RPGs used to be just their own genre - these days they are also a bulletpoint on other game genres' advertisements and boxes. It seems nary a game is released without some sort of RPG mechanic included. But are there any modern "big name" games without these sorts of conventions tagging along anymore? Sometimes you just want to go from A to B with all progress made being because of your skill and not "you defeated a bunch of bad dudes or collected a bunch of things so you are stronger."
But what is an RPG mechanic? There are so many. The most famous is "defeat guys, get experience, gain levels." But there is also "huge equip-able inventory" where you are carrying a ton of items yet the newest tend to be the strongest. Do upgrades count as an RPG mechanic? I say not unless you get them directly through defeating enemies. What about beating a bunch of baddies, collecting their money/loot, selling it, and using your lucre to buy upgrades from a store? That's a more difficult call.
What are the modern skill-based games where busywork won't make you stronger?