For as long as home computers have supported video games,Role-Playing Gameshave remained one of the most beloved genres in PC gaming.
They started as simple text-based choose-your-own-adventure titles but, in time, they have evolved into the rich, immersive experiences we now recognize as computer RPGs -cRPGs.
In recent years, cRPGs have found success not only on PCs but also on consoles. However, many of the genre’s finest titles were released over 15 years ago, leaving newer generations of players less familiar with these masterpieces. In this list, we explore the 10 Best Classic cRPGs of All Time.
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10Ultima VII: Black Gate
Your Favorite RPG’s Grandfather
Ultima 7: The Black Gate
When making a list of classic RPGs, we can’t avoid mentioning one of the forefathers of the genre. The Ultima franchise helped outline what a computer RPG is for all the games that came after, and it remains one of the longest-running and beloved series in the genre.
The series spans from the 80s and has countless titles sharing its name, but Ultima VII is considered among the best ones and the last of the “good” ones.
For the time, Ultima VII was an unbelievable accomplishment for immersion, gameplay, and visuals. While the game has undeniably aged, I would say it still retains much of its original charm. After all, even if graphics and gameplay might not stand the test of time, good writing is timeless.
9Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Play This Blind If You Can
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Some purists might argue that the third-person perspective ofKOTORpushes it out of the cRPG genre. Luckily, it’s not them writing this list.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic takes all the highs of the Star Wars franchise - the vast universe, the interesting characters, the expansive lore - and perfectly translates them into video game form.
The adventures of our amnesiac main character will take the player to explore known landscapes, as well as brand-new locations. The game providesplenty of opportunities to roleplayour character as well as a combat system that allows the player to make use of the extensive build options the game provides.
It’s definitely one of the high points for both the franchise and the cRPG genre. It also provides arguably the second most shocking plot twist in Star Wars (you know what the first one is).
8Dragon Age: Origins
A Modern Classic
Dragon Age: Origins
When I started gathering candidates for this list, I was looking for games that are at least a decade old, possibly even 15 or more. When I realized thatDragon Age: Originsfit the bill, I practically felt the grey hairs sprout from my head.
Dragon Age: Origins is one of the games that cementedBioware’s legendary statusamong RPG developers. The Dark Fantasy setting, united with stellar world-building and an absolutely amazing cast of characters, propelled the game among the all-time favorites of many fans of the genre.
The real-time with pause combat system works brilliantly and the possibility to fine-tune what the AI will do in any given combat scenario allows the player to focus on only one thing at once instead of continuously switching between characters.
If you’re dipping your toes in the cRPG scene for the first time and don’t want to play something too ancient, Dragon’s Age: Origins is the perfect entry point.
Classic Apocalypse
Younger gamers who, for the first time, admiredFallout’s wastelands from a first-person perspective might not know that the series used to look much different before the third installment.
Fallout 1 was an isometric, turn-based cRPG that offered a distinct visual and gameplay experience compared to the modern entries. Despite these differences, it was absolutely fantastic and is still regarded - as well asits sequel- as one of the finest classic cRPGs out there.
The forefather of the series does a great job at world-building, presenting a richly detailed wasteland where every decision you make has meaningful consequences. Additionally, it features some of the most memorable characters in gaming, including the iconic villain “The Master.”
If you’re a fan of the newer Fallout titles, give the old ones a shot. You’ll uncover a deeper understanding of the world, factions, and characters that populate the later games, granting you agreater appreciation for the series.
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6Baldur’s Gate 2
Yes, Minsc and Boo are Present
Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Edition
AfterBaldur’s Gate 3took the gaming world by storm, a lot of younger players started wondering if the earlier games in the series were any good. If you’re one of them, I’m excited to tell you that the originalBaldur’s Gatetitles, especially the second one, are still absolutely stellar RPGs.
Yeah, the graphics might feel a bit old-school, but the storytelling is still some of the best out there. You’ll meet unforgettable characters - some of whom you might already know from BG3 - and dive into a story that really grabs you.
The real-time-with-pause combat system keeps things flowing smoothly while still giving you plenty of challenges. Unsurprisingly, even after all these years,Baldur’s Gate IIremains a beloved favorite among cRPG fans.
5Icewind Dale 2
Baldur’s Gate, but Colder
Icewind Dale II
Icewind Dale II is another brilliant title that brings the Dungeons & Dragons rules to life in video game form. This time around, Black Isle Studios took the helm, approaching the adaptation in a very different way than BioWare did with Baldur’s Gate.
Icewind Dale 2 puts the focus on the gameplay mechanics, with a stellar adaptation of the then-new third edition of D&D, allowing players to experiment extensively with their characters.
Unlike Baldur’s Gate, which offers a more open-ended experience, Icewind Dale II is more linear, featuring fewer side quests and less emphasis on player choices. However, this game design direction resulted in an exceptionally balanced and smooth gameplay experience.
Despite its linearity, Icewind Dale II excels in creating an immersive atmosphere that rivals many other titles of its time, which, paired with the challenging combat, makes it one of the top dogs in the old-style cRPGs scene.
4Neverwinter Nights
Evolution of the D&D cRPGs
Neverwinter Nights
As you can see, many classic CRPGs are built on the D&D ruleset, and many of them are awesome. Neverwinter Nights is another great example, this time leaving back the 2D engine of the Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale series in favor of a brand new 3D visual style with free moving camera.
While Neverwinter Nights is undeniably a strong game, its main campaign doesn’t quite match the depth of story and character development found in other titles on our list.
However, the expansion campaigns are absolutely fantastic, to the point of making up for the relatively weaker main story.
What truly sets Neverwinter Nights apart from other D&D-based cRPGs is its functionality as a digital platform for creating and playing online campaigns, with one player taking on the role of Dungeon Master (DM).
This feature is so powerful that Neverwinter Nights continues to host active campaigns and dedicated communities even today.
3Planescape: Torment
Amnesiac Hero. Unforgettable Game
Planescape: Torment
While it might seem like just another D&D-based cRPG—and I promise this is the last one on the list—Planescape: Tormenttruly stands out in so many ways.
It’s based on the same engine as theBaldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale series, but the presentation and gameplay take a backseat this time. Planescape: Torment offers one of the most unique and captivating plots you’ll find in any game, even by today’s standards.
The characters areincredibly memorable, and the game dives deep into philosophical themes that make you think about existence and your place in the world.
The adventure of the Nameless One and its stellar party is still considered one of the finest narrations in the gaming media, and it demonstrates that a story can make a game timeless beyond its technical aspects.
2Shadowrun Trilogy
That Elf Has Lasers!
All these medieval fantasy settings might get tiring after a while, so why don’t we get some High Fantasy staples and sprinkle them on a cyberpunk setting for a change?
TheShadowrunseries is another success story of a tabletop RPG successfully translated to video game form. While you can enjoy each of the three games—Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun: Dragonfall, and Shadowrun: Hong Kong—on their own, experiencing the whole trilogy gives you the full depth of its amazing story and rich world.
Shadowrun Returns is the first one and the weakest title of the trilogy. Still, it serves as the perfect introduction to the systems and the world, which makes it the perfect stepping stone to the absolute masterpiece of gaming that is Shadowrun: Dragonfall, and the more polished gameplay of Shadowrun: Hong Kong.
The Shadowrun trilogy is the perfect entry point for the cRPGs while also being a favorite among genre veterans. Its great writing and its interesting world, embedded in dark futurism, make the entire trilogy an undying classic.
1Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
Broken Masterpiece
Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
The main point of Arcanum’s setting is: what if your run-of-the-mill high fantasy world started undergoing an industrial revolution?
We all know that there are many games out there where magic and technology coexist, but Arcanum does it a bit differently. In Arcanum’s world, technology and magic are antithetic.
Machines stop working in the presence of strong magical energies and spellcasters can’t cast their spells if there’s too much technology around. This struggle between the old and the new is the pivotal point of the entire worldbuilding and what makes it so interesting.
Arcanum’s strength lies in its world and in the freedom that the player has in experiencing it. Few games have their story branching in so many unexpected ways that it’s almost impossible to have two identical playthroughs.
Another trademark of the game is that it’s fundamentallyunbalanced to the point of being borderline broken. Depending on who you ask, however, many will tell you it’s part of the charm.
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