For fans of Dungeons and Dragons looking to take their RPG experience into the realm of video games, there is no lack of excellent choices to capture the magic of tabletop roleplaying in a different way. D&D has inspired some of the best games in the genre, both directly and indirectly.
While some games may appeal to fans of tabletop games based on their deep stories and great worldbuilding, others much more closely resemble the classic D&D experience, some of which remain among the best roleplaying experiences in any medium.
10 Mass Effect Is The Pinnacle Of Sci-Fi Roleplaying
Few games remain as entrenched in the hearts of RPG fans as the original Mass Effect series; the epic sci-fi trilogy took players on a journey among the stars, introducing them to strange and intriguing alien species, awe-inspiring worlds, and memorable villains.
Dungeons and Dragons may typically take place in fantasy settings, but the Mass Effect games walk the line between science fiction and fantasy in a way that will be sure to appeal to D&D fans, and could be the perfect inspiration for a campaign set in space.
9 The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt Sets The Tone For Dark Fantasy
Though all of The Witcher games are set within the same gritty fantasy world created by author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt is the one that will appeal most to fans of Dungeons and Dragons.
Of all three games, it is the one that most deeply and thoroughly explores the world and characters that comprise the setting, and the various questlines the player will fulfill while taking on the role of Geralt of Rivia are sure to pull any fan of D&D deep within the story of the White Wolf.
8 Darkest Dungeon Is A D&D Inspired Dungeon Grind
While there are many video games built to capture the typical tabletop roleplaying experience, few manage to capture the original dungeon-crawl gameplay that first inspired Dungeons and Dragons as well as Darkest Dungeon.
In Darkest Dungeon, the player takes on the role of an heir to a long crumbling manor beneath which ancient horrors lurk, and must gather together a band of adventurers to explore the locales surrounding the manor and eventually defeat the evil that lurks below. This is the perfect game for anyone looking to get back into the roots of D&D's dungeon delving aspects.
7 Wasteland 3 Is Perfect Inspiration For A Dystopian TTRPG Game
While there are plenty of RPG-style games that have been released in recent years, one that breaks out of the typical fantasy setting is Wasteland 3, a sequel to the franchise that inspired the immensely popular Fallout series.
Wasteland 3 sets the stage in a post-apocalyptic version of Colorado, giving players control of two Arizona Rangers whose unit is wiped out and are then forced to make a deal with a local warlord. Gameplay is very similar to other classic RPG games, with a squad-based system and plenty of options for skills and abilities to choose when leveling up the team.
6 Pathfinder: Kingmaker & Wrath Of The Righteous Recreates The Magic Of Classic RPGs
Second in popularity within the TTRPG community only to Dungeons and Dragons, the Pathfinder system has long been an excellent alternative to D&D for players interested in a fantasy setting and deep mechanics and character options.
It is only natural then that the video games based on the popular RPG system would be perfectly suited for fans of D&D. Featuring the Pathfinder mechanics with RPG gameplay, Pathfinder: Kingmaker and its sequel, Wrath of the Righteous are the perfect choice for someone looking to branch out from Dungeons and Dragons but still retain the same feel in their games.
5 Dragon Age Is One Of The Best RPG Experiences Of Recent Times
Few RPGs in the last decade have managed to achieve the same level of popularity as the Dragon Age franchise, which has its roots in classic RPGs and tabletop roleplaying games, yet is set in a brand new setting with compelling characters that has kept players coming back for more.
Any fans of Dungeons and Dragons is encouraged to start with the first game, Dragon Age: Origins, with each of the sequels building upon the foundation the first game sets up to create one of the best RPG experiences available.
4 Dark Souls Sets The Player In A Dark And Gritty Quest For Survival
The Dark Souls games are infamous for their brutality towards the player, yet they would make the perfect inspiration for any Dungeon Master seeking to create a dark and unforgiving experience for their players.
Fans of D&D may enjoy the harsh nature of the Dark Souls franchise, but what may appeal to them more is the deep lore entrenched within the setting, with excellent worldbuilding that may not be immediately obvious but can be incredibly intriguing once the player begins delving into it.
3 Skyrim's Worldbuilding Could Inspire Any Dungeon Master
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a game that has withstood the test of time unlike any other, still bringing back players over a decade after its original release. Players new and old still return to the land of the Nords time after time to engross themselves in the deep lore of the vast open-world setting.
As popular as Skyrim is, it is highly likely that any fan of Dungeons and Dragons will already be familiar with the game, but for those who have yet to experience it, the game still holds up even after all these years and even had a new edition released in 2021 on the ten-year anniversary of its release.
2 Pillars of Eternity Closely Resembles Playing A Tabletop RPG
Of all the CRPGs to be released in recent years, Pillars of Eternity is probably the most heavily inspired by the tabletop roleplaying experience and much of the gameplay will be incredibly familiar to fans of Dungeons and Dragons.
While much of the story in the first game may not feel like anything an experienced D&D player hasn't experienced before, the second game takes the adventure to the high seas and makes for both an exciting and unique setting compared to many other games in the genre.
1 Baldur's Gate Is The Quintessential Dungeons And Dragons Video Game Experience
Though not the first game based on Dungeons and Dragons, the Baldur's Gate series is perhaps the most iconic and beloved of all. The inspiration for nearly every CRPG that came after, Baldur's Gate has been heralded for its characters and story, which takes place in the Forgotten Realms setting, one of the best developed in all of D&D.
The first Baldur's Gate may have started the franchise, but most fans will be more likely to recommend the second game as the best in the series. Though it follows the events and characters of the first, Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn is one of the best RPGs of all time and worth a playthrough for any fans of Dungeons and Dragons.