With some of the longest story-intensive games beingRPGs(role-playing games), few of them appeal to the casual player. Expansive plots can deter occasional gamers, especially if the RPGs happen to also be difficult, require a lot of background knowledge, or move at a slow pace.
Looking back at some of the greatest RPGs, games likeThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntandDark Soulsdo not cater to casual gamers. They have steep learning curves or tangled stories. Here are some games for those looking to broaden their horizons playing RPGs but don’t want to commit too much time.
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Updated Jul 16, 2025 by Mark Sammut:Role-playing games can be life-consuming. Games like Persona 5 Royal, Disco Elysium, Elden Ring, and Divinity Original Sin 2 are reasonably popular, but they are not exactly designed with casual play sessions in mind. They all require significant time investments and demand that players master their mechanics and systems. If someone is specifically searching for a more laid-back title, they probably will turn to platformers or life sims before they venture into role-playing projects. That said, there are a handful ofgreat casual RPGsout there.
Platforms (+ Amazon Listing Page)
Nintendo has a knack for crafting games tailor-made for the entire family.Miitopiaserves as a prime example of the company’s talent for satisfying a casual market, even if the game does separate itself from other RPGs by including life simulation mechanics.
Thecombat system is directly impacted by the relationshipsbetween the main Mii characters, while the story is charming enough for the genre. For those looking to dip their toes into RPGs, the Nintendo Switch’s port ofMiitopiais a great place to start.
Re-Reckoning
Lasting roughly 30 hours,Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoningfeatures one of the most accessible andbest combat systems in the action RPGgenre. While the story is nothing more than decent, the variety offered by thebattle system means that the gamenever grows tiresome.
Furthermore,Kingdoms of Amalurconstantly throws loot at the player, providing a never-ending stream of goodies to get excited about. With a manageable difficulty level and solid visuals,Kingdoms of Amalurwill impress casual RPG fans.
Hardcore gamers should look elsewhere if they are searching for a long game. For a casual gamer, thenChild of Lightmight be up their alley. It’s a turn-based game with gorgeous visuals, an effective story, and great music.
With a short completion time estimated at around 11 hours,Child of Lightdoes not require much of a commitment, but it also doesn’t waste a single second. As long as someone appreciates RPGs with fun combat and great artwork,Child of Lightis worth it.
Platforms
Undertaleis a PC gem that deserves to be played. It’s a game that plays under the assumption that the user doesn’t have to kill anyone.Undertalewill take players approximately 6 hours to beat, so they don’t wind up lost in a long story.
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Even if someone plays casually,Undertaleis bound to impress. The great thing aboutUndertaleis that it can be played casually or under a completionist run for extended gameplay.
Thehack and slash gameDiablo 3doesn’t have a lengthy learning curve or knotty story that will deter casual players. After a few hours, players will find themselves immersed in the action-oriented gameplay.
The main story is short, with the bulk of its content taking place in the endgame. Whether a person wants to play casually or with consistent and conscientious regularity, Diablo 3is a game for people from all walks of life.
Bethesda’sThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis nothing if not adaptable. Want a hardcore experience that provides a substantial challenge?Skyrimdelivers. Seeking a relaxed romp through a fantasy world without paying too much attention to the main quest?Skyrimdelivers.
Similar to theFalloutgames,Skyrim’s greatest asset is the freedom it provides players. It is very much possible to drop hundreds of hours into this RPG and not complete the rather short central storyline.Skyrimis one of the best RPGs for casual gamers.
Obsidian Entertainment is known for story-intensive games likeFallout: New VegasandStar Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords.BeatingSouth Park: The Stick Of Truthwill not take the player as long as Obisidian’s other RPGs.
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The game is filled with light-hearted dialogue but also raunchy and suggestive humor as well. It’s approximately an 11.5-hour game with not much content for a completionist.South Park: The Stick Of Truthis a must-play for fans of the cartoon or anyone who appreciates a fun RPG.
Rune Factoryis an RPG series that incorporates farming simulator elements. Essentially, these games are a cross betweenAnimal Crossingand simple JRPG dungeon crawlers. WhileRune Factory 5is out on PC and the Nintendo Switch, newcomers looking for an entry point into the series should pick upRune Factory 4 Specialover its sequel.
Rune Factory 4maintains a relaxing and casual tone throughout its campaign, which is not something that many farming sims or action RPGs can claim. The game handles both sides of its loop well, offering enough depth to keep things interesting without getting bogged down with minute details.
BioWare’sMass Effectis rightfully regarded as one of the best sci-fi RPGs of all time. As a space opera, the original trilogy is ambitious both in terms of scale and the ideas it is willing to explore. However, the overall experience is nevertheless accessible, particularly its third-person shooter combat system.
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Mass Effect Legendary Editionincludes the full base trilogy and most of its DLC, presenting a very easy way for newcomers to experienceCommander Shepard’s storyline. Compared to some othercasual RPGs,Mass Effectis relatively lengthy and complicated, but the games are never anything less than brilliant.
One of the first RPGs to come from Nintendo came with a light-hearted story. Mario teams up with Bowser to defeat Smithy, who has stolen seven-star pieces.Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Starshas RPG elements along the lines ofFinal Fantasybut a less intricate story for casual gamers.
This anything-but-forgotten classic is a must-play foravidPaper Mariofans,especially if they want something shorter.
