The RPG genre has existed for many decades, and during this time many masterpieces in this genre have appeared, and below you will see my top 10 best old RPG games.
I deliberately did not arrange the games in places from the tenth to the first, because each of them is a diamond of the gaming industry, having its undoubted advantages.
In addition to the classic CRPGs with a top view, in which the success of the actions depends on the correctly distributed stats and the results of the electronic dice, here you can find more modern Action / RPGs. Crucial in such games is the speed and reaction of the player, coupled with ingenuity, and not whimsical random and unconditional adherence to the tedious rules of a particular role-playing system.
So, what is the best old RPG games? let’s find out!
The Witcher
The first part of the famous series of role-playing games about the Witcher, the evil hunter. A strange combat system, but at the same time a surprisingly lively and interesting world with an exciting storyline.
Publisher: Atari (Windows), CD Projekt (OS X)
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X
Release: 2007
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
A CRPG in the setting of steampunk, so far, remains unsurpassed among role-playing games of similar artistic style. Arcanum gameplay offers travel and exploration, turn-based battles, thoughtful dialogs, puzzles – in general, a typical set for classic RPGs of the early 2000s.
Publisher: Atari (Windows), CD Projekt (OS X)
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X
Release: 2007
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1-2
Role-playing games based on the world-famous science fiction saga Star Wars. But the action here takes place several thousand years before the events from the movies. Choose your class and the side you want to join, then decide the fate of the long-suffering Galactic Republic in accordance with your worldview.
Publisher: Sierra On-Line
Developer: Troika Games
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Release: 2001
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The fourth part of the legendary series, which takes place in a huge fantasy world. Live any life you like, do any honest and dishonorable deeds, become a hero or someone else.
Publisher: Sierra On-Line
Developer: Bethesda Softworks, 2K Games
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release: 2006
Planescape: Torment
A role-playing game from the Beamdog studio, the gameplay of which is aimed not at battles, but at research, communication with NPCs and bold experiments, represented by various forms of interaction with the outside world. A fascinating plot and dark, but extremely attractive world around completes the picture.
Publisher: Interplay Entertainment
Developer: Black Isle Studios
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release: 1999
Neverwinter Nights 1-3
Another great CRPG on our list, referring to an inexhaustible source called Dungeons & Dragons. Players will be met on their way unforgettable adventures, dozens of classes, hundreds of items, and countless skills and spells.
Publisher: Infogrames/Atari
Developer: Bioware
Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux), Mac OS X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release: 2002
Gothic 1-3
The cult action / RPG series dedicated to the adventures of an unnamed hero, on whose shoulders the burdensome missions to save cities and entire kingdoms lie.
Publisher: Egmont Interactive, Xicat Interactive
Developer: Piranha Bytes
Platforms: PC
Release: 2001
Icewind Dale 1-2
The action takes place in Forgotten Realms, a popular fantasy world ported to a video game from the board role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. The player creates a batch of heroes of 6 characters and sets off on a journey through these lands, helping all those in need and punishing all the villains met.
Publisher: Interplay Entertainment
Developer: Black Isle Studios
Platforms: Windows, Macintosh, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release: 2000
Fallout 1-2
Dilogy of two isometric games that have become the personification of high-quality post-apocalyptic RPGs. It was the first two parts of Fallout that popularized the theme of post-apocalypse in role-playing games and introduced some features of the gameplay and surroundings that have not lost their relevance to this day. Even the three-dimensional Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 that followed them used many of the distinctive elements that first appeared in Fallout 1-2.
Publisher: Interplay Entertainment
Developer: Black Isle Studios
Platforms: PC, Mac OS
Release: 1997
Baldur’s Gate 1-2
Party role-playing games based on the rules and setting of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons tabletop. The action takes place in the “Coast of Swords” region and covers many settlements and iconic places located there. The main character is a descendant of the god Baal, for whom unknown killers suddenly begin to hunt. Unaware of his divine origin, the hero must get rid of the enemies and fulfill the mission drawn up by higher powers.
Publisher: Black Isle Studios, Interplay, GraphSim Entertainment (Mac OS)
Developer: BioWare
Platforms: PC/Windows, Apple Macintosh, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release: 1998
It was the top 10 best old RPG games. Regardless of whether you are a lover and connoisseur of classic role-playing games of your own free will, or whether your interest in them is caused by a computer that is not powerful enough for more modern games, I was glad to welcome you in a selection devoted exclusively to old RPGs.
Most of the projects presented here were released on PC in the period of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century. Despite their venerable age, they have every reason to be played by every RPG lover. All these games are now optimized for modern computers and are available on Steam and GOG.
Which of these games have you played and which ones do you want to play? What is your favorite old RPG, and what game do you think we have missed and not included in the list? Write to us your top 10 best old RPG games.
An avid gamer and owner of geek-blog.net, I immerse myself in the world of geek culture, from gaming to comics. Creator of the YouTube channel GameDigger, where I reveal the history of games and create exciting tops.
