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With the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, many players are excited about the return of classic D&D RPG gameplay. Between fun RPG combat and intriguing D&D storytelling, getting a new Baldur’s Gate entry is a momentous occasion. However, the new Baldur’s Gate game isn’t for everyone. Some aren’t too keen on the game’s story and world, and others are looking for a more traditional gaming experience. Luckily, there are some amazing alternative D&D video games for players who want to scratch that RPG itch. Here are our picks for the best RPGs and RPG-like games that follow Dungeons & Dragons‘ rules like Baldur’s Gate 3.
Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom
First, we have Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom, a classic arcade beat-’em-up from 1994. This game takes the classic world of D&D and reimagines it in the form of a more action-packed arcade game. Players will choose from one of four characters – Fighter, Elf, Dwarf, or Cleric – each with unique abilities and stats. When fighting through hordes of classic enemies, players will also find D&D spells and items to help them on their quests. Additionally, players will have D&D-style choices that give a bit more freedom to the player. This mechanic is especially unique for a beat-’em-up game. Overall, Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom does a great job turning the Dungeons & Dragons rules into an RPG video game, like Baldur’s Gate 3.
Eye of the Beholder
Next, we have Eye of the Beholder, a classic RPG that follows Dungeons & Dragons‘ rules. Eye of the Beholder is a dungeon-crawler RPG wherein players create a party of four characters and explore a massive world. Gamers will need to level up, rest, learn spells, and fight enemies, all in a unique first-person view. Overall, all of these mechanics are implemented well into the game, especially with things like character customization. However, Eye of the Beholder features real-time combat rather than the traditional turn-based combat of D&D. While this change has many benefits, it does lead to many adjustments, and less overall depth for many of the game’s Dungeons & Dragons elements.
Neverwinter Nights
For the next D&D property, we have the classic party-based RPG Neverwinter Nights. Also created by the original Baldur’s Gate‘s BioWare, Neverwinter Nights was the company’s step into a new edition of D&D rules and a new story for their games. Coming out after Baldur’s Gate 2, the series features many of the same style and combat choices, albeit with a new set of rules. This means that smaller details, such as names for skills, rolls for checks, and much more will be oriented in a slightly different way. However, at its core, Neverwinter Nights is another great video game set in the D&D universe. As it’s so much like Baldur’s Gate 3, fans are bound to love this classic RPG.
Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2: Enhanced Edition
Of course, no other game follows Dungeons & Dragons‘ rules more than Baldur’s Gate 3‘s predecessors. For any player that loves the playstyle of either Baldur’s Gate 3 or Neverwinter Nights, both Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 are amazing D&D-based games to check out. These titles are specifically based on Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, the 2nd edition rules of the game. Although the games are a bit dated now, new remastered editions help bring these classic games to the modern generation. While many players may be caught up with playing Baldur’s Gate 3 currently, it may be worth it to take some time to check out the history of the games with Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Finally, arguably the peak of the Pathfinder-based RPGs is Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, a great game for those who like Baldur’s Gate 3. Pathfinder is a modification of version 3.5 of Dungeons & Dragons and thus has many D&D-based gameplay choices. Functioning very similarly to Baldur’s Gate 3, players will need to create a character or choose from pre-made options and level them up through combat. Combat is tactical and turn-based, similar to other entries of the party-based RPG genre, and there is a lot of fun to be had strategizing based on what class you chose.
