What games focus on character progression?
Character progression, meaning leveling up, earning skills and improving gear, is the core of role-playing games (RPGs), MMORPGs and action RPGs. Popular examples include Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Diablo IV, Path of Exile 2, World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV and Black Desert. Many other genres, from shooters to roguelikes, now borrow progression systems too.
Games built around progression
Single-player RPGs
- Elden Ring: level up attributes and build around weapons, sorceries or incantations.
- Baldur's Gate 3: Dungeons & Dragons classes, multiclassing and party building.
- Skyrim: skills improve as you use them, and perks shape your character.
- The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077: skill trees and gear upgrades layered over story.
Action RPGs (loot-focused)
- Diablo IV: classes, skill trees, aspects and seasonal endgame.
- Path of Exile 2: a deep passive skill tree and gem-based skills.
MMORPGs
- World of Warcraft: classes, talents and gear progression through raids and dungeons.
- Final Fantasy XIV: one character can learn every job.
- Black Desert: detailed character creation and long gear and life-skill progression.
- Guild Wars 2: less grind-heavy, with focus on builds and cosmetics.
Roguelites
- Hades and Dead Cells: you lose progress in each run but unlock permanent upgrades over time.
Types of progression
- Levels and stats: experience points raise your level and attributes.
- Skill trees: choices that define a playstyle.
- Gear: better weapons and armor, often with random stats.
- Meta-progression: permanent unlocks between runs or seasons.
FAQ
What does RPG mean?
Role-playing game: you control a character who grows stronger over time and makes choices that affect the game.
What does MMO mean?
Massively multiplayer online: thousands of players share the same online world.
What is power-leveling?
Leveling a character as fast as possible, often with help from stronger players or optimized routes.