Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3is one of the biggest success stories in recent gaming history. Sitting at a96 score on Metacritic,it has sold over 15 million copies and brought a sometimes overlooked genre of game to the masses: the isometric RPG.
But, however good that game might be, there areother options if you likeBaldur’s Gate.The truth is, there were tons of great isometric RPGs beforeBaldur’s Gate 3came along. Although they can be a little intimidating with their complicated systems and screens full of stats, they’re well worth the effort to learn. This ranking is based on how much each game influenced the genre, how fun they are to play, as well as their Metascore.
In all honesty, there are other isometric RPGs with higher scores that could have placed here, but there’s a method to the madness. Two of the most influential isometric RPGs ever made wereFallout 1and2. Not only are they still some of thebest isometric open-world games ever made, but they also gave gamers one of the biggest gaming franchises in history.
Unfortunately, they haven’t aged well. Getting them to run is a chore in and of itself, and actually playing them isn’t much better. Thankfully, there’sWasteland 3, made by some of the original developers of the oldFalloutgames. It’s an awesome game that does a great job of copying what made those games special while modernizing everything else. Compared to some of the other entries on this list, it might be a little bit more limited in scope, but it’s also more beginner-friendly.
Obsidian Entertainment has made some epic games, andPillars of Eternity 2is arguablyone of their best.It takes everything that made the originalPillars of Eternityso popular and improves on pretty much everything.
The combat is more fleshed out, as is the class system with the introduction of subclasses, and the story, although lore-heavy, is a hoot. The best thing about the game, however, is arguably the massive world map and the fact that the game lets gamers captain a ship. The only downsides are that the pacing can feel a little off at times and the combat isn’t quite up there with the likes ofBaldur’s Gate 3.
WhenHadeswas released in 2020, it took the gaming world by storm. For those somehow unfamiliar with it, the game is a rogue-like action RPG played in an isometric view. While a new rogue-like seems to come out every five minutes,Hadessets itself apart through its storytelling.
The game follows the son of Hades, Zagreus, as he tries to escape the underworld. It does a great job of respecting the Greek mythology source material while also doing its own thing. Many critics felt the game was a highlight of 2020, and it’s hard to argue with them. The only reason it’s on the low end of this list is that, despite being one ofthe best rogue-like RPGs, the game focuses more on the action and rogue-like elements than the RPG.
When Grinding Gear Games releasedPath of Exileway back in 2013, they did something many other studios have failed at. They released a free-to-play game that isn’t only fun but also comes packed with content without having to pay for it. Instead, most fans who end up paying do it out of loyalty because they enjoy the game.
Path of Exileis clearly heavily inspired byDiablo 2.It’s an isometric action RPG that many fans of the genre feel is better than Blizzard’s more recent offerings. Much likeWasteland 3, it steals its inspiration’s spot on this list for being slightly more modernized and far more complex. That complexity, however, is a double-edged sword. With 11 years of updates under its belt and almost infinite build options,Path of Exilecan be a little intimidating to get into, lowering its ranking a touch.
6Planescape: Torment
Metacritic Score: 91
There are a lot ofexcellentDungeons & Dragonsgames, but one early game set the bar pretty high:Planescape: Torment.Back in 1999, it was revolutionary for focusing on storytelling over combat, something that clearly influenced some of the best entries in the genre in later years.
The story follows one of the best protagonists in RPG history, The Nameless One, an immortal who loses his memory every time he’s killed. It’s a weird but refreshingly interesting concept for a game, especially coming from an era when too many protagonists were voiceless player avatars. With its focus on storytelling,Planescape: Tormentis still relatively easy to jump into and enjoy. Some modern gamers might struggle with the visuals, but if they can overlook that, they’re sure to enjoy themselves.
Neverwinter Nightsmight not bethe best BioWare game, but it’s certainly up there. Set in theDungeons and Dragonsuniverse, the game’s protagonist is tasked with curing a plague sweeping the fantasy realm. While the story itself is nothing to write home about, the world-building and minute-to-minute writing was top-notch, as was the actual gameplay.
What really sets the game apart, however, and earned it this ranking isNeverwinter Nights’epic multiplayer and the Aurora toolset. The multiplayer really brought the feeling of playing aD&Dadventure with friends to life. Aurora was even more impressive, basically letting players build their own adventures game master style.
With later entries moving away from that perspective, it’s easy to forget thatDragon Age: Originscould be played as an isometric RPG. While console versions were locked to third-person, PC players could zoom in and play it as an isometric RPG akin to the oldBaldur’s Gategames. Whether or not it counts as a true isometric RPG is up for debate, but importantly, it feels like one. Set in Thedas, one ofDragon Age: Origins’biggest strengths is its world. Bioware knows how to build an engaging world, and Thedas is one of their best.
While the game’s main narrative is typically grand for an RPG of this kind, it’s also littered with engaging personal storylines that flesh out both the world and the myriad characters the Gray Warden meets. Its other biggest strength is the combat system. While many isometric RPGs come with a steep learning curve, the originalDragon Ageis different. Its combat system makes it easy for newcomers to the genre to pick and learn while also being deep enough for veteran players to get their geek on.
One of the things fans love about the RPG genre is how, in many of the best games,their decisions truly matter. This being said, even in the best examples, decisions often boil down to whether or not to settle a problem via bloodshed or whether to kill a particular NPC. To put it another way, violence may not always be the best answer, but it’s always an answer.
Which is what makesDisco Elysiumso subversive. It’s an isometric RPG with zero combat. The only ways the player can interact with its incredible world are through careful exploration and well-written dialog. Players might think they’d miss the option to solve their problems with violence, but the game is just as engaging as more traditional combat-oriented RPGs.Disco Elysium’scompelling story, subversive nature, and sheer replayability earn it a high rank on our list.
BeforeBaldur’s Gate 3came along and toppled it, many fans of the genre believedDivinity: Original Sin 2to be one of the best isometric games ever made. Since both games were made by the now-legendary Larian Studios, it seems unlikely that Larian is too concerned that Divinity has been toppled.
Divinity: Original Sin 2is largely responsible for the revival of the CRPG subgenre in recent years. Its gameplay is almost unmatched and offers almost unrivaled depth, especially when it comes to strategic options. Outside of combat, the game’s writing is impeccable, and the world-building is excellent. Compared to many isometric RPGs, the game is also stunningly pretty to look at. It remains one ofthe best sandbox RPGsever made.
To put it simply, when it was released in 2023,Baldur’s Gate 3became the new gold standard for both CRPGs and isometric RPGs in general. While the game technically has the ability to zoom in and enter third-person mode, it perfectly captures the spirit of older isometric RPGs. From its world-building to its characters, story, and gameplay, it gets pretty much everything right. It’s rare that games live up to their hype, but somehow,Baldur’s Gate 3managed it.
It’s a truly epic RPG with a depth of player choice never really seen before. Its systems are forgiving enough to allow newbies to enjoy themselves but in-depth enough to keep hard-coreDungeons and Dragonsveterans happy. The term masterpiece might be overused these days, but that doesn’t stopBaldur’s Gate 3from being one.
