Great Dungeons & Dragons games are not in short supply, but we have yet to be blessed with a AAA open world RPG in the universe. The coming one Wizard could fill that void with an action-adventure, and pseudo-open world masterpiece that Baldur's Gate 3 can definitely scratch the same itch; however, from now on, a DnD open-world RPGs technically don't exist. Consequently, we have to look elsewhere to find a game that captures the spirit and beautiful chaos of a tabletop campaign.
From deep character customization to open-ended gameplay, party management, and tactical warfare, these open-world RPGs share various similarities with DnDwhile being absolutely fantastic games in their own right. So put down the dice, grab a controller and take a journey beyond the Forgotten Realms.
Dragon's Dogma 2 is the single player DND adventure you've been waiting for
Perfect for players who prefer Combat-First DnD sessions
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A single player RPG that almost feels like co-op (thanks to Pawns)
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The class system is designed around synergy.
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Negative: Mostly forgettable story and missions.
Capcom waited forever to release another sequel The Dragon's Dogmaand that game started to overwhelming applause followed by rumblings of displeasure as the honeymoon phase ended. The truth is, Dragon's Dogma 2 is an uneven experience that is largely elevated by some undeniable strengths. Fortunately, all of these positive traits lend themselves well to one DnD-adjacent experience.
Most great open-world RPGs are single-player only, which immediately makes them a bit of a hard sell for DnD fans. However, DD2 circumvents this problem with its Pledge System, which allows you to create an AI companion and also hire two more designed by other players. Sure, they're not beacons of personality, but they're not empty vessels either, and they help create the feeling that you're traveling with friends.
DD2s class system, aka Vocations, provides deep build options, and you can even mix and match add-ons to create unique play styles. More importantly, you can and should put together a complementary party, as class synergy makes all the difference in battle.
The battle system isn't turn-based, but it's awesome.
To be honest, I don't recommend buying Dragon's Dogma 2 right now, because DD2: Dark Arises is on the horizon. If it's anything like the first game, this will be the definitive version.
Outwardly will punish anyone with Main Character Syndrome
Perfect for players who prefer exploration-first DnD sessions
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Hardcore survival with co-op.
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You are nobody, not the main character.
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Rough around the edges.
DnD supports many types of stories, but most campaigns tend to be fairly small scale, emphasizing the relative weakness of the group and not casting them as chosen ones destined to take down the ultimate evil. Outwards is the video game version of that kind of adventure, casting players as a perfectly average villager who initially only wants to pay off a blood debt. To complete it, they have to take on missions that can become real battles for survival.
Outwards has a story that develops as you progress past the guilt chapter, but the story mostly stays in the background and doesn't distract from the game's main attraction: free exploration. As you prepare your backpack, read the map, mark landmarks, and take on monsters that punish mistakes harshly, you really start to feel like a regular adventurer simply trying to make the most of a world and profession that isn't very welcoming.
Although single player works well, Outwards also offers 2-player co-op to really nail it DnD vibe.
Wartales has that table spirit
Perfect for players who prefer pure sandbox campaigns
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Gritty low-fantasy world.
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Run a group of mercenaries
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Sandbox design and grid-based combat
Moving away from high fantasy, Wartales removes bright colors, over-the-top NPCs, and even a main quest to create an open-world RPG with a group management component. You are the unseen commander of a mercenary group that simply wants to keep everyone fed, paid, and psychologically safe. Right from the start, Wartales gives off tabletop vibes as the first thing you do is create four starting companions, choosing their classes, faces, starting traits and even their relationships to each other.
The lack of a player character can be somewhat off-putting, though Wartales does a pretty good job of making the party members feel like real people, even if you might not like them all. As you travel through the world, your party may be drawn into a region's conflict, but they are self-contained and don't cater to a full story. You have no overall end goal.
The tabletop's influence is evident in the turn-based combat, which prioritizes strength and positioning. The moments outside of battle are just as important, especially your camp management.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire Is Pirates DnD
Perfect for players who prefer dialogue-heavy sessions
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Turn-based combat that is very DnD coded.
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Multi-class system is incredible.
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Pirates!
Time to set out on the open sea! If you want an RPG with player agency, you can't go wrong with Obsidian, and Pillars of Eternity 2 is arguably the closest the developer has come to creating one Dungeons & Dragons masterpiece (except, obviously, Neverwinter Nights 2). Classic isometric RPGs were heavily influenced by the Forgotten Realms (or just straight in-universe), and PoE2 essentially serves as a modern spiritual successor to these ancient greats.
While the first game uses a real-time with pause system, the sequel features turn-based battles that might as well be a digital adaptation of DnD. OK, PoE2 has its difference, but the combat system feels very similar to the board game. In addition to action, players are given relative freedom to explore the world's islands thanks to their customizable ships, even engaging in naval battles at times. They get to recruit crew members, which react to the player's personality and not just choices.
The multiclass system gives you plenty of leeway to create the exact archetype you want, and this open-mindedness extends to the quests and how they are solved.
fair warning, Pillar of Eternitys world is dense, and you'll probably feel lost if you start with the second game. I never really got into the first one PoEthus Killed was my real point of entry; honestly, I was overwhelmed at times. But the game provides enough context to understand most situations.
Enderal: Forgotten Stories levels up Skyrim
Perfect for people who just want a brilliant Open-World RPG
I see no point in recommending Skyrimbecause there isn't a single one DnD fan who needs to be told about Bethesda's games. But fewer may know Enderal: Forgotten Storiesa total conversion mod that provides such an overhaul that it essentially functions as a brand new game (and arguably a better one).
Tells a darker, more psychological story set in a handcrafted world, Enderal plays as Skyrim with handrails removed. It adds survival mechanics, removes level scaling, introduces awesome companions, tweaks progression to make it more rewarding, and limits fast travel. It even adds a new mechanic designed to stop players from spamming healing spells.
