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We can rate the best Dungeons & Dragons video games based on their graphics, gameplay, story, and how well it relates to the Dungeons & Dragons universe. The following are among the best role-playing games of all time.
Updated April 26, 2022 by Kristy Ambrose: It’s been an interesting few years for indoor activities in general, and a lot has happened in both the world of video games and the D&D franchise during that time. There are a few more entries to add to the original list, not just because of some new sequels, but also for remakes and remastered versions that use the same mechanics and lore as D&D games. A few of the “new” entries are vintage releases that have been rediscovered. These days there’s a nice mix of vintage, stand-alone, MMORPG, or mobile video games for D&D fans to enjoy.
18 Eye Of The Beholder
The time of text-based games might be over, but the legacy lives on in modern games, and those players who want to relive that simpler time can try the classic Eye of the Beholder. The original game dates from 1991 and was designed to run on MS-DOS, but was later ported to the SNES and Sega consoles.
The game takes place in the city of Waterdeep, a famous location in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, and a team of adventurers must descend into the sewer beneath the city and confront the Beholder Xanathar in his lair. It was an instant hit among gamers, including those who were unfamiliar with D&D and those who have never played the tabletop version, and its popularity spawned a number of sequels. It might be humble, but it’s one of the best D&D video games.
17 Baldur’s Gate 3
One of the most high-profile video game releases in recent months, the next installment in the classic series recalls the old games and breaks some new ground. Baldur’s Gate 3 has only been out for a few months and the reviews are mixed, so its placement at the bottom of the list is more about ambiguity than lack of quality.
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Some players appreciate some of the differences from the previous installments of the popular franchise while others have voiced opposition. Larian Studios produced this sequel instead of the Wizards of the Sword Coast, and most of the player gripes stem from party dynamics and the direction of some questlines, with praise for the updated graphics and improved gameplay.
16 Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire
This role-playing game gives you lots of options for custom tailoring your experience. With several character classes, different abilities to choose from, and choices to make at each turn, few other Dungeons and Dragons games recreate the experience more than Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
Most other D&D games of this era were based on 2nd or 3rd Edition rules and didn’t have that many options. Released in 2018, those looking for a modern Dungeons and Dragons game should play this one. It generally received positive reviews and is one of the most impactful Dungeons and Dragons games in recent years.
15 Planescape Torment
One of the most overlooked Dungeons and Dragons games is Planetscape: Torment. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive for the game, but it did not garner the sales that Black Isle Studios hoped for. With a sizeable cult following, Planetscape Torment is exceptional based on its merit and could be one of the best D&D video games.
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The game’s expansive lore will keep players engaged for hours on end. The dialogue is fascinating, and it’s one of those games you might call your favorite. Planetscape Torment is widely available on platforms such as PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
14 Neverwinter Nights
This Neverwinter Nights refers to the BioWare game that was released in 2002 and not the original MS-DOS Neverwinter Nights from 1991. The gameplay of Neverwinter Nights is based on the 3rd edition of Dungeons and Dragons.
The combat revolves around dice rolls, and players start by creating a new character, just like in the board game. It’s worth noting that Neverwinter Nights is not related to Neverwinter, although both are set in the realm of Dungeons and Dragons.Neverwinter Nights is a single-player adventure.
13 Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II is a hack and slash game that was released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The sequel to the original Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is every bit as exciting. In the titular city, there is an abundance of supernatural monsters to face.
Learning skills and obtaining weapons help to aid progression in the game. The game offers more than a basic playthrough since there are hidden items, areas, and characters to be discovered. Fans enjoyed the subtle changes and Baldur’s Gate 3 couldn’t come soon enough.
12 Temple Of Elemental Evil
Those that have some experience with the Greyhawk module already know something about the setting for Temple of Elemental Evil. There’s a tabletop module of the same name, which is true for many video games that have a tabletop counterpart, so players could embark on the same mission with some friends to vary the gameplay and the ultimate outcome.
The game dates from 2003, and although it drew criticism for bugs and choppy gameplay generally, it received accolades for the turn-based combat and battlefield tactics that were painfully faithful to the TTRPG version.
11 Icewind Dale 2
The strong suit of Icewind Dale 2 is its gameplay mechanics, including its combat system. However, the game has dated graphics and might not measure up to some of the other Dungeons and Dragons games on this list.
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Icewind Dale 2 might be a challenge for some gamers, but it still remains one of the best Dungeons and Dragons video games of all time. There is less exploration in Icewind Dale 2 compared to other games of the same kind.
10 Dungeons And Dragons: Daggerdale
A standard D&D adventure that takes place in the Forgotten Realms and inspired by the Heroes series, which isn’t exactly amazing, but what sets this one apart is that it’s available on various platforms. Produced by Bedlam Games in 2011, this game works on PC, the PS3, and the Xbox 360, and is equipped with both single and multiplayer modes.
Players can take part in the progressive campaign or simply explore the world, leveling up and customizing their character independently. Bear in mind this is a ten-year-old game based on 2nd edition rules and doesn’t have the same variety as more recent games in the same genre, with only four classes and four races from which to choose.
9 Solasta: Crown Of The Magister
A game based on a variant of the 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons rules, Solasta: Crown of the Magister includes most of the typical D&D features. Players can build their own characters from scratch or use a premade one, and the overall quest includes searching the ruins of an ancient Elven Empire to re-assemble a powerful and valuable artifact.
The location of this story in the context of the D&D lore is never specified, as it’s not strictly a game of D&D rules, but all the player is told initially is that the setting is a post-apocalyptic fantasy world. It’s not the most complex story, but the combat and graphics are accessible to anyone, even gamers unfamiliar with D&D.
8 Dungeons & Dragons Online
This massively multiplayer online role-playing game is, as its name suggests, based on the Dungeons & Dragons board game. Despite being over ten years old, there are still people who frequent Dungeons & Dragons Online. As shown in the above photo, players can choose from a variety of races, including Human, Elf, Dwarf, Warforged, and Half-Orc.
Instead of being snide or elitist, the community of Dungeons & Dragons Online is a group of friendly people who are usually willing to help. You can start a guild and build a character, much like other MMORPGs.
7 Tales From Candlekeep: Tomb Of Annihilation
Part of this game’s title might sound familiar since Candlekeep is the famous library that appears in both the video and tabletop versions of many D&D adventures. Instead of creating a character from the ground up, players choose from one of four pre-generated ones and use them in turn-based combat on an isometric dungeon crawler that uses D&D rules.
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The plot follows the same basic format as a table-top dungeon module. An adventuring party is exploring a vast world for gold, fame, and cool items while following a specific quest, in this case, to find the cause of the death curse that’s fallen over the peninsula of Chult.
6 Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2 was created by Obsidian Entertainment, much like many of BioWare’s sequel games. Obsidian Entertainment has proven to be an exceptional game developer for role-playing games like Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, and Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords.
Set in the Dungeons and Dragons realm, it makes use of Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition rules. Neverwinter Nights 2 is a game in which you can pour over 60 hours. With favorable reviews, the game made mostly positive changes since the first game. The story is hair-raising and is a must-play for RPG enthusiasts.
5 Dragon Age: Inquisition
For those looking to play a modern Dungeons and Dragons game with contemporary graphics and modernistic gameplay, Dragon Age: Inquisition is the best option. BioWare didn’t hold back with their most recent Dragon Age title. In 2014, it won the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards.
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The choices you make can influence and define your story. Those looking for a game with online capabilities, group quests, and more dungeons and dragons than one could hope for should pick up a copy of Dragon Age: Inquisition today.
4 Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara
Yeah, that’s right, there is a side-scrolling beat ’em up fighting game named after Dungeons and Dragons. Moreover, the game is set in the Dungeons & Dragons realm. Developed by Capcom and released in 1996, Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara offers a different experience than other fighting games.
Players can upgrade their gear and equip new spells, which is practically unheard of in side-scrolling fighting games. Its single-player mode is unique, offering multiple endings based on the path you take. Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara is worth playing for fans of the genre and Dungeons and Dragons devotees.
3 Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
Reviews for Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn are generally favorable. It is widely considered the best Dungeons & Dragons video game out there. You start the game kidnapped and imprisoned in a dark wizard named Ireincus’s stronghold. The dungeons you explore are varied and gloomy.
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According to howlongtobeat.com,Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn’s main story lasts approximately 71 hours. Throughout the adventure, you’ll experience unique role-playing opportunities depending on your class, race, and alignment. There’s a linear storyline to follow along with a healthy amount of independent exploration.
2 Icewind Dale, Enhanced Edition
Several vintage D&D games were brought out of retirement as part of the marketing plan for Baldur’s Gate 3. Popular titles like Icewind Dale are one example, a typical D&D adventuring module set in the town of Easthaven.
This new and improved version includes the original and its expansions, Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter and Trials of the Luremaster. It runs on Android as well as several consoles and standard desktop or laptop computers, and you can play with others no matter what platform their using.
1 Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Edition
Baldur’s Gate has been the crown jewel of D&D games since the games first appeared in the 1990s. The success of this game guaranteed a bright future for the genre in video games and is the main reason the third installment was so hotly anticipated.
This updated and enhanced version of the classic game includes Shadows of Amn, Throne of Bhaal, and The Black Pits II. New content includes extra options for companions and locations. It has all of the same technical advantages as the enhanced Icewind Dale as well as the same versatility when it comes to groups or single players. Most D&D fans who are also gamers will testify that this is the best Dungeons & Dragons video game of all time.
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