CRPGs, or Computer role-playing games, are a beloved category in gaming that has seen a major resurgence in recent years. Thanks to a few standout titles that have attracted the attention of the mainstream gaming community, players are more interested than ever in trying out this classic genre of gaming.
While there are a ton of great older CRPG games that deserve this newfound attention, some players find the dated graphics and lack of modern improvements a dealbreaker. For them, modern CRPGs that combine the best of both worlds are a much more palatable option.
In order to keep the article focused and on-topic, only CRPGs released after 2015 have been considered for this list.
Baldur’s Gate 3
A Groundbreaking D&D Adventure That Redefined Modern CRPGs
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Baldur’s Gate 3’s impact on the gaming industry is hard to understate. Among modern CRPGs, Larian Studio’s Dungeons and Dragons-based offering is by far the most influential, as evidenced by the fact that it was able to attract mainstream audiences to a famously niche genre in a way that hasn’t been seen before. Comprising three major Acts, the game offers hundreds of hours of replayable content, a roster of memorable companions, an interesting storyline, and a surprisingly approachable combat system.
Player choice is the core focus of BG3, as everything from what build their characters have to how the main story plays out to how the companions perceive the protagonist is all dictated by the decisions made during the course of a playthrough. Nearly every quest has half a dozen different ways it can be approached, leaving the door open for players to experiment with wacky solutions to thorny problems. Since every bit of dialogue is professionally voiced, every interaction feels like an expertly DM’ed session of D&D where players can really let their creative juices flow and be rewarded for it.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
An Overwhelmingly Deep CRPG Built For Hardcore Strategists
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
- Released
- September 2, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Owlcat Games is a studio known for specializing in CRPGs, and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is their best offering yet. Like the previous title in the series, Pathfinder: Kingmaker, WotR is based on the Pathfinder TTRPG, a direct competitor to Dungeons and Dragons.
In terms of depth of content, customization, and complex systems, very few CRPGs come close to the level of this game, as it takes the famously intricate progression and class systems from the first game and dials them up to eleven. Players who are looking for a replayable CRPG they can sink hundreds of hours into will find WotR right up their alley, as even with a full playthrough complete, the sheer number of options that remain unexplored is mind-boggling.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Masterful Writing, Tactical Depth, And Endless Replay Value
Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Released
- September 14, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
One of the reasons why Larian Studios was able to achieve breakout success with Baldur’s Gate 3 was thanks to their previous experiences in making standout CRPGs. The best example of this is Divinity: Original Sin 2, an evolution in every way over its predecessor, with better systems, graphics, and gameplay feel.
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Based on Larian’s in-house ruleset, Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers players a cast of playable characters with extensive backstories, phenomenal voice acting, and a deliciously in-depth class and perk system that opens up the door to tons of replayability. In terms of production quality and scope, DOS2 is only outshone by BG3, and fans of the CRPG genre owe it to themselves to try the game out at least once in their lives.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
A Nautical CRPG Adventure Across The Exotic Deadfire Archipelago
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
- Released
- May 8, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
A sequel to one of the most beloved CRPGs in recent memory, Pillars of Eternity 2 is a step up in every way. The graphics, in particular, are a major upgrade from the first game, presenting the world of Eora in incredible detail.
Pillars of Eternity 2 features both real-time combat that allows players to direct their units at the same time with the ability to pause on command and even a turn-based mode for those who like to plan every aspect of an encounter. Best of all, there are five different combat speeds that players can tinker with, allowing real-time combat to be accessible even for casual players.
Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader
A Dark, Tactical Odyssey Through The Grimdark Future
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
- Released
- December 7, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, RPG
Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader is another game by Owlcat Games, one that takes place in the famously brutal world of Warhammer 40,000. Players take on the role of a Rogue Trader, an autonomous Imperial servant who is given their own starship, the freedom to travel outside the Imperium, and the mandate to impose the Emperor’s will on those outside the scope of the Imperium.
Like Owlcat’s other games, combat in Rogue Trader is complex, requiring deep in-game knowledge. Though not directly based on the Pathfinder system, it takes heavy inspiration from it, combining party-based turn-based isometric tabletop mechanics with XCOM-like tactical focus. Players who have enjoyed Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous will find themselves in familiar territory.
Wasteland 3
A Fast-Paced Tactical RPG Where Choices Shape The World
Wasteland 3
- Released
- August 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Strategy
Developed by inXile Entertainment, Wasteland 3 is a party-based top-down CRPG. Combat is turn-based, and plays a bit like the XCOM games, but instead of moving each unit one-by-one, the entire squad acts in a single turn, as do the enemies. As a result, encounters play out quite a bit faster than traditional CRPGs, which is a boon for players who like to save time.
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The game takes place in an alternate version of Colorado, USA, where players contend with the tyranny of the Patriarch, a powerful figure who has taken over the region. Player choices are at the core of the gameplay, with even seemingly minor actions having far-reaching consequences that only reveal themselves later in the storyline.
Tyranny
A Bold Inversion Of Classic Good vs Evil Storytelling
Tyranny
- Released
- November 10, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
For players who appreciate an interesting setting, with rich lore and a gripping storyline, Tyranny is a must-try. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the game puts players in the shoes of a Fatebinder, an enforcer for a dark lord who has already conquered the region in which the story takes place.
The decisions players make, which faction they side with, and how they approach the morally gray decisions that are present in Tyranny are what make it worth playing for a lot of people. Worldbuilding is by far the best part about this game, as while the combat is serviceable, it isn’t anything special compared to other titles on this list.
Disco Elysium
A Philosophical Masterpiece That Redefines What Games Can Be
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Disco Elysium is one of the most innovative games in recent memory, combining isometric CRPG gameplay with mind-bending narrative elements wrapped in a detective novel-like setting that only gets weirder as time goes on.
Players take on the role of a detective who has lost his memory, tasked with solving crimes by investigating clues and discovering secrets with the help of his fragmented persona. There are four main stats, and speccing in each one unlocks new branching dialogue trees that are unavailable otherwise. The 24 skills tied to these attributes each have a distinct, full-voiced persona of their own, ones that play a massive part in how the detective perceives the world around him.