Summary
There was a time whenBaldur’s Gatewas considered the gold standard of video game role-playing, and there are people who will stand by this statement even to this day. The deep and intricate nature of the various elements that have been integrated into this classic is truly immense, and anyone who decides to take an in-depth into the nature of the systems present inBaldur’s Gatewill be rewarded with utter confusion and a reeling head.
The popularity ofBaldur’s Gategave rise to several CRPGs in its heyday, with a bunch of modern titles also — knowingly or otherwise — taking inspiration from this series to make their world feel more reactive and important for the player. So, any gamer who wishes to relive the golden age of role-playing would be interested in the following titles, all of which have replicated the formula ofBaldur’s Gate(or, at least, some aspects of it) to great success.
Updated on August 02, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Baldur’s Gate 3 has blown everyone out of the water to become one of the greatest CRPGs ever made. The sheer amount of love and effort put into this title is nothing short of incredible, and it’s easy to see why this game bagged so many awards. More games should aspire to be like Baldur’s Gate 3, and there are many ways that fans can check out if Larian Entertainment’s masterpiece has completely blown them away courtesy of the game’s immense quality.
Pathfinder: Kingmakerwas a great CRPG released around the time when this genre was experiencing a resurgence. The game used thePathfindersystem to great effect, even if some people felt like there were a few flaws that prevented this title from reaching greater heights of popularity.
Wrath of the Righteousis precisely what fans were looking for, with the systems of this title being refined to the T. This, coupled with the game’s great story and memorable characters, makes the game a worthy follow-up toKingmakerin every way.
Diabloisanother legendary top-down RPGthat differs in most of its core mechanics and focus fromBaldur’s Gatebut is still a blast to play through in its own right. Blizzard may not have the greatest reputation in the industry right now, but players still don’t have any problems with checking out a series that has dished out hit after hit with each entry, despite the controversies that the third game was plagued by.
Diablo 4is a natural evolution of the formula, making things bigger and grander than ever before. The game is truly engaging in every way and can entice players to sink hundreds of hours into this experience because of its masterful gameplay loop. Taking out waves of baddies to get rare and powerful loot is a great feeling that remains intact in both theBaldur’s GateandDiablogames, even with the latter taking things up a notch in this department.
CD Projekt Red suffered a rough timearound the launch ofCyberpunk 2077, with the game rushed out in an unfinished state after developer challenges were ignored in favor of meeting marketing deadlines. The game drew the ire of many people who felt cheated out of their money, with the game being downright unplayable on last-gen consoles at launch and still struggling to this day.
Regardless, the resurgence of this game should also be celebrated, with CD Projekt Red working hard to iron out the game’s issues and allowing players to experience the masterful story once again. The title is an absolute peach as of now, featuring a wealth of mature storylines and crazy combat scenarios that are quite enthralling and worth checking out for fans of RPG masterpieces likeBaldur’s Gate.
Elden Ringis a game that took the world by storm and showed players just how accessible FromSoftware’s games are. Sure, the title can be pretty challenging in certain instances, but players who take their time to explore the game world and do everything in their power to get stronger will be more than elated at the prospect of besting a boss who was giving them a tough time early on.
Even now, many players still can’t get enough ofElden Ring. The incoming DLC is bound to boost interest in the title’s sales once again, and fans of games with combat where players have to think twice about their approach will love whatElden Ringbrings to the table.
Neverwinter Nights 2is a great title that builds upon the rich lore of the Forgotten Realms and offers a compelling story with deep character development. Just likeBaldur’s Gate, players can create their protagonist and assemble a party of companions, engage in strategic combat, and explore a detailed world filled with numerous quests.
What makes this game endlessly replayable is its robust modding community, allowing players to create and share their adventures. It may be slightly dated, butNeverwinter Nights 2is still a great game thatfans of CRPGs should check out.
WhileDark Soulsdiffers in its gameplay mechanics fromBaldur’s Gatein many ways, the great world-building, rich lore, and immersive atmosphere touch upon the same points as this classic CRPG.Dark Souls' intricate level design is easily one of its most impressive aspects that still wows many players to this day, and proves why so many people hail this title to be one of the greatest video games ever made.
The punishing combat and a wondrous sense of exploration and discovery make FromSoftware’s masterpiece a blast to play through in every way. The deep and complex story of this game is gradually unveiled through item descriptions, NPC interactions, and environmental cues, producing a unique experience where the story isn’t forced down a player’s throat.
Dragon Age: Inquisitionwas developed by BioWare, the same company behindBaldur’s Gate. This story-heavy RPG somehow managed to be a ton of fun to play through despite facing a troubled development cycle, fighting against all odds to become a riveting experience that many fans adore to this day. That said, if someone wants to experience the full narrative, they will need to pick up the DLC.
Players take on the role of a custom-made Inquisitor, gathering a party of diverse companions as they embark on a journey to save the world from the looming threat of Corypheus.Dragon Age: Inquisitionfeatures an engaging dialogue system, allowing players to make critical choices that impact the story and world around them in meaningful ways.
19UnderRail
A CRPG With Shades Of Old Fallout
UnderRailis easily one of the most unique and overlooked CRPGs around. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where civilization is forced to live underground in the UnderRail metro network.
The game echoes the originalFalloutgames in many ways, with the charm of its world and the sheer depth of its systems being its biggest selling points. Fans of great CRPGs with hard-as-nails combat will have a great time withUnderRail.
18Lionheart: Legacy Of The Crusader
An Underrated CRPG With One Of The Strongest Introductions In The Genre
Speaking ofoverlooked CRPGs, it’s hard to not talk aboutLionheart: Legacy of the Crusader. The game’s first half is easily one of the most enjoyable times anyone can spend with a video game before the latter half crumbles before screeching to a forgettable halt.
Regardless, roaming around the city of Barcelona is incredibly memorable and makes for a great time in its own right. Interacting with historical figures and uncovering the mysteries of this area is easily the best part of the experience.
Another CRPG that is definitely in the same vein asBaldur’s GateisPathfinder: Kingmaker. The classic nature of this game’s setup coupled with many modern mechanics makes this game an absolute gem that more people need to check out.
Pathfinder: Kingmakermight not be the most accessible game around, but players who put in the time and effort to learn everything about this game will have a great time.
