Most Satisfying Level Up Systems In Gaming (2024)

Leveling up can be one of the most satisfying ways to become more powerful in an RPG. After killing multiple enemies, dropping the baddest bosses, and completing quests, it is the perfect reward for a job well done.

So what makes a level-up system satisfying? Is it the unique way that experience is gained or the ways leveling up can affect the overall experience of the game? Across every genre of gaming, leveling up doesn’t have to be a chore and can be one of the most fulfilling grinds. These are the ten most satisfying level-up systems in the world of gaming.

10 Skyrim

Learn By Doing

A Skyrim character reaching level 100 in Alteration

Skyrim is an action RPG with an immersive level-up system that rewards players for performing the actions they want to improve on. Whether it be enchanting items or getting better with a bow, players need to keep using the skill if they want to earn skill points down the road.

Being able to upgrade a skill tree to legendary is also an amazing feature that lets you redistribute all the skill points you previously spent into other categories. So leveling up and choosing abilities doesn’t lock you into one particular role.

9 Fallout 3 And New Vegas

Just Select Points

Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas have a simple but satisfying progression system; like any other game, you complete quests and kill enemies to fill up the bar. Once filled, you’ll get a choice of adding point values to your desired skills, and this freedom puts your growth in your hands rather than randomly assigning values.

The point system is also satisfying because it lets you choose how fast you level up your skills rather than just where your points go. Instead of distributing your points evenly, you can cram them all into one skill and max it out quickly to unlock new abilities.

8 Dark Souls

Kill, Rest, Repeat

Dark Souls and other similar Souls games have some of the best grinds in gaming, as enemies don’t require you to be leveled up to overcome them. They only require you to know their patterns and to coordinate your strikes without getting hit; once enemies are defeated, simply rest at a bonfire and the cycle starts over again.

Souls can be used to raise skills such as strength, dexterity, or faith; these all have their own unique buffs, but most importantly, they can allow you to wield certain weapons. With the right equipment that matches your level-up priorities, you can see a spike in damage output.

7 Undertale

Unlock New Endings

Undertale’s level-up system is satisfying due to its inherent importance to the narrative and the way it marks your progress. First-time players naturally gravitate towards killing enemies and getting stronger. This leads to a neutral ending most of the time.

In the genocide run, the grind has a purpose as you slash your way through pixelated monsters. Each successful monster's death brings you closer to wiping out the underground. Additional dialogue can be discovered by leveling up to a specific level, giving players plenty of content in between and an incentive to play with the system.

6 Pokemon

Level Up To Evolve

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Pokemon has a simple level-up method with the perfect twist; you level up your creatures enough and not only will they learn new moves, but will also evolve into stronger forms. This is one of the best rewards for leveling up, but players could hold off on evolving to, instead, learn stronger moves sooner.

Leveling up also challenges players to find the right areas to grind specific Pokemon types. The system was made generally easier with the introduction of a universal XP Share system, which reduced the time spent with each individual Pokemon.

5 Monster Hunter

Level Up Through Items

Monster Hunter does not have a traditional method of leveling up while still maintaining a sense of progression. Instead, a player's stats are determined by the equipment they have gathered, and each piece of equipment also has its own unique set of stats, weaknesses, and buffs.

Killing monsters gets you the material you can use to craft your own armor sets and weapons, which allows you to go after even stronger monsters to upgrade and even sidegrade your items. This makes choosing which tools to use to hunt down a specific monster vital to resisting their attacks and dealing more damage.

4 Baldurs Gate 3

Dungeons And Dragons

Baldurs Gate 3 has an S scaling curve for its level-up system. Early levels are easy to obtain while later levels are harder to bridge the gap, but luckily, exploring the world and uncovering new quests are all part of the immersion.

Inspiration also adds a twist to how you can level up; as more characters join your party, the game rewards you for playing to their specific personalities and allegiances. If you do something your character would naturally do, then you can gain benefits such as more XP.

3 The Witcher 3

An Immersive World

The Witcher 3 continues the trend of modernizing the level-up system for open-world games. With four main skill trees to customize your character with, leveling up lets you spend points to craft your perfect character.

Skill trees include Combat, Alchemy, Signs, and General and contain around 70 different skills to mix and match with your character. Skill points can be earned by leveling up or by discovering Places of Power, which promotes discovery on top of grinding, which makes the process of leveling very satisfying.

2 Kingdom Hearts

Choose Your Difficulty

Kingdom Hearts lets you choose your preferred level-up rate. Do you take satisfaction in leveling up fast early on while taking it slower later? What about having a slow start but being able to get those last levels quickly?

Kingdom Hearts presents you with a series of questions at the start of the game that determine your progression speed. However, once you learn the answers to get your preferred speed, it is very satisfying to unlock different skills early on or keep your gains balanced.

1 Darkest Dungeon

Sacrifice Characters, Make Money

Darkest Dungeon relies on you leveling up your characters only for them to die for the sake of the mission, as leveling up grants each character new perks that make them unique but also allow you to upgrade their skills using gold. It also gives them the courage to handle higher-level dungeons.

The real beauty of leveling up is upgrading the town's facilities. This allows you to recruit higher-level characters each day and sometimes, have them come in with fully ranked-up skills and equipment.