CRPGsare notoriously hard to get into for newcomers to the genre or gaming in general. They usually rely on an extensive set of rules to accommodate player agency; more often than not, that gets confusing as hell.
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For this reason, among others, CRPGs had a period of decline that lasted until recently, with interest in the genre peaking with Baldur’s Gate 3.
A lot of new players have now approached the CRPG world, and they have a plethora of accessible possible titles to choose from. In this list, we’ll check out 8 of the best CRPGs for beginners if you’d like to dive headfirst into the genre.
8Pillars of Eternity
It’s In The System
Pillars of Eternity
Many CRPGs are based on tabletop rule systems that get converted to digital media with varying degrees of success. The con of this process is that a converted rule system can be clunky in video game form, whereas a system designed with a digital Game Master in mind would result in more fluid and simple gameplay.
Pillars of Eternityoffers a perfect example of the benefits of original systems for CRPGs.
PoE employs a simple yet effective rule system custom-designed for the video game. It’s easy to grasp even for first-time players and results in intuitive yet tactical gameplay.
Be it party management or combat, the moment-to-moment gameplay just flows effortlessly. Pair that with a deep yet approachable story set in a wonderful new world, and you havethe perfect definition of a beginner-friendly CRPG.
The Story From The Other Side
Who said that beginner-friendly is synonymous with unoriginal?
Tyrannyis a great CRPG in which the player takes on the role of one of the lieutenants of the setting’s Big Bad Evil Guy. The story begins at the end of the overlord’s campaign to conquer the world, with the main character leading the conquest of the final region.
Yes, in this game, we’re the evil ones, and it’s up to the player to decide just how evil they want to be.
Tyranny’s narrative emphasizes decisions and their consequences, while its gameplay remains accessible and the combat streamlined. It’s easy to pick up—even for newcomers to the genre—and offers a compelling world populated by fascinating characters.
6Wasteland 3
The Brutality of the Apocalypse
Wasteland 3
It might feel odd to recommend the third chapter of a franchise rather than the first one to a new player, butWasteland 3is a better entry point to the genre than its predecessors. Additionally, no prior knowledge of the previous games is required to fully enjoy it.
In Wasteland 3, the Arizona Desert Rangers are dispatched from the scorching desert to the snowy mountains of Colorado to help the self-proclaimed “Patriarch of Colorado” keep things in check. As is traditional for the series, the game can be quite brutal, yet it remains remarkably easy to pick up.
Wasteland 3 features tactical combat that emphasizes positioning and strategy over brute force, along with a strong focus on narrative and dialogue choices that can have huge impacts.It’s a challenging gamewith a well-calibrated learning curve that helps new players settle into the mechanics.
5Solasta: Crown of the Magister
For D&D Fans
Solasta: Crown of the Magister
Dungeons & Dragonsprobably has the tabletop rule system that has been adapted into video games most often. Its pencil-and-paper roots are known for their complexity, and many digital adaptations have inherited its intricacies. Solasta: Crown of the Magister, however, takes the D&D 5E ruleset and makes it easily accessible in a digital format while still staying true to source material.
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Solasta is extremely gameplay-focused. The story is there, but it’s not the main attraction—the gameplay, especially the combat, is king. That’s why every moment in the game is designed to be both engaging and accessible.
The development team did an outstanding job of creating a faithful, yet not “dumbed-down,” version of the 5E ruleset. Their masterful work on the user interface and experience makes it easy for newcomers to dive in, even when dealing with tricky elements like lighting and weight rules that often challenge tabletop players.
If you love D&D, you’ll findplenty of great games to explore in the CRPG genre. But if you’re new to this type of game, Solasta is a top contender to get you started.
4Shadowrun: Dragonfall
Elves + Machine Guns = A New Obsession
Shadowrun Dragonfall: Director’s Cut
If medieval fantasy or post-apocalypse isn’t your jam, how about a gritty, dystopian near-future where magic and cybernetics coexist? One of the cornerstones of theShadowrunfranchise is its awesome setting, which blends futuristic technology with urban fantasy in a way that feels both edgy and approachable, and Dragonfall does it particularly well.
Newcomers will come to appreciate its unique atmosphere and its clear yet engaging storyline, all while offeringdepth and plenty of customization options.
Every choice matters, and the dialogue flows beautifully thanks to top-notch writing. The tactical combat is simple yet challenging, always rewarding.
What really makes Dragonfall shine is its accessibility. With clear tutorials and an intuitive interface, even if you’re new to CRPGs, you’ll find that the game welcomes you with a smile—right before placing you in front of a battalion of shotgun-wielding orcs.
3Dragon Age: Origins
Peak Bioware
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Originsis often brought up in conversations aboutthe best modern CRPGs—and for good reason. The game really knows how to make its world feel alive, with the constant, looming threat of the Darkspawn keeping you on your toes. It’s a game that pulls you into its story and makes you care about what happens.
What’s cool is that while the game mechanics might seem simple at first glance compared to other CRPGs, they still give you plenty of room to customize your character and tailor your experience.
The real-time-with-pause combat works seamlessly with this simplicity, making battles both engaging and manageable. This modern twist on classic gameplay has played a big part in sparking a renewed interest in CRPGs.
Dragon Age: Origins is a must-play for both newcomers and veterans of the genre. It’s a game that manages to be both a deep, rich experience and a perfect introduction —truly the best of both worlds.
2Divinity: Original Sin 2
Tap From the Source
Divinity: Original Sin 2
The second—and best—chapter of the Divinity: Original Sin saga is built on two pillars: characters and interactivity.
The world ofDivinity: Original Sin 2is overflowing with fascinating, original characters, each with their own unique backstory. The “Origin” characters you can play or recruit as party members are beautifully written, drawing you in with their depth and ability to evoke strong emotions.
Right from the first fight, you notice that the world is designed for interactivity. The battlefield responds to your actions—fires spread, and enemy puts it out with a rain spell, filling the area with vision-blocking steam. This emphasis on environmental interactions shines not only in combat but throughout the game.
For instance, if you steal something from an NPC, expect a response: they might search around for it or question you about it. Or maybe you’ll find that dialogue and choices can change dramatically depending on which character is speaking, especially if the dialogue is relevant to a specific character’s backstory.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is incredibly vast yet highly approachable. It’s widely regarded as the magnum opus of Larian Games—well, that is,until a certain D&D-licensed game came out.
1Baldur’s Gate 3
To No One’s Surprise
Baldur’s Gate 3
What other game could top this list if notBaldur’s Gate 3?
BG3 is set in one of the most famous fantasy settings in media and is based on the best-known rule systems in tabletop gaming. It has all the elements to feel overwhelming from both an information overload and complexity perspective.
However, Larian did a stellar job adapting both the Faerûn setting and the D&D 5E rule system, gradually introducing players to the world while simultaneously modifying the rules to function better in a video game scenario.
These factors contribute to the success of this CRPG, which feels incredibly satisfying to play because it strikes the balance between staying faithful to the source material without being constrained by it. In BG3, we can do stuff that we can’t do on tabletop but feels natural to do in a video game - like casting two fireballs in a turn.
The game gradually eases new players into a complex system without ever overwhelming them, all while keeping them engaged in the story. It truly is the perfect game to fall in love with the genre.
