6 Video Games To Play If You Like D&D
If you can ’ triiodothyronine get your group together to play D & D, or if you just want more RPGs in your life, these video games are capital for scratching that D & D itch ! All of us hera at Arcane Eye have been avid gamers our whole lives. A few months ago we discussed our favorite tabletop games, and you guys loved it ! So this fourth dimension we are taking another crack at it, but discussing our own tilt of best video recording games to play if you like D & D. Just like in our previous article, you will find some video games similar to D & D, or at least television games that we recommend for fans of the earth ’ s greatest roleplaying game. There are some obvious choices, and we ’ ve decided to include some of them, but we would like to besides suggest some games that you may not have learn of or think of right away. Don ’ thymine expect them to all be D & D in a ocular format, but read our descriptions, see what we think of them, and decide for yourself if they might be interesting. delight !
Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon is a role-playing video game in which the player takes a group of adventurers and guides them through a serial of dungeons below a sign of the zodiac they inherited. The core gameplay closed circuit consists of spend time in town outfitting your party for a dungeon, and then heading into the keep in the hopes of coming out alive ( and reasonable ! ). As you progress through the game, you will uncover more of the mysteries surrounding the sign of the zodiac, the original owner of the estate known only as the “ Ancestor ”, and the accuracy about the evil loiter below .
The tempt of Darkest Dungeon lies in learning which heroes are best for which tasks, which supplies you need to survive a dungeon, and when to give your favored heroes a break in so they don ’ t go completely harebrained. Resource management and strategic decision make are the keys to success in this game .
The playfulness ( and frustration ) of Darkest Dungeon is that even with especial plan, something always goes incorrectly. Accepting this, and making the best of a badly site, will finally lead to overcoming the insurmountable odds. When you get wiped out, dust yourself off, hire some new expendable heroes, and get back in there !
Pros
- Amazing narration that contributes to the interesting lore
- Perfectly encapsulates the oppressive atmosphere of gothic/Lovecraftian horror
- Procedurally generated dungeons and many character classes is great for replayability
Cons
- Playing on harder difficulties can feel grindy in the middle game
- Bad luck can result in a party wipe and needing to hire new heroes, extending the length of the game
- Hired heroes are expendable and die often, resulting in a lack of emotional connection to your party
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4/5, PS Vita, io, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Disco Elysium
In Disco Elysium, the actor is in manipulate of a detective who has lost their memory and must solve a noir-style mangle mystery in the fabricated earth of Elysium. As you progress through the plot, you uncover more about the protagonist ’ south past and learn more about this capture worldly concern. Disco Elysium is such a unique and beautiful game that I am reluctant to talk much about the plot here. A big separate of the game addresses what takes position in the supporter ’ sulfur mind and is a very introspective know .
This is one of those rare games that stuck with me for a long time after completing it. Some may find Disco Elysium blue and slow pace, and while there is no real “ beat ‘ em up ” fight for a change of pace, I never once felt bored in my 30+ hours with the game. The main reason why this is a video bet on exchangeable to D & D is that skill checks occur frequently. The likelihood of achiever is determined by your ability grudge in that skill combined with a cube roller .
identical much like D & D, closely everything you want to do aside from walking about will require a skill confirmation. Stats of course influence what you are good at, and there are three main archetypes for your prefer playstyle of detective ( Thinker, Sensitive, and Physical ). To take things further, conversations and events lead you to unlocking choices in the “ Thought Cabinet ”, a system that allows you to internalize certain thoughts about who you think you are. once internalize, these beliefs come with bonuses or handicaps to your character ’ sulfur abilities .
All in all, Disco Elysium takes elements from Dungeons & Dragons and expands on them in ways not potential in a traditional pen-and-paper medium. If you are concern in playing Disco Elysium, we would recommend waiting until March 2021 for the update “ The Final Cut ” version. This definitive version will include full voice acting for the entire game, plus new quests, characters, and more .
Pros
- Beautiful art direction
- A story that makes you invested in the narrative and forces you to think about deeper topics than most games
- Skill check system that is very reminiscent of D&D
Cons
- No real combat system for those that love action RPGs
- LOTS of reading (a free update with full voice acting is on the way!)
- This game is not lighthearted and features heavy subject matter throughout
Available on: Windows, macOS, PS4/5, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Divinity: Original Sin 2
theology : original Sin 2 is one of the most obvious video games for people who like D & D. Set in a authoritative fantasy world called Rivellon, you take dominance of a party of adventurers who were banished to an island due to their ability to use “ Source ” ( a potent type of energy stronger than even magic trick ) .
Trying to escape the prison, the party stumbles upon something much more black – evil beings from another world have begun to invade Rivellon ! Quests and NPC interaction are decidedly the highlights of this game. Every quest apparently has multiple outcomes, and choices in sidequests can have a brawny consequence on your options as you move through the main fib. The independent pursuit seems to have the most option ; there are at least four ways barely to escape the startle area, and possibly more that I haven ’ thymine discovered yet !
In addition, using the environments to your advantage and coming up with interesting ways to approach a situation is much rewarded. sol many times I ’ ve think “ I wonder if I can… ” and the game actually lets you do it ! possibly the most exciting thing about Divinity 2 for D & D players is the fact that the stallion report can be played in cooperative mode. In unmarried musician you have control over up to four characters, but if you play online, you and up to three friends can play through the entire campaign together. In summation, there is a “ Game Master Mode ” that lets a player fill the character of the DM by controlling enemies and environments to create the most D & D-like feel potential in a television game .
You can look for fan-made content on the Steam Workshops Divinity 2 page, use pre-made maps, or even create your own levels and earth maps. You can watch a great tutorial on Game Master Mode from the developers by clicking hera .
Pros
- Closest possible experience to multiplayer D&D in a video game
- Tons of races, classes, and builds to create for your characters
- Playable companion characters are not locked into a set class, so you can build your party how you see fit
- Creativity in how you handle situations is rewarded
Cons
- Enemies have both Physical and Magic Armor, encouraging you to build your party around one type of damage to break it more quickly
- Managing the inventories on multiple characters can be cumbersome, especially on console
- Combat can be really tough in the early game and almost too easy by the end of the campaign
Available on: Windows, macOS, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX ( or Final Fantasy 9 ) is your classical japanese Roleplaying Game, normally known as a JRPG. In fact, Final Fantasy is the originator of the music genre, and its massive influence can be felt even in games released nowadays. In our opinion, the ninth iteration may be the best final Fantasy bet on for fans of D & D .
While the former three games in the franchise explored more futuristic societies, Final Fantasy IX takes the series back to its roots by being set in a classic chivalric fantasy world. With a strong turn-based fight system, iconic soundtrack, lovable characters, and an exciting plot filled with themes of identity, function, loss, and friendship, this game holds a invest in the hearts of many people around the global. Although it was released in the year 2000, don ’ t let that keep you from experiencing this masterpiece .
The graphics and gameplay hold up surprisingly well, specially because the remastered version has updated HD graphics and some quality of liveliness improvements. A common criticism of the game is that many felt the graphics took a step back in terms of the more “ mature ” style of by games, but in our opinion, the graphics absolutely suit the nostalgic tactile property of the world of Gaia and its inhabitants. To put your judgment at facilitate, each Final Fantasy game has a completely independent narrative, so you won ’ t need to play the previous games in the series to get the wax experience .
Pros
- Strong plot with mature themes and satisfying character growth
- Recognizes and celebrates the aspects of classic fantasy RPGs
Cons
- Grindy combat for those who aren’t fans of JRPGs
- No voice acting
- Some may be put off by the cartoonish graphics
Available on: Windows, io, Android, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Shadowrun Trilogy (2013, 2014, 2015)
Based on the popular tabletop role-playing crippled of the same mention, the Shadowrun trilogy combines dystopian cyberpunk skill fabrication and urban illusion in the best way. In this world, you will find elves, dwarves, and dragons, but besides face challenges you would expect in an urban cyberpunk setting, such as bodied conspiracy, crime, and the dismay effects technology can have on the mind and body. Although it might sound strange, the Shadowrun games are decidedly fantastic television games to play if you like D & D. Character creation in Shadowrun is similar to D & D .
Each of the races has its own alone stat boosts and maximum horizontal surface for each stat. There are a number of premade archetypes to choose from, such as mage, street samurai, or dekker, but you are besides dislodge to allocate stats at your own discretion. Stats you invest in directly influence how you need to approach fight, but besides open up new dialogue options and ways to achieve your missions. Gameplay has two chief components. Outside combat, you are free to walk around the environments, talking to assorted NPCs and using your character ’ randomness strengths to achieve your goals. For exercise, a lock in door may be hacked to get it to open, but you might besides be able to use your charisma to convince person to give you the identify .
In combat, the gameplay is very alike to the XCOM games. Battles are turn-based, and each character has a certain number of natural process points to move, use weapons, or vomit spells. The find to hit an enemy is a share, based on cover, distance, and weapon type .
The first game in the serial, Shadowrun Returns, is a quite sparse case of what the culture medium has to offer in terms of storytelling and gameplay. By the second base crippled, Shadowrun : Dragonfall, these kinks have been ironed out to create a truly engrossing narrative with taut, tactical gameplay. The stories are mugwump of each early, so feel absolve to skip Shadowrun Returns and good try out Dragonfall ! The third base game, Shadowrun : Hong Kong, is besides fantastic and hosts the best visuals out of the three .
Pros
- Tactical combat
- Immersive storytelling and well-written characters
- Many possible character builds for any playstyle that impact how you can approach situations
- Decisions can influence story outcomes
Cons
- No voice acting means lots of reading
- Many cyberpunk tropes for those who are familiar with the genre
- The first game of the trilogy is by far the weakest
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, io, Android
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
vampire : The Masquerade – Bloodlines ( VTMB ) is another video game based on a tabletop role-playing plot .
In VTMB, you assume the function of a fledgling vampire who is push into the close world of the supernatural sphere. The greatest persuasiveness of VTMB is the swerve total of choice you have in how you play. To start, you choose one of seven vampire clans to align yourself with, a choice that resonates throughout the entire experience. This, combined with your stat allotment, helps dictate what kind of person you are in this world .
You may choose to be a eloquent gentleman who talks his way out of any situation, a atrocious vampire who hides in the sewers, or person who just wants to go in with guns blazing. Combine all of this with a thrilling fib, interesting lore, and well-written characters, and you have yourself an amaze bet on. While it was in the first place released with mix reviews and many critics declared it a “ flawed masterpiece ”, VTMB is now regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of its clock .
The unofficial patch addresses most of the technical issues and restores gameplay elements that were cut from the official free. If you can get past the date graphics, this is a game we powerfully recommend. With a highly anticipated sequel being released in 2021, this is decidedly a video recording game for fans of D & D .
Pros
- Deep character customization and roleplaying potential
- Optional first person perspective increases immersion
- Extensive lore with many bits of information to uncover in repeated playthroughs
Cons
- Combat feels clunky, especially gunplay
- Buggy, but issues are addressed with a free unofficial patch
- The setting has very little in common with the D&D-style of fantasy
Available on: Windows
Closing Words
Thanks for reading ! These are some of our favorite video recording games as fans of D & D and we hope you ’ ve found a crippled or two that you ’ ll sleep together. If you have any games you think we missed or should talk about, let us know in the comments below. Subscribe to Arcane Eye for more articles on everything Dungeons & Dragons !
Roland Drews
Roland Drews is a content godhead and editor at Arcane Eye. When he is n’t watching basketball or noodling on his guitar, you can find Roland reading, writing, or playing D & D. He presently lives in Bonn, Germany with his girlfriend Jess .
