a pseudo-rival role similar to the unselected characters of Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. The games were released on September 12, 2009 in Japan, February 4, 2010 in Korea, March 14, 2010 in North America, March 25, 2010 in Australia and March 26, 2010 in Europe (this excludes the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of Belgium due to an in-game save error, with the patched copies later released on April 2, 2010).
87
/100
08
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Chaos Rising
85
/100
09
D
Fallout: New Vegas
In this first-person Western RPG, the player takes on the role of Courier 6, barely surviving after being robbed of their cargo, shot and put into a shallow grave by a New Vegas mob boss. The Courier sets out to track down their robbers and retrieve their cargo, and winds up getting tangled in the complex ideological and socioeconomic web of the many factions and settlements of post-nuclear Nevada.
84
/100
10
Mass Effect 2: Overlord
84
/100
11
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening
82
/100
12
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
82
/100
13
Final Fantasy XIV
82
/100
14
Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
82
/100
15
Darksiders
82
/100
16
Dungeon Defenders
81
/100
17
Pokémon White Version
80
/100
18
Costume Quest
80
/100
19
D
Metro 2033
79
/100
20
Gothic II: Gold Edition
79
/100
21
Mount & Blade: Warband
78
/100
22
Fable III
78
/100
23
Fable III
78
/100
24
King's Bounty: Crossworlds
78
/100
25
Yakuza 4
78
/100
26
ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead
73
/100
27
NIER
68
/100
28
Arcania: Gothic 4
64
/100
29
ArcaniA
63
/100
30
Alpha Protocol
59
/100
31
STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed II
59
/100
32
The Guild II Renaissance
56
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best RPG game of 2010?
Mass Effect 2 currently tops the ranking with a score of 96/100 across 2,700 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.