Fans of the CPRG (Computer Role Playing Game) genre would have undoubtedly heard of Baldur’s Gate – hell, this is the game that revitalised the genre itself. With Larian Studios gearing up to release the full version of the next game, Baldur’s Gate 3, role-playing aficionados are eagerly looking to dust off their CPRG skills with similar titles.
As always, we at Hablr have got you covered with our own little list to keep you satisfied. Go ahead and choose your next adventure! But before telling you about the games like Baldur’s gate, here is a piece of great news.
Baldur’s Gate 3 – Early Access
It seems a no-brainer that the game most similar to Baldur’s Gate would be a game in the Baldur’s Gate series itself, doesn’t it?
Larian Studios has released an early access version of Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam, Stadia, and GOG.COM. This version contains the first act of the game – roughly 25 hours of content, and about a fifth of the map.
So for those of you who want a taste of what the third game is going to be, we definitely recommend you to try Baldur’s Gate 3. The reviews for the game are extremely good, and it seems there was such heavy demand upon release that Steam faced technical issues within a few minutes into the launch. Go figures!
1. The Bard’s Tale
Initial release date: October 26, 2004
Genre: Action, role-playing
Publisher: InXile Entertainment
Developers: InXile Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Windows, iOS, OS X, Linux, PlayBook, Android, Ouya, Nintendo Switch
The Bard’s Tale is a completely different rpg game than the ones you’ve played so far. It’s often remarked to be a humorous spoof of fantasy RPG games, taking a light-hearted dig at all the cliches that we’ve come to love.
Most heroes fight for honour, glory, or sometimes even redemption. Not in this game. As the titular character of The Bard, you’re in it simply in it for the girls and the gold (or as it is mentioned in the game – Coin and Cleavage). Our tongue-in-the-cheek protagonist is a snarky, opportunistic freelancer who gets caught up in the web of a cult promising him the hand of the beautiful Princess Caleigh. And hence, the wild adventure begins.
The Bard’s Tale is a breath of fresh air for those of you who are looking for a traditional RPG with a dollop of satire.
2. Diablo III
Initial release date: May 15, 2012
Genre: Action role-playing, hack and slash
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developers: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Diablo 3 can be described in just three words: hack, slash, repeat. And if you were to think that this makes the game sound uninteresting, you’d be very wrong.
The plot is simple. You choose one of seven character classes – Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer, Witch Doctor, or Wizard – and you have to defeat the Lord of Terror, Diablo
With a complex and innovative skill system, the game places lets you experiment with the variety of skill combos and watch your enemies blow to pieces. You and I could both start off as a Wizard, but by the end of the game, the large variation in the skill combinations we choose will make our wizards as different as night and day. And that’s the beauty of the game.
With hours and hours of monster-slaying fun, Diablo 3 will make your time fly in the blink of an eye.
3. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Initial release date: July 15, 2003
Genre: Role-playing
Publisher: LucasArts
Developers: BioWare
Platforms: Xbox, Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, Android
Let’s start off by saying one thing: This is a game that’s considered one of the best video games ever created. Not just just in the action rpg category. But one of the best, period.
Taking place almost 4,000 years before the creation of the Galactic Empire, Sith Lord Darth Malak has deployed a Sith armada against the Galactic Republic. You play as a Jedi, tasked with travelling to various planets to defeat Malak.
You can choose and customise from three classes – Scout, Soldier, and Scoundrel.
The gameplay focuses on round-based combat and interaction with NPC’s for making plot decisions. Through your actions, your character will align with either the light or dark side of the Force.
Featuring iconic locations from the Star Wars Universe such as Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and even the Sith homeworld of Korriban, the game offers a completely immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re really there.
Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, Knights of the Old Republic is a must try for sure.
4. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
Initial release date: November 16, 2004
Genre: Action role-playing
Publisher: Activision
Developers: Troika Games
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is a visually spectacular first-person RPG adventure that blends intense first-person action with an open, non-linear setting, rich character progression, and an immersive storyline.
The game begins by letting you create your own custom vampire! You can also choose one of several vampire clans — each with unique powers and personalities that affect gameplay style and also how others treat you. By customising combat and dialogue abilities, you have the option to progress through missions using violent and/or nonviolent methods.
Make your way through iconic locations such as Hollywood, downtown Los Angeles, Chinatown, and Santa Monica as a creature of the night, battling mortals and other creatures of darkness with a mind-boggling variety of vampire attributes, abilities, and skills.
Immerse yourself in this dark, grim adventure and be the vampire that Bram Stoker would be proud to see.
5. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Initial release date: September 14, 2017
Genre: Single Player, Role Playing
Publisher: Larian Studios, Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developers: Larian Studios
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Nintendo Switch
Perhaps this is the one game that resembles Baldur’s Gate the most. Both are classic tabletop RPG’s, emphasising on player creativity and innovation.
As a sourcerer with a divine calling, born with the ability to wield powerful magic, you’re on an epic quest involving gods competing for survival and an evil poised to swallow up the world.
The customisation aspect of the game is quite extensive, with you able to create custom characters and choose their stats, race, gender, and origin story at the start of the game. Be it a dwarf spellcaster, an elf assassin, or even an undead huntsman, the game lets you run free with your imagination.
Featuring complex battle tactics and role-playing opportunities, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a beautifully rendered isometric RPG that promises hundreds of hours of pure entertainment.
6. Planescape: Torment
Initial release date: December 12, 1999
Genre: Role-playing
Publisher: Interplay Entertainment
Developers: Black Isle Studios
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
While most fantasy RPG games bring in hordes of dragons, elves, and dwarfs, Planescape: Torment focuses on undead zombies, liches, and other creatures of the night.
Story-driven and with minimal focus on combat, Planescape: Torment puts the player in the role of The Nameless One, an immortal man who forgets everything if killed. Your journey will take you across the city of Sigil and other planes to reclaim your memories, and to discover the origins of your immortality. There are various NPCs that join you on your quest, most of them who have met the Nameless One in the past or have been influenced by him in some way.
With an incredibly deep and engrossing storyline, well-written dialogues, mind blowing spell effects, and innovative, unique character, Torment is a must have game for fans of the rpg genre.
7. Dragon Age: Origins
Initial release date: November 3, 2009
Genre: Role-playing
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developers: BioWare
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X
Are you looking for a fantasy game to completely lose yourself into? How about a well-crafted and thoroughly invigorating story that you know you would never forget? Well, look no further than Dragon Age: Origins.
BioWare has always followed a traditional formula of creating a character, becoming a hero and saving the day. Although the same formula is followed in Dragon Age, it’s done on a much larger scale, completely outplaying every other rpg game in the genre.
Dragon Age: Origins has a rich, detailed plot that involves hours and hours of gameplay time.
You are given the choice of playing as a warrior, mage, or rogue coming from an elven, human, or dwarven background. Later, you find yourself recruited into the Grey Wardens, an ancient order who’s arch-enemy are the vile forces known as “Darkspawn”. It is now up to you to destroy the Archdemon that commands them and end their invasion.
With an extremely satisfying tactical combat system and the ability to form powerful and lasting bonds with other NPCs in the game, Dragon Age: Origins embodies all the best elements of the rpg genre.
8. Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire
Initial release date: May 8, 2018
Genre: Role Playing
Publisher: Versus Evil
Developers: Obsidian Entertainment
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Baldur’s Gate and Pillars of Eternity share the same relationship as fraternal twins. They’re both as similar as they are different. Both are embodiments of the classic sword-and-sorcery style of rpgs. While Baldur’s Gate takes place amidst castles and forests with a sword and shield style combat, Pillars of Eternity carries you across beautiful oceans and boats, with sabers and blunderbusses.
Being a direct sequel to the first game, Deadfire takes place in the world of Eora. The player takes on the role of a “Watcher”, a character who possesses the ability to look into other people’s souls and read their memories, as well as the ones of their past lives.
The game is played from an isometric perspective, with heavy focus on class-based gameplay. Each class in the game has at least four optional sub-classes, all with their own unique skills. There is also focus on seafaring and island exploration via a ship.
Boasting a beautiful written campaign that is over 40 hours long, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is a true rpg experience with a refreshingly unique setting that truly appeals to rpg veterans as well as newcomers.
