Most Complex Western RPGs, Ranked

Western RPGs have continued to dominate the mainstream, letting players immerse themselves in massive worlds that are full to the brim with meaningful details. Most games in the genre are simple enough for players to get into without feeling like they have to spend a long time studying the game's mechanics.

However, some hardcore gamers love complex Western RPGs that offer deep systems and unique synergies. These can take a while to get used to, but patient players will be rewarded with deep and engaging role-playing games that pull no punches and force players to outsmart their opponents by any means necessary.

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8 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Henry Starts As A Greenhorn Who Must Learn The Ropes

Kingdom Come: Deliverance starts out on a slow note as it familiarizes players with the systems at play. Henry is the lowly son of a blacksmith, and the game shows his incompetency whenever players try to engage in combat with an untrained character.

After a long introduction, players must make their way to certain trainers and learn how to swing a sword, wield a bow, and perform other activities necessary to help them survive in a grueling medieval world. It may be daunting, but the progression curve of this title is intense and rewarding. Players witness the blacksmith's son turn into a competent warrior who can take out a group of bandits with ease.

7 Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous

Form Builds And Specialize Characters

Most modern CRPGs try their hardest to implement meaningful combat options that don't feel too simplistic, and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is no exception here. Players must be careful when forming their build, since a single mistake can be costly and lead to them being decimated by lowly trash mobs.

Instead, players need to research the builds they want to pursue before dedicating themselves to a specific progression path in Wrath of the Righteous. Once players wrap their heads around the basic gameplay mechanics, they should be able to make progress without too many issues.

6 The Age Of Decadence

Customize Characters & Learn To Utilize Proper Tactics

A CRPG that aims to elicit the magic of classic titles in the genre, The Age of Decadence is an amazing title despite how poor its first impression may be. The art style may not be eye-catching, and the gameplay can be challenging at times. However, players who are patient enough to learn how the game works will be rewarded with a rich role-playing experience.

Player customization is so obtuse that fans won't be faulted for checking out a guide to see what everything means as they're bombarded with new information. Combat can be frustrating, and players may feel like they're hitting a brick wall at times, but it won't take long before they finally figure out what they're doing wrong, and can take the steps required to optimize their build. In the worst-case scenario, players may have to start over, an act that CRPG veterans are familiar with.

5 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Learn Combat Synergies & Use The Environment In Battle

Before Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2 served as Larian Studios' claim to fame. It was hailed as one of the greatest CRPGs ever made, boasting numerous branching narratives along with a tactical and punishing combat system.

Without the best equipment around, players would succumb to status effects in no time once their armor was depleted. Acquiring high-level gear and forming a well-balanced party is a must for players who don't want to be overwhelmed by foes, especially in the game's final arc, which boasts a ridiculous difficulty spike.

4 Fear & Hunger

Requires Numerous Playthroughs To Understand How To Tackle A Run

Fear & Hunger is one of the hardest and most punishing RPGs around. This dark, horrific game is fraught with peril as players try to avoid a meaningless death while slowly making progress in this bleak dungeon crawler.

It takes multiple runs before players finally get the hang of the game, optimizing their start and avoiding tough enemies who can end their run in a flash. Preventing their limbs from being chopped off, acquiring powerful party members, and deciding which starting character is the best one of the lot are all huge parts of the Fear & Hunger experience. All of this makes it one of the hardest and most satisfying RPGs players can get their hands on.

3 Planescape: Torment

The Story Is Incredibly Complex

Unlike most other RPGs, Planescape: Torment's complexity doesn't arise from its combat. If anything, battles feel like a throwaway part of the game that many players feel doesn't do much to enhance the experience.

Rather, it's the thought-provoking writing of Planescape: Torment that helps it stand out as one of the best story-driven CRPGs. Players who don't like reading should give this game a pass, since the themes of the story coupled with its convoluted plot points may be harder to understand if players don't pay attention to what's happening.

2 UnderRail

Either Frustrating Or Cathartic, Depending On The Player's Patience

A modern CRPG that is perfect for fans of the Fallout series, UnderRail can either be incredibly hard or laughably easy based on how well the player can interpret its systems. The setting of this game is unique, with society living in an underground metro network after the Earth's atmosphere becomes inhospitable.

UnderRail can be a bit too complicated for some players to understand, which is why there's no shame in reading or watching guides to understand how its systems work. Eventually, players will appreciate the depth of its mechanics and how every encounter can be completed with the right strategy. However, developing this understanding takes a lot of time and patience that some players won't have.

1 Crusader Kings 3

A Grand Strategy Game With Role-Playing Elements

By combining grand strategy gameplay with role-playing elements, Crusader Kings 3 comfortably positions itself as one of the most complex RPGs in modern gaming. However, this shouldn't be a deterrent to new players. This game is also one of Paradox Interactive's most beginner-friendly games, with a great tutorial and smart tooltips that feed players all the information they need to succeed as the leader of a dynasty.

Once players come to grips with the grand strategy side of things, they can lose themselves in the role of their protagonist as they make decisions in line with their personality and either carve out a legacy or fall to ruin. Players can choose options that they deem to be best, but operating in a manner that doesn't sync with the ruler's personality gradually builds up Stress. This can have dire consequences if left unmanaged.

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