Best RPG games for the PC (Part 1)

Many years ago when a friend of mine introduced me to a paper and pencil roleplaying game called Runequest I didn't realize that 30 years later I'd still be playing this type of game. Of course, in this high tech world, the games are all on the PC and feature realistic graphics and sound.

Over the years I've played most of the RPG games available for the PC and many on the Playstation and XBOX. I am therefore creating a series of Hubs highlighting some of the best RPGs I've played.

For Part 1 of the series of concentrated on games I've played in the last year (with the exception of a couple) and it really is amazing how far we have come from the games I used to play on the PC over 20 years ago!

There are many games not included on this list that will be included on a future page; this does not mean that those games aren't as good, it just means I haven't played them for a while!

Many years ago I came accross a game that while similar to many out there at the time, had a few elements that were different; this game was Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall. Over ten years later I had the privelage to play the fourth game in the series and must admit that I was blown away by it.

Oblivion is one of the best RPGs to hit the PC; the graphics are simply amazing, the music is often haunting and beautiful, and the sound effects are incredible. It sets the standard for quality.

More than that though, with it's superb plot, and the freedom you have to perform quests outside of the main plot and simply go where you want, the game really began to set the standard for game playe. With more choice to control your own destiny, the game became an instant classic.

There haven't been many games that I've played that are this good, but this, with their previous game Oblivion is right up there with the best.

Skyrim takes the series one step further with much improved graphics, a huge world and a simplified system (based on the Fallout 3 system) - while it is still a little flawed, it takes everything good about Oblivion and improves on it - the quests are very detailed and often tough, and the overall feel of the game is better.

Several years after the introduction of Oblivion, you were hard pressed to find any games that topped it - there were a couple that came close, but none had the overall package that Oblivion has.

However, Dragon Age came very close, and many could argue that it was better. While Dragon Age features stunning graphics and sound, and has a vast world in which to play, it's the roleplaying elements that really set it aside.

Oblivion started the ball rolling by making quests more than simple go and fetch exersizes; Dragon Age was one of the first games to make you make choices that influence the rest of the game, and also make you make difficult moralistic choices.

This element alone catapulted it to the top of my 'Best RPG games' list!

Baldur's Gate for me was the one series that took the average '3D maze' with monster game and transformed it into a real RPG game. WIth good graphics (that look a little dated now) and the ability yo talk to many characters and create a diverse party, Baldur's gate was one of the first games to transfer some of the 'magic' of the pencil and paper game.

Everything was a little linear, and the isometric style is a little dated, but I played this series for a long time and still have it tucked away in a closet somewhere!

Usually I wouldn't consider a 3D first person shooter a RPG game. However, having played Fallout 2 many years ago I decided to try this game out.

I am glad I did - Fallout 3, based in a post apocalyptic world not only is an intense 3D first person shooter game, but it's also a very in-depth and complex RPG. With a very intricate plot, in which every choice you make can effect the outcome, you soon find yourself immersed in a world somewhat different to ours.

It truly is an amazing game that oozes atmosphere and playibility.

The games origins come from two excellent games from the early 90s - Fallout 1 and 2 were in their own way brilliant games - while they do not have the graphics of modern RPG games, they have great character systems and an intense game play that really set the standard for games of the time and still stand the test of time today.

Drakensang is an excellent party-based RPG game that kind of blends Baldur's Gate with Fable to produce an incredibly detailed game. Based on Germany's most popular paper and pencil RPG, this game elevates detail to the highest level.

The graphics are simply stunning and while the game did lag for me a little at times, overall the experience was inthralling and exciting - the depth of quest and plot isn't quite as varied as others, but the sheer size and fun of the game more than make up for that.

Wow what can you say about this game? It's firstly and foremost a first-person sci-fi shooter; however it does blend in aspects of RPG games. I wouldn't call it a true RPG game in the sense that there is a detailed and varied plot, and indeed it is more 'mission' based than a traditional RPG.

I include it here as there are some RPG elements, but sometimes it's just nice to sit back and play an RPGesque game without thinking too much - just enjoy the graphics, the frantic gameplay and then relax with Dragon Age afterwards!

This is the game I am playing currently. Like most of the modern RPG games it features excellent graphics, great sound and a detailed plot that is dependant on your choices. What stands out about Divinity 2 is the ability to change into a Dragon; this is an integral part of the game and you cannot complete the game without it - it adds a different feel to the game, giving you some 'aerial combat' but also allowing you to view the world from a different persepctive.

While the game is mostly a sole-player RPG, you do have the ability to create a Pet who will help you in combat - the pet is very customizable and this is actually a fun part of the game!

While this isn't the best RPG I've ever played it is solid and good and the plot is pretty decent! It's well worth buying when it hits the discount rack.

I grew up watching the original Star Wars movies and therefore jumped at the chance of playing a RPG game based in the Star Wars world.

I must say that I did enjoy the game; while by today's standards the graphics seem a little dated, it was the gameplay that made it stand out. The 'universe' you play in is huge, and the ability to go to different planets, have plots that are only relevant to the planet, while still pursuing an overall planet makes this game extremely fun to play!

Again it's definately worth buying from the discount rack!

I'm in two minds about this game. While the graphics and sound are very good, and the freedom of the game is excellent, it somehow feels a little 'childish' to me, even though there are some very adult themes in it!

Having said that, I did play both games constantly until I completed them, but the elements like collecting hidden gargoyles just seemed to make it less of an RPG than I would like!

I did enjoy the games though, and while it isn't the best RPG ever it is a very good and enjoyable series!

I am not usually a fan of RPG games that only have one character, and do not give you much choice on the type or look of the character. However, from the very first moment I started the game and watched the stunning opening movie I knew this was different; I was instantly immersed in a dark and dank world and could feel the atmopshere oozing out of the game.

The game is intensly dark; this is by design and the feel the game gives is incredible. It is one of the most immersive RPG games I've played and concentrates more on plot and storyline rather than hit points and potions.

This was the first game I played that had a diverse plot that gave you moral choices that changed the plot - not only did that make the game extremely intense, it also made it re-playable!

If you really look at the game you'll see a pretty decent looking game graphically, nothing out of this world - but what makes this game is the way it seeps into you and makes you 'feel' the world.

This game is in my top three along with Oblivion and Dragon Age!