CRPG is generally considered a long-dead genre by modern-day AAA publishers and developers. Since the 2000s, they have been overcome by 3D titles such as Fallout 3 and Mass Effect that focused on action instead of storytelling. While those titles are amazing, classic CRPG games like Planescape: Torment and Baldur’s Gate offered way more in the storytelling, choices & consequences department.
However, we have seen somewhat of a resurgence of CRPG titles from 2014 onwards, with the excellent Divinity: Original Sin, made after a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. As a result, many more CRPGs have been pumped out by various developers and met with moderate success. In this article, we would list out some of the best modern CRPG titles.
10 – Pathfinder: Kingmaker
After a successful Kickstarter campaign by Owlcat Games, Pathfinder: Kingmaker was released for PC in 2018, with a console port release schedule for 2020.
The game is based on the Pathfinder tabletop RPG that was released in 2009, which in turn was inspired by various classic RPG settings like Neverwinter Nights and Baldur’s Gate. Similar to those games, Kingmaker is very faithful to the original contents – giving players an amazing story along with decisions that actually have consequences. Because of that, every playthrough would be different, as players mix upon their choices.
9 – Torment: Tides of Numenera
The spiritual successor to the legendary Planescape: Torment, Tides of Numenera was released in 2017 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It was amongst the biggest title on Kickstarter, with over 4 million dollars raised.
The game is also based on a tabletop RPG, this time it’s the world of Numenera, partly based on the Planescape universe from Torment. The game has a unique system of combat and dialogue, as every action would cost a certain amount of points, which would be deducted from a pool accumulated by players based on their skill build and choices. Overall, Numenera is amongst the most unique world ever designed in gaming. In this game, players would step into the shoes of the Last Castoff, the latest body of a mind jumping god.
8 – Wasteland 2
Also developed by inXile Entertainment, Wasteland 2 is a revival of the original cult classic in 1988. The game was released for PC in 2014, with the console versions revealed a year after.
The first Wasteland was the biggest inspiration for the Fallout franchise, with the main characters’ adventure in the nuclear wasteland. Wasteland 2 has done a good job of continuing that legacy, with all the familiar elements such as turn-based combat, visual style, dark humor, and storytelling. While the game is quite dated, it has enough charm to keep players occupied.
7 – Pillars of Eternity
Developed by Obsidian, the mastermind behind Fallout New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity was one of the most hyped games in 2015, released for PC after yet another Kickstarter campaign. The game was later ported to all other consoles including the Nintendo Switch.
Taking cues from classics like Icewind Dale and Baldur’s Gate, Pillars of Eternity has an amazingly deep story and an engaging combat system that can keep even the most hardcore fans occupied. The game world is also incredibly detailed, with most maps and locations specifically designed after the quests they are involved in.
6 - Tyranny
Developed for PC in 2016 using the same engine that was used to build Pillars, Tyranny is a twist to the usual storytelling formula. In this game, you would play the role of the dark lord’s servants, cleaning up the land after the force of good has already been defeated. Tyranny is overall a high fantasy title, with extra emphasis on moral choices.
Because of the unique story and characters, players are encouraged to become an evil villain. They would have to pick between bad and very bad choices – which is actually a brand new way of storytelling, as you would often find yourself juggling between options.
5 – Divinity Original Sin
Prequel to the original Divinity Series, Original Sin fused the limitless choices of the Baldur’s Gate series with the amazing combat system inspired by the first Divinity games. The turn-based combat with various creative skills is definitely better than a lot of games on this list. Players would interact with the environment around them, along with various items and skills to force their way through various encounters. Divinity: Original Sin is hard to master, but the payoff is definitely worth every single second.
This game singlehandedly catapulted Larian to the next tier of developers. They have recently been hired to create the sequel of Baldur’s Gate series, Baldur’s Gate 3.
4 – Shadowrun Dragonfall
Created by Harebrained Schemes based on the cyberpunk world of Shadowrun, Dragonfall was originally a mod, an extra campaign to the original game. However, after its amazing reception, the developers have decided to pick it up and polish the game to an acceptable level.
The best part of the game is probably the setting. It is Cyberpunk with a magical twist, as the world is filled with fantasy-based races and magic. The story is what sets Dragonfall apart from its prequel and sequel – the quests are complicated and well written, with mystery, conspiracy and hard decisions.
3 – Pillars of Eternity: Deadfire
The sequel to the original Pillars was released in 2018 for PC, with a console release sometime in 2020. Deadfire takes everything that was enjoyable about the first game, refined them, and fixed the overall clunky feeling of the battle system.
Players’ party now traverses the seven seas on ships instead of land, as the scope expands to an unprecedented level. The quality of the story and sound departments remains unchanged – they are all super interesting and engaging. There is an option to switch between real-time pause combat and turn-based now, which is definitely a much-appreciated addition.
2 – Disco Elysium
One of the best games in 2019 for PC, Disco Elysium is a classic detective RPG, with various focus on character interaction, deduction, and storytelling. Players would step into the shoes of an alcoholic detective whose job is to unravel the mystery behind a murder
The events of the game are set in an alternate 1950s, in a former communist city called Revachol. Everything, from the game’s story to character interactions and progress are all based on the stats you have and their relations to the human psyche. This skill and conversation system is completely different from other games in the same genre – and that’s part of the reason Disco Elysium was that successful.
1 – Divinity: Original Sin 2
Released back in 2017 for the PC, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is definitely a worthy sequel for the original Divinity. Larian has taken every worthwhile mechanics from the first game and refined them to create one of the most open and polished RPG experiences.
Rivellon in the sequel has changed. It now automatically develops and reacts based on the decisions and actions that the player makes. The story is also further optimized and move away from the comical nature of the first game.
Interested in more of our articles related to video games? Please check out this post for the best Star Wars games on PC.
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