Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 made an immense impact upon its full launch in 2023, and it’s still driving fans to play the Dungeons & Dragons video game in droves nearly two years later. This persistent success is thanks to Larian’s exceptional base game, post-launch support, and a passionate modding community that makes subsequent playthroughs even more rewarding. However, this massive CRPG is also an excellent gateway to other beloved D&D video games.
The classic tabletop RPG franchise boasts a solid catalog of video game adaptations, with the most prominent starting in the late ’90s with the original Baldur’s Gate. However, the IP also branched out into action RPG spinoffs, such as Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, and other CRPGs, including Planescape and the Neverwinter Nights duology. With the Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition remaster releasing in mid-July, now is the perfect time to check out what else D&D video games have to offer.
10 Baldur’s Gate Is Built on a Great Foundation
The Original Baldur’s Gate Came from the Eventual Mass Effect Studio
Mass Effect and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic studio BioWare made a strong impression with the first Baldur’s Gate. The team’s first foray into the world of D&D and the classic Forgotten Realms setting, putting players in the shoes of an orphan ward of a mage named Gorion, who is suddenly forced to leave their home under dire circumstances. The protagonist is then entangled in a grander conflict in the land’s Sword Coast region.
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Even if the first Baldur’s Gate shows its age in 2025, it remains an immersive high fantasy adventure for anyone who appreciates the roots of the CRPG subgenre. The game is built on the D&D 2nd Edition ruleset and uses a “real-time with pause” combat system. It might take newer BG3 players some getting used to, but it’s worth the effort, as the game rewards tactical combat and the sheer breadth of character customization available to the player. The depth of its cast and branching storylines will also keep players coming back to experience the scope of its storytelling possibilities, especially with the Sword Coast expansion packaged in the Enhanced Edition.
Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
- Released
- November 28, 2012
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Overhaul Games
- Publisher(s)
- Atari
- Engine
- Infinity Engine
9 Icewind Dale Is a CRPG With More Combat Focus
Black Isle Studios’ Icewind Dale Serves Well as a Baldur’s Gate Counterpart
Developer Black Isle Studios’ first Icewind Dale game was released just a few months before Baldur’s Gate II. That said, the team effectively made another D&D video game adventure that establishes its own identity separate from the acclaimed Baldur’s Gate series. The CRPG is set in the iconic frozen locale and sees the player enlisted as a caravan guard in this harsh environment. In their travels, the protagonist discovers a grander scheme that threatens the region — and potentially the rest of Faerûn.
Black Isle provides another standout gameplay loop with Icewind Dale, keeping in the spirit players will expect from a D&D setting. Unlike Baldur’s Gate and its sequel, this CRPG leans more heavily on combat, which will satisfy fans of tense, strategy-focused combat sequences. Players can even create a party comprised of fully customizable characters for tailoring the playthrough. It’s undoubtedly a leaner experience on the narrative front, but it suits Icewind Dale‘s focus on tactical, party-based combat and dungeon-crawling progression without going to the lengths of Dark Alliance.
Icewind Dale Enhanced Edition
- Released
- October 30, 2014
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Beamdog
- Publisher(s)
- Beamdog
- Engine
- Infinity Engine
8 Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance Is a Fast-Pace Action RPG
This Baldur’s Gate Spinoff Is a Worthy Alternative to Blizzard’s ARPG
The mainline Baldur’s Gate series is undoubtedly the face of this part of the D&D franchise. Even so, developer Snowblind Studios gave the beloved setting an action RPG spin akin to Blizzard’s iconic Diablo series with Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance. The game begins with the protagonist getting robbed upon entering the titular city, setting off on a mission to bring justice to the local thieves’ guild. But the player will gradually uncover a plot beyond the walls of Baldur’s Gate and into the Sunset Mountains and Marsh of Chelimber.
The PS2’s Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance earns its praise by being more than a pale imitation of Diablo. The hack-and-slash combat system and dungeon-crawling gameplay loop are consistently entertaining, and give players a different flavor of action depending on the character/class chosen (Human Archer, Elven Sorceress, Dwarven Fighter). While character options are admittedly limited and gameplay is simplistic by today’s standards, Dark Alliance‘s streamlined combat system is enough to give players a fun, breezy D&D-themed adventure.
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
- Released
- December 2, 2001
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Snowblind Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Interplay, Black Isle Studios
7 Planescape: Torment Changes the Pace for D&D Video Games
Planescape’s Setting Sets a Unique Tone Compared to Baldur’s Gate
Players coming off Baldur’s Gate 3 and want another D&D-set CRPG with a tone shouldn’t have to look much further than Planescape: Torment. Once again developed by Black Isle Studios and released between BioWare’s Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II, this CRPG is set in the eponymous Planescape campaign setting rather than the Forgotten Realms. The protagonist is an immortal being known as The Nameless One who tries to reclaim his lost memories and uncover the mystery behind how he came to be — and why he’s immortal in the first place.
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There’s no doubt that the Forgotten Realms is D&D‘s most iconic setting across the franchise’s half-century, spanning multiple media. But Baldur’s Gate 3 players who value the narrative progression above all will find themselves similarly engrossed while experiencing something they might not have known they wanted. Combat plays a role but takes a back seat, with upgrades and character progression primarily being done through dialogue paths. Plus, the strange, atmospheric feel of the city of Sigil — a sprawling city built atop a massive spire — and its cosmic theme help facilitate the game and the protagonist’s introspective story.
Planescape: Torment
Systems
- Released
- December 12, 1999
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Black Isle Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Interplay
- Engine
- Infinity Engine
6 Baldur’s Gate 2 Is an All-Around Improved Sequel
Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn Features Visual & Mechanical Changes
BioWare’s sequel, Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, further demonstrated the studio’s attention to detail in the CRPG space at the time. It proved to be a more than worthwhile sequel to an already acclaimed predecessor, directly following up on its story. It continues the exploits of the first game’s protagonist and the villainous mage Jon Irenicus, who’s now caught wind of their lineage. Baldur’s Gate 3 fans delving into the series’ roots will appreciate the first two games as a massive two-part story.
On top of another long-running and satisfying narrative (complemented by the Throne of Bhaal expansion bundled in the Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Edition), everything from the visuals to the combat mechanics has seen welcome improvements. The higher resolution and more detailed art direction give the environments a greater sense of depth. Meanwhile, new character build options and flexible party composition give the real-time with pause combat system more tactical possibilities.
Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Edition
- Released
- November 15, 2013
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Overhaul Games
- Publisher(s)
- Atari
- Engine
- Infinity Engine
5 Neverwinter Nights Is a D&D RPG With a New Perspective
BioWare Helms This D&D Game Set In Another Classic Forgotten Realms Locale
The success of BioWare’s ventures developing D&D video games would expand beyond Baldur’s Gate and into Neverwinter Nights. The game remains within D&D‘s timeless Forgotten Realms setting but is instead based around the city of Neverwinter. This story begins with the player character being tasked to find a cure for the Wailing Death plague that is ravaging the city.
Whereas Baldur’s Gate favors a vintage isometric camera, which is also seen in Baldur’s Gate 3, Neverwinter Nights is a CRPG that adopts a more free-moving perspective. This gives the game’s style of exploration a distinct feel, as does the game’s combat system based on the D&D 3rd Edition ruleset. It’s something that MMORPG and even Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic fans(also a BioWare game) can appreciate, with Neverwinter Nights even providing an in-game toolkit to develop their own story campaign, much like a Dungeon Master in the D&D TTRPG.
Neverwinter Nights
Systems
- Released
- June 18, 2002
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Infogrames, Atari
- Engine
- Aurora engine
- Franchise
- Neverwinter Nights
4 Icewind Dale 2 Gives Players More Combat-Focused Dungeon Crawling
Icewind Dale’s Sequel Is Another Respectable Baldur’s Gate & Neverwinter Alternative
Baldur’s Gate fans get another solid D&D video game to lean more into combat without going into Dark Alliance‘s outright hack-and-slash territory. Icewind Dale 2 brings players back to the northern region of Faerûn, a decade after the first game’s story. The player takes on the role of a mercenary caught in a war between the Ten Towns of Icewind Dale and a unified army of Goblinoids.
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Icewind Dale 2 retains the original’s real-time with pause combat and dungeon-crawling gameplay loop. While the game doesn’t reinvent the wheel, especially when compared to Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale 2 ensures its combat-focused approach doesn’t overstay its welcome. The option to customize a party of up to six characters keeps party composition and experimentation interesting, combat encounters are evenly paced, and enemy variety has enough depth to complement the game’s story.
3 Solasta: Crown of the Magister Offers Another Modern D&D Entry
Solasta Gives Players Another D&D 5e-Based Video Game
Baldur’s Gate 3‘s acclaim has also led it to become the best modern entry point into D&D 5th Edition, the TTRPG’s (sort of) most recent ruleset. Still, for Baldur’s Gate fans who want more tactical combat in the modern era, Solasta: Crown of the Magister is a tactical RPG worth a playthrough. The game is set in the original high-fantasy world of Solasta, following four characters on their quest to find the jewels for fueling an ancient artifact and save the land from succumbing to a cataclysmic event mirroring one that occurred ages ago.
Though the rather standard plot is Solasta: Crown of the Magister‘s weakest points, it compensates with deep party building and strategic combat options. The game allows players to customize all four party members or choose from premade characters for the campaign, making it clear that studio Tactical Adventures took the game’s D&D foundations to heart. Character creation, class/build variety, and dynamic arenas for squad- and turn-based combat reward players who like to get creative by using the environment to their advantage.
Solasta: Crown of the Magister
Systems
- Released
- May 27, 2021
- ESRB
- Teen // Violence, Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Language
- Developer(s)
- Tactical Adventures
- Publisher(s)
- Tactical Adventures
2 Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 Is an Equally Fun Sequel
Dark Alliance 2 Gives D&D Fans a Tried-and-True Experience
The developer team at Black Isle Studios took over to create the sequel, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2. Players who enjoy the predecessor’s gameplay loop will feel right at home with this action RPG, all the while getting a follow-up to the former’s story. This sequel introduces five new playable protagonists as they try to save the city of Baldur’s Gate from a growing, dark sorcery. The hero will also discover what became of their direct predecessors from the first Dark Alliance.
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 is a case of “more of the same” working well for a sequel, even if it’s not a drastic improvement over the original game. Mainline Baldur’s Gate fans who are fond of Dark Alliance‘s Diablo-like change of pace will get enough mileage out of this sequel’s mild improvements to character build options. Introducing five more heroes to choose from provides more depth in character class and gear opportunities, as does the ability to craft new gear.
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II
Systems
- Released
- January 20, 2004
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Black Isle Studios, Interplay
- Publisher(s)
- Interplay
- Engine
- Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
1 Neverwinter Nights 2 Is Getting Renewed Love In 2025
Developer Aspyr Is Giving Obsidian’s D&D CRPG the Remastered Treatment
Somewhat similar to how Obsidian Entertainment took the reins from BioWare for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, the former also handled Neverwinter Nights 2. This sequel is perfect for Baldur’s Gate 3 players looking to try something different in the D&D video game space, as it also presents a largely standalone story from its predecessor. It focuses on the player’s character venturing in and around the city of Neverwinter to uncover the connection between a series of artifacts and the ominous King of Shadows.
This summer is as good a time as any to jump into Obsidian’s vintage D&D CRPG, as developer Aspyr is remastering the game for PC and consoles. Under the tweaked title Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition, fans can play a graphically polished adventure, controller-friendly combat based on D&D 3.5e, improved camera controls, and all DLC expansions included. It’s a wealth of story content to play through, which should also bode well for the campaign creator’s online functions.
Neverwinter Nights 2
Systems
- Released
- October 31, 2006
- ESRB
- rp
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Atari, Aspyr
- Engine
- Electron Engine
