Great RPGs you played and enjoyed

[Lysen]

We all played and loved* classic Infinity Engine games: Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale series and Planescape: Torment which really stands out not only because its name. It is good to know that Obsidian use them as an inspiration. But there also a lot of other great RPGs, like Arcanum, Fallout series or even some newer games like Fallout: New Vegas or Drakensang 2 (it is very different than the games mentioned above, yet good nonetheless). I want especially to talk about Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines, because I started playing it recently after a few unsuccessful attempts and really enjoy it. Playing Bloodlines today is hard to describe, it is like you were looking for something in the cellar, and suddenly you see a dusty old bottle that you never noticed before. It doesn't look much, but when you open it, you will find inside the best wine that you ever tasted. I didn't finished it yet, the others say that the last part of the game suck, but until now (I just arrived at Hollywood) it was perfect. The atmosphere, the music, the quest design, the characters - I love everything. The only thing that was quite dissappointing was level design in some areas, because trying to sneak down the well-lit corridor with security cameras or a parking full of thugs isn't very fun if there are no alternate ways (and I didn't find them). Deus Ex did it much better. But overall, Bloodlines is one of the greates RPGs ever made, and though it is very different that IE games, it could serve as a source of inspiration for Project: Eternity.

 

* Some hard-line Codexers may disagree.

[beerflavour]

I liked the Dark Sun games way way back during the early 90s and some other of the later SSI games (the Dreamforge ones).

[RosesandAshes]

I loved Vampire: The Masquerade -- Bloodlines even though I probably shouldn't have (the sexism and racism and the fact that you could get a one-way ticket to lesbian land but had only a couple same-sex options for men was just, ugh).

 

Other games I like (in no particular order):

 

Anything in the Shin Megami Tensei series (and Persona series, and related series like Devil Summoner and Devil Survivor), I don't have a particular preference.

Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age 2 (definitely not as good as Origins, though)

The entire Mass Effect series

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (No one likes this game but me....)

The Elder Scrolls series (started with Morrowind)

The Witcher (loved the first one, the sequel was...okay)

 

The CRPGs I've played are probably ones no one's ever heard of, but I enjoyed Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition and Beyond Divinity.

[Umberlin]

Hhmmm . . .

 

Thunderscape: World of Aden was a fun RPG, and its intro did a great job of delivering the plot and getting you excited all at once, the point at which he inquires, "Why will face the horrors at Skellon's Pass!?" accented by the explosion of the shield is a sharp hook through the lip.

 

Strahd's Possession and Stone Prophet: both Ravenloft games, were quite good early RPGs, though not the first I played.

 

The Quest for Glory series were Adventure/RPG mixed games, and had a surprising amount of ways to go about the same objective for an early game series (or even a modern games). Importing characters from previous games in the series was . . . not the first, but I think this is one of the first game series I experienced it in as a child.

 

Then there were the Wizardry games. The first one I played was actually Bane of the Cosmic Forge. Very out of order, I didn't get to the earlier entries until later when I actually did play them all through to Crusaders of the Dark Savant. I didn't play VIII, at the time at least, because it wouldn't run at all. Well, it'd run, it was just a buggy unplayable mess at the time.

 

I actually played a Wizardry-like game past that called Wizards & Warriors tha was released in 2000 for the PC which . . . well, I prefered to Wizardry 8. Possibly because I was able to actually play it right out of the box.

 

Lands of Lore, Anvil of Dawn and . . . well, many others, too many to list. There are plenty of good ones out there.

Edited September 30, 2012 by Umberlin

[Lysen]

The CRPGs I've played are probably ones no one's ever heard of, but I enjoyed Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition and Beyond Divinity.

 

I've played Divine Divinity and even Divinity: Ego Draconis. The first was a good game with some interesting ideas, the second... well, it was disappointing to say the least.

[Umberlin]

The CRPGs I've played are probably ones no one's ever heard of, but I enjoyed Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition and Beyond Divinity.

 

I've played Divine Divinity and even Divinity: Ego Draconis. The first was a good game with some interesting ideas, the second... well, it was disappointing to say the least.

 

Beyond Divinity was essentially the 'actual' sequel is you want my measure . . . I have no idea where or why Ego Draconis happened, but . . . it actually had 'some' interesting ideas mixed in with the things I disliked about the game. The mind reading, for instance, and how it cost experience was an intriguing that I wish had more impact on gameplay, plot and . . . well character advancement.

 

Beyond Divinity had a better idea in general than, "Dragons are cool!" being that it thought to fuse you to your sworn enemy. I don't think I liked it as much as Divine Divinity, in general, but the idea was good . . . just needed better execution.

[rjshae]

The CRPGs I've played are probably ones no one's ever heard of, but I enjoyed Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition and Beyond Divinity.

 

I've played Divine Divinity and even Divinity: Ego Draconis. The first was a good game with some interesting ideas, the second... well, it was disappointing to say the least.

 

Yep, Divine Divinity was a blast to play, and to replay.

 

I played through Heretic Kingdoms as well; it had some good ideas and a nice look, but was far too linear.

 

Of all the party-based RPGs, I've pretty much enjoyed the D&D releases the most. Give me v3.5 rules with BG-series writing and I'd be a happy player.

[RosesandAshes]

The CRPGs I've played are probably ones no one's ever heard of, but I enjoyed Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition and Beyond Divinity.

 

I've played Divine Divinity and even Divinity: Ego Draconis. The first was a good game with some interesting ideas, the second... well, it was disappointing to say the least.

 

I saw the ads for Ego Draconis and I was like "Wait, what happened to Beyond Divinity? I didn't think it was so bad that it suddenly dropped out of existence.

 

I have Divine Divinity somewhere, I should try playing it again.

[Ink Blot]

Hmm, besides the IE games, I've played a few that I like to varying degrees. I must ashamedly confess I've not played the Fallout games yet, although I own them. Just haven't gotten around to it. I really need to, though, since I own all of them right through to FO:NV + all the DLC. Shame on me. Anyway...

 

Divinity 2: I enjoyed it for the action game it really was, but not a favorite of mine. I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with for the new game in the series, Divinity:Original Sin, since this one is going to be an isometric turn-based RPG with mod tools.

 

Eschalon Book I and Eschalon Book II, by Basilisk games. Old school style isometric RPG with a third installment in the works. I really enjoyed the first two games and look forward to picking up the next one.

 

Neverwinter Nights: played the hell out of this. Not so much the stock campaigns, but spent a ton of time on a couple servers and played dozens of really good community-made modules. Probably the best value for my dollar of any game I've ever bought in terms of time spent playing.

 

Neverwinter Nights 2 plus the expansions. Obsidian game. 'Nuff said? Also played a number of pretty good community made modules for this one.

 

Dragon Age:Origins: I love this game. The sequel... not so much. I know I'll never play DA2 again, but I'll probably run through DA:O again in the future.

 

The Witcher games: I liked the first one better, but still enjoyed the hell out of both of them.

 

Nox: great little action RPG that I picked up on GOG last year. Hadn't heard of it before that, but it was a very satisfying purchase.

 

Risen: I've not played the previous Gothic games, so don't have those to compare it to, but I quite enjoyed this one. Picked it up for around 5 bucks at a brick and mortar store a year or so ago, and really liked the game. Has its rough edges, for sure, but more than worth the 5 bucks.

 

Alpha Protocol: Again, Obsidian. I didn't get around to grabbing this game until it was on sale on Gamersgate for about 7 bucks. I'm really surprised at the poor reviews many people gave it. I thought it was a helluva lot of fun and deserves far more praise than it gets. A real overlooked gem, IMO.

 

Avadon:The Black Fortress: I've not actually finished this one. Currently still going through it while also doing a run through PS:T as well. This is the first Spiderweb game I've tried, but I don't doubt I'll be back for more. Pretty good game (so far, at least).

 

I've got a ton more games in my backlog that I need to get at, such as Divine Divinity, the Drakensang series, Realms of Arkania games, Ultima 7, etc. etc. But, as the saying goes, "So many games, so little time".

Edited September 30, 2012 by Ink Blot

[Lord Balgeron]

From top (the best), i list only 5 most memorable i played so far :

 

1. Planescape: Torment - in my opinion, best RPG ever made. Its just downright super awesome. I forever remember, that instead of playing it (on the day i got it), i gone to watch porn with Silvia Saint instead. Or when i entered city for the first time and realize that its full of prostitutes and freaking dead obsesed cultists i wanted to live in place like that (mind you, i had absolutely no idea about anything from Planescape universe, and just how bad it is to live in Sigil)

 

2. Witcher 2 - the only game that came close to beating P:T for me. Because compare to all the other todays RPGs its the only ONE that has truly believable characters. It doesn't play on some typical cliches - like King always caring for his people or noble knight, bad dragon, etc... Maybe its because i read all the books , including the short stories and know the history and everything around Geralt, but i really enjoeyd Witcher 2 a LOT. Also in my opinion its the only RPG i know that tuly deserves M raiting (not because of sex scenes, which are fantastic, but because some other ...'parts')

 

3. Dark Souls - i almost destroyed my keyboard(don't have a gamepad) and summoned Satan and Saddam Hussein to the world at this. At first this game is bordeline insane and its definitely not intended for players who doesn't really commit to the 'thing'. If you slack at raids in WoW, or never try the hardest dificulty in games, this isn't for you. Normally i dislike anything with Asian slaped over it, and generally dislike JRPGs and their anime style, but luckly Dark Souls is at least as far from it as game from Japan can get. Unfortunetly for all its great gameplay story suffers a lot, and the game world is relatively small (despite the play time well over 50 hours).

 

4. Elder Scroll 5: Skyrim - this game is simply beautifuly. And really 'simply'. Old fans of the series are pissed that the game is losing its depth and is too simplisitc, but despite all that i still think its a vast improvement over Oblivion. Unfortunetly again the story is too simple and way too much linear (though Dawnguard improve this a LOT compare to the original storylines). Maybe if Bethesda team-up with Obsidian for a game, where Obsidian handles quests and story, while Bethesda deals with 'details' we could get "ultimate RPG experience". Also - mods, from which Elder Scroll games practically live improve the game as well. I actually never played unmodded Elder Scroll, its almost like Bethesda is just creating Editor and set the direction for setting + the world so players can fill it up with their ideas and creations. + I love dragons, they are by far my most favorite creature ever in any setting/universe.

 

5. Neverwinter Nights: Mask of the Betrayer - this is probably the best game from Obsidian, even though its just expansion. It was dificult to chose one between MotB and Kotor 2 or WoW:TBC. This was the game that had so many suprises for me in store, i just couldn't believe it. The setting , the dark atmosphere and also the spirit mechanics were great and i actually like them. Also - multiple endings were fantastic, and especially the TRUE EVIL ending is just bordeline awesome and chilling, where you become a *thing* that can probably go screw up even Lady of Pain (acording to one 'expert' guy you would, since she is supposly spirit). I only wish that MotB wasn't expansion, but instead a whole game, with story like that and increased lenght i would probably rate it higher.

 

Honorable mentions : Kotor 2 ( i like it a lot more then first one, + Kreia teachings are still echoing in my head), WoW:TBC (not as much game, as people you play it with. It was best time for me in Online playing, although today the whole franchise is dead, killed off with its best character), Arcanum: of Steamwork and Magica (really interesting and unique mix of technology and magic. The story was great and intruiging, and also there is just too few games from steampunk style), Diablo 2 (for hack-and-slash games, this was a god, and probably still is, although old one.), Baldur's Gate series (it was great at its time, especially first one was something completely new for me, and i liked the ability to travel around world a lot more freely while still having good story), Dragon Age series (whine all you wish, but this is practically a succsessor to the BG series, and despite all its flaws i still like it), Icewind Dale series (like a mix of BG and Diablo, unfortunetly story get dumped down for more combat), Mass Effect series (I like all its parts, especially second one. But i hate the fact that on all promotionals we see Mark Vanderloo),

Edited September 30, 2012 by Lord Balgeron

[GhostofAnakin]

They might not be considered "great" RPGs by the masses, but the fanboy in me enjoyed KOTOR I and II quite a bit.

 

I also liked VTM: B, though my comp was a little underpowered so I had some real slow downs in certain areas.

 

I liked DA:O for the most part, and actually enjoyed DA2 except for the railroaded third chapter and ending, and I liked the Mass Effect series -- more action than pure RPG, though -- until the God-awful ending of ME3.

 

On that note: What is with BioWare and its horrible endings? I haven't played the MMO game, but its last two single player games (DA2 and ME3) had really, really bad endings. Not that KOTOR, ME1, ME2, and DA:O had amazing endings, but at least they were satisfactory, if a bit cliche. DA2 and ME3's endings, the latter especially, were so WTF-inducing.

[Goilveig]

Some of my favorites in no particular order, and why:

 

* Final Fantasy IV - Had the most expansive storytelling in its day; paved the way for modern RPGs

* Chrono Trigger - Time travel was a novel game mechanic that gave a whole new twist on the game

* Terranigma - Very unusual plot, setting, and some great plot twists

* Arcanum - Pretty much the only steampunk RPG ever, and a great game which subverts fantasy tropes hard

* Mass Effect series - Good setting and characters

* Live-A-Live - Game told over seven unique settings from caveman era to far future, and the 'evil' ending is one of the best game concepts ever

* Planescape:Torment - Great game, great setting, great characters

[Leferd]

The haunted hotel in VtM:B was the single best bit of level design that I've encountered. Freaked the hell out of me.

[nikolokolus]

Might and Magic VI: Mandate of Heaven, just a huge game

Deus Ex: first non-fantasy RPG I ever played. Just loved the freedom

Divine Divinity was a terrible name for a game and a great action RPG

Arx Fatalis was fun for the first half of the game before it took a poop in its second act.

[Piccolo]

- Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

- Darklands

- Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven

- Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor

- Arx Fatalis

- Gothic

- Gothic II

- Deus Ex

- System Shock 2

- The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

- Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny

- Realms of Arkania: Star Trail

- Betrayal at Krondor

- Amberstar

- Ambermoon

- Planescape: Torment

- Baldur's Gate

- Baldur's Gate 2

- Mount & Blade: Warband

- The Witcher

- Icewind Dale

 

On my 'to play' list - games I either haven't played, or only played a little of:

 

- The Temple of Elemental Evil

- Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

- Icewind Dale 2

- Fallout

- Fallout 2

- Fallout: New Vegas

- Wizardry 8

- Neverwinter Nights

- Ultima 7

- Divine Divinity

[Loranc]

The very first role playing game I can remember ever playing besides D&D pen and paper was Ultima the false prophet on snes. Which was released back in 1992, I would have been 7 years old at the time. From there it was FF3, oh my god did that game change/ruin my life. I probably played and beat that game well over a hundred times. I remember taking it camping one time and we couldn't get my cousin to stop playing it and actually do camping stuff. Then a little ways down the road Ogre Battle and Chrono Trigger. Chrono was my Christmas present and Ogre Battle was my brothers. People always refer to Final Fantasy Tactics as being the huge game changing hit but in my opinion Ogre Battle did it a long time ago. It had a class system all of its own that required a lot of micro management of certain stats to get the wanted results. As for a favorite rpg of all time and not just a crpg, I'm not really sure. I can't really place one game ahead of the other as they all had a significant impact on my childhood. I've always wondered what I would be doing today if I wasn't playing rpg's.

 

Now if we're talking purely computer rpg's, the first rpg I ever played on a pc was Ultima IV quest of the avatar. Bard's tale was another one of my favorites, that I enjoyed. All of the might and magic series, I actually still own all of them. Heroes of might and magic, I stopped enjoying this series after the third installment. I played the old school dark sun games like Shattered Lands, Wake of the Ravager. Also the DreamForge entertainment Meznoberranzan, Dungeon Hack, Ravenloft Stone Prophet, Ravenloft Strahd's Possession. I actually spent an entire day learning how to use DOS Box one day just so I could play these timeless classics once more.

 

It's funny that Starcraft ended up being my downfall, my addiction to that game caused me to completely lose interest in schooling. I know people are thinking 'that's not an rpg', but.... yes it was at the same time. There were thousands of custom made player maps that were actually rpgs. Some of them were truly amazing and extremely rare to get your hands on. I remember crossing my fingers and hoping that I didn't get booted from a game before my download had finished, there were a couple of custom maps that I spent a lot of time tracking down. Now obviously the custom made rpgs were lacking in story but defiantly not in action.

 

I don't for-see being able to choose any one of those games over the other.

[Sylvius the Mad]

Ultima IV - Hands down, the greatest CRPG of all time.

 

Ultima Underworld - The only CRPG with twitch-based combat that I've ever really enjoyed.

[JWestfall]

Many have already been mentioned here, but a couple more obscure ones that I somehow still remember:

 

Dragon Wars

Legend of Blacksilver

[Longknife]

New Vegas got me pregnant.

 

And I'm a man.

 

Then it aborted the baby by falcon-punching me into the 4th dimension.

Turns out the 4th dimension is a lot like the third, 'cept you can get Fritos and Funyuns just by wishing for them really hard, which is pretty convenient.

 

That's how awesome New Vegas is.

[arrowhead]

-Neverwinter Nights and KotOR - These were the first (western) RPGs that I've played. I enjoyed KotOR at that time but after playing better RPGs such as Bloodlines and IE games, I can't get back to it.

-Morrowind - The first and only Elder Scrolls game that I've played.

-Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines - My second favorite game (after BG2).

-Fallout 2, 3 and New Vegas - Like KotOR, I enjoyed Fallout 3 when I first played it. I can't go back to it after playing New Vegas.

-Mass Effect series - I used to like them but ME3 destroyed the entire series for me.

 

My backlog (started but haven't played enough):

-Temple of Elemental Evil

-Deus Ex

-Fallout

[BasaltineBadger]

I've recently finished Bloodlines, truly remarkable game. I think it's the only RPG in existence where I can't bitch about anything.

[Delterius]

I've recently finished Bloodlines, truly remarkable game. I think it's the only RPG in existence where I can't bitch about anything.

 

Finish it again, then. =p

Edited September 30, 2012 by Delterius

[septembervirgin]

CRPG

 

Odessey the Compleat Apventure

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

Ultima IV, Ultima V

nethack, Boss, Omega

Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy X

Icewind Dale 2

Vampire: the Masquerade Bloodlines

Temple of Elemental Evil

 

PNP RPG

 

Dungeons and Dragons (1977 blue-box version)

Runequest

Traveler

GURPS (2nd edition, 3rd edition)

Champions (2nd edition, 3rd edition, 4th edition)

Wizard's Realm

Pendragon

Amber the Diceless Role-Playing Game

Wraith: the Oblivion

[GhostofAnakin]

I can't believe I forgot the Witcher and the Witcher 2. Great games if you want choices that really affect how the game plays out.

 

And of course FO: NV.

[Aedelric]

A short list of what I like

 

Icewind Dale I & II (My all time favorite)

Baldur's Gate I & II

Divine Divinity

Morrwind, Oblivion, Skyrim

Neverwinter Nights I & II

The Witcher I

Mass Effect I

Dragon Age Origins

Vampire the Masquerade: Redemption

Knights of the old Republic & Sith Lords

 

Edit - Forgot the Fallout games

Edited October 1, 2012 by Aedelric