Summary
There’s a reason why games based onDungeons & Dragonsrulesets are few compared to the more typical action-based RPGs. TranslatingD&Drules into the video game medium can result in slow and traditional gameplay. That’s why games likeBaldur’s Gatewhich have managed to thrive despite the mechanics' limitations are precious achievements in the video game industry.
The long-awaited third game in the series was a significant contribution to bothRPGs andD&Din general.Baldur’s Gate 3is going to stay on the tips of most peoples' tongues given its amazing technical fidelity, easily staking a claim as one of the richest and most fleshed-out RPGs of all time. Players who enjoy thisD&D-inspired title and want to check out more games in the same vein have plenty of options at their disposal.
Titles directly set in theD&Duniverse will not be included as the focus is on non-official games inspired by the tabletop juggernaut. Check outthis article for the bestD&Dgames.
Updated July 29, 2025, by Mark Sammut:The specifications have been added for every recommended game.
Pathfinderis another series that has come up in this recent wave of CRPGs, with players loving this CRPG series and what it brings to the table.Kingmakerwas a great game that fans of complex CRPGs will have a blast with, andWrath of the Righteousserves as a perfect sequel in almost every department.
The game’s writing may not be all that consistent, but most players won’t mind once they get engrossed in this amazing, deep game.Wrath of the Righteoushas enough great things going for it to make it a solid entry in the recent wave of CRPGs that have delighted fans of the genre.
Divinity: Original Sin 2is a brilliant video game that took the world by storm when it was released. It was a massive upgrade from its predecessor, featuring an extensive campaign, well-realized worlds, and a combat system that rewarded ingenuity and creativity. The developer, Larian, would go on to work onBaldur’s Gate 3, a project that has plenty of similarities withDivinity: Original Sin 2, albeit with aDnDmakeover. While they are not the same, fans of the former will likely enjoy the latter.
There’s something magical about controlling the elements to such an extent that battles turn into a dance of fire, swords, arrows, and hexes. The level of complexity in this combat system puts it a step above D&D in many ways, and fans ofBaldur’s Gatewill especially love this game because of Larian’s ties with it.
Pathfinder,with its latest game title,Pathfinder: Kingmakeris a strong entry to D&D-inspired video games. The crowd-funded game back in 2018 made quite a splash, enough to warrant a sequel,Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous.
Kingmakeris based on D&D’s 3.5E ruleset, which is quite a close experience to the latest 5th edition. Apart from the usual adventuring,Kingmaker, true to its name, also gives players a kingdom to manage while they’re out on adventures. Don’t expect anything groundbreaking in terms of story, however, the plot is standard though interesting enough to keep players hooked.
For a slightly different option,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsdoes not attempt to mimicDnDcombat since it is a first-person shooter that sticks close to theBorderlandsblueprint; however, the title is overflowing with nods and references to the tabletop classic. The campaign is framed around a game of Bunkers & Badasses, which is justDnDwith some comedic flourish. The overworld reflects the story’s tabletop roots, and there are a few mechanics that replicate the randomness of aDnDsession.
Gameplay-wise,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsis a looter shooter with weapons that lean into fantasy and magic rather than sci-fi, although the latter is not excluded entirely either. The game plays as well asBorderlands 3, and while the story is fairly short, it moves at a good pace and is generally a fun time.
From BioWare again comesthemost comprehensiveStar WarsRPG to date,Knights of the Old Republic.It’s an old and flawed gem that uses a heavily modified version of the 3rd edition ruleset to fit the gameplay better.
In terms of story, it’s also one of the most dramatic ones inStar Warsand is significant enough to find its own spot in the franchise canon. Players step in the boots of a seemingly random Jedi prospect only to find out just how special they are later on.
Now, thePillars of Eternitygames aren’t explicitly based on any D&D ruleset but by the looks of it, it uses a certain percentage of the 4th edition rules. The first game iscloser to D&Dthan the second but both are worth any CRPG player’s time.
Pillars of Eternityfollows the tale of the Watcher who was inadvertently given the power to see and manipulate souls. Players will then have to guide the Watcher’s actions to resolve a plague that’s connected to the gods. Meanwhile, the second game is a more politically complex narrative where players have to chase a rogue god as they rampage through the Deadfire archipelago.
Tyrannyis also from the makers ofPillars of Eternity.Anyone who has played those games ought to be familiar with the mechanics, and it’s not too far off from the later editions of D&D.
WhereTyrannysets itself apart is in the plot. Whereas most CRPGs or even other RPGs lay out a heroic progression for the players,Tyrannylets players start as a villain. From there,they can choose to continue their wicked path or correct it. Don’t expect it to be as lengthy or as branching as other CRPGs as it’s a relatively new intellectual property.
