Folks, the reason games like XCOM keep showing up in this thread is because the OP said "like Darkest Dungeon... where you have a bunch of characters".
In games like Divinity and Pillars of Eternity, you are one of the characters. In games like Darkest Dungeon and XCOM, you have a stable of characters to work with but there is no 'main' character.
I have played all those listed extensivley , and Darkest Dungeon is a pretty unique game ... And the closest to it imo is Monster Den Chronicles ..........Is why i mentioned it only , none of the others are very similar to DD
Xcom is kinda a mix, it do have RPG elements with a story, interaction with npcs and progression. It's main gameplay is of course the tactical combat (who reminds me a lot of the tabletop game "Infinity", and yeah, I know U.F.O: enemy unknown invented it).
What game mainly is decides what kind of genre it is.
Statistics, progression, story, etc are elements that existed in various types of games, and before computer RPGs became mainstream thing. Calling all games that have some sort of number you can increase over time and/or some kind of story an RPG is silly and incorrect.
If you're looking for something a bit different, give Thea: The Awakening a try. It's an odd mix of turn-based strategy, RPG, survival, strategy, crafting and text interludes that, despite some quirks, is quite amazing and frustratingly fun. The text has nearly put me out of my chair laughing on occasions, and there is a real sense of loss when your favorite villages just sort of snuffs it. What's even better is the text contains enough options that it doesn't affect replayability. There's simply sometimes no right way to do a specific encounter. It gives me the one-on-one feel of players sitting around a GM, waiting to hear the next bit of story / adventure. One of the most fascinating crafting systems I have seen in awhile -- simple but elegant.
Available through Steam.
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
Get a PS1 emulator and play a suikoden? They are THE game for collecting characters.
I want to help design and develop a PvE-focused, solo-friendly, sandpark MMO which combines crafting, monster hunting, and story. So PM me if you are starting one.
Wizardry 1-2-3 Ultima 3-4 Bard's Tale 1-2 Wizardry 4-5-6 Bard's Tale 3 Might and Magic 1-2-3 Wasteland Wizardry 7-8 Might and Magic 4-5-6 (World of Xeen) Might and Magic 7-9
once done with all the classics, then you can get to the modern day single player RPG's like Baldur's Gate and IWD
Wizardry 1-2-3 Ultima 3-4 Bard's Tale 1-2 Wizardry 4-5-6 Bard's Tale 3 Might and Magic 1-2-3 Wasteland Wizardry 7-8 Might and Magic 4-5-6 (World of Xeen) Might and Magic 7-9
once done with all the classics, then you can get to the modern day single player RPG's like Baldur's Gate and IWD
Good list. I've played most of those. But if you're going to go back that far, why not include Akalabeth and Ultima 1-2? Sure, he might need to buy an ancient Apple computer to play Akalabeth, but most everyone else is recommending that he buy some console or something.
I'm guessing that the Ultima 1 and 2 were merely omissions. I probably put in more game time in Ultima 1 than any other fantasy crpg game (behind Zork and Empire) until M&M 7.
And if you liked Baldur's Gate, you might also try Lords of Xulima, which is highly evocative of Baldur's.
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
Calling all games that have some sort of number you can increase over time and/or some kind of story an RPG is silly and incorrect.
wow .. we are going to debate what a RPG is too???
And xcom series are great. Whether you call it RPG, RPG-lite, strategy game, strategic RPG .. does not change the game. So i say the OP should check it out.
It is silly to assume players should ignore good games just because they does not fit all the strict definitions of what you think RPG should be.
Wizardry 1-2-3 Ultima 3-4 Bard's Tale 1-2 Wizardry 4-5-6 Bard's Tale 3 Might and Magic 1-2-3 Wasteland Wizardry 7-8 Might and Magic 4-5-6 (World of Xeen) Might and Magic 7-9
once done with all the classics, then you can get to the modern day single player RPG's like Baldur's Gate and IWD
Good list. I've played most of those. But if you're going to go back that far, why not include Akalabeth and Ultima 1-2? Sure, he might need to buy an ancient Apple computer to play Akalabeth, but most everyone else is recommending that he buy some console or something.
I'm guessing that the Ultima 1 and 2 were merely omissions. I probably put in more game time in Ultima 1 than any other fantasy crpg game (behind Zork and Empire) until M&M 7.
And if you liked Baldur's Gate, you might also try Lords of Xulima, which is highly evocative of Baldur's.
no, they were purposely omitted cause the OP said he wanted a party based game
Jagged Alliance 2 (with 1.13 mod) - Realistic mercenary base squad tactics. It's 2D, and a bit old, but the gameplay is still 2nd to none (except maybe Silent Storm at it's best). https://www.gog.com/game/jagged_alliance_2
Valkyria Chronicles - Anime fictional WW2. Not so realistic, but plays like a turn based third person shooter. Story driven, good characters (if you like anime), and you get a customisable tank! Available on Steam.
Might and Magic X: Legacy - Another first person party based dungeon crawler (with a semi-open world) and turn based combat. Does need UPlay Available on steam
May not be exactly what you're looking for, but I find Massive Chalice to be an underrated gem.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar Authored 139 missions in VendettaOnline and 6 tracks in Distance
Comments
In games like Divinity and Pillars of Eternity, you are one of the characters. In games like Darkest Dungeon and XCOM, you have a stable of characters to work with but there is no 'main' character.
Statistics, progression, story, etc are elements that existed in various types of games, and before computer RPGs became mainstream thing.
Calling all games that have some sort of number you can increase over time and/or some kind of story an RPG is silly and incorrect.
Available through Steam.
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
You can also try searching for 4X games if you like those.
Wizardry 1-2-3
Ultima 3-4
Bard's Tale 1-2
Wizardry 4-5-6
Bard's Tale 3
Might and Magic 1-2-3
Wasteland
Wizardry 7-8
Might and Magic 4-5-6 (World of Xeen)
Might and Magic 7-9
once done with all the classics, then you can get to the modern day single player RPG's like Baldur's Gate and IWD
LOL for all of you that keep throwing console games at the poor guy.......
I'm guessing that the Ultima 1 and 2 were merely omissions. I probably put in more game time in Ultima 1 than any other fantasy crpg game (behind Zork and Empire) until M&M 7.
And if you liked Baldur's Gate, you might also try Lords of Xulima, which is highly evocative of Baldur's.
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
And xcom series are great. Whether you call it RPG, RPG-lite, strategy game, strategic RPG .. does not change the game. So i say the OP should check it out.
It is silly to assume players should ignore good games just because they does not fit all the strict definitions of what you think RPG should be.
at least they are not throwing MMOs ....
http://store.steampowered.com/app/246760/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
no, they were purposely omitted cause the OP said he wanted a party based game
Ult 1-2 and Akalabeth were single character games
Be the Ultimate Ninja! Play Billy Vs. SNAKEMAN today!
Silent Storm - Realistic WW2 based squad tactics, Sentinels is also really good. https://www.gog.com/game/silent_storm_gold
Jagged Alliance 2 (with 1.13 mod) - Realistic mercenary base squad tactics. It's 2D, and a bit old, but the gameplay is still 2nd to none (except maybe Silent Storm at it's best). https://www.gog.com/game/jagged_alliance_2
Valkyria Chronicles - Anime fictional WW2. Not so realistic, but plays like a turn based third person shooter. Story driven, good characters (if you like anime), and you get a customisable tank! Available on Steam.
Shadowrun Returns / Dragonfall / Hong Kong - Story driven, but you get a choice of missions. Sci-Fi future with magic, generally good stories. https://www.gog.com/games?sort=bestselling&search=shadowrun&page=1
Legend of Grimrock / 2 - Basically a first person party based dungeon crawler. Combat is semi-real time though (from memory). https://www.gog.com/game/legend_of_grimrock_2
Might and Magic X: Legacy - Another first person party based dungeon crawler (with a semi-open world) and turn based combat. Does need UPlay
Might find something here if you check this list
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
Not too many games like Darkest Dungeon, but depending on what you value most from the feature list, you should be able to find a few in here.
good luck