The imminent arrival of Baldur’s Gate 3 has many players staring at their video game backlog, trying to figure out what to play before this behemoth RPG arrives and after they’ve reached its end. The Baldur’s Gate games have always been stiff competition for other games in the genre, offering unforgettable characters and stories. There’s no doubt that Baldur’s Gate 3 will be the best of them all. Whether these games feature similar combat mechanics, starting classes, or branching stories, they complement the new Larian Studios title. Here are the top games to check out to scratch that Baldur’s Gate 3 itch.
8. Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
A deep isometric RPG with compelling turn-based combat? Where have we heard that before? Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire might not be the first name on people’s lips in conversations about Baldur’s Gate 3, but it has to be one of them. The game checks pretty much every box on the CRPG list, but it also includes something its competitors don’t — pirates. Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire sticks close to DnD fundamentals, which makes it easy for Baldur’s Gate fans to get into. For players who want a hefty dose of swashbuckling with their magic, Deadfire is the perfect offering.
7. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
The Pathfinder TTRPG is an evolution of Dungeons and Dragons, so it will surprise no one to discover that Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous feels a great deal like Baldur’s Gate. The character options alone are enough to justify picking this game up, but its offerings don’t stop there. WotR can be played with either turn-based or real-time with pause combat, letting players choose the kind of action that feels best. There are classes, companions, and Mythic Paths to think about, ensuring that no playthrough feels quite the same. A word of warning, however: the learning curve here is no joke.
6. Wasteland 3
Wasteland 3 fuses the unrelenting cold and misery of Frostpunk, the post-apocalyptic setting of Fallout: New Vegas, and the CRPG mechanics of Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s a hard game that requires strategy, patience, and occasional luck to survive. Players willing to brave this uncompromising title are treated to a unique and immersive roleplaying experience. With a custom squad of up to six Rangers in either single-player or co-op, Wasteland 3 offers the player a high degree of choice, both in combat strategy and narrative progression. Some games make the suffering worth it. This is one of them.
5. Disco Elysium
Most RPG character sheets look more or less the same. In Disco Elysium, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The character’s thoughts and emotions take the place of more traditional stats as the player helps their tormented detective solve a murder or destroy himself trying. The setting is exquisitely deep, matched only by the quality and depth of the dialog. Sure, you can’t play co-op in this one, but watching your character’s beliefs come to life and talk to you as you try to navigate each encounter is an experience unlike any other. Fans of Baldur’s Gate 3 will devour this.
4. Planescape: Torment
Planescape: Torment is set in Sigil, City of Doors, one of the strangest and most fascinating locations in all of DnD lore. With access to the entire multiverse at one’s feet, getting sucked into bizarre adventures is inevitable. The protagonist hero is no vanilla fantasy hero. You play as the Nameless One: an enigmatic creature that has lived countless lives. Accompanied by a talking skull, the Nameless One embarks on a journey filled with fantastic writing and weird setpieces. Go in with as few spoilers as possible. You won’t regret it.
3. Baldur’s Gate 2
If you have your eyes on Baldur’s Gate 3, it might be worth taking a step back in time to check out its predecessor. There’s no essential connection between the game’s stories, so players aren’t missing anything if they give this one a pass and dive right into Larian Studios’s newest venture. That said, the second Baldur’s Gate is an extremely deep and diverse roleplaying experience. The characters and writing here are top-notch. That’s good news since the graphics may be a bit dated for some gamers to swallow otherwise.
2. Neverwinter Nights
There was a time when Neverwinter Nights was the gold standard for choice-driven RPGs based on DnD. Though that time may have passed, Neverwinter Nights nevertheless remains an exceptional adaptation of the source material. This journey into the Forgotten Realms can easily eat 100+ hours of a player’s time, even without the expansion packs. Building one’s party, exploring the world, and combating enemies are all satisfying. Battles aren’t the game’s strong suit but are still enjoyable. More importantly, the story here is good enough to justify this being one of the best games like Baldur’s Gate 3.
1. Divinity: Original Sin 2
If you’re looking for something that feels like the newest game by Larian Studios, checking out their older masterpiece is the obvious choice. Baldur’s Gate 3 players will feel right at home with Divinity: Original Sin 2. So many of the systems that were transformed or perfected in Baldur’s Gate 3 have their first appearance in Divinity. Whereas BG3 takes place within the rules and setting of Dungeons and Dragons, the world of Divinity is unique but no less compelling. In terms of branching storytelling, quality of writing, and depth of cast, it doesn’t get much better.
