Based on what you've said, I'd recommend looking at the "Big 3" - the 3 most recent popular CRPG games in the recent resurgence of the genre. These are all brilliant in their own way, IMO, and are quite different

Divinity Original Sin 2:
  • Most like BG3
  • Of the big 3 (Pillars, Kingmaker, DOS), DOS has the best Turn-based gameplay (since it was designed for it)
  • Most deterministic combat - less RNG - some people love it, others hate it
  • It's Armor System is a hit or miss for people
  • The most simplistic rule-set of the big 3 - not to say there aren't tons of permutations of builds and tons of abilities - it's just the most straight forward
  • The one with the most "physically interactable world" (in regards moving items, objects) - kind of like in BG3, you can pick up, stack, throw things, with real game-play effects
  • Dialogue and tone is the most light-hearted of the 3 (takes itself the least seriously), but there are pretty dark elements in the story too
  • Origin system (companions can be player characters, etc)
  • Playing #1 not required (no real story tie-in)


Pathfinder: Kingmaker (Real-time with Pause, Turn-based available)
  • Uses the Pathfinder 1E system - basically an updated D&D 3.5E. Based on an actual adventure module, which means you might get a bit of that old-school roleplaying game vibe
  • Very faithful adaptation of the ruleset translates to TONS of mechanical depth - tons of build options. Deepest of the Big 3 IMO
  • Follows "D&D" rules - so certain classes are less "active" to play (i.e. fighters hit things). Balances out in a 6 person party system though
  • Story is linear and simple, but does an excellent job of enabling the gameplay
  • Has a kingdom management component to the game (that you can turn off if you don't like)
  • Gold-standard in difficulty customization
  • Patched on Turn-based mode
  • Terrible enemy AI (worst of the 3)



Pillars of Eternity 1/2 (Real-time with Pause, #2 has Turn-based available)
  • Deepest world-building of the 3 games. Tons of lore, which can be good or bad - since you drown in it
  • Most mature theme-wise (most philosophical IMO)
  • However, that doesn't mean best writing though - the dialogue and description prose can be quite clunky and dense
  • Has stronghold (#1) or naval (#2) mechanics/gameplay
  • Really fun, original class/mechanics system that has decent depth, and lots of active skills for all classes.
  • #2 improves on the gameplay mechanics dramatically (introduces a cool multi-class system), but party is limited to 5 in 2.
  • Most fun to solo of all 3 games
  • Most interactive world (of the Big 3) - has a faction system that reacts to your choices and actions
  • Patched on Turn-based mode


Other Great Games (but I'd play after the 3):
Tyranny - I love this game more than the above 3, but feel like it's best played after - it's best enjoyed when you can contrast it against other RPGs (and how it differs from the standards of the genre).

Shadowrun Trilogy - cyberpunk, turn-based setting. Much lower budget than the others listed, but incredible fun and charming, especially Dragonfall IMO.

Last edited by Topgoon; 09/12/20 05:58 AM.