Top five isometric RPGs
Back in the late 90s, Isometric RPGs were the main RPGs to play on PC. There has been an appreciation for the classics, which has inspired independent creators to keep the subgenre alive.
With Isometric RPGs making a comeback this is a list of five isometric games that you should play, to get into isometric RPGs. This is not a best-to-worst list, but a small foray into the subgenre.
1. Baldur's Gate
Developed in 1998 by Bio ware and published by Black Isle entertainment. it was then remade by Beamdog in 2012. Baldur's Gate is an isometric RPG based on the Dungeons and Dragons franchise. You create a character and explore the Sword Coast in the Forgotten Realms, searching for clues to your identity. Baldur's Gate II continues this as you continue your journeys, coming to the terms that you are the child of a dead god. Most new players will get a kick out of the colourful characters such as Minsc the ranger and his companion the hamster Boo. Some players, however, will have to get to a grip using the old-school Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd edition ruleset which may confuse new players. Nevertheless, this is an old-school RPG that will keep any player hooked.
★★★★★
2. Pillars of Eternity
Created by Obsidian Entertainment in 2015, this game is based on the 5th Edition of Dungeons and Dragons. Set in the world of Eora, specifically the nation of Drywood. When the player creates a character, at the beginning of the game the character finds out they are a Watcher and can see into other people's souls. The game is then set around finding out about this event and about Hollowborns’, these are people who are born without souls.
While on this journey, the player also gains a stronghold that needs repairing and maintaining, you feel like a Lord through this while having to deal with emissaries and even another Lord who wants to claim the lands your stronghold is on.
With a captivating story and a few side quests which include bounties and stronghold building, there is a lot to explore and keep you busy.
★★★★☆
3. Arcanum
Do you want to play an isometric RPG, but want something a little different from medieval fantasy? Then Arcanum may be for you. Set in a steampunk universe where magic and technology collide, magic is dying out due to the increase in technology usage.
You can create a character based on magic, swordplay, or gunplay. You can even create a character that is purely based on creating technology such as guns and healing salves.
The game opens aboard an airship that is shot down, and the character is hunted by assassins from a cult. The player then takes their character on a journey learning about the land and comes to understand the battle between magic and technology, and why they are being hunted.
Another function was the ability to create your own adventures by filling a game board such as a town or the wilderness, this was one of the first games that allowed this.
An interesting game and a good break from the usual sword and sorcery. Although a bit confusing for new players and doesn't do well with multiclassing like Baldur’s Gate.
★★★☆☆
4. Fallout
Although, Bethesda got the rights to this franchise and created some pretty good games. The original series created by Interplay is definitely worth a play for anyone looking to either get into isometric RPGs or looking to discover the past of the Fallout series.
Set in an apocalyptic wasteland where the player creates a vault dweller and has to then go into the wasteland. The player is faced with numerous ways to play the game, either through diplomacy or just plain shooting.
Many voice actors that players will recognize such as Ron Perlman who narrates this and the later games and Richard Dean Anderson who voices Killian Darkwater the Mayor of Junktown, also add to the weight of the gameplay.
If you are interested in seeing how the Fallout franchise started give this one a shot. Just be careful the wasteland is vicious, and loading save files will be a common occurrence.
★★★★☆
5. Shadowrun
Another game based on the RPG tabletop game. Shadowrun is set in a cyberpunk future, where the awakening where magic has come back into the world, has happened and fantasy creatures exist such as dwarves, and elves.
The game focuses on shadowrunners, who are mercenaries that do off-the-book wetwork for money. The first game centres around a murder and the player has to solve it while being hunted down by a cult. There are two other stories to play as well.
The game is faithful to its source material and has more than one way to deal with encounters. It’s just a shame that the company didn't create more runs for players to do or allow a creation system where people could make their own runs and have a multiplayer option. Nevertheless, a terrific game for anyone wanting to break from Dungeons and Dragons for a while.
★★★★☆
There are many isometric RPGs for you to play, of many different genres and systems. Many of these games can be found on GOG.com for about £6. At most they will be about £15 but are well worth the money, as creating different characters and the unique ways to handle each game can give quite a bit of replayability.