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Top 10 Best Computer Role-Playing Games of All Time
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The history of role-playing stretches back probably as long as the history of man. Certainly, any kid who has pretended to be a cowboy, or an Indian, or a Greek, or a Spartan, has been entrenched in a role-playing game. In fact, these type of games may have very well led to the theater arts. Of course, we have no clear evidence on when this type of game started, but it is a fair assumption that kids have always had imagination, and they have always used that imagination in a role-playing sense.
The following is a list of the top ten best computer role-playing games. The games are judged on fun, merit, and legacy. And consideration is given to the technology that existed when the game was released. Obviously, very few would be interested in a game that was released in 1986 considering how far computers have come since those days. But that doesn't mean they should lose their place on the list.
Here are the top ten computer role-playing games of all time:
Neverwinter Nights delivered the full RPG experience.
1. Neverwinter Nights
Bioware hit a home run with Neverwinter Nights and created the most thorough translation of role-playing to the computer screen. It consists of three parts: client, DM, and toolset. With these three parts, a player can take on their role of a character, a dungeon master can enter the world and guide the story, and a designer can create the world from scratch.
The game has spawned thousands of custom modules and more than a few persistent worlds. Perhaps not the most popular game in sales, but definitely the best translation of role-playing to hit the computer.
2. Ultima IV
The Ultima series did something that is very rare to see in role-playing game: it included morality. Oh, sure, many games have very basic good and evil concepts, but Ultima IV took this to new heights focusing the morality in the game on such virtues as honesty, compassion, and justice.
This created a very open atmosphere where they player must focus on the building of character before they were able to defeat the evil engulfing the land.
3. Rogue
How does a game that consists only of ASCII graphics that was written in the mid-80's on the Unix platform make the list? There is probably no greater sub-genre to role-playing games than the rogue-like game. From Moria to Omega to modern versions like Angband, rogue-like games have remained popular. Even modern games such as Diablo use rogue-like elements to enhance gameplay.
Rogue is a simple game based on random dungeon generation. And yet, it has had a very visible impact on role-playing games since its inception. For that impact alone, it deserves a high place on the list.
Everquest is the father of the modern MMORPG.
4. Everquest
Ah, evercrack, the bane of marriages around the world. While massively multiplayer online role-playing games have come a long way since Everquest, and certainly EQ had its fair share of problems, it would be difficult to put any other MMO on this list higher than Everquest. Even World of Warcraft owes much of its success to the foundation laid by Everquest.
Based on MUD's, Everquest was not the first massively multiplayer game. That distinction goes to Ultima Online. Some might even argue that it goes back further than UO with graphical MUDs like Meridian 59.
But it was Everquest that cemented the popularity of MMORPGs, and it is Everquest that forms the basis for those games that come after it. Very few games are copying elements from Ultima Online, though the genre would probably be stronger if they did. Most of them do copy elements of Everquest, though. Thus, for its impact on the MMORPG's, it gets a mention in this list. And, because MMORPG's are so close to the spirit of role-playing games, it gets a nice spot on the list.
5. Diablo II
For the most part, I like to give credit to the first of a series for starting something great even when a subsequent game in the series might have done it slightly better. But, of course, I make exceptions, as I did with Ultima IV.
Diablo II is one of those exceptions, but mainly because it perfected the vision of the original. Diablo could have just as easily been in this spot. It certainly had a major impact on the gaming industry, and it was loads of fun to play.
But, so often, a sequel is just the same game with a few minor enhancements and a graphical facelift. And, too often, the sequel is just not as good as the original. But the changes between Diablo and Diablo II were like artwork. It added some great things: a new class system that allowed for a lot of unique character building, overland maps as well as random dungeons, a sprawling storyline with multiple acts, item customization through sockets, etc.
And, most importantly, it made these enhancements while maintaining the essence of gameplay that made the original game so addicting.
6. Pool of Radiance
The gold-box Dungeons and Dragons games produced by SSI are among the best computer role-playing games delivered to the public. They delivered the story and plot twists to be expected from a Dungeons and Dragons game, and they contained a strategic combat system where every character could be moved (as opposed to contemporary games like Bard's Tale and Might and Magic).
The very fact that you can say 'gold box game' and many role-playing enthusiasts know exactly what you are talking about is enough to get them on the list. Without a doubt, they were the cream of the crop in role-playing games coming out at a time that was the golden age of computer role-playing with games like the Ultima series, Bard's Tale, Might and Magic, Wizardry, etc.
7. Fallout
A role-playing game based in a post-apocalyptic world is just cool, but cool alone doesn't make the list. Fallout had a great points-based character system that allowed for a unique role-playing experience, and it took full advantage of its setting by allowing the player to be as gruff and grim or as nice and sweet as they wanted to be.
It was the type of game that you played, and when you finally got up, you checked your pants to see if they had any grease stains on them. It was dirty, and it was fun, and that's why it is on the list.
8. The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls capture that rogue-like feeling without really have any rogue-like elements. It isn't a randomly generated world, but it is a very open world where the player had the freedom to explore and wasn't tied to a specific story-line quest.
The entire series captures this feeling, but none better than Daggerfall. Morrowind and Oblivion certainly are beautiful games to look at, but Daggerfall stands head and shoulders above them.
It's a recipe that is, sadly, not done enough in modern role-playing games: Make a big world, fill it with plenty to do, and let the player go explore it.
Baldur's Gate set a new standard in RPGs.
9. Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate is often credited with revitalizing the computer role-playing genre. It is true that, in many ways, role-playing on the computer was dead. Diablo had been released a few years earlier and had re-invented the action role-playing game, and Massively Multiplayer Games were just springing up.
To many, it seemed like the tried-and-true party-based role-playing game that focused as much on story as character building and stats was a dying breed. And then along came Baldur's Gate with its epic quest, assassins jumping characters when they exited a bar, twisting dungeons, and, of course, the ability to have a full party of adventurers with you.
10. World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft makes the list as much because of the impact it will have as anything else. While WoW quickly shot to the top of the MMORPG scene, much of its success was due to Everquest for providing the blueprint for all MMO's that came after it, and the Blizzard name, which is known for putting out great products.
But while Blizzard name led to great initial sales numbers and quick acceptance from an audience of non-MMO players, there is little doubt that its continued success is due to solid gameplay and the polish Blizzard is known for putting into all of their games.
This phenomenal success has slammed open the door for other MMO's and allowed the industry to ignore some dismal failures because of the potential World of Warcraft proves is out there. So, while WoW owes a lot of its success to the MMO's that came before it, World of Warcraft deserves a place on the list because of the impact it will have on future MMO's.
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