CRPGs, or computer role-playing games, are a beloved category of gaming that has seen a huge comeback in recent years. Thanks to some outstanding titles that have caught the attention of the mainstream gaming community, gamers are more interested than ever in trying out this classic game genre.
While there are plenty of great older CRPGs that deserve this newfound attention, some players find the outdated graphics and lack of modern enhancements a dealbreaker. For them, modern CRPGs that combine the best of both worlds are a much more appealing option.
To keep the article focused and on topic, only CRPGs released after 2015 have been considered for this list.
Baldur's Gate 3
A groundbreaking D&D adventure that redefined modern CRPGs
Baldur's Gate 3s impact on the gaming industry is hard to underestimate. Among modern CRPGs, Larian Studios Dungeons and dragons-based range is by far the most influential, evidenced by the fact that it was able to attract mainstream audiences to a famous niche genre in a way not seen before. Comprised of three major acts, the game offers hundreds of hours of replayable content, a roster of memorable companions, an engaging storyline, and a surprisingly accessible combat system.
Player selection is the core of the focus BG3as everything from the build their characters have to how the main story unfolds to how the companions perceive the protagonist is dictated by the decisions made over the course of a playthrough. Almost every mission has half a dozen different ways it can be approached, leaving the door open for players to experiment with quirky solutions to difficult problems. Because every bit of dialogue is professionally voiced, every interaction feels like an expert DM session D&D where players can really let their creative juices flow and be rewarded for it.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
An overwhelmingly deep CRPG built for hardcore strategists
Owlcat Games is a studio known for specializing in CRPGs, and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is their best offer to date. Like the previous title in the series, Pathfinder: Kingmaker, WotR is based on Path finder TTRPG, a direct competitor to Dungeons and dragons.
In terms of content depth, customization, and complex systems, very few CRPGs come close to this game's level, as it takes the well-known intricate progression and class systems from the first game and cranks them up to eleven. Players looking for a replayable CRPG that they can sink hundreds of hours into will find WotR right up their alley, as even with a full playthrough completed, the sheer number of options that remain unexplored is staggering.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Masterful writing, tactical depth and endless replay value
One of the reasons Larian Studios was able to achieve breakout success with Baldur's Gate 3 was thanks to their previous experience making outstanding CRPGs. The best example of this is Divinity: Original Sin 2an evolution in every way compared to its predecessor, with better systems, graphics and gameplay.
Based on Larian's internal ruleset, Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers players a cast of playable characters with extensive backstories, phenomenal voice acting, and a wonderfully in-depth class and perk system that opens the door to tons of replayability. In terms of production quality and scale, DOS2 just outshone by BG3and fans of the CRPG genre owe it to themselves to try the game at least once in their lifetime.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
A nautical CRPG adventure across The Exotic Deadfire Archipelago
A sequel to one of the most beloved CRPGs in recent memory, Pillars of Eternity 2 is a step up in every way. The graphics, in particular, are a huge upgrade from the first game, presenting the world of Eora in incredible detail.
Pillars of Eternity 2 features both real-time combat that allows players to control their units simultaneously with the ability to pause on command and even a turn-based mode for those who like to plan every aspect of an encounter. Best of all, there are five different battle speeds that players can tinker with, making real-time battles accessible even to casual players.
Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader
A Dark, Tactical Odyssey Through The Grimdark Future
Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader is another game by Owlcat Games, one set in the famously brutal world Warhammer 40,000. Players take on the role of a Rogue Trader, an autonomous Imperial servant who is given his own starship, the freedom to travel outside the Empire, and the mandate to impose the Emperor's will on those outside the Empire's reach.
Like Owlcat's other games, fight your way in Rogue Trader is complex and requires deep knowledge of the game. Although not directly based on Path finder system, it takes great inspiration from it, combining party-based turn-based isometric tabletop mechanics with XCOM-as tactical focus. Players who have enjoyed Kingmaker and The wrath of the righteous will be in familiar territory.
Wastelands 3
A fast-paced tactical RPG where choices shape the world
Developed by inXile Entertainment, Wastelands 3 is a party-based top-down CRPG. Combat is turn-based and plays a bit like XCOM game, but instead of moving each unit one by one, the entire squad acts in a single turn, as do the enemies. As a result, encounters are much faster than traditional CRPGs, which is a boon for players who like to save time.
The game takes place in an alternate version of Colorado, USA, where players contend with the tyranny of the Patriarch, a powerful figure who has taken over the region. Player choice is at the heart of the game, with even seemingly minor actions having far-reaching consequences that only reveal themselves later in the plot.
Tyranny
A bold inversion of the classic good vs evil story
Tyranny
9/10
- Released
-
November 10, 2016
For players who appreciate an interesting setting, with rich lore and a gripping plot, Tyranny is a must-try. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the game puts players in the shoes of a Fatebinder, an enforcer of a dark lord who has already conquered the region where the story takes place.
The decisions the players make, which faction they support and how they approach the morally gray decisions found in Tyranny is what makes it worth playing for many people. Worldbuilding is by far the best part of this game, as the combat is serviceable, but it's nothing special compared to other titles on this list.
Disco Elysium
A philosophical masterpiece that redefines what gaming can be
Disco Elysium is one of the most innovative games in recent memory, combining isometric CRPG gameplay with thoughtful narrative elements wrapped in a detective novel-like setting that only gets weirder as time goes on.
Players take on the role of a detective who has lost his memory, tasked with solving crimes by investigating clues and uncovering secrets using his split persona. There are four main stats, and itemizing in each one unlocks new branching dialogue trees not available otherwise. The 24 skills tied to these attributes each have their own distinct, fully voiced persona, ones that play a major role in how the detective perceives the world around him.
