Summary

  • Obsidian Entertainment shines in creating immersive RPG experiences with memorable characters and engaging combat systems.
  • Despite initial flaws, Obsidian's games like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds offer rich narratives with player-driven choices.
  • Obsidian's versatility in crafting games across genres like MMORPGs (Skyforge) and survival (Grounded) demonstrates their creativity.

Widely recognized for creating a string of PC role-playing games, Obsidian Entertainment has since expanded its wings, moving on to bigger and better projects. The company is beloved by fans of hardcore RPGs who love how this developer does so much justice to the genre time and time again. Obsidian Entertainment has a string of quality titles that players should check out if they want to engage in deep and immersive worlds with great combat systems and memorable characters. While Obsidian games are notorious for lacking polish when they're released, that shouldn't take away from their achievements in the slightest.

Top 10 Best Open-World RPGs Ever Made, Ranked
Best Open-World RPGs, Ranked

The best of the best, these open-world RPGs represent the pinnacle of the genre and are an excellent choice for almost any player.

1

Some of the greatest role-playing games in history are made by Obsidian Entertainment, which is huge praise and speaks volumes of their zeal to create enriching narrative experiences that players can enjoy to kingdom come. What makes this studio even better is the fact that they've dabbled across several genres, which is pretty gutsy during a time when most major developers don't really take too many risks while creating games made solely to mint money. With Xbox funding their games, players can only hope that Obsidian Entertainment becomes one of the biggest names in the game industry under their guidance.

Updated May 29, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Obsidian Entertainment is regarded by many as one of the most reputed Western RPG developers around, and players can only hope that Xbox allows this studio to flourish instead of axing it as they have with other studios that have created quality titles. Obsidian's repertoire of games is massive and pretty impressive to boot, with many amazing video games coming from this studio.

Of course, not all games that the studio has made are created equal, but most of these titles have done a great job of ingratiating themselves to the masses and becoming worthy additions to the bevy of titles Obsidian has developed.

14 Skyforge

Metascore: 52

skyforge
Skyforge
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Released
July 16, 2015
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Genre(s)
MMORPG

If there's one thing that Obsidian Entertainment should be lauded for, it's having the guts to branch out and try their hand at several other genres, with Skyforge being a great example of the same. The game is a free-to-play MMORPG that is brimming with quality, even if it may not be the most groundbreaking title in the genre by any stretch of the imagination.

The game was praised for being one of the more engaging MMOs around back when it was launched, but these games rely mostly on post-launch support to draw in fans and become as engaging as possible. Unfortunately, for Skyforge, the bugs are so rampant that a player's entire progress can be completely wiped out, which is the last thing they want to experience in a game where people grind quite a bit to get as many resources as possible.

13 Alpha Protocol

Metascore: 63

Alpha Protocol
alpha protocol
Alpha Protocol
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Action RPG
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Released
June 1, 2010
Platform(s)
PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Genre(s)
Action RPG

Alpha Protocol is a role-playing game like many of Obsidian Entertainment's games. It has an engrossing starting that includes a great deal of customization for the main character, Michael Thorton. Players can choose the default selections, but a more hands-on approach allows them to mold this agent and make him suit the play style they wish to pursue.

The protagonist is a secret agent of the United States government, working for an agency aptly called Alpha Protocol. The game contains lies and deceit, which is to be expected from an espionage thriller. Alpha Protocol was released in a downright broken state and is far from a stable game even now, but fans who are willing to forgive the game's many performance issues will love this title and everything it brings to the table.

12 Dungeon Siege 3

Metascore: 72

Dungeon Siege 3
dungeon siege 3
Dungeon Siege 3
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Action RPG
Adventure
Shooter
Fighting
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Released
June 17, 2011
Platform(s)
Microsoft Windows, PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Genre(s)
Action RPG, Adventure, Shooter, Fighting

In Dungeon Siege 3, players can level up, command party members, customize equipment, and more. Players can choose from four playable characters that suit different playstyles. Fans can also make use of an AI companion or team up with four of their friends online.

Published by Square Enix, it's not the best example of an Obsidian Entertainment game, which makes it even more impressive that the game is a ton of fun to play regardless once players wrap their heads around some of the gameplay mechanics, such as the rather complex inventory system. Fans of the studio who want to check out one of their more underrated titles will have a great time playing through Dungeon Siege 3.

11 Tyranny

Metascore: 80

Tyranny gameplay screenshot
tyranny
Tyranny
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Released
November 10, 2016
Platform(s)
Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Genre(s)
RPG, Adventure, Strategy

This story-driven role-playing game is one of Obsidian Entertainment's most spectacular creations. Like some of Obsidian's other games, choices matter in Tyranny. Some people aren't a fan of the game's clunky interface and storyline, but it has enough role-playing elements to make it stand out. For example, Tyranny has an abundance of character customization and development to keep players invested.

Players should go in with an open mind to appreciate Tyranny. The difficulty of the game and its unique interface can be discouraging at first. Once people get through its beginning hurdles, Tyranny can be a delightful role-playing game that allows players to take on the role of a villain, which is not all that common in most games.

10 Wasteland 2

Metascore: 81

Wasteland 2
wasteland 2
Wasteland 2: Director's Cut
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Released
October 13, 2015
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Genre(s)
RPG

Players who miss the isometric days of the Fallout series will love the Wasteland series and everything it brings to the table. After more than twenty-five years, a sequel to this CRPG was finally released and it certainly delivered.

Just like the predecessor, Wasteland 2 features hardcore tactical combat in a unique world, even if it does feel somewhat derivative at times. The game was quite immersive and showed that inXile Entertainment, assisted by Obsidian, is one of the masters of its craft when it comes to developing riveting and immersive RPGs.

9 Neverwinter Nights 2

Metascore: 82

Neverwinter Nights 2 Mage Casting Spell
never winter nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2
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Released
October 31, 2006
Platform(s)
Microsoft Windows, macOS
Genre(s)
RPG, Narrative, Adventure, Action, Fantasy

Based in the Dungeons & Dragons realm, Neverwinter Nights 2 is one of Obsidian Entertainment's best titles that more people need to check out. Players are in for a treat if they decide to play this excellent RPG, with players being able to influence events via a myriad of options.

Bastion
10 Best Action RPGs Ever Made (According to Metacritic)

The action RPG genre is incredibly broad, but we've narrowed down the 10 best-reviewed titles based on their Metacritic ratings.

Released in 2006, Neverwinter Nights 2 is an example of an Obsidian Entertainment game when the studio is at its best. The story is genuinely exciting, and the gameplay is phenomenal. This is yet another game series started by BioWare but continued with Obsidian. While its modding scene may not be as massive as the original game, there is still a lot of great fan-made content that players can check out for this title too.

8 Grounded

Metascore: 83

Grounded Ultimate Archer Build
Grounded
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Survival Horror
RPG
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Released
September 27, 2022
Platform(s)
Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre(s)
Survival Horror, RPG

Grounded is easily one of the more unique games developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Known for their rich narrative-driven RPGs, Grounded bucks the norm and ends up being a fairly enjoyable survival game which is basically Honey, I Shrunk the Kids in video game form.

Players who want to check out if the studio can pull off a game outside of their comfort zone will love what Grounded brings to the table. It helps that four players can play the game at the same time, making it a great title to experience with friends and family. The fact that this game has attracted a ton of players and continues to grow is a testament to the amazing work Obsidian put in the genre they weren't exactly familiar with.

7 Fallout: New Vegas

Metascore: 84

Fallout New Vegas
Xbox Game Pass new games Fallout New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas
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Released
October 19, 2010
Platform(s)
PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Genre(s)
RPG

Widely considered to be the greatest Fallout game ever made, Fallout: New Vegas is set in a post-apocalyptic open world that is set in the Mojave Desert. The story kicks off with an interesting premise where the player is intercepted while delivering a package to New Vegas.

With rival factions, alternate storylines, and a remarkable combat system, Fallout: New Vegas is Obsidian Entertainment's best game. Bethesda Softworks may have started the Fallout franchise, but Obsidian Entertainment improved on it with a hit spiritual successor. With the Fallout TV series making waves, more and more people can check out this amazing title for themselves to see what makes the world of Fallout so special, with the modding support for New Vegas allowing players to modernize this title and make it as palatable as possible, masking a lot of what made this game feel so dated at times.

6 South Park: The Stick Of Truth

Metascore: 85

Combat in South Park: The Stick of Truth
stick of truth
South Park: The Stick of Truth
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Released
March 4, 2014
Genre(s)
RPG

People have often been disappointed by video games based on television series and movies. Obsidian Entertainment shocked gamers around the world with the release of South Park: The Stick of Truth. The story is about South Park's characters and their fight for the Stick of Truth. They must combat Nazi zombies, aliens, and rival factions to achieve their goal.

Role-playing elements, including an outstanding combat system, make South Park: The Stick of Truth a must-play. A sequel named South Park: The Fractured But Whole was released, but it was not developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Perhaps this is one of the many reasons why The Stick of Truth is considered to be the better of the two games.

5 The Outer Worlds

Metascore: 85

The Outer Worlds
the outer worlds choose
The Outer Worlds
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Released
October 25, 2019
Platform(s)
Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PC
Genre(s)
RPG

One of Obsidian Entertainment's biggest claims to fame happens to be one of their best role-playing games too. The Outer Worlds is the sleeper hit of the year. It introduces a combination of new role-playing elements while integrating old ones.

best games like outer worlds feature
Best Games Like The Outer Worlds You Need To Play

Obsidian's The Outer Worlds is a great sci-fi RPG, but what are some similar games?

When players think of The Outer Worlds, games such as BioShock, Mass Effect, and Fallout come to mind. The player-driven narrative allows people to make meaningful decisions while influencing the events of the game. If players are looking for a modern Obsidian Entertainment game, then The Outer Worlds is a great fit. Despite the lower budget compared to other high-profile releases from the studio, The Outer Worlds works around these limitations to let players enjoy a spacefaring adventure for the ages.