- Registrado
- 27 de Sep, 2023
I'm sure you've noticed that the recent crop of RPGs coming out isn't very good. Okay, it's downright awful, but you still got the itch. What do you play? Modded Skyrim for the hundredth time? Do you swallow your pride and play the new slop anyways since "there isn't anything better?" Nah, pimp, let's list some games worth playing right now so we can alleviate that problem.
Since Fantasy/Medieval RPGs make a bulk of those available, there is more than a lion's share for anyone to try out if a game from here doesn't suit your tastes. If you have a lesser known title only (You) liked or played, feel free to recommend it as well. Western, J-RPGs, Slavjank, whatever it is, let's see it. I will start with a few more obvious ones:
* The Elder Scrolls
-Some of the more mainstream RPGs. Big, interactive sandbox with good build variety. Earlier titles(Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind) have more in-depth systems but are harder to get into, while newer titles(Oblivion, Skyrim) are more casual but also much easier and lighter with the RPG systems. Very modifiable, you can tailor your experience to your liking and get hundreds if not thousands of hours extra from just the mods alone, not counting vanilla + DLC or expansion packs.
*Gothic
-Another side of the Morrowind coin, as the first game came out the same year. This one is more realistic compared to other fantasy RPGs, at least with how NPCs treat you: In the first game, you are a prisoner and the first thing that happens is that you get forced into one of the gangs/factions in the game world unless you want to get your shit kicked in during a fight you are likely going to lose. You have to work for everything in this game, but that means if you are able to steal/work/kill enough to make progress, you make genuine headway into the game, from a bottom bitch into a proper mover and shaker. There is no XP system and wildlife doesn't respawn, making for an interesting eco-system that is nearly free of grinding unless you want an obstacle removed in the open world.
*Baldur's Gate
-First two games are different from the third entry, which seems to be more popular today. All three offer good variety of choices and good writing, not to mention fantastic combat. Combat in the first two happens in real-time but you can pause the game and give your player/squadmates commands, where as the third game has more traditional turn based combat.
*Dragon Age
-Spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate. Well, the first game, Origins, is. It's a console RPG, but at least it is an RPG, which can't be said for the future titles. The first game offers good amount of choices, nuance in writing and fighting builds, but it is still a "Bioware" game, so you should know what you're getting into. One of the selling points for the game is actually being able to set up your own origin, which amounts to a different tutorial level based on your race and gender, which depending on which choices you made during it gets mentioned several times later on in the game. If you're desperate, the second game is "okay" but it is largely just soulless consolized slop with many cut corners, that takes place in one city. Ignore the rest(Inquisition, Veilguard).
*Planescape: Torment
-Made by the same devs who made Fallout. Game features good amount of writing and reactivity, if you played Fallout games you should know what to expect. The game takes a good amount of inspiration from the first Baldur's Gate, which came out around the same time, or maybe great minds think alike. The game also uses the same "Forgotten Realms" setting, so you shouldn't be surprised when you see similarities in it's writing and world as well.
*Wizardry/Might & Magic
-Boomer dungeon clearing RPGs, dating back to the times when you made your own party and stuck with it for the entire game instead of recruiting party members as you went along. These can be a bit dated and a pain to run or get used to for newer players, but I recommend Wizardry 8 and M&M 4-6.
*Diablo
-More modern dungeon cleaners, based off hoarding loot and item management when you come town so you can be best equipped to take on the next dungeon. First game had the best atmosphere, second game was the most fun to play and the third is an online focused grind-a-thon best to my knowledge. Fourth is just the worst elements of the third game along with modern day cancer, Diablo veterans feel free to correct me if I am wrong here. Either way, first and second games should be prioritized.
*Dungeon Siege
-The other side of the loot-goblin coin. This one is 3D and features a lot less interactivity from the player: You set up your dude and later, your party, and then you watch them fight. They will chug potions and attack enemies on their own, well usually. The first game is where it's at, where as the second tried to be more "cinematic" and therefore more polished, at the cost of reducing the scale of the first. Third one is even more middling, but tried to flesh out the game world, one which absolutely nobody cared about. Funnily enough, the third entry was made by Obsidian, so this shouldn't be surprising. First one is a GOAT, second one is a maybe if you liked the first one, third is a pass unless you really haven't had your fill.
*Kingdom Come: Deliverance
-Oblivion-like which is a standout as it is not only grounded in reality but also in history. That means no goblins or magic slinging, you're a peasant boy that has trouble with even the most basic bandits, and by the end of the game you might become capable of fighting several dudes with a sword or a bow, that's about it as the game focuses on realism over a power fantasy. The game even has an entire literacy mechanic, having the letters be gibberish until you become literate, but having that by itself be a point of praise by the NPCs and even lets you do some quests or give quest solutions illiterate characters might not have. Hard to get into, very janky, but it is possibly the only good medieval historical RPG out there. Sequel is hot garbage and drops the historical aspect hard, for more details check out out lovely thread on the series we have right here in the Gaming subforum.
*Witcher
-Cinematic Polish action-RPG based off a novel series. First game is rather janky but more indepth as far as RPG elements go, where as the later titles become more consolized. The third game features a proper open world and is generally seen as the best in the series, but there are those who stick with the first game above all three. Game is known for it's decent writing, characters, worldbuilding and it's semi-grounded setting that has elements such as magic and elves you would be accustomed with in other games or media, but other than that it is more true to how life would have gone in Medieval Europe around that time than most games. If you're more into that aspect, check out Kingdom Come as well, as described above.
*Pathfinder: Kingmaker
-One of the newer titles, it is based off some of the older CRPGs like Baldur's Gate. Pathfinder games are known for it's indepth mechanics, vast array of choices that come back to haunt you well into the later game as well as high amount of builds and interactivity with environment and NPCs based off what your skill set and choices made earlier in the game. This one has a good "Tabletop session with a Game Master" feeling, if you're into that sort of thing.
*Divinity
-Aka "The games that Larian made before Baldur's Gate 3". If you liked BG3 you might see some of the same DNA, that includes vast array of interactivity with the environment.
*Pillars of Eternity
-Similar to Pathfinder in many aspects, but with a bigger focus on the kind of experiences Obsidian is used to giving/has been used to giving in the past, which means writing, choices and character interaction is king. First game is generally seen as the best, but there are some who swear by the second game as well. Tyranny and Avowed technically take place in the same universe, I think, former is fine and generally recommended where as the latter is probably the reason you're here in the first place. It is...ok, and that's about all that can be said about it(that's positive).
*Arx Fatalis/Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
-Both made by Arkane, latter is a spiritual successor of the former, both can be categorized as "Immersive Sims". Storyline is rather linear and can't be altered much in both games, RPG systems are there but they're wonky and weird. Good reason to play both games is the "interactive" bits, especially Dark Messiah which has a whole barrel of fun ways to deal with your enemies. From killing them with the tricky utilization of environment objects to using Ice magic to make them slip into the nearest fire/bottomless pit to kicking them yourself, good amount of fun in these games comes from playing around with it's systems and your surroundings.
*Fable
-"Moral Choices", the game. You know how many games today let you be "le good, le EVIL, le centrist(neutral)"? Well, this game is largely responsible for this trend. Spiritual successor to Black & White of all games(RTS city management game and pet/god training simulator that similarly lets you indulge in being good or evil towards both your pet god and the population), the game lets focuses on being either very stereotypically good-guy morally right character that kisses babies and saves old ladies from bandits, or very stereotypically mustache twirling evil character that sacrifices children for giggles and punches the same old ladies and steals their money. You can be somewhere in-between if you're boring but there isn't a whole lot of grey morality here. Games tend to have a rather linear story that takes your character from their childhood well into adulthood, with various mechanics such as your reputation with the townspeople, being able to marry and have kids, land ownership as well as several combat classes. Has a lot of good ideas, doesn't really execute many of them properly, very easy to cheese said mechanics. First one is generally seen as the best, it tends to get worse as you go along with the third one generally seen as either mid or downright bad depending on who you ask.
*NeverWinter Nights/Icewind Dale
-Two lesser known CRPGs of the late 90s and early 2000s. Both are similar in that they are dungeon cleaners with some social elements and decent RPG elements. NeverWinter Nights games generally have more non-combat side action stuff, both are similarly part of Forgotten Realms universe much like Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment.
*Dragon's Dogma
-JRPG made by Capcom. Decent for what it is, but highly overrrated in my opinon, never the less it is still something unique so I recommend it. The first game, that is, the second seems to be much of the same but inferior, bogged down by modern gaming problems. Word of advice: The game tracks whom you've talked to during the game, every single NPC. Usually, this means a shop owner of some sort, but every single NPC has this counter, even children(if I remember correctly). The NPC with the highest amount of points gets to be your "love interest" you can marry at one point, so keep this in mind going forward.
*Lionheart
-I only remember this game because it is the only non-Fallout title that uses the SPECIAL system. Might be worth a shot if only to see how it would work in a medieval fantasy RPG setting. Apparently the game had multiplayer, must be long dead by now.
I'm sure there are many, many more games that deserve a mention and a write up, especially in the JRPG department, but these are just the ones off the top of my head right now. Feel free to write a little bit about your favorite game, be it new or old, popular or unknown. I would love to hear what kinds of games you guys like to play.
Since Fantasy/Medieval RPGs make a bulk of those available, there is more than a lion's share for anyone to try out if a game from here doesn't suit your tastes. If you have a lesser known title only (You) liked or played, feel free to recommend it as well. Western, J-RPGs, Slavjank, whatever it is, let's see it. I will start with a few more obvious ones:
* The Elder Scrolls
-Some of the more mainstream RPGs. Big, interactive sandbox with good build variety. Earlier titles(Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind) have more in-depth systems but are harder to get into, while newer titles(Oblivion, Skyrim) are more casual but also much easier and lighter with the RPG systems. Very modifiable, you can tailor your experience to your liking and get hundreds if not thousands of hours extra from just the mods alone, not counting vanilla + DLC or expansion packs.
*Gothic
-Another side of the Morrowind coin, as the first game came out the same year. This one is more realistic compared to other fantasy RPGs, at least with how NPCs treat you: In the first game, you are a prisoner and the first thing that happens is that you get forced into one of the gangs/factions in the game world unless you want to get your shit kicked in during a fight you are likely going to lose. You have to work for everything in this game, but that means if you are able to steal/work/kill enough to make progress, you make genuine headway into the game, from a bottom bitch into a proper mover and shaker. There is no XP system and wildlife doesn't respawn, making for an interesting eco-system that is nearly free of grinding unless you want an obstacle removed in the open world.
*Baldur's Gate
-First two games are different from the third entry, which seems to be more popular today. All three offer good variety of choices and good writing, not to mention fantastic combat. Combat in the first two happens in real-time but you can pause the game and give your player/squadmates commands, where as the third game has more traditional turn based combat.
*Dragon Age
-Spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate. Well, the first game, Origins, is. It's a console RPG, but at least it is an RPG, which can't be said for the future titles. The first game offers good amount of choices, nuance in writing and fighting builds, but it is still a "Bioware" game, so you should know what you're getting into. One of the selling points for the game is actually being able to set up your own origin, which amounts to a different tutorial level based on your race and gender, which depending on which choices you made during it gets mentioned several times later on in the game. If you're desperate, the second game is "okay" but it is largely just soulless consolized slop with many cut corners, that takes place in one city. Ignore the rest(Inquisition, Veilguard).
*Planescape: Torment
-Made by the same devs who made Fallout. Game features good amount of writing and reactivity, if you played Fallout games you should know what to expect. The game takes a good amount of inspiration from the first Baldur's Gate, which came out around the same time, or maybe great minds think alike. The game also uses the same "Forgotten Realms" setting, so you shouldn't be surprised when you see similarities in it's writing and world as well.
*Wizardry/Might & Magic
-Boomer dungeon clearing RPGs, dating back to the times when you made your own party and stuck with it for the entire game instead of recruiting party members as you went along. These can be a bit dated and a pain to run or get used to for newer players, but I recommend Wizardry 8 and M&M 4-6.
*Diablo
-More modern dungeon cleaners, based off hoarding loot and item management when you come town so you can be best equipped to take on the next dungeon. First game had the best atmosphere, second game was the most fun to play and the third is an online focused grind-a-thon best to my knowledge. Fourth is just the worst elements of the third game along with modern day cancer, Diablo veterans feel free to correct me if I am wrong here. Either way, first and second games should be prioritized.
*Dungeon Siege
-The other side of the loot-goblin coin. This one is 3D and features a lot less interactivity from the player: You set up your dude and later, your party, and then you watch them fight. They will chug potions and attack enemies on their own, well usually. The first game is where it's at, where as the second tried to be more "cinematic" and therefore more polished, at the cost of reducing the scale of the first. Third one is even more middling, but tried to flesh out the game world, one which absolutely nobody cared about. Funnily enough, the third entry was made by Obsidian, so this shouldn't be surprising. First one is a GOAT, second one is a maybe if you liked the first one, third is a pass unless you really haven't had your fill.
*Kingdom Come: Deliverance
-Oblivion-like which is a standout as it is not only grounded in reality but also in history. That means no goblins or magic slinging, you're a peasant boy that has trouble with even the most basic bandits, and by the end of the game you might become capable of fighting several dudes with a sword or a bow, that's about it as the game focuses on realism over a power fantasy. The game even has an entire literacy mechanic, having the letters be gibberish until you become literate, but having that by itself be a point of praise by the NPCs and even lets you do some quests or give quest solutions illiterate characters might not have. Hard to get into, very janky, but it is possibly the only good medieval historical RPG out there. Sequel is hot garbage and drops the historical aspect hard, for more details check out out lovely thread on the series we have right here in the Gaming subforum.
*Witcher
-Cinematic Polish action-RPG based off a novel series. First game is rather janky but more indepth as far as RPG elements go, where as the later titles become more consolized. The third game features a proper open world and is generally seen as the best in the series, but there are those who stick with the first game above all three. Game is known for it's decent writing, characters, worldbuilding and it's semi-grounded setting that has elements such as magic and elves you would be accustomed with in other games or media, but other than that it is more true to how life would have gone in Medieval Europe around that time than most games. If you're more into that aspect, check out Kingdom Come as well, as described above.
*Pathfinder: Kingmaker
-One of the newer titles, it is based off some of the older CRPGs like Baldur's Gate. Pathfinder games are known for it's indepth mechanics, vast array of choices that come back to haunt you well into the later game as well as high amount of builds and interactivity with environment and NPCs based off what your skill set and choices made earlier in the game. This one has a good "Tabletop session with a Game Master" feeling, if you're into that sort of thing.
*Divinity
-Aka "The games that Larian made before Baldur's Gate 3". If you liked BG3 you might see some of the same DNA, that includes vast array of interactivity with the environment.
*Pillars of Eternity
-Similar to Pathfinder in many aspects, but with a bigger focus on the kind of experiences Obsidian is used to giving/has been used to giving in the past, which means writing, choices and character interaction is king. First game is generally seen as the best, but there are some who swear by the second game as well. Tyranny and Avowed technically take place in the same universe, I think, former is fine and generally recommended where as the latter is probably the reason you're here in the first place. It is...ok, and that's about all that can be said about it(that's positive).
*Arx Fatalis/Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
-Both made by Arkane, latter is a spiritual successor of the former, both can be categorized as "Immersive Sims". Storyline is rather linear and can't be altered much in both games, RPG systems are there but they're wonky and weird. Good reason to play both games is the "interactive" bits, especially Dark Messiah which has a whole barrel of fun ways to deal with your enemies. From killing them with the tricky utilization of environment objects to using Ice magic to make them slip into the nearest fire/bottomless pit to kicking them yourself, good amount of fun in these games comes from playing around with it's systems and your surroundings.
*Fable
-"Moral Choices", the game. You know how many games today let you be "le good, le EVIL, le centrist(neutral)"? Well, this game is largely responsible for this trend. Spiritual successor to Black & White of all games(RTS city management game and pet/god training simulator that similarly lets you indulge in being good or evil towards both your pet god and the population), the game lets focuses on being either very stereotypically good-guy morally right character that kisses babies and saves old ladies from bandits, or very stereotypically mustache twirling evil character that sacrifices children for giggles and punches the same old ladies and steals their money. You can be somewhere in-between if you're boring but there isn't a whole lot of grey morality here. Games tend to have a rather linear story that takes your character from their childhood well into adulthood, with various mechanics such as your reputation with the townspeople, being able to marry and have kids, land ownership as well as several combat classes. Has a lot of good ideas, doesn't really execute many of them properly, very easy to cheese said mechanics. First one is generally seen as the best, it tends to get worse as you go along with the third one generally seen as either mid or downright bad depending on who you ask.
*NeverWinter Nights/Icewind Dale
-Two lesser known CRPGs of the late 90s and early 2000s. Both are similar in that they are dungeon cleaners with some social elements and decent RPG elements. NeverWinter Nights games generally have more non-combat side action stuff, both are similarly part of Forgotten Realms universe much like Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment.
*Dragon's Dogma
-JRPG made by Capcom. Decent for what it is, but highly overrrated in my opinon, never the less it is still something unique so I recommend it. The first game, that is, the second seems to be much of the same but inferior, bogged down by modern gaming problems. Word of advice: The game tracks whom you've talked to during the game, every single NPC. Usually, this means a shop owner of some sort, but every single NPC has this counter, even children(if I remember correctly). The NPC with the highest amount of points gets to be your "love interest" you can marry at one point, so keep this in mind going forward.
*Lionheart
-I only remember this game because it is the only non-Fallout title that uses the SPECIAL system. Might be worth a shot if only to see how it would work in a medieval fantasy RPG setting. Apparently the game had multiplayer, must be long dead by now.
I'm sure there are many, many more games that deserve a mention and a write up, especially in the JRPG department, but these are just the ones off the top of my head right now. Feel free to write a little bit about your favorite game, be it new or old, popular or unknown. I would love to hear what kinds of games you guys like to play.
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