Speak about best Western PC RPG ever it’s not as easy as it sounds. Of course, removing JRPGs from the equation (which we will talk about in the future) eliminates many possibilities, but on balance the role-playing games are really many and divided into various sub-genres, from CRPGs to turn-based RPGs. However, we believe that there are some masterpieces worthy of being represented in a dedicated ranking like this one.
As always, we considered fifteen titles, alternating between historical milestones and more modern experiences. We are aware that it is complicated to be able to please everyone, which is why it is always important to consider that even if these rankings are based on objective facts, on the one hand there is always a veil of subjectivity that distinguishes the rankings. That said, let’s start with what are the best Western PC RPGs ever according to the GameDivision editors!
The Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion
The other rankings
The best Western PC RPGs ever
15) Fallout 2
- Year: 1998
- Developer: Black Isle Studios
Fallout 2 is one of those RPGs that never gets old. Able to offer an almost perfect role-playing system, and different plots that all convey into an ending that will be altered by our choices, the production of Black Isle remains one of the best role-playing games ever. We recommend it to those who love productions in which the decisions made by the player are able, really, to change the game world in a tangible way.
14) Knights of the Old Republic
- Year: 2003
- Developer: BioWare
If you love Star Wars, and RPGs, Knights Of The Old Republic remains, even today, a must purchase. Memorable characters, a well-written story, consistent with the universe made by George Lucas (which is quite rare these days), and a growth system designed to be modeled around the needs of the player, whether he is a “hardcore fan” of RPGs. or a first-time user. If you have never tried it, do it and you will understand, once more, why BioWare is considered one of the cornerstones of the genre.
13) Mass Effect
- Year: 2007
- Developer: BioWare
Again BioWare and such a milestone again, Mass Effect needs no introduction, as does the legendary name of Shepard. Capable of mixing the best of Western productions with the best of Oriental productions, the first chapter of the trilogy, especially in the version featured in the recently released Legendary Edition, is an experience that anyone should try at least once in their lifetime. Majestically imperfect like every piece that makes up the mosaic of videogame history.
12) Fallout 3
- Year: 2008
- Developer: Bethesda Softworks
The first Fallout in three dimensions is never forgotten, especially if it is able to immerse the player in his world like very few other titles can. Although surely, Fallout 3, is not a champion from a purely technical point of view, he manages in a few minutes to completely immerse the player in his world, overwhelming him, like a river in flood, of activities to be carried out, stories to tell him. and a realistic, believable and pulsating world where you can roam freely.
11) Dragon Age: Origins
- Year: 2010
- Developer: BioWare
Long-lived, fulfilling, capable of being faced with completely different approaches, Dragon Age: Origins is all this and more. One of BioWare’s best productions in many years now, Origins represents the embodiment, in digital form, of the more literal sense of the term “role-playing”. A must purchase for anyone who has never tried it
10) Neverwinter Nights
- Year: 2002
- Developer: BioWare
Neverwinter Nights is, in no uncertain terms, the quintessential multiplayer for RPGs. The world of the Forgotten Realms is alive, pulsating and manages to offer a unique and, literally, infinite experience. Neverwinter Nights is, to put it simply, both a dream come true for any Dungeon & Dragons lover and one of the best Western PC RPGs.
9) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Year: 2006
- Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda knew that after the third chapter and its success it would have been difficult to create something remotely similar, but The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, despite some criticism repeatedly expressed, remains for atmosphere, soundtrack and quest, among the best role-playing works of always. The world of Cyrodill still remains vibrant, mysterious and varied today. Exploring and fighting has never been so good, especially thanks to the modern mods available on the net.
8) Gothic II
- Year: 2002
- Developer: Piranha Bytes
Gothic II represents the masterpiece of Piranha Bytes, a team that has largely been able to prove to be exceptional in terms of rolistic mechanics, less for those concerning the technical aspect (unfortunately). The second chapter of the Gothic series, in addition to showing a satisfactory (for the time) visual sector, is still remembered today for the many opportunities offered by the game. Definitely the best of the series.
7) The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Year: 2002
- Developer: Bethesda Softworks
The best chapter of The Elder Srolls series? For many it is so and in some respects it can be considered as such. In addition to representing an important evolutionary step compared to its predecessor, Morrowind strikes not only for its setting, but also for its amount of content, the soundtrack and among the best quests of the role-playing landscape.
6) Disc Elysium
- Year: 2019
- Developer: ZA / UM
Probably the most atypical RPG on this list, but at the same time one of the most original and well thought out in recent years. Disco Elysium puts us in the shoes of a private investigator, consequently the whole role component mainly concerns the structure of our personal characteristics. Every choice we make can really totally change the path of the story and this really makes it one of the role-playing games to play absolutely.
5) Fallout New Vegas
- Year: 2010
- Developer: Obsidian
The best work dedicated to Fallout? Yes, without a shadow of a doubt Obsidian has managed to combine the role-playing quality of Fallout 2 with the open world experience of Fallout 3, giving life not only to the best chapter of the saga, but also to one of the best Western PC RPGs ever. Even today, the structure of the quests and the breadth of content remains unmatched, so much so that users are clamoring for a remake or an actual follow-up. One day, who knows, it might even come.
4) Pillars of Eternity
- Year: 2015
- Developer: Obsidian
Conceived as a spiritual heir to the Baldur’s Gate series, Pillars of Eternity has been able to amaze everyone thanks to the characterization of the characters, its main storyline and a hybrid combat system that has been able to bring many new players closer. Its success prompted the development of a sequel, which unfortunately failed to achieve the beauty of its predecessor. However, the series is far from dead, Obsidian is working on Avowed, a first-person RPG set in the narrative universe of Pillars of Eternity.
3) Divinity 2: Original Sin
- Year: 2017
- Developer: Larian Studios
Nowadays it is really difficult to find something better than Divinity 2: Original Sin, perhaps only Baldur’s Gate III in its complete form could be able to come close to a masterpiece of this magnitude and quality. Even if it is not first in the rankings, Divinity 2: Original Sin can really be considered the current best Western RPG ever, an experience capable of occupying hundreds of hours in our time without creating any kind of boredom.
2) Baldur’s Gate II
- Year: 2000
- Developer: BioWare
One certainty, anyone who has played Baldur’s Gate II probably has between 200 and 300 hours of stories in their diary. What was Baldur’s Gate II (but also the first chapter) has completely given a fundamental imprint for the development of future roleplaying stories. Still today one of the main masterpieces of the genre.
1) Planescape Torment
- Year: 1999
- Developer: Black Isle Studios
Considered by many to be the best RPG of all time, Planescape Torment could only finish in first position. Also in our opinion Planescape TormenT remains among the best role-playing works ever developed, an unforgettable milestone for its game world and one of the most immersive and curated main quests of the genre. Those who love role-playing games should play this unrivaled masterpiece at least once.
