This list contains video games that I believe share major similarities with TTRPGs, including dice roll results, turn order, deep lore, engaging story lines, RPG-type character development, and/or choices with branching paths. These are games that can be very immersive if you allow it.
Baldur's Gate (1-3)
Developer: Larian Studios
Genre: Fantasy (sword & spell)
Description: Based on D&D 2E (BG1 & BG2) rules and D&D 5E (BG3) rules, set in fantasy world over the course of around 125 years. Create a character and gather a party of adventurers to explore the world with, uncovering stories and history along the way.
Play Structure: There are many definitions of what CRPG's are, but to me this is a classic example of a CRPG. Uses a real-time-with-pause system, focused on rich narratives, character customizations, and the freedom to explore a branching story.
Similarities: CRPG's have many similarities to TTRPG's and this game is no different. It has deep lore, a vast and interesting world, customizable characters, and game play that is somewhat real-time with the ability to pause and strategize.
The Hook: Without a doubt, the interesting world and how you interact with it. You could dump all your stat points into charisma and still enjoy the game without being combat focused. These games allow you to experiment and try different methods to progress, just like in a TTRPG.
Bonus: Although Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 are connected, BG3 is only loosely connected meaning it's easily playable without playing the first two. This is beneficial for those just now jumping in because BG1 was released in 1998, BG2 in 2000, and then BG3 finally in 2023. This means there is a big jump in graphics, animations, and game play mechanics.
Divinity Original Sin (1 & 2)
Developer: Larian Studios
Genre: Fantasy RPG (sword & spell)
Description: Set in the Divinity universe, this is a fantasy world where the protagonists are a pair of "source hunters" who are on a mission to eradicate a dangerous type of "source" and its adepts.
Play Structure: Receive quests, explore world, investigate events, and experience a good story. Divinity uses an Action Point Economy where each character has a number of Action Points to spend on movement and actions. There's no grid to show where they can move and the use of spells can help reach certain areas.
Similarities: Turn-based combat system. Deep lore and enriching world. Limited movement/actions per turn. Dialog options based on character attributes.
The Hook: The three biggest hooks here are the story, character development, and the magic system. Both of these games have great stories and intriguing side quests. The character growth is fantastic, with important skill choices and stat allocation. Lastly, the magic system is marvelous, with different elements interacting with each other; this allows you to get creative with the environment as well. Throw an oil barrel on the ground and then light it with a fire spell.
Bonus: Stories are independent of each other so you do not need to play 1 before 2. Allows for co-op multiplayer. Customize your own character from scratch if you wish. Enough character variation to enjoy multiple play-throughs.
Pathfinder (Kingmaker) & (Wrath of the Righteous)
Developer: Larian Studios
Genre: Fantasy RPG (sword & spell)
Description: Based on the Pathfinder Tabletop rules set, these are set in a fantasy world. In Kingmaker, you play in The Stolen Lands and attempt to thwart multiple threats including an epidemic turning people into beasts and an ancient lich. In Wrath of the Righteous, you play in the country of Mendev and must attempt to cure the Worldwound, a magical portal allowing demons to invade the world.
Play Structure: Features a real-time-with-pause or a turn-based combat system, allowing the player to choose. These are isometric perspective RPG's and have an emphasis on realm-building and player decisions.
Similarities: The deep lore, interesting world, customizable characters, amazing game play, and choices that actually affect the world. It has a great story already, but still manages to make it feel like it's your story.
The Hook: Experiencing an ever-changing story. Characters come and go based on your actions, the story branches in multiple and interesting directions, and it makes you feel like your choices matter.
Bonus: Stories are independent of each other so you do not need to play Kingmaker before Wrath of the Righteous.
Pillars of Eternity (1 & 2)
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Genre: Fantasy RPG (sword & spell)
Description: A spiritual successor to the Baldur's Gate series, this game is takes place in the fantasy world of Eora. You play as a Watcher, a person who can see past lives and interact with souls. Gather a party of adventurers and discover your purpose.
Play Structure: Utilizes a real-time-with-pause system, focused on rich narratives, character building, and the freedom to explore an expansive world.
Similarities: Very similar to Baldur's Gate above, Pillars of Eternity has deep lore, a vast and interesting world, customizable characters, and game play that is somewhat real-time with the ability to pause and strategize.
The Hook: The same reasons it gained critical acclaim; the game's extravagant world, immersive writing, and fantastic strategic combat.
Bonus: Pillars of Eternity 2 is a direct sequel to the first game. Although some would view this as a negative, there are many choices and events in the first game that appear during the second. This causes a feeling of importance and further deepens your immersion.
Solasta: Crown of the Magister
Developer: Tactical Adventures
Genre: Fantasy RPG (sword & spell)
Description: Based on D&D 5E rules, set in fantasy world that was nearly destroyed a thousand years before. Create a party of four adventurers who must find a way to empower a powerful artifact.
Play Structure: You immediately get wrapped up in the overarching story after finding an artifact. Although the quests are mostly linear, you do have freedom to travel the world map to unlocked locations. Using the 5E rules set, you have a movement, action, and bonus action each turn. When battles begin, you navigate a grid covered battlefield.
Similarities: From the list, I think this gave me the closest feeling to D&D than any others. This is due to the turn-based combat system, toned down color palette, dark dungeons, interesting story, and the on screen dice rolls. So many things are dependent on a dice roll, from dialog to picking locks to combat.
The Hook: It follows the rules! What I mean by this is how everything needs a dice roll, the spells react properly, range is always taken into account, you can shove enemies off ledges, fly spells get you to secret areas, and it's not too easy (enemies WILL crit against you).
Bonus: Solasta has a good story, character customization, and a great feel of progression. Allows for co-op multiplayer.
Wasteland (1-3)
Developer: inXile entertainment
Genre: Post-Apocalypse RPG
Description: Each game is set in a different post-apocalyptic land within the U.S. Players control a squad while using an isometric perspective. They'll make various choices that impact the game world and story.
Play Structure: You'll receive missions, explore a post-apocalyptic world, gain allies and enemies, and experience an overarching story. The Wasteland games use an Action Point Economy where each character has a number of Action Points to spend on movement and actions. When battle engages, a grid appears, showing possible movements.
Similarities: An engaging turn-based combat system. Limited movement/actions per turn. An interesting world with fun both funny and engrossing stories. Dialog options based on character attributes.
The Hook: Intriguing factions with important choices to make. Impactful character building where your stats really make a difference during exploring, dialog, and combat encounters. Lore that ties the whole series together, making the main story feel more important. In-game systems such as cover and the over-watch ability allow for more tactical combat.
Bonus: Wasteland 3 allows for co-op multiplayer. Big graphical upgrade between first two games and Wasteland 3. Enough character variation to enjoy multiple play-throughs.
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