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Baldur’s Gate 3’s powerful storytelling and D&D turn-based combat took the world by storm. It’s a great gift to RPG fans regardless of how experienced they are in the genre. Some of you might be looking for more of that fantasy goodness. Worry not, as there are plenty of games that will satisfy your craving for deep storylines, plot twists, and a party-based experience where decisions matter. Here are seven games that we highly recommend if you want to dive into RPG territory headfirst.
- Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Disco Elysium
- Fallout: New Vegas
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition
- Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses
This list would be incomplete without Larian Studios’ previous RPG hit. It has a lot in common with Baldur’s Gate 3, with turn-based combat, memorable characters, and intriguing story arcs. The D&D ruleset isn’t in place here though so you’ll need to come to grips with how armour works and how weapon damage affects them. But outside minor trifles, expect a smooth transition into Divinity: Original Sin 2. The art of finding bizarre solutions to obstacles and enemies is alive and well here and much of this DNA is what helped Baldur’s Gate 3 release to critical acclaim. And yes, the soundtrack is just as memorable as BG3’s, with Rivellon being a constant part of my playlists.
Any Dragon Age title would be a good fit on this list but I’ve picked the one with all the modern bells and whistles. And with Dreadwolf still cooking at BioWare, there’s plenty of time to get caught up with the dark fantasy series. It’s easily one of the most beloved RPG franchises in the history of gaming, complete with epic plots and nuanced character dramas. While Origins nails the classic vibe you’d expect from an older BioWare release, Dragon Age: Inquisition is a good starting point as it updates most of the games’ mechanics. Your party members brim with personality and with potential romances on the horizon, there’s plenty of Baldur’s Gate 3 energy here. We’d even say that Larian Studios took notes from the game’s nuanced approach to relationships. While it doesn’t have turn-based combat, you’ll be able to grasp its attacks and spell systems fairly quickly.
Disco Elysion is a whole other beast in the RPG world. While it might not have swordfights and larger-than-life monsters, it features a familiar villain: skill checks. The investigation story has several moments where perfectly crafted plans need to be abandoned without a second thought in order to make things work. This sentiment is one that must be familiar to Baldur’s Gate 3 fans. Improvisation is an art that’s channelled with careful measure here thanks to a bunch of personalities in your head. With a clever lens that hops between philosophy, politics, and crude humour, there’s a lot to look forward to in Disco Elysium.
If a buffet of unconventional side quests, companion adventures, and interesting choices is what compelled you to try Baldur’s Gate 3, you owe it to yourself to play Fallout: New Vegas. The simple act of sparing someone or knocking them out can ripple across the desolate Mojave wasteland, resulting in wholesome rewards or a nuisance when unfinished business rears its head. There’s a lot of replayability on offer as well, especially when you team up with different factions. As the Courier, you’ll get to side with political players like the New California Republic, Caesar’s Legion, and the Free Economic Zone of New Vegas. That’s before interacting with raider tribes and all sorts of gangs. Did I mention mods? There’s a lot here that will delight RPG enthusiasts, even in the vanilla game, so grab it during a sale to sink dozens of hours into it.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
- Release Date: 01 March 2021
- Platform(s): Unknown
- Genre(s): RPG, Science Fiction, Space
Would you recommend this game?
The Mass Effect trilogy is considered by many as the holy grail of sci-fi RPGs. When it comes to powerful character relationships and deep choices that reshape endings, it stands toe-to-toe with Baldur’s Gate 3. Naturally, you’ll need to get comfortable with grenades, sci-fi guns, and tense shootouts. Mass Effect Legendary Edition brings the first three games together in a neat package. While the first game can feel dated, the second and third titles are some of the best RPGs in existence. Commander Shepard’s journey is a timeless tale with choices that significantly alter the fates of the factions and races you will meet. Romance is on the menu too, courtesy of BioWare, the original developer of the first two Baldur’s Gate titles.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
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Release Date:
08 May 2018
- – 01 January 2018 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)
- – 08 May 2018 (PC)
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s): RPG
Would you recommend this game?
Placing a party on a ship is a brilliant twist on the traditional RPG adventure. By doing so, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire opens up the possibility of visiting foreign lands and experiencing storylines that aren’t necessarily interlinked with each other’s conflicts. As you run into unique cultures and factions, you’ll meet plenty of challenges to overcome and magical beings to thwart. It’s this short story anthology vibe that keeps Pillars of Eternity 2 relevant several years after its release. It’s no D&D adventure but the developers keep the fantasy tone intact, with plenty of banter and a storyline around a resurrected god for good measure.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
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Release Date:
July 26, 2019
- – 26 July 2018 (Nintendo Switch)
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): RPG, Strategy
Would you recommend this game?
Fire Emblem: Three Houses’ Nintendo exclusivity might have limited its reach but that didn’t stop it from winning the hearts of players and critics. With a turn-based combat system, branching storylines, and nuanced character interactions, the game checks off all the right boxes. Speaking of branching stories, you pick one of three set paths right when the game begins. This gives you three ways of experiencing the story, meaning that a second playthrough with another protagonist could give you even more context into the world and its events. If you were trigger-happy with Baldur’s Gate 3’s many romances, you’ll find more interesting relationships here that even boost your odds in combat encounters.
