Highlights

  • 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.

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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 developersaround, 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

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Xbox One , Switch
Released
July 16, 2015
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

Platform(s)
PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC
Released
June 1, 2010
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

Platform(s)
Microsoft Windows , PC , Xbox 360 , PlayStation 3
Released
June 17, 2011
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.

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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
Tyranny

Platform(s)
Linux , Microsoft Windows , macOS
Released
November 10, 2016
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: Director's Cut

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One
Released
October 13, 2015
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
Neverwinter Nights 2

Platform(s)
Microsoft Windows , macOS
Released
October 31, 2006
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.

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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

Platform(s)
PS5 , Xbox Series X|S , Nintendo Switch , PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
September 27, 2022
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
Fallout: New Vegas

Platform(s)
PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC
Released
October 19, 2010
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
South Park: The Stick of Truth

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , Switch , PC
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

Platform(s)
Switch , Xbox One , PS4 , PC
Released
October 25, 2019
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.

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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.

4 Pentiment

Metascore: 86

Andreas finds yellow gentian in Pentiment
Pentiment

Released
November 15, 2022
Genre(s)
Adventure

Pentiment is one of the most unique titles made by Obsidian Entertainment, utilizing a striking art style that helps its murder mystery take on a charm of its own. Players go through multiple generations, with things like the UI and font subtly changing to reflect the changing times.

The detective work present in Pentiment is quite fun, and players will love unraveling the threads of the narrative as they try to find the killer. The fact that time was constantly running out meant that people couldn't pursue all leads, which made the investigation feel pretty tense at times.

3 Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

Metascore: 86

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II The Sith Lords (2004)
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

Platform(s)
Switch , Xbox (Original) , Windows , iOS , Linux , macOS , Android
Released
December 6, 2004
Genre(s)
RPG

It's a shame that the legacy of Knights of the Old Republic 2 has been forever tarnished courtesy of a broken and unfinished launch. Fans had to work a lot on this game to optimize the experience, and the popular Restored Content mod for this game is downright essential for the best experience.

Much like another beloved Obsidian Entertainment game, The Sith Lords launched in a broken state despite having a narrative that is arguably better than its predecessor. Special mention should be given to Kreia, who is easily one of the most well-written antagonists in Star Wars history.

2 Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Metascore: 88

Pillars Of Eternity 2
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
May 8, 2018
Genre(s)
RPG

Both Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire and Pillars of Eternity are excellent in their own right. Obsidian Entertainment played it safe with its sequel, but they still added a better story with more refined gameplay mechanics.

However, a smaller party size may have hurt the gameplay of Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. This could be a questionable move, but the game has enough content to stand on its own. Whether players like the first Pillars of Eternity or its sequel, there's no denying that both titles have impressive qualities that make them a blast to play through. The focus on a naval adventure of this title coupled with a wealth of deep and engaging gameplay systems ensure that players will have a great time as long as they vibe with what Deadfire strives to accomplish.

1 Pillars Of Eternity

Metascore: 89

A screenshot of combat in PoE.
Pillars of Eternity

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One
Released
March 26, 2015
Genre(s)
RPG

Initially, the game was codenamed Project X (not related to the movie) until it was renamed to Project Eternity. Eventually, Project Eternity was given its final name — Pillars of Eternity. Pillars of Eternity is a prime example of a role-playing game done right.

If players are looking to invest hundreds of hours into a good offline role-playing game, Pillars of Eternity is one of the best choices in this regard. It's one of the many titles that kickstarted the wave of modern CRPGs, with its riveting story and real-time combat being pretty engaging. The story surrounding the Hollowborn and how the Watcher must move heaven and earth to capture Thaos and end this crisis for good makes for a deeply engaging title that fans absolutely adore.

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