Best CRPGs to play after BG3

You’ve seen Larian Studios’ work on Baldur’s Gate 3, but Divinity: Original Sin 1 and 2 will show you why this developer has been chosen to make the big Dungeons & Dragons game in the first place. Set in a fantasy world of Larian’s own making and powered by a system that’s not unlike that of D&D, both CRPGs were critical as well as commercially successful hits. Epic stories, a crunchy and satisfying combat system, and immense depth characterize the titles. Both are highly recommended for any fan of BG3.

Owlcat is another studio specialized in delivering epic CRPG experiences and the studio’s titles based on the Pathfinder tabletop rule system are fantastic examples of its skills. Wrath of the Righteous follows Pathfinder: Kingmaker (which is heartily recommended as well) and allows you to journey from a nobody to a quasi god-like being deciding on the fate of the world. Anyone with a passion for deep and complex build options will have a field day with this one, giving you even more options than BG3 in this aspect.

Speaking of Owlcat, here is the studio’s newest CRPG hit. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader puts you into one of the most unique roles this grimdark universe has to offer, for a Rogue Trader is not just a powerful merchant lord with domain over entire star systems, they’re one of the few groups in 40k that could claim to have something like freedom. As you travel through the isolated Koronus Expanse to get rich and unravel the mystery behind a massive threat to this slice of the galaxy, you’ll be able to make decisions that would earn you a firing squad back in the Imperium. 

Rogue Trader is a love letter to Warhammer 40,000 and fans of crunchy turn-based combat will have an especially great time with it.

Like Larian Studios’ Divinity series, Obsidian Entertainment’s Pillars of Eternity 1 and 2 draw on their own universe and rules. Pillars of Eternity 1 has been called Obsidian’s best game yet and is more highly regarded than its sequel, both since both tell one connected story, it’s still an easy recommendation to put both of them on your to-play list. Expect fantastic worldbuilding, crunchy mechanics, and an amazing story.

Speaking of Obsidian’s titles, Tyranny – albeit a bit older – is another one to check out. You’re basically the minion of the story’s bad guy in this one. Its scope is a good deal smaller than every other games’ on the list so far, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for something less chunky.

Solasta might be another easy pick-up for those who have played through BG3: D&D 5th Edition is used for character creation here as well, making for great accessibility. However, Solasta isn’t known for a great story with lots of twists and turns, instead being a more linear experience full of the usual clichés. Let that not distract you from the fact that the title’s combat feels fantastic, making it a strong choice for anyone more into that aspect.

Much more bite-sized than everything else on the list, Wildermyth is a charming CRPG with papercraft aesthetics that’ll run great on your laptop as well. Aside from several premade adventures of various lengths, you can also have the game generate sandbox scenarios for you, meeting some of your previous characters in new roles as your companions or mentors.

A CRPG unlike any other, Disco Elysium doesn’t have you play a great hero that saves the world: Instead, you’re a cop waking up in your own vomit and with no memory of who you are due to taking too many drugs. Tasked to investigate a potential murder, the story kicks off. There is little combat in the traditional sense with scenarios being solved through dialog instead. It was the most-awarded game at The Game Awards 2019 for a reason.

CRPGs are an old genre and some of its best representatives have been around for decades. These include Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2, Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment, and Fallout 1 and 2. You’ll find them a little hard to look at from a modern perspective, but their underlying systems and stories are still amazing to behold and experience.