American video game studio Obsidian Entertainment might be best known for its hit game, Fallout: New Vegas, and rightfully so, as it's become regarded as one of the best video games of all time. However, beyond its Fallout fame, the studio has worked on a ton of unique games that immerse players in a variety of explorable worlds.
Obsidian's lineup of games over the past 20 years or so has almost entirely consisted of role-playing games, and it's clear that this genre is where both the developers and the teams behind the narratives and characters shine. From licensed games where players enter familiar worlds from other media franchises to new takes on medieval environments, here are some great games from Obsidian that are definitely worth checking out.
Grounded Is a Delightfully Unique Survival Experience
One of the rare games in Obsidian's catalog that doesn't fit the role-playing game genre, Grounded is a survival game where local teenagers are shrunk down to the size of ants and strive to survive in the harsh, unforgiving conditions of a suburban backyard. Clearly taking inspiration from '90s movies but with a bit of a survivalist edge, the protagonists in this game face off against insects, harvest grass, scavenge, and craft a variety of objects to help them survive.
It offers some variety in terms of gameplay as it can be played both fully solo and in a four-player co-operative multiplayer mode, though it lacks a local multiplayer mode for that true '90s experience. It can also be played in first-person as well as third-person. With a playful premise, a truly amusing adventure, and a creatively crafted world, Grounded makes for a fun and absorbing survival experience.
The Outer Worlds Is an Expertly Designed Space Opera
With a game that almost needs no introduction by now, The Outer Worlds is perfect for fans of role-playing games who prefer a futuristic setting and the vastness that an outer space premise always promises. The game takes place in a world where megacorporations in the distant future have begun to colonize space, terraforming planets to their own liking. Like other games set in outer space, the plot not only gets into science fiction elements but also has a bit of political commentary.
With the way the player is tasked with recruiting NPC companions who support them in combat and the fact that they can respond to NPCs with various tones and use social skills to avoid sticky situations, The Outer Worlds plays a bit like Mass Effect. However, its finer-tuned, expansive role-playing system feels more akin to Fallout. Often complimented for its story, writing, and characters, The Outer Worlds is a great choice for anyone looking for a space opera role-playing game.
Pillars of Eternity Captures the Magic of Old-School RPGs
A spiritual successor to games like Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale, Pillars of Eternity is an experience that lets itself go beyond nostalgia with some great innovations that anyone can enjoy. In the game, players assume the role of a Watcher, a person who can interact with souls of the departed, while also taking on classes like rogue, ranger, paladin, and monk -- roles that are likely familiar to anyone who has played a traditional role-playing game.
As the player goes through the campaign, they'll be able to build up a reputation with various factions depending on the choices they've made in the game, get to know their companions, and play through rich, expertly crafted environments with gorgeous art styles. Pillars of Eternity is the perfect game for fans of old-school role-playing games in a typical fantasy setting as well as traditional tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons.
Pentiment Is a One-of-a-Kind Murder Mystery
Pentiment sets itself apart from Obsidian's great catalog of games by having no combat action at all. It's a mystery game where the player investigates a murder in a small Bavarian town in the 16th Century. It has a point-and-click-esque gameplay style where no conclusion the player can come to is wrong. The way that time works in the game makes it so that players will be eager to go through multiple playthroughs.
Pentiment feels a lot like an indie game because it's very scaled down in terms of scope, especially compared to Obsidian's other games, but that's not a bad thing as everything Pentiment does, it does very well. This game is perfect for players who like to play mystery-themed tabletop board games, go to escape rooms, and enjoy video games that require a bit of brain work.
Knights of the Old Republic II Is Still One of the Best Star Wars Games
There is no shortage of Star Wars games out there, from games where players can experience the entire nine-series Skywalker saga in Lego form to the soon-to-be-released sequel to Jedi: Fallen Order. However, none have been as acclaimed as the Knights of the Old Republic games. While the first game was made by BioWare, the sequel, Knights of the Old Republic II, was made by Obsidian. It was a great follow-up to the original, building upon the first game with a much darker tone.
While players still debate which game is better, the sequel comes out on top for players who prefer its deeper and darker story, deconstruction of both Star Wars and role-playing games in general, and morally gray characters. While it might be older than most of the games on this list with a 2004 release date, KOTOR II is undoubtedly worth playing not only for fans of Star Wars, role-playing games, and Obsidian Entertainment but for video game fans in general.
With Pentiment's recent release and all the buzz it's been getting -- along with the ever-enduring legacy of Fallout: New Vegas -- Obsidian Entertainment is really making a name for itself in the video game industry. It's created several great role-playing games where players really feel like they are a part of the worlds they are exploring. While the games on this list might be the very best of Obsidian's catalog, it's developed a ton of other games that are worth playing as well as a few that everyone should be looking forward to in the future.