5 Classic Games Based on Dungeons & Dragons (You Can Also Play on a Mac)
D&D by itself is fun, but it could be even better when it’s the inspiration for a video game. And some video game developers have taken up the challenge and produced their own D&D-inspired games that have gone down in video game history as classics.
If you were looking to get into playing a strategy action RPG based on D&D, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite ones and made sure to pick games you may also play on a Mac.
1. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Pathfinder is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) system that was built on the foundations of version 3.5 of D&D. Owlcat Games has taken the Pathfinder game system and its stories and has spun them into well-received video games.
Building on its predecessor, Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous takes the best of the previous game and brings it to an all-new refreshing adventure. Here, you get to play as the commander of an army in Golarion and wage epic warfare against the demons of the Abyss.
Wrath has a compelling plot of betrayal, subterfuge, love, loyalty, and war, where each decision your character makes actually has an effect on the world and your experience. Thanks to the companions that accompany you, you could experience different classes and optimize your game to fit your play style better.
Combat and character-building are pretty much based on the core rules of Pathfinder, and if you’re new to Pathfinder, it can prove a little challenging. If you’re coming from a more modern D&D version like D&D 5e, then you might need to learn more about Pathfinder before you begin.
Like Kingmaker, Wrath also has two main methods of combat,real-time with pause (RTwP)and turn-based. Real-time with pause allows combat to flow in real-time, but you can pause it and give commands to your characters. This allows for more fluid and dynamic combat.
However, if you prefer a tactical turn-based approach, you can switch to turn-based mode and command your characters in their turns on each combat round.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is definitely a modern classic that defines theCRPGgenre.
Download:Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition($39.99)
2. Baldur’s Gate II
First released in 2000, Baldur’s Gate II is the sequel to Baldur’s Gate of 1998. This sequel has gone down as a literal game-changer in CRPGs, creating a video game with as much focus on combat mechanics as on storytelling and characterization. It’s been such a success that it has made it onto our list ofclassic PC games it’s possible to play on an Android device.
Baldur’s Gate II is based on AD&D 2e’s (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition’s) rule system, and like Pathfinder, it’s quite different from D&D 5e. In BG II, you’ll find a variety of classes, skills, and abilities that will allow you to build a truly unique custom character, and it also lends the game great replayability.
Combined with its isometric designs and pre-loaded background scenes, Baldur’s Gate’s technical success contributes to the wholesome approach it has to its dungeon-crawling and treasure-finding element. This makes it such a good game for new players and returning veterans alike.
Decades after its release, Baldur’s Gate II remains an exemplary game with a loyal fanbase.
Download:Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition($19.99)
3. Icewind Dale
Another classic CRPG based on AD&D 2e, Icewind Dale, is a game set in Dungeon & Dragon’s Forgotten Realms. However, unlike the Baldur’s Gate games, this game has a more forgettable story it compensates for with its focus on combat.
Apart from combat, the key thing that earmarks Icewind Dale is its setting. While it’s an isometric game, similar to Baldur’s Gate, in Icewind Dale, your party will journey through the harsh but beautiful frozen landscapes represented by hand-painted backgrounds. The foreboding and icy atmosphere is also heightened by a well-done musical score and haunting sound effects.
Create your party of six, and choose their classes from a broad range to choose from. While you have to create your characters using AD&D’s ruleset, it’s been a bit simplified, so it’s more accessible for new players.
While the game shows its age in terms of graphics and user interface, the deep and engaging story, challenging gameplay, and memorable characters make it a must-play for any RPG fan.
Download:Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition($19.99)
4. Planescape Torment
If you’re looking for a game that captures the essential elements of Dungeon & Dragon’s storytelling and the expression of a player’s freedom and alignment masterfully, then look no further than Planescape Torment.
If Baldur’s Gate is generally good and Icewind Dale is combat-focused, then Planescape Torment is the narrative-focused one of the trio. It’s so story-focused that it’s possible to gain more experience from talking to other characters than doing quests
Speaking of the story, you play as an amnesic immortal called the Nameless One who wakes up in a morgue. You will learn about past incarnations of your character as you journey through the planes of existence and explore the complicated world of Planescape. The game explores philosophical themes of mortality, identity, morality, and the nature of reality.
Planescape Torment also uses a simplified version of AD&D 2nd Edition’s ruleset. You have to build your character with a point-buy system and face combat in real-time with pause mode. Unlike some other games on this list, there’s no turn-based mode.
While Planescape Torment didn’t do well commercially at first, it has gone down as one of the best RPGs of all time, thanks to its amazing storytelling and characterization. And it has been deservedly dubbed ‘one of the best books you’re able to play.’
Download:Planescape Torment: Enhanced Edition($19.99)
5. Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights is also set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. The plot unfolds in the city of Neverwinter, where you play a hero who must investigate the Chaos Curse. You will meet allies and enemies as the game progresses. Like most good CRPGs, your decisions will affect the story’s outcome.
While the standalone plot is divided into three main interesting chapters, there are various expansion packs you can add to this game, like Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark. These expansions greatly increase the possibilities in Neverwinter Nights, and can improve your experience.
However, where Neverwinter Nights shines is in its community which has continued to expand and refine this game even after more than 20 years. Neverwinter has a dedicated community of players who manage servers where you can co-op for multiplayer games.
Thanks to the Aurora Toolset, players can create their own adventures and share it with other players. Thanks to these and the mods, there’s a countless stream of content that keeps this game fresh even after all these years.
Neverwinter Nights remains one of the must-play games for D&D fans who also enjoy role-playing games.
Download:Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition($19.99)
And More Classic DnD Games Are Coming
Building on the success of their predecessors, new games in the CRPG genre are coming in the future. See Baldur’s Gate III, for example, which is a combination of D&D 5e’s system and the graphics and storytelling prowess of Larian Studios. There’s no doubt that it will go down as a classic down the line.
As a D&D fan, you should count yourself among the good niche of gamers that get to enjoy the perfect balance of strategy, combat, and storytelling. Therefore, adventurer, go forth and have fun—whether on Mac or Windows!
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