Classic RPGs: Top Five Alternatives to Baldur's Gate 3

The announcement and release of 'Baldur's Gate 3' has excited the roleplaying game (RPG) community. This sequel to the acclaimed 'Baldur's Gate' series promises a sprawling world, complex moral decisions, and strategic, turn-based combat. While we wait for the full release of 'Baldur's Gate 3', adventure seekers may be looking for similar games to suffice their RPG cravings. Let's explore some of the top alternatives that offer intricate storylines, distinctive characters, and extensive world-building.

Divinity: Original Sin 2

First on the list is 'Divinity: Original Sin 2', a turn-based RPG developed by Larian Studios, the same development team responsible for 'Baldur's Gate 3', making this a close alternative.

Gameplay

This game features exciting turn-based combat where character placement and elemental interactions can make the difference between success and failure. It includes a very strategic system around skills and spells with the physical and magical damage model.

Story & Setting

Set in a high fantasy world where divine beings are warring for control, players start as a lowly prisoner with divine potential. The game's story is rich with side quests and intricate dialogue passages that reflect on your past decisions.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Created by Obsidian Entertainment, 'Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire' is a spiritual successor to the classic 'Baldur's Gate' series, presenting players with a deep narrative and intricate world-building.

Gameplay

Pillars of Eternity II runs on a real-time combat system that can be paused to issue commands. It features unique mechanics like ship-to-ship combat and individual crew management that adds depth to its gameplay.

Story & Setting

This game merges traditional fantasy with a pirate setting. Following a mysterious event, the player's character becomes a watcher, capable of looking into other people's souls and past lives. The tale unwinds in an archipelago, offering players an exhilarating maritime exploration.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker

Inspired by classic DnD-style games, 'Pathfinder: Kingmaker' is an isometric RPG loaded with strategic combat, a dungeon crawling aspect, and kingdom management mechanics.

Gameplay

Gameplay includes classic real-time-with-pause combat. Also, it innovatively merges RPGs with a city-building sub-game where players build and manage their kingdom, impacting the game’s storyline and outcomes.

Story & Setting

Based on the popular Pathfinder tabletop game, players are led on an epic journey across the Stolen Lands, territories steeped in ancient history and filled with secrets. The storyline is highly responsive to player decisions, ensuring an original experience for each player.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Developed by BioWare, 'Dragon Age: Inquisition' is the third main game in the 'Dragon Age' series and is a worthy alternative for those who enjoyed 'Baldur's Gate's' complex characters and rich lore.

Gameplay

The game features real-time combat with a strategic pause option. The player plays as the Inquisitor. There is also a war table where players make decisions about their army and spy network, which affects their journey through the game.

Story & Setting

'Dragon Age: Inquisition' presents a story of political intrigue set in a well-developed world filled with distinct cultures, races, and complex history. The plot revolves around the player character, who must stop demonic creatures from invading their world.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Concluding our list is the award-winning 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt'. While not an isometric RPG, its narrative depth and open-world settings make it an excellent choice for 'Baldur's Gate' fans.

Gameplay

The gameplay blends strategic, fast-paced combat with extensive character progression and a multi-layered alchemy system. It brings a whole new depth to RPGs with its branching narrative structure where each decision changes the course of the world around you.

Story & Setting

The game is set in a richly detailed dark fantasy world inspired by Slavic mythology. The story follows Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter, in his search for his missing adopted daughter on the run from the Wild Hunt, an otherworldly force determined to capture her and use her powers. Each of these games provides a unique RPG experience with their blend of compelling narratives, complex mechanics, and rich world-building. While 'Baldur's Gate 3' is being polished for its full release, these games should cater to your craving for immersive and strategic role-playing adventures.