Role-playing games used to have their own little corner of the game world, filled with swords, spells, and backstories that were often longer (or at least more filled out) than your average novel. Think Dungeons and Dragons, Shadowrun, Call of Cthulhu, etc. But somewhere along the way, other genres took a peek, nodded approvingly, and said, “Actually, if you don’t mind… we’ll have some of that.”
We’re now at the stage where the video game market has exploded with tabletop trends. We can barely move before tripping over XP bars, skill trees, dialogue options, and lore logs – even if you’re not ‘technically’ playing an RPG. Racing games with career arcs. Shooters with side quests. Farming sims with morality systems. Everyone’s stealing from the RPG playbook, and it’s making games much more interesting.
Shooters with story arcs and skill trees
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. It’s one of the biggest games out there, and it’s packed with tidbits stolen from RPGs. It’s still a shooter, sure, but with customisable loadouts, perks that unlock as you play, and a full-blown narrative campaign that wouldn’t look all that out of place in a D&D game. There are genuinely emotional moments, reveals paced like a blockbuster movie. You’re still mowing down enemies, sure, but you’re legitimately role-playing as a soldier too.
Destiny 2 has hopped on the bandwagon too. It’s a space opera RPG in FPS clothing. Classes and subclasses (à la Pathfinder), gear stats, faction alliances. In the video game world, it’s Halo meets Mass Effect from the tabletop. It’s a blend of Pathfinder and Morrowind. You’re making meaningful choices. You’re chasing loot that actually changes how you play. Sure, it’s not a tabletop game, but it’s an RPG by any definition – just a hugely popular one with lots of lasers.
Sim games and strategies with soul
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City builders and sims, they’re mechanical beasts, but lately they’ve been given a whole lot of heart too. Yep, they’ve caught the role-playing bug.
In Frostpunk, you’ve got to manage heat and coal in order to help your society, but as well as this, you need to guide them through moral quagmires too. If you’re a fan of Blades in the Dark, then you’ll love a good moral dilemma. Do you legalize forced labour to survive the storm? Do you execute dissenters? You’re a leader with a legacy at stake. Your decisions shape the story, not just the stats.
Crusader Kings III takes this maybe even a step further. Technically, this is a grand strategy game, sort of like Game of Thrones: The Spreadsheet Edition. You’re role-playing a dynasty, not just micromanaging a kingdom. Oh, and sometimes a horse becomes Pope (no, this isn’t your off-the-wall D&D night). It’s glorious chaos.
Casino worlds get character, too
Many of the mechanics that make tabletop RPGs so compelling – progression systems, character development, and immersive storytelling – are being adopted across the wider gaming world. It’s seamlessly made the leap from in-person to online. Some casino sites use progression systems, or loyalty programs, to create camaraderie between players and build a sense of belonging and progression. One casino online showcases its Roulette Leaderboard, letting players see where they fit amongst other players and be rewarded if they’re near the top.
Rather than spinning the reels, crossing your fingers, and hoping for a win, now you’re moving through ranks. Unlocking rewards. Earning badges. Some platforms even weave in light narratives or seasonal quests that change the tone of the entire experience. It’s gamified, sure, but with a touch of role-play that makes things feel personal.