15 Best CRPGs: Be Whoever You Want To Be in 2025
Only the best CRPGs (Computer Role-Playing Games) can give you that sense of absolute freedom most people search for in their games. CRPGs, being heavily inspired by the Dungeon and Dragons IP in general, allow you to control pretty much everything about your character, from their physical appearance and intangible attributes to how they influence the world around them with their actions.
For gamers who love to roleplay and create their own adventure, CRPGs are pretty much irreplaceable due to the sheer amount of character customization and dialogue options they offer. They practically let you play as whoever you want and do whatever you want in a world that continuously reacts to your choices, whether they be good or bad.
Feel like role-playing as a valiant, righteous paladin who always makes the “moral” choice? How about an irredeemable, murder-hobo necromancer who steals from and kills everyone in sight? CRPGs will scratch this itch for you like nothing else!
The CRPG genre boasts countless titles that – regardless of its name – feel right at home with consoles just as well as they do on computers. Here, I will go over the best of them in hopes that you’ll find the perfect game to create your next character in.
Our Top Picks for CRPGs
To help you pick the highest-tier CRPGs that stand out above even the best of the genre, our team has prepared seven games that we recommend all CRPG enthusiasts to check out:
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023) – a 10/10 banger by Larian Studios that lets you experience a DnD-inspired world and lore through either a fully-customized character or as an origin character with their own appearance, backstory, and masterfully voice-acted dialogue.
- Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017) – another highly interactive CRPG by Larian where you can feel the weight of your choices and actions as you explore an expansive, unforgiving world with a party filled with colorful side characters.
- Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire (2018) – has a wonderfully written story that you can get lost in, paired with simple, yet fun strategy-focused combat where you can experiment with various builds and mold your character in whatever way you want.
- Disco Elysium – The Final Cut (2019) – the go-to title for RPG fans who are into more dark and provocative storytelling, as here, you get to play as an iconic video game detective who’s constantly at risk of mentally breaking down due to the nature of his job.
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous (2021) – a content-rich CRPG based directly on the Dungeons and Dragons 3.5e ruleset. I’ll take you over 200 hours to fully complete, with in-depth combat mechanics and a gripping storyline that’ll make the experience worth it.
These games are all great examples of the massive potential of the CRPG genre compared to other plain-old RPG titles when it comes to player expression. They’re perfect for gamers who are searching for RPGs that offer a higher degree of freedom in exploration, combat, and dialogue choices.
If you’re still not satisfied with our team’s top picks – don’t sweat it and just scroll further, as we still have eight more games that you might like listed further below!
15 Best CRPGs Games in 2025
Contrary to how the term was interpreted back in the olden days, “CRPG” technically isn’t a genre that revolves around PCs anymore. Nowadays, CRPGs usually refer to games that are heavily focused on character customizations, branching storylines, vast dialogue options, and more importantly, a highly reactive environment that gives way to freedom while role-playing.
To me, the best thing about CRPGs is that your character is pretty much a blank slate. Sure there are a few games in the genre that start you off with a pre-made character with their own background and motivations, but once you hit that “New Game” button in a CRPG, you know that your character will be yours entirely from there on out, thanks to its non-linear gameplay style.
To put it simply, playing a good CRPG is like reading a good book, only you get to choose what the main character does next.
Now, are you ready to play as yourself in another world or become an entirely different person? To help you fulfill your fantasies, here are the 15 best Computer Role-Playing Games our team has gathered, as well as my thoughts on why each of them would be the perfect CRPG for you!
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
| Platforms | Release Year |
| PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems | 2023 |
Baldur’s Gate 3 is arguably the best CRPG released yet, and that’s no exaggeration. It has that same, phenomenal storytelling that made older CRPGs based on DnD lore (e.g. Baldur’s Gate 1, Baldur’s Gate 2, Planescape: Torment, Neverwinter Nights) such legendary classics, all while sporting modern graphics and a more streamlined all-around gameplay.
This game gives us some of the most memorable characters in the history of RPGs and an expansive world that feels the weight of your every action. It’s not just your run-of-the-mill adventure game with a linear storyline, as your dialogue choices oftentimes influence how NPCs behave and may change the story drastically, as evidenced by its 17,000 ending variations. That’s a lotta endings!
I recommend Baldur’s Gate 3 not just for CRPG fans, but even for RPG casuals who love a fantastic story in their games. It’s no doubt one of the greatest RPG games of all time, after all, and perhaps the best so far if we’re talking strictly about player freedom and narrative prowess.
Get your copy of Baldur’s Gate 3 >
2. Divinity: Original Sin 2
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iPad, macOS, Microsoft Windows, iOS | 2017 |
Coming in from the same developers as Baldur’s Gate 3 is Divinity: Original Sin 2 – another standout release by Larian Studios that leads the genre when it comes to how much its players can customize their character and influence the story.
If you like to create fully customized characters and role-play your way into a DnD-inspired fantasy world filled with magic, monsters, and morally gray characters, then Divinity: Original Sin 2 should be within at least the top three of your must-play list.
You’ll rarely find CRPGs so optimized for modern hardware as much as Larian titles, and this game in particular certainly doesn’t disappoint. You’ll get a smooth, story-rich experience with awesome visuals from beginning to end, along with Larian’s signature multi-map exploration system that makes it a standout open-world game in the genre.
Get your copy of Divinity: Original Sin 2 >
3. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Xbox One, PlayStation 4, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS | 2018 |
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire proves that it’s not only the CRPGs based on DnD lore that you should watch out for, as this game’s certainly no slouch even when compared to classic DnD-based RPGs that boast an epic branching storyline, such as the Baldur’s Gate and Pathfinder games.
It has a tactical combat system that encourages you to use the surroundings to your advantage, also placing it among the most intricate strategy games on this list. Moreover, it has an immersive atmosphere, well-written characters, great voice acting, and tons of choice-locked content that makes the game highly replayable. In short, it’s just one of those titles you shouldn’t miss if you’re into CRPGs.
Narrative-wise, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire does not pull any punches and lets you dive headfirst into a world full of intrigue, death, and other brutal themes. From there, you’re granted a significant amount of freedom as a player to react any way you want – from saving innocents like a proper goodie-two-shoes to going out of your way to infuriate entire factions by going full psycho-killer on them.
Get your copy of Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire >
4. Disco Elysium – The Final Cut
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2019 |
Speaking of games that don’t pull any punches when it comes to how dark their story can get, Disco Elysium is one melancholic masterpiece that’ll play with your emotions and have you contemplating the meaning of life amidst all the suffering throughout your playthrough.
This title is a personal favorite of mine and many other fans of darker, more adult-oriented games filled with compelling characters that seem all too “human” – flaws and all, and you can converse with them in any way you want.
You think other games on this list place great importance on your dialogue choices? Well, Disco Elysium cranks that up to an absurd eleven that it’ll make your head spin. It’s one of the most engaging adventure games you’ll ever get your hands on as a CRPG enjoyer. A truly impressive showpiece with an ever-changing, unique setting that’ll keep you on your toes and fully engaged.
Get your copy of Disco Elysium – The Final Cut >
5. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
| Platforms | Release Year |
| PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Mac operating systems | 2021 |
Owlcat Games has an awesome track record when it comes to fun, highly replayable CRPGs, with one of their best works so far being Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous – a game where you can become a literal godlike being, all thanks to its extensive power progression system.
It’s by far one of the best titles I’d recommend for those who enjoy character development to an absurd level and absolutely destroying enemies in turn-based combat. Here, you can enjoy an epic branching storyline that lets you make morally ambiguous decisions on your path to greatness, consequences be damned.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous features that classic DnD-style 3.5e ruleset alignment system that keeps track of your choices and how other characters perceive you, as well as countless quests that mete out consequences based on not necessarily how “moral” your actions were, but how they affect the plot in the bigger picture.
Get your copy of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous >
6. Tyranny – Deluxe Edition
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS | 2016 |
Obsidian Entertainment is yet another publisher I encourage you to watch out for if you love CRPGs. Not only were they behind the Pillars of Eternity series mentioned earlier, but they also brought us Tyranny, which is currently one of the greatest single-player games for CRPG lovers.
If you haven’t played this game yet, then you’re definitely missing out. Tyranny is a phenomenal game that subverts classic RPG tropes by letting you play as the bad guy, hence the title. Of course, true to its CRPG roots, it also allows you to play as a benevolent leader who aims to please the downtrodden.
However, do keep in mind that even morally correct choices can lead to unintended catastrophic results, and that goes double for CRPGs like this one. While you’re not technically the ruler in Tyranny (more like second-in-command) story-wise, here, you’ll feel what it’s like to lead the masses and question your decisions at every turn.
Get your copy of Tyranny – Deluxe Edition >
7. Wasteland 3
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Xbox One, PlayStation 4, macOS, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Amazon Luna, Mac operating systems | 2020 |
Inxile Entertainment really cooked with Wasteland 3, as it’s arguably the strongest title in the Wasteland series. It allows you to experience better overall gameplay, streamlined party-based combat mechanics, and a massively customizable weapon system that sees you firing anywhere from peashooters to literal weapons of mass destruction toward your enemies.
Fans of old-school Fallout CRPGs can consider this series a spiritual successor of sorts in that it also lets you explore a post-apocalyptic world with a non-linear, high-stakes narrative that unfolds beautifully the more you play. Oh, and did I mention that it’s also seasoned all over with Fallout-esque dark humor?
Aside from solo gamers who enjoy RPGs with a sci-fi, post-apocalyptic setting, Wasteland 3 is also a must-have for people who like to play with their friends, family, and other players in general, as it’s far and away one of the most enjoyable co-op games on this list.
Get your copy of Wasteland 3 >
8. Fallout 2
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows, macOS, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS | 1998 |
Fallout 2 is the last of the immersive Fallout games that leans more toward being a CRPG rather than a high-octane ARPG that modern titles of the series identify as today. It’s a legendary entry that’s set in a post-nuclear world filled with all sorts of mutants, radioactive sites, dystopian cities, and ruthless survivors eager to kill you for a few caps or turn you into a delectable, full-course meal.
Despite being an older title, you really shouldn’t sleep on Fallout 2 considering it helped a lot in building the legacy of the Fallout series we know and love today. It has excellent, almost satirical dark humor that’ll make you feel at ease despite the disturbing themes the game explores, which is quite on brand as far as Fallout games go.
Just like the first game that’s not technically built with modern systems and visuals, Fallout 2 is still a title I encourage you to play, especially if you prefer to play CRPGs set in a post-apocalyptic world where you get to decide the fate of multiple survivors, aside from your character.
9. Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | 2018 |
Now that we’ve breached the topic of classic RPGs that are old but gold, this list wouldn’t be complete without Neverwinter Nights by BioWare, which is one of the most iconic video game titles based on the Dungeons and Dragons IP ever released.
It’s an epic adventure game that was quite ahead of its time in terms of visuals, core RPG mechanics, and combat system, not to mention it also has awesome replayability in the form of the Aurora Toolset, which lets you experience various campaigns and maps made by other players.
To add to all that, Neverwinter Nights also has an enhanced edition that has much better graphics compared to the original, as well as lots of readily available mods from its passionate community that strive to keep the game fresh and exciting.
Get your copy of Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition >
10. Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Director’s Cut
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2014 |
Shadowrun: Dragonfall is a resounding must-play for CRPG and cyberpunk genre enjoyers who also love highly tactical, turn-based combat. This applies to almost every game in the Shadowrun universe, really, as the series is just chock-full of great sci-fi-heavy titles where you get to start an adventure in a crime-filled, cyberpunk future world.
If you’re looking for games like Cyberpunk 2077 but prefer the CRPG brand of playstyle more than your usual open-world action RPGs, then Shadowrun: Dragonfall will knock your socks off.
Complete with a cast of memorable characters, a gritty atmosphere, intensive problem-solving mechanics, and insanely fun, tabletop-style gameplay, there’s no reason not to give this game a try, not to mention all the other Shadowrun games for that matter!
Get your copy of Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Director’s Cut >
11. Planescape: Torment – Enhanced Edition
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox One, macOS, Mac operating systems, Android, iOS | 2017 |
If you’re looking for a multi-platform title that you can enjoy on PC, consoles, and mobile phones alike, then you should play Planescape: Torment in case you still somehow haven’t. You just can’t go wrong giving this game a try, as it’s one of the more sophisticated and gripping DnD-based titles in terms of worldbuilding and narrative.
Here, you’re neither an upstanding hero who wants to save the world nor an evil villain who craves chaos – at least not from the jump. Instead, you start out as a not-so-simple man searching for his immortal life’s meaning as he tries to continuously explore not just an unforgiving world that’s dark and full of terrors, but also his broken mind that’s been battered by the passing of countless eons.
You’ll definitely enjoy this one if you’re hard into DnD, or if you just like in-depth, story-rich RPGs that combine high-fantasy and and a touch of sci-fi elements.
Get your copy of Planescape: Torment – Enhanced Edition >
12. Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows | 2001 |
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura gets a much-needed mention on this list, being one of the more underrated CRPGs that holds up even against heavy hitters of its time such as Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, Fallout 1, and Fallout 2.
As one of the pioneers of isometric, story-heavy CRPGs, Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura gives you that old-school, stylized point-and-click RPG vibes, as well as a good amount of reactivity from NPCs and the world at large, which are what separated it from run-off-the-mill adventure games at the time.
Moreover, this game makes the clash between science and magic a prominent theme in the story, so you’re sure to be amazed by this one if you’re open to a CRPG with a fantasy-infused steampunk setting.
Get your copy of Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura >
13. Icewind Dale – Enhanced Edition
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS | 2014 |
Icewind Dale is a dungeon crawler-CRPG hybrid that lets you experience the best of both worlds. It has no true “main character” unlike similar titles like Baldur’s Gate or Planescape: Torment, which is what makes it stand out from your usual DnD-inspired adventure games.
Instead, you get to control an entire party filled with fully customizable characters and lead them through their dangerous encounters with the forces of evil – including mysterious, powerful beings beyond any mortal. Fortunately, this is based on DnD lore, so doing battle with godlike creatures isn’t completely out of the question!
This game might have that common “hero-saves-the-world” RPG trope but don’t be fooled, you can still behave like a ruthless, heartless bastard – even though Icewind Dale doesn’t necessarily focus on complex, character-driven storytelling as much as other DnD CRPGs.
Get your copy of Icewind Dale – Enhanced Edition >
14. Dragon Age: Origins – Ultimate Edition
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X | 2010 |
Nothing exemplifies how much of a massive powerhouse prime BioWare was when it comes to producing all-timer single-player RPGs quite like Dragon Age: Origins.
Together with the early Mass Effect games, this impressive title gave by far one of the best single-player experiences you can ever have in the late 2000s and early 2010s era of gaming. Dragon Age: Origins, in particular, holds up exceedingly well even nowadays as one of the most reactive and roleplay-friendly CRPGs of all time.
The sheer variety of dialogue options (good, neutral, or downright evil) and choice-exclusive outcomes in this game are simply amazing, making it a must-try for gamers who really want to play a game that lets you be whatever you want to be regardless of morality or conventional RPG stereotypes.
Get your copy of Dragon Age: Origins – Ultimate Edition >
15. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
| Platforms | Release Year |
| Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X & Series S, GeForce Now, PlayStation 4 & 5, Amazon Luna, MacOS | 2023 |
For our last entry, Owlcat Games strikes again with Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – a story-heavy, space adventure game where you can live out all your sci-fi RPG fantasies in the exceedingly grimdark and vicious world of Warhammer 40K.
As far as some of the greatest Warhammer 40,000 games go, this is by far the closest we get to a pure, long-form RPG with a gripping, non-linear narrative that takes advantage of the WH40K IP’s expansive lore.
Aside from its engaging story, it sports the usual “bells and whistles” of CRPGs in the form of strategy-focused turn-based combat, extensive character customization options, great side characters, and incredible world design.
All in all, I’d say it doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of the WH40K franchise or not. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader isn’t a game you should skip by any means, especially if you’re a self-respecting CRPG fan who somehow missed this iconic title upon release.
Get your copy of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader >
FAQs
What is the difference between a CRPG and an RPG?
Computer Role Playing Game (CRPG) is a sub-genre of the Role Playing Game category (RPG) that features titles with more in-depth character customization options, exploration systems, and branching narratives compared to usual RPGs.
What is the best modern CRPG?
The best modern CRPG is Baldur’s Gate 3, an award-winning knockout complete with a gripping, non-linear storyline and a highly customizable character creation/development system. It has sold a staggering 15,000,000 copies (and counting) worldwide!
