Baldur’s Gate 3 throws players deep into the role-playing game rabbit hole. Once you have tasted the elixir, you will always want more, and you might eventually even want a flavor that cannot be satiated by repeat playthroughs of BG3. However, what should they choose? There are hundreds of massive games out there, each potentially taking hundreds of hours to complete.
Choosing the wrong title could waste crucial hours that you could have better spent on another game or finally doing the week’s laundry. Therefore, let’s simplify the process and recommend a few games that can scratch a similar itch as Baldur’s Gate 3.
Rather than just listing a bunch of DnD games, we are going to cast a wider net. Some titles have systems reminiscent of BG3, while others are set in similar worlds.
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Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Relive Commander Shepard’s Legendary Journey
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is every Star Wars fan’s dream RPG. It’s a remaster of three epic space opera sci-fi games featuring the renowned narrative and character-driven story of Commander Shepard. The Legendary Edition combines all three games and their DLCs (except for one DLC and the multiplayer mode) with enhanced visuals, modern quality-of-life improvements, bug fixes, and much more.
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Don’t be fooled by appearances. Mass Effect’s vast sci-fi galaxy shares much in common with Baldur’s Gate 3‘s fantasy realm. Both games emphasize narrative depth and player choice, featuring decisions that significantly impact the storyline, relationships, and the world around the player. Choosing between saving either the Geth or the Quarians is still one of the toughest decisions a gamer can make.
6
Disco Elysium
Experience the Most Politically Charged Game Ever Made
Disco Elysium should especially resonate with Baldur’s Gate 3 fans due to the game’s focus on narrative and character development. You play as a detective with a troubled past, living in a city suffering from political unrest.
Many consider Disco Elysium‘s writing to be some of the best in the entire gaming industry. The game is not combat-focused, relying mostly on its storytelling and player choices, which are often morally ambiguous. If players enjoy a game with substance, they can’t afford to miss this particular title. It’s a shame there probably won’t be a sequel.
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Divinity: Original Sin 2
Experience Larian Studios’ Best Game Before Baldur’s Gate 3
After playing Baldur’s Gate 3, it would be expected for players to check out Larian Studios’ previous accomplishments, and most people will come across Divinity: Original Sin 2. While this title may not be as mind-blowing and industry-shaking as BG3, it’s still a game worthy of players’ time.
Great Games Where Your Decisions Truly Matter
The following games stand out for forcing players to make tough decisions that can drastically change the story.
If players decide to give the game a shot, they should opt for the Definitive Edition, as it significantly improves an already great title. The game offers several distinct classes, a richly detailed fantasy world, and a cooperative multiplayer option. Its turn-based combat will surely resonate with Baldur’s Gate 3 fans.
Honestly, DOS2 is the first game people should play after BG3.
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Follow The White Wolf’s Epic Adventure Through a World Filled with Raiders, Monsters, and Political Conflict
If somebody is into RPGs and loves Baldur’s Gate 3, they likely have already played (or at least tried) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. CD Projekt Red’s fantasy epic was the genre-changer before Larian’s masterpiece, and they both shine in their world-building, character writing, and optional content.
The Witcher 3 drops you into an immersive world filled with monsters, political conflict, and bigotry against non-human races (including the protagonist). Players can expect to make several morally gray decisions, much like in Baldur’s Gate 3, and decide the fate of ordinary folks. The Witcher 3 also comes with two equally loved expansions, one of which is bigger than many AAA games, meaning players won’t be leaving its world anytime soon.
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Dragon Age: Origins
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Spiritual Ancestor
Logic dictates that the original two Baldur’s Gate games are BG3‘s natural ancestors, but they are very different. Don’t get me wrong, you should definitely check them out if you are into old-school RPGs or love the overall universe. Just do not go in expecting something close to the third entry.
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If we are talking about BioWare fantasy masterpieces that can fill the void left by BG3, Dragon Age: Origins is the best option, and it has aged better than the developer’s Baldur’s Gate games. Like BG3, DAO emphasizes party dynamics, both through its gameplay and dialogue system. Companions react to your actions, background, and personality, and they evolve throughout the campaign. Even more so than Mass Effect, DAO forces you to make choices that have significant narrative consequences, and they are true role-playing experiences.
DAO‘s tactical combat is far simpler than BG3‘s, which will either be a blessing or a curse depending on the player.
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Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
An Open-Ended RPG With Great Writing, Combat, And World-Building (Also, Pirates!)
Honestly, most Obsidian’s games are decent recommendations for BG3 fans, even ones that have widely different gameplay like Fallout: New Vegas and Pentiment. However, the Pillars of Eternity games are tailor-made for isometric RPG fans, and the sequel is comfortably among the subgenre’s greatest representatives. Setting you loose on a vast archipelago region, Deadfire is Obsidian’s most open game, as you are given relative free rein to do what you want. Exploration is not only central but also rewarded with great optional storylines and a world that changes to reflect the passage of time and choices made.
BG3‘s companions are central to its success, and Pillars of Eternity 2 also prioritizes them. You are accompanied by characters with ideologies, opinions, thoughts, and flaws. They also drive the storytelling, similar to BG3. Deadfire‘s real-time with pause combat is really not that similar to BG3‘s turn-based system, but it is also very good.
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Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
A Rare RPG That Can Match Baldur’s Gate 3’s Density And Complexity
Want another RPG based on a tabletop game? How about one that is also directly inspired by D&D? Yes? Great! Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is the game for you, as long as you are perfectly fine with embracing a combat system that is arguably even more complicated than Baldur’s Gate 3. If you are up to the challenge, WOTR has a lot to offer, including a level of role-playing freedom that has very few peers.
Honestly, WOTR is probably the closest game to BG3 in terms of content. The turn-based combat is relatively similar and prioritizes positioning and party synergy, along with containing plenty of depth. The character creator is exhaustively expansive, allowing you to pick way more than just a class and superficial physical traits. The game is also about flexibility and adaptation, and the choices you make will greatly impact how things progress (and how your characters evolve).
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