Just wrapped up your adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3? Craving another epic CRPG to dive into? Look no further! PlayStation boasts a selection of stellar CRPGs that can fill the gap left by the immersive world of Baldur’s Gate 3.
5. Divinity: Original Sin II
Straight from the minds at Larian Studios, who also gifted us with Baldur’s Gate 3, comes Divinity: Original Sin II. This game is another masterpiece from the studio and has garnered significant praise. Its combat system mirrors that of BG3, ensuring fans of the latter will quickly find their rhythm. While it doesn’t utilize the Dungeons and Dragons mechanics of BG3, it does contain its own unique rule set system that contains spells, abilities, and rules that are just as fun as it’s D&D brethren.
D:OS2 also boasts 3 acts in a similar vein to Baldur’s Gate 3 and contains an excellent self-contained story. It’s a high recommendation!
4. Pathfinder: Kingmaker
Developed by the renowned Owlcat Games, Pathfinder: Kingmaker was lauded upon its initial PC release. Though its PS4 debut had a few teething problems, subsequent patches have brought it closer in line to the quality of its PC sibling, offering an experience that’s largely gratifying.
Drawing on the Pathfinder ruleset, which shares some common ground with D&D but also deviates in significant ways, newcomers to CRPGs might feel inundated by the deluge of intricate details. Yet, for those who weather this initial storm, a vast and riveting journey awaits. A standout feature of Pathfinder: Kingmaker is its unique “Kingdom Management” mechanic. Here, players are granted the reins of power, tasked with governing a kingdom and determining its destiny. While intriguing, this feature did polarize fan opinions.
Furthermore, 2022 heralded the release of its sequel, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, which managed to outshine its predecessor in terms of reception.
Fans of Owlcat’s craftsmanship should mark their calendars for December, as the studio is gearing up to launch Warhammer 40000: Rogue Trader on PS5. This promising CRPG venture is set in the expansive Warhammer 40,000 universe.
3. Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
Eager to journey back to the origins of Baldur’s Gate? Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition might just be your ticket. This revitalized version of the timeless classic lets you relive the compelling narrative that is Baldur’s Gate. While it operates on an older D&D ruleset, fans familiar with Baldur’s Gate 3 should find it relatively accessible. Craft your hero and ally with a team of adventurers, embarking on a tale rife with political intrigue, deceit, and much more.
The enhanced edition, masterfully redeveloped by Beamdog, boasts numerous quality-of-life upgrades, including full controller compatibility. Originally a BioWare creation, Baldur’s Gate made its debut on PC in 1998, receiving rave reviews.
Some gamers might find the vintage graphics or the slightly less intuitive controls on the PlayStation version a bit jarring. However, if you can look beyond these aspects, a classic adventure spanning approximately 35-45 hours awaits you.
2. Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium stands distinct from its peers on this list. While it doesn’t fit the mold of a conventional CRPG, it embodies the essence of one in myriad ways. You’ll step into the shoes of a detective navigating a fantastical version of a modern era reminiscent of the 50s to 80s.
Combat takes a backseat in this title. Instead, the gameplay revolves around resolving scenarios via skill checks and intricate dialogue trees. Its narrative is nothing short of amazing and is a journey every gamer should embark upon. Do brace yourself for deliberate pacing and an abundance of reading. However, it offers a refreshing divergence from the usual games mentioned here.
For those seeking to immerse themselves in the rich lore of a universe through text, engagement, and character dynamics, Disco Elysium outshines the rest by far.
1. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Launched in 2015, the original Pillars of Eternity rode the wave of a triumphant Kickstarter campaign, breathing fresh life into the CRPG genre. One might even argue that without this game, we wouldn’t have seen the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3 today.
Its sequel, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, released in 2018, refined the formula, outdoing its predecessor in every imaginable way. While it doesn’t employ the D&D ruleset, those familiar with it will undoubtedly find the terrain familiar. Deadfire promises a sprawling epic filled with gods, intrigue, despair, hope, and much more. Those who played the PC version could seamlessly import their character and decisions from the first game. Although console players miss out on this feature, they’re presented with the opportunity to craft a backstory, defining past choices.
Tragically, despite its merits, POE2 faced disappointing sales upon release, leading Obsidian Entertainment to put future sequels on hold. Personally, Deadfire holds a special place in my heart, and I’ve strategically placed it last here, hoping more will delve into its depths. Maybe if enough of us buy and rave about it, we can reignite the flame for another installment?
