9 Best Games Where You Play As An Orc

Key Takeaways

World Of WarCraft
and
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
allow gamers to make the Orcs of their dreams.
Orcs in the
WarCraft
universe have become iconic characters of gaming history.
Games like
Of Orcs And Men
and
Blood Bowl 3
showcase Orcs in unconventional hero roles, providing fun gameplay.

As a long-time gaming enthusiast who has spent countless hours exploring vast virtual worlds and forging my own epic tales, I must say that the representation of Orcs across these iconic video games is nothing short of astounding!

In many stories and games, Orcs are portrayed as villainous creatures who pursue the protagonists, such as in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth universe. However, in the gaming world, Orcs have traditionally been depicted as a savage race to be defeated in large groups. Over time, though, games have begun to deviate from this pattern by allowing players to control Orcs.

For several decades, Orcs have been popular figures across various game genres, such as RPGs and action games. In certain games, an Orc might serve as a pre-existing character who evolves into the central figure of a narrative, while in others, players can create their own custom characters, including an Orc, to explore a fantastical realm.

9 King’s Bounty: Dark Side

Monsters Become The Protagonists In This Spin-Off

Developer: Fulqrum Publishing
Release Date: August 14, 2014
Genre: Strategy RPG
System: PC

In the tactical role-playing game King’s Bounty: Dark Side, you have the option to play as one of three unique monster characters – a vampire, demon, or orc. Unlike in previous King’s Bounty games where these races were adversaries, this spin-off allows you to engage in grid-style battles, where you direct your units to battle until every enemy unit has been vanquished.

In addition, every character in the game “King’s Bounty: Dark Side” boasts an exclusive past and skillset, making it enticing to replay the game to experience each one. Nevertheless, some players find “King’s Bounty: Dark Side” disappointing despite generally positive feedback, as the content is relatively scarce and the game contains numerous bugs that can spoil a player’s experience.

8 SpellForce 3

Wage War As Orcs, Humans, Elves, And More In A Real-Time Strategy Game

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always felt that the SpellForce series stands tall as a worthy spiritual heir to the legendary WarCraft games, especially since Blizzard has been deeply immersed in World of Warcraft as an MMO. In SpellForce 3, I find myself engaged in real-time strategy, constructing bases, rallying armies, and overcoming challenges, all while appreciating its darker, more gritty aesthetic compared to the original games.

Among the four factions found in SpellForce 3, Orcs are primarily known for their ability to overpower opponents with sheer strength. They also happen to be one of the quickest factions when it comes to territorial expansion, earning them a popular status within the gaming community. Add to this an engaging prequel narrative that ties in beautifully with the original game, and SpellForce 3 has solidified its position as the top real-time strategy (RTS) for Orc-centric gameplay in contemporary times.

7 Of Orcs And Men

Orcs Are The Heroes In This Third-Person Action RPG

Developer: Cyanide, Spiders
Release Date: October 11, 2012
Genre: Action RPG
System: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC

Under the blend of action, humor, and magic, “Of Orcs And Men” stands out as a spin-off from the “Styx” series, introducing the goblin as a playable character. In contrast to their usual portrayal as monstrous antagonists or barbarians, this game presents Orcs as revolutionaries fighting against the Empire of Men.

In the game titled “Of Orcs And Men“, Arkail, our protagonist, receives a crucial assignment: he must kill the Emperor to liberate all the Orcs from human oppression. Accompanied by Styx, they traverse the realm, eliminating both monsters and humans, painting a contrasting picture of a fantasy world. The gameplay is engaging, with the narrative and dialogue choices influencing potential future item acquisitions and skill upgrades.

6 Blood Bowl 3

A Fantastical Sports Game That Brings Laughs And Thrills

If you’re looking for a lighthearted fantasy game that offers a unique twist on team sports, Blood Bowl 3 could be just what you need. Instead of college football, it features teams made up of characters like orcs, goblins, and halflings, all engaged in a hilariously grisly form of stadium combat to determine the winner.

For individuals who typically find sports games unengaging, Blood Bowl 3 offers an enticing alternative, set in a fantasy realm. The process of enhancing a player’s stats and reputation bears similarities to role-playing games (RPGs), making it possible for Blood Bowl 3 to serve as a stepping stone into the sports gaming genre. Yet, despite its RPG-like aspects, the game maintains an entertaining blend of violence and humor with Orcs, ensuring a thrilling experience for players.

5 Shadowrun: Dragonfall

The Turn-Based RPG Mixes Fantasy Tropes In A Cyberpunk Universe

Instead of the standard fantasy realm, Shadowrun: Dragonfall sets popular fantasy characters like Elves and Orcs in a cyberpunk backdrop reminiscent of Berlin. The Shadowrun universe has seen numerous releases, but Shadowrun: Dragonfall strikes a balance between challenging veterans and being accessible to newcomers in the series.

The gameplay receives high praise for its strategic, turn-based approach reminiscent of games like XCOM, yet with a stronger role-playing game (RPG) influence. This means players must employ covers and tactics to safeguard their characters while gaining the advantage over adversaries. There’s also a character customization feature that offers various races and classes to select from, including the orc race, which is referred to as Ork within the Shadowrun universe.

4 WarCraft 3: Reign Of Chaos

Real-Time Strategy Helped Blizzard Rise To Fame

In addition to the Starcraft series, Warcraft games played a significant role in reshaping the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre by blending captivating gameplay with compelling narratives. The game, specifically Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos and its remastered version Warcraft 3: Reforged, pushed these boundaries even further with an extensive storyline that unfolds across several episodes, featuring various factions such as the Alliance, Undead, Night Elves, and Orc Horde.

In the world of this franchise, Thrall, who was Durotan’s son, emerged as a beloved Orc character. His narrative within “WarCraft 3” played a significant role in transforming the Horde into a legendary faction. This transformation was so powerful that fans frequently express admiration for the Horde at conventions and events, often representing one of the initial instances where Orcs were portrayed as heroic figures alongside other renowned characters from “World Of WarCraft”.

3 World Of WarCraft

Blizzard Created The Godfather Of The MMO Genre

Because not everyone enjoys Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games, World of Warcraft offers a more welcoming experience for beginners in the realm of Azeroth as a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG). It debuted in 2004 and continues to be one of the most impactful MMOs, with approximately 690,000 players logging in daily.

As a devoted fan, I’d say instead of being handed a pre-made character, World of Warcraft offers the exciting opportunity to design your own from the ground up, with an array of races to select. Even Orcs, traditionally portrayed as mere brutish warriors, can transform into mages, rogues, warlocks, or even Death Knights, among numerous other classes available for character customization in this captivating world.

2 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Revolutionary Bethesda RPG With So Many Possibilities

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve found that Orcs have been a playable race in The Elder Scrolls games since the third installment. However, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim stands out as the most renowned title in this epic series. It offers an expansive open-world teeming with countless instances, opportunities for adventure, and side quests galore. Plus, it’s a fantastic choice for both veteran RPG players and newcomers alike due to its accessibility.

In “The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim”, you have the freedom to assume the role of various in-game species such as Elves, Humans, Argonians, and Orcs. Notably, Orcs are naturally inclined towards strength-focused characters in this game, boasting superior stats in heavy weapons and armor. Yet, Skyrim offers players the creative liberty to shape their ideal character class, utilizing an array of weapons, abilities, and magic as they see fit.

1 Baldur’s Gate 3

The Limit Of Characters Is The Imagination Of Players

Players can immerse themselves in an authentic Dungeons & Dragons-like world with Baldur’s Gate 3. From dice rolls determining actions to the ability to craft a unique character from the ground up, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers players the chance to bring their fantasy character vision to life with numerous customization choices and story paths to explore.

In the realm of role-playing games (RPGs), Baldur’s Gate 3 stands tall as a genre peak, earning numerous Game Of The Year accolades for its captivating narrative, engaging gameplay, and exceptional voice acting. This game immerses players so deeply that they might genuinely experience life within the Dungeons & Dragons universe, shaped by their own decisions and actions as an Orc character.

2024-11-05 04:35