The top recommended Top-Down RPG’s like Baldur’s Gate.
Top-down RPG games are any game that gives you an elevated viewpoint above your role-playing character.
Baldur's Gate trailer:
In the 1998 game, you play as an orphan mage seeking revenge for his foster father’s killer whilst dealing with the region’s crumbling iron crisis. The following games continue with the main characters conquests and political drama.
Baldur’s Gate is a classic, it’s one of those games you can get really lost in because it’s “retro”, it’s old but cool. The graphics aren’t too exciting but that means you get to concentrate on the game and the storyline, the pixels bringing back childhood nostalgia. And we love top-down RPG games because they remind us of childhood.
Baldur’s Gate, first released in 1998 is a top-down RPG that was developed by BioWare Snowblind Studios, Magic Pockets, Black Isle Studios, High Voltage, Software, Beamdog and Larian Studios and published by Black Isle Studios, Interplay Entertainment, Destination Software and Atari.
1. Final Fantasy VI (Wii, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows)
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This game is a true classic and one of the best early Final Fantasy games. The Gestahlian Empire is trying to conquer the world by cultivating power from experimenting on magical creatures known as Espers. Your character is a part of the rebel faction known as the Returners who oppose the empires new objectives.
A PEGI 12 single-player initially released in 1994 developed by Square Enix, Square, Tose and published by Nintendo, Square Enix, Square, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Square Electronic Arts.
Metacritic reviewers state that this game isn’t the most beautiful but is a masterpiece because of its storyline and customisation.
Metacritic rating: https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/final-fantasy-vi-advance
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2. Undertale (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita Xbox One, macOS, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Nintendo Switch)
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A single-player game about a child who falls into the Underground where monsters are trapped after war broke out between them and the humans long ago. The humans trapped them underground with a magic portal that can only be opened through a singular gap in Mount Ebott and by sacrificing seven human children. This is an awesome game.
A 2015 PEGI 10 game that was designed, composed, developed and published by Toby Fox.
Steam reviewers state that this game will make you laugh and cry, it’s one of those games that you have to experience for yourself. Steamers love this game!
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/391540/Undertale/
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3. Dragon Age Origins (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Classic Mac OS)
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A third-person perspective game where you’re character is a part of an elite fighting force known as the Grey wardens, who are battling against the Blight. It’s your character’s job to find the Archdemon and save Fereldon.
A 2009 PEGI 18 single-player game developed by BioWare, Edge of Reality and published by Electronic Arts.
Steamers state that this game is an unparalleled RPG but if you want to buy it on Steam you have to buy the Ultimate version.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/17450/Dragon_Age_Origins/
Dragon Age Origins Ultimate Edition Logo Image
4. Torment: Tides of Numenera (PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Classic Mac OS, Xbox One)
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Your character travels to reclaim his lost memories and find out why he was made immortal. Travelling through Sigil and other planes to rediscover his past lives. So, your character has amnesia and you’re on a quest to fix it.
A 2017 PEGI 16 single-player game developed and published by inXile Entertainment.
Steam reviewers state that this game doesn’t follow the storyline of Planescape Torment but is an unexpected gem.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/272270/Torment_Tides_of_Numenera/
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5. Secrets of Grindea (Microsoft Windows)
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You can either choose to play Story mode where you travel and become a collector, picking up friends along the way or Arcade mode, where you’ll defeat key enemies and be rewarded for your triumphs. The graphics and gameplay are like a mix between Pokemon and Stardew Valley.
This single-player slash online co-op 2015 PEGI 3 game was developed and published by Pixel Ferrets.
Steam reviewers state that this is a diamond in the rough and that the Steam images don’t give it justice.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/269770/Secrets_of_Grindea/
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6. Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Xbox One)
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You follow the story of Lita LeCotta a sixteen-year-old girl who craves adventure and joins her friend Adrian to find a mythical ring, Lita LeCotta’s is then forever fated with Ara Fell itself. This game merges Japanese and Western-style role-playing games to create the perfect weeb game.
Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition 2020 is a single-player game that was developed by Stegosoft Games and published by DANGEN Entertainment.
Steam reviewers state that the battles are a grind but the game is beautiful and enjoyable.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/440540/Ara_Fell_Enhanced_Edition/
Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition Logo Image
7. Disco Elysium (Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Macintosh Operating System, Classic Mac OS, Xbox One)
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Your character takes the role of an alcoholic drug-induced detective with amnesia on a murder case from an isometric perspective.
A single-player open-world dialogue-heavy PEGI 18 game initially released in 2019 and updated to Disco Elysium Final Cut Plot in 2020, developed and published by ZA/UM.
Steam reviewers state that this game is not a game but an experience that will leave you emotionally and psychologically drained.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/
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8. Evoland 2 (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Classic Mac OS, Xbox One)
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This game is unique in that the graphics change depending on your progression throughout the game with aspects of time travel. The story follows along with a boy who can’t remember who he is or where he came from, a girl named Fina finds him and names him Kuro and decides to help him.
A PEGI 4 2015 single-player game developed by Shiro Games and published by Shiro Games and Playdigious.
Steam reviewers state that they fixed the length issue Evoland one had and is an enjoyable game with many easter eggs.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/359310/Evoland_2/
Evoland 2 Logo Image
9. Pillars of Eternity (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems)
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In this game, you are a Watcher, cursed with hallucinations and insomnia after watching a cult ritual that removes souls from bodies. You travel and learn about children who were born without souls known as Hollowborn. It is up to you to figure out what’s going on, defeat the baddies and save the souls of the victims.
A single-player PEGI 16 2015 game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive and Versus Evil.
Steam reviewers state that you will love this game if you love Baldur’s Gate 1, that it has a great story and memorable cast.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/291650/Pillars_of_Eternity/
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10. Heartbeat (Microsoft Windows, macOS)
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This game is like the female version of Pokemon, it has a lot more girl orientated content. You travel as a girl named Eve through the Outset encountering the difficulties between the humans and the Mogwai. Based on the gameplay it’s practically a more Japanese version of Pokemon.
This is a 2018 PEGI 12 single-player game developed and published by Chumbosoft.
Steam reviewers state that this game has great characters, environments, story and humour. Steamers also state this game is more like Steven Universe than Pokemon. But I will leave that up to you viewers to decide.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/984560/HEARTBEAT/
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11. Divinity: Original Sin II (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Microsoft Windows)
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Set centuries after the original game, Lucian the source preventing creatures from coming through the void has died and now the veil is weak and you guessed it, it is your character's job to fix it. The plot of this game is similar to Dragon Age Inquisition.
A PEGI 18 2017 multiplayer game developed by Larian Studios and Elverils and published by Larian Studios and BANDAI NAMCO.
Steam reviewers state that this is the best computer-role-playing game in decades.
Steam rating:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/435150/Divinity_Original_Sin_2__Definitive_Edition/
Divinity Original Sin II Logo Image
12. Juicy realm (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Classic Mac OS)
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This is a funny little game where you fight sentient fruit and plants that have come alive all across the world, the food chain has gone whacky and it’s your job to fix it. Fix it by brutally hunting down and killing your least favourite fruits and vegetables.
A single-player, co-op, player versus player 2018 PEGI 7 game developed by SpaceCan and published by XD.
Steam reviewers state that having a vacuum cleaner sidekick is pretty fun and the game is beautiful and worth playing now that they added a bunch of updates.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/732370/Juicy_Realm/
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13. Suikoden 2 (Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation, PlayStation Vita)
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This is the second game of the Suikoden series and takes places years after, revolving around the invasion of the City-States of Jowston. You play as the adopted son of a hero who saved the City-State of Jowston years ago, against the Highland. And fate would have it that your character gets into some predicaments with some Runes and goes on their own hero’s adventure.
This is a 1998 single-player game developed by Konami and Konami Computer Entertainment Japan and published by Konami, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Unistar Software Co., Ltd.
Steam reviewers state that this is a great game but if you’ve played the first game, the first game is hard to live up to.
Metacritic rating: https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/suikoden-ii
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14. Champions of Norrath (PlayStation 2)
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You choose your own character and set out as Champions to save Norrath from the goblins and orcs that have aligned with each other. The king of the woodland elves has given you the responsibility to track down the leader and defend the realm.
A 2004 PEGI 12 single-player and multi-player game developed by Snowblind Studios and published by Ubisoft and Daybreak Game Company.
Metacritic reviewers state that this is one of the best Playstation 2 games, people keep their old Playstation 2 just to play games like this one.
Metacritic rating: https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/champions-of-norrath
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15. Darkwood (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Google Stadia, SteamOS, Macintosh Operating System, Classic Mac OS, Xbox One)
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This is a survival horror where your character has been trapped in a dark forest for an unknown amount of time, having to fight terrifying monsters and discovering horrifying places. This game looks amazing and the horror is similar to Little Nightmares.
Darkwood is a PEGI 18 2014 single-player horror game developed and published by Acid Wizard Studio and Crunching Koalas.
Steam reviewers state that this game has an amazing atmosphere and really knows how to spook a player, it’s unique and if you think you’re not scared of horror games anymore, then think again.
Steam rating: https://store.steampowered.com/app/274520/Darkwood/
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