Hi, I can’t get enough D&D, so was wondering if someone could suggest a computer game that involves actual role-playing, like making a character with personality where interacting with the world based on that personality matters? I’ve tried some of the traditional D&D games (like DDO), and there is essentially no role-playing involved. You just build characters and run around and kill stuff. That’s the hack-and-slash version of D&D that I don’t enjoy. I’d preferably like games that aren’t super expensive; I think maybe WoW might fit my RP desires, but the $15/month subscription is too steep for me. And I don’t want a PvP game. Any suggestions? (Edit: Specifically I’m looking for PC and/or Android games)
Edit: Thanks for all the great suggestions. I’ve “wishlisted” a lot of them and decided to start with Disco Elysium. I expect to try a bunch of the others throughout the year!
Consider Disco Elysium.
Thanks for the suggestion. I’m going to start with Disco Elysium; it sounds really interesting.
Disco Elysium was inspired by Planescape: Torment, which is a D&D game! It’s got a really deep story and roleplaying so check it out!
Seconded, but do also strongly consider pirating it. The original devs have have been fired from their studio. Essentially Kombus and Haavel took out company funds and bought majority share of the company with it, then fired the original devs. Honestly it’s kind of fitting if you enjoy the game in a non-consumerist manner.
Most classic RPGs have lots of combat. What I don’t see mentioned here so far is Neverwinter Nights. Especially the first expansion of the second game. Mask of the Betrayer. Lots of combat of course, but a story that your behaviour has an impact on. Search for a cookie cutter build, lower the difficulty. You can skip through the combat parts quickly that way, if you don’t like them.
Also mentioning Planescape Torment again because it’s weird and not so combat focused.
I have a couple of suggestions that I liked a lot.
-Disco Elysium, very well written. Get the directors cut version, it’s fully dubbed. One of the best crpg I played. There’s pretty much no fighting in the game. Almost everything is solved with discussion.
-Divinity Original Sin 2, great crpg with a “DM” mode and can be played in multiplayer. Great story and lots of different paths.
-Planescape Torment, such a beautifuly written game. The enhanced edition is currently on sale for like 5$
All three have a very different vibe to them. And I think all three are a must play for fans of the genre.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’m going to start with Disco Elysium; it sounds really interesting.
Gonna tack Pillars of Eternity onto that list. It’s so fucking good. The modern Pathfinder games are similarly excellent, as well.
IMO WoW is not a good game at all if you are looking for “role playing”. It’s a multiplayer online game and all the quests boil down to simple linear stories. There is very little player choice, and the other humans playing the game make it impossible to suspend your disbelief and actually imagine your character as a real person in the game world.
I would recommend Dragon Age: Origins. BioWare games in general have always been great at letting you build a character where role playing choices matter a lot. Other games I would recommend for RPGs with a capital R and a capital P:
Tyranny (choices matter a lot in this one. There are basically 4 or 5 distinct stories in the game depending on choices you make)
Fallout New Vegas (any of the fallout games are good, but this one has the best writing IMO)
Mass Effect Legendary Edition (play all three in order)
Pillars of Eternity 2
Pathfinder (Kingmaker or Wrath of the Righteous)
Divinity Original Sin 2
Baldur’s Gate 3 (Early access right now but should be releasing soon)
If price is an issue, my top recommendations are definitely Dragon Age Origins and Fallout New Vegas
Divinity Original Sin 2 is exactly what you’re looking for.
Baldurs Gate 3 will be out soon and is in early access. Check it out after DOS2.
This.
Original Sin and 2 were literally created to be video game adaptations of d&d. they didn’t have the rights so they made their own thing, but it essentially uses the rules of d&d.
Now they’re doing Baldur’s Gate, so they get to make the game we’ve all wanted all along.
Can you elaborate on this? Rules of D:OS games don’t resemble DND at all. They are classless systems.
Now that I’ve tried to find an official source stating it was dnd or that was the creator’s original intent, I realize I am probably just repeating internet rumors/lore.
My bad.
I would, however, argue that they are classless systems. You have a lot of freedom, but there are base stats and a leaning toward a specific role. Even dnd can be like this if you multi-class. There are homebrews from DMs that create all new classes (much like if you wanted to create a non-templates character in d:os).
It uses turn based combat based on initiatives, uses difficulty scores or ac scores to determine if you hit and damage done. It has an action and movement as your general turn (possibly a bonus action if there are leftover APs). It’s a story where you can do almost anything and there are consequences to actions.
I could be stretching some of this, but it definitely is trying to emulate a TTRPG experience in video game form.
Try Crusader Kings 3. Very mod friendly and a lot potential for lore building.
A lot of games can be role-playing games if you want them to be, you can restrict yourself and play in the manner you want.
Like sure you can go in guns blazing in a game but you could also choose to role-play as an assassin, be slow and methodical, you don’t have to use all the mechanics they give you.
