10 underrated RPGs worth trying

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you want something deep and unique, but blockbusters are boring.

For a long time, the genre of role-playing games, at first only board games, was the lot of geeks who did not just roll a dice and move a piece from one cell to another. They wanted each character to have their own characteristics, their own strengths and weaknesses, and a unique role in the story.

Now everything is completely different: RPGs, which have long migrated from paper to computer screens and consoles, are so popular that the most prestigious awards every now and then are awarded to various kinds of "The Witchers", The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.

But due to the abundance of high-profile projects, it is easy to miss those that were released by not-too-famous studios, or those in which not enough money was invested. They deserve no less attention, and we will talk about them below.

1. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

Platforms: PC.

In Bloodlines, you have to create a vampire, choosing abilities for him and distributing characteristics. After that, you will find yourself in an open Gothic world, where you can create whatever your black soul wants.

It is very important that as few people as possible know about your belonging to the bloodsucking caste. Many tasks can be completed in a non-violent way: by threatening, persuading, breaking locks and computers.

However, due to the large set of vampire powers, many will choose a much rougher approach to the passage - and they will not be mistaken either. The game is almost 14 years old, but it is still mesmerizing.

Buy for PC →

2. Alpha Protocol

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360.

Obsidian Entertainment is known for cool RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and South Park: The Stick of Truth. But one of her games, Alpha Protocol, went unnoticed by many gamers - and in vain.

The main character is a CIA special agent who carries out missions around the world using numerous devices and abilities. In terms of stealth, of which there is a lot, the project resembles a primitive version of Metal Gear Solid, but it boasts an interesting dialogue system.

You are free to talk to the characters in whatever tone you like. However, almost every decision you make will have consequences. The pumping system is also able to please: it allows you to create exactly the hero you want. Therefore, Alpha Protocol can be repeated many times, and each time will be unique.

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3. Mount & Blade: Warband

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

The most realistic feudal lord simulator in the RPG genre. The action takes place in a fictional medieval world, where you have to prove your right to be the ruler of your own lands.

Large-scale battles take up most of the gameplay. You must prove yourself not only as a strong warrior, but also as a skillful commander, giving the right orders during battles. Kingdom building and economic management also receive a lot of attention.

Over time, you will have to choose - become a ruthless raider or a benevolent lord. This possibility is found in very few RPGs.

Buy for PC →

Buy for PlayStation 4 →

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4. Pillars of Eternity

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4.

Another project from Obsidian Entertainment that will be a real treat for any fan of old school RPGs like Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment. The locations alone, as if drawn by hand, are sure to make such people nostalgic.

Pillars of Eternity has one of the richest universes in the genre: almost every stone has its own story. You will constantly meet new characters, many of whom you can take to your group.

If you are looking for a game full of dynamic action, then this project is not for you. It has a huge number of lengthy dialogues, and it will take some time to understand the combat system. But if you can do it, then soon you will be sucked headlong.

Buy for PC →

Buy for PlayStation 4 →

5. NEO Scavenger

Platforms: PC.

After this post-apocalyptic indie project, Fallout 4 will seem like a child's tale. The world of NEO Scavenger is cold and cruel, and any dirty rag or torn boot can be the thing that will save your life.

The game is ruthless to those who came to it just to have fun. Despite the outward primitiveness, this is a very deep project in which you will not be able to relax. But if you want to test your strength, install NEO Scavenger without thinking - and soon you will not be able to tear yourself away.

Buy for PC →

6. Gothic 2

Platforms: PC.

In the early 2000s, the now legendary The Elder Scrolls series had a worthy competitor - Gothic 2. In this game, which takes place on a large island in a fantasy world, you can create a hero from scratch and do anything, anywhere.

You are free to choose the path of a lying thief or, for example, a killer magician. The project looks outdated, but even today it is able to deliver great pleasure due to an intriguing plot and many events that arise from your actions. Each situation has to be approached deliberately, and not immediately reach for the sword.

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7. Risen

Platforms: PC, Xbox 360.

Having released the not entirely successful third part of Gothic, the Piranha Bytes studio decided to start from scratch and implement their best ideas in another game. This is how Risen appeared, in which the titans awakened from a long sleep became a threat to the whole world.

The plot of the project can hardly be called its strong point. But the unique world, the depth of character customization and a well-developed system of dialogues more than make up for this.

The island on which the events take place resembles sunny Sicily with dungeons full of traps. The world of Risen is open and mysterious, so you always want to return to it.

Buy for PC →

Buy for Xbox 360 →

8. Jade Empire

Platforms: PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS, Android.

BioWare is renowned for producing some of the finest RPGs in fantasy and sci-fi settings. For example, Mass Effect and Dragon Age. This is probably why Jade Empire, which takes place in Ancient China, passed by many players.

It was in this project, which was released in 2005, that the studio first realized many of its ideas. In it, you can have an affair with a number of characters, and the statements of the protagonist greatly affect how others relate to him.

The battles in the game take place in real time, but you can pause them to choose a fighting style or build a series of blows. In addition, Jade Empire has a captivating storyline and a world like no other.

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9. Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

Have you dreamed of a big RPG with a detailed world, which you can play with a friend, making important decisions together? Then Divinity: Original Sin is the perfect option for you.

You have at your disposal a huge map full of towns, villages, dungeons and other locations, as well as interesting characters. Many of them are eager to give you some kind of task, which can be completed in different ways.

The game has a brilliant turn-based combat system, which, coupled with ample opportunities for pumping and a lot of skills and spells, inspires experimentation. You can choose suitable combinations of attacks and try different tactics throughout the entire passage.

Buy for PC →

Buy for PlayStation 4 →

Buy for Xbox One →

10. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was supposed to be the start of a large RPG series, but due to poor sales and litigation, everything was limited to one single project. The famous science fiction writer Robert Salvatore not only wrote the script for the game, but also invented a story for as long as 10 thousand years.

The scene is a fairy-tale world, divided into five different regions and full of well-written characters. Kingdoms of Amalur is very different from today's dark RPGs and resembles the colorful World of Warcraft.

The project pleases with fast and varied battles, which are easy to figure out. The picture is complemented by a deep role-playing system with four races and three class trees - 22 abilities each.

Buy for PC →

Buy for PlayStation 3 →

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