Best CRPGs Franchises, Ranked

Key Takeaways

CRPG franchises deliver rich, immersive experiences driven by player choice and diverse settings.
Some lesser-known series like Expeditions stand out for offering fun and engaging historical experiences.
Baldur’s Gate and Pillars of Eternity are key titles that helped bring the CRPG genre back to popularity.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the vast, pixelated landscapes of yesteryears, I can confidently say that these CRPG franchises have left an indelible mark on my gaming life. From the epic space saga of Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic to the gritty, post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallout, each one has offered a unique and memorable experience that continues to captivate gamers today.

Video game franchises focusing on Computer Role-Playing Games (CRPGs) have significantly shaped the gaming industry, offering immersive experiences and intricate storylines that have kept players engaged for numerous years. The expansiveness of the virtual worlds and the autonomy provided to the player give this genre an unmatched endurance and contemporary value in the electronic games sector.

Over time, numerous standout productions have emerged, setting new standards for top-tier CRPG franchises and establishing markers of quality and innovation, ranging from their early installments to contemporary adaptations of this cherished genre. These series have not only garnered a dedicated fanbase but also served as an influence on other genres, reinforcing their significance and enduring impact within the gaming sector.

10 Neverwinter Nights

An Immersive Experience In The Dungeons & Dragons Universe

The Neverwinter Nights series delivers immersive CRPG adventures that are based on the principles of Dungeons & Dragons. These games offer intricate storylines and numerous character customization possibilities, enabling players to traverse richly detailed worlds teeming with diverse quests.

Beyond that, these titles are distinctive due to their powerful content creation features, fostering a community where members create and share their unique experiences. This interactive element extends the lifespan of the games, providing numerous playthrough options and sustaining player engagement throughout.

9 Expeditions

Great Historical CRPG Franchise

While many Computer Role-Playing Games (CRPGs) are deeply rooted in medieval fantasy or tabletop RPG influences, they span beyond this realm, showcasing a diverse range of franchises. For instance, the Expeditions series stands out by employing historical settings to weave its tales for players. Although it doesn’t enjoy the same level of fame as other CRPGs, it still delivers enjoyable and immersive gaming experiences.

Each game within the series typically preserves fundamental gameplay elements while making adjustments to accommodate new environments. Regardless if you’re a Viking or a Roman soldier, the gaming experience remains consistent with the historical period it portrays. Moreover, the storyline, delivered in an epic manner, is crucial in enhancing the quality and immersion of these games.

8 Shadowrun

Cyberpunk Mixed With High Fantasy Elements

Shadowrun is renowned as one of the top CRPG series inspired by table-top RPG foundations, merging grim futurism with mystical fantasy. In a cyberpunk universe where magic and technology intertwine, players can select from elves, orks, humans, and other species, delving into a realm controlled by shady corporations and perils lurking at every turn. The blend of fantasy and cyberpunk offers an engrossing and distinctive adventure, appealing to enthusiasts who favor deep and dark environments.

In essence, for enthusiasts of the CRPG genre, this franchise offers an engaging and immersive play experience. Unlike Cyberpunk 2077, which shifted to FPS action-adventure gameplay in its video game adaptation, Shadowrun has maintained a similar trajectory to many tabletop RPGs by evolving into a CRPG franchise, boasting exceptional turn-based combat mechanics.

7 Pathfinder

Owlcat Games’ Duology Is Incredible

Drawing inspiration from its tabletop RPG namesake, Pathfinder was graced with two significant releases by Owlcat Games, recognized as some of the finest computer role-playing games ever made: Kingmaker and Wrath of The Righteous. These games are set in the world of Golarion, guiding players on a journey to claim and govern a kingdom or prevent a demonic invasion from destroying the world.

These games boast an impressive array of choices and character customization options, enabling players to pick from numerous distinct character classes, each with exclusive advantages, resulting in a diverse cast. Moreover, the games provide adaptable gameplay, letting you toggle between real-time and turn-based combat, catering to each player’s preferred style.

6 Wasteland

Many Similarities With The Fallout Franchise

Even though Fallout is more widely recognized among players, it’s important to remember that Wasteland was actually the original game, developed by Interplay, and one of the first Computer Role-Playing Games (CRPGs) to delve into a post-apocalyptic world. When Interplay lost control over Wasteland, the team opted to create a new game with similar themes, which eventually led to the creation of Fallout, a game that achieved the same level of success.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice that while both share common themes and a similar backdrop, their narratives carve out unique journeys for themselves. “Wasteland” stays true to the classic CRPG spirit, focusing on choices, isometric visuals, and the signature gameplay we love from this genre. This dedication to its roots provides an engaging gaming experience that brims with decision-making opportunities and a biting satire, overflowing with societal parodies. It’s this commitment to the original charm of “Wasteland” that keeps me hooked.

5 Pillars Of Eternity

Important CRPG For The Genre’s Return To Popularity

Beyond its overall excellence, “Pillars of Eternity” can also be regarded as a significant title within its genre. It was among the games that played a crucial role in the resurgence of the CRPG genre into popular culture. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, renowned for crafting captivating worlds and stories, it provides players with an immersive experience that honors the classics.

In a realm brimming with unique folklore, where players are incentivized to delve deeper and become engrossed, and boasting complex and richly crafted characters, the Pillars of Eternity series earned its place among the elite in the CRPG community. While it retained many classic elements, these games also incorporated contemporary mechanics, refining the formula remarkably well in Pillars of Eternity 2.

4 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Great Work Done By Bioware & Obsidian

Among the most acclaimed film franchises, Star Wars has been transformed into various video games, and among these adaptations, Knights of The Old Republic is particularly cherished by fans, frequently ranked as one of the finest role-playing game series ever made. Created by BioWare, who would go on to develop Mass Effect, this game narrates an epic space saga.

Beyond this, the “Knights of The Old Republic” series boasts features that ardent franchise enthusiasts appreciate deeply. For instance, it offers a moral decision system where players can choose to walk the path of the Force’s light side or be drawn towards its dark side. The characters are captivating and the combat is engaging, adding layers to the overall experience. Coupled with the expansive “Star Wars” universe, these elements make the pair of games an unforgettable journey for fans of CRPG games.

3 Divinity: Original Sin

One Of Larian Studios’ Oldest Sagas

Larian Studios, currently celebrated for their outstanding work on Baldur’s Gate 3, previously held high regard due to their Divinity franchise. While early games in the series lacked some standard features of a computer role-playing game (CRPG), it was with Divinity: Original Sin that they solidified their status, crafting one of the greatest CRPGs ever made.

In “Divinity: Original Sin 2”, Larian Studios significantly advanced what their previous game offered, granting players an exceptional degree of autonomy as they navigate maps and engage with characters. The game is renowned for its distinctive gameplay mechanics, featuring turn-based combat and immersive environmental interaction. This enables players to craft strategic advantages in every battle, enriching the experience through intricacy and depth.

2 Fallout

Its CRPG Origins Need To Be Celebrated

Initially, this role-playing game series was renowned as one of the greatest ever produced in its genre, long before it came under Bethesda’s ownership and shifted focus to first-person adventures. Its early days saw the release of two exceptional games that left a lasting impact on many gamers. The distinctive environment, a blend of retro-futuristic and post-apocalyptic futures, is vividly portrayed through captivating narrative and gameplay mechanics.

In the golden age of CRPGs, what truly sets Fallout apart for me as a gamer is the intricate moral choice system. Every decision I make seems to carry real weight and shape the game’s narrative. On top of that, the game is packed with humor, from the sharp sarcasm and societal parodies cleverly woven into the game world’s settings, factions, and characters. It keeps me engaged and laughing throughout my journey in the wasteland.

1 Baldur’s Gate

The Great Reference Among CRPG Franchises

In terms of computer role-playing games (CRPGs), no other franchise has attained the level of both success and quality that Baldur’s Gate boasts, providing a cohesive trilogy for gamers. Built on the principles of Dungeons & Dragons, this series seamlessly integrates an immersive narrative with intricately developed characters while offering numerous decisions to be made, tailoring each player’s journey accordingly.

Additionally, the original Baldur’s Gate significantly raised the bar for its genre by offering expansive exploration options and allowing players to shape the destinies of multiple characters. The much-anticipated return of the franchise with Baldur’s Gate 3 successfully maintains these core aspects while incorporating advanced visuals and mechanics to create a gaming experience that combines the charm of classic CRPGs with a glimpse into what the future of this genre might look like.

2024-11-13 14:34