The first game in the Dragon Age franchise came out in 2009. Since then, seven more have followed, and they’ve long been favorites among fantasy RPG fans.
The series, set in the magical continent of Thedas, has much to offer — rich clan and class dynamics, lots of subterfuge, mages and other mystical creatures, amazing character customization options, immersive graphics, and a compelling story.
Dragon Age evolved over time, and while some players enjoyed the direction the franchise took, others prefer the classic RPG style of the original Dragon Age game.
Gamers who would like to explore brand new worlds with similar dynamics and vibes as Dragon Age can broaden their horizons by checking out these exciting titles.
1. Pillars Of Eternity
An exciting fantasy RPG first released in 2015, Pillars Of Eternity is set on the fictional world of Eora, where babies born in the land of Dyrwood are suddenly born without souls. The player character has gained the magical ability to interact with souls, defining them as a so-called Watcher.
Players customize their character and stats at the beginning of the game and then set off on quests to discover the root of the mystery and save their world.
Played from an isometric PoV, players go on exciting quests, upgrade their skill trees, and explore the vast map.
Pillars Of Eternity has an interesting reputation system that will impact the course of events, and this immersive singleplayer is guaranteed to bring gamers hours of fun, just like Dragon Age did.
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher: Paradox Entertainment, Versus Evil
- Release Date: March 2015
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, originally released in 2011, is a popular action RPG and sequel to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The open world game unfolds in the freezing cold province of Skyrim (two centuries after the original game), and the player, who can switch between first- and third-person perspectives at will, has a lot of exploring to do as each settlement offers unique NPCs offering perks that can’t be found anywhere else.
The player follows the Dragonborn, a character with a simple mission — saving the world from Alduin the World-Eater, a fierce dragon. As in Dragon Age, the player character is highly customizable, and the game offers a choice of 10 races (including Orcs and Elves).
The combat system relies on a total of 18 different skills, with stats requiring upgrades as the game progresses. Armor and weapons impact your success in battle a great deal, so be on the lookout for upgrades that will make you stronger!
Keep an eye out for hostile creatures as well, because they can spawn anywhere on the map at random.
It might not be 2011 anymore, but the compelling story and exciting combat more than make up for the dated elements in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which is ultimately still just as much fun as when it first came out.
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Release Date: November 2011
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox X/S
3. Tyranny
Like the later games in the Dragon Age franchise, Tyranny is a story-driven action RPG in which the choices the player makes heavily influence the outcome. The evil demigod Kyros has taken over the world of Terratus, leaving the subjects in fear for their lives. You, the player, will take on the role of a Fatebinder — a powerful member of Kyros’ army.
When you start a new Tyranny game, you’ll make key decisions about the events that precede the world you spawn into, impacting the kinds of choices you’ll be faced with as you begin playing.
NPCs can be enemies or potential allies, and every single decision you make will permanently alter the plot. The player’s potential powers are, meanwhile, wide open.
Tyranny calls on players to upgrade their skills and stats through a skill tree system that determines where your strengths and weaknesses will lie.
Tyranny is a beautifully-designed RPG, largely because though the game isn’t a Pillars of Eternity Sequel, Tyranny was also developed by Obsidian Entertainment and relies on the same engine.
The fact that this choice allowed the devs to focus fully on the other aspects of Tyranny absolutely shines through in the final game.
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher: Paradox Entertainment
- Release Date: November 2016
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Linux
4. Baldur’s Gate
Baldur’s Gate is beloved in the fantasy RPG community for good reason. Set in the Forgotten Realm D&D Campaign, Baldur’s Gate was heavily inspired by the popular tabletop game. You’ll be playing as an orphan raised in a remote monastery, who becomes entangled in the political chaos resulting from the iron crisis as you search for your foster father’s murderer to seek vengeance.
Now considered a classic that has many newer sequels, the original Baldur’s Gate is worth checking out of you love the Dragon Age franchise because it was, for many, where their love of fantasy RPGs started in the first place.
Anyone who has played Dragon Age intensively will feel right at home with the isometric PoV and combat system in Baldur’s Gate, and Baldur’s Gate is one fantasy RPG that has aged very well.
The game earns bonus points for the fact that, if you end up loving the OG Baldur’s Gate, you’ll have 10 sequels to look forward to!
- Developer: BioWare, Snowblind Studios, Magic Pockets, Black Isle Studios
- Publisher: Black Isle Studios, Interplay Entertainment, Destination Software, Atari
- Release Date: December 1998 (original game — the latest release came out in March 2016)
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a very logical choice for Dragon Age fans who enjoyed the Witcher show and are excited about diving deeper into the roots of Slavic mythology. First released in 2015, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a gorgeous action RPG played from a third-person perspective. The player follows none other than the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, himself.
Your job? Hunting monsters, and doing whatever it takes to defeat them. This challenging RPG requires combat, alchemy, and magic. The immersive AI is what makes The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt shine, though, and every choice you make will impact the plot, because this game offers 36 different possible endings.
Even the Witcher sometimes has to take a break from hunting vile creatures, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt allows players to enjoy side activities like boxing and horse-racing.
One word of warning, though — don’t start playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt if you’re saddled with a full load of real-life responsibilities, because you’ll be sucked deep into the vortex as soon as you start.
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Publisher: CD Projeckt
- Release Date: May 2015
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S
6. The Outer Worlds
Dragon Age fans who would love to explore a newer action RPG and aren’t afraid to try something new should check out The Outer Worlds, in which the player roams through a futuristic space colony.
This game is set in a dystopian corporate future where humanity has conquered much of the universe.
Players make their own way, creating their character and deciding what kind of ship they would like at the beginning and forging the path ahead from there.
The NPC quests you set off on influence the plot, and The Outer Worlds features interesting dialogue. While you level your own skills up, you will also have to decide what specializations your NPC companions should develop.
The Outer Worlds is a singleplayer adventure played from a first-person perspective, and the massive open world will keep you entertained for hours.
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher: Private Division
- Release Date: October 2019
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
7. Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition is an enticing choice for gamers who loved the Dragon Age franchise but who are fed up with singleplayer games and want to play with their friends. This widely-praised sequel to the OG Divinity: Original Sin 2 takes place on Rivellon centuries after the first game, in a stunning open world.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition features advanced tactical decision-making, an exciting combat system, and advanced character customization options with extensive skill options.
If the base game isn’t exciting enough for your liking, the modding community has added plenty of fresh content via Steam. Best of all, Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition can be played with a party of up to four friends or strangers.
Do you have what it takes to become a God and harvest the Source energy of Rivellon’s creators?
- Developer: Larian Studios
- Publisher: Larian Studios, Bandai Namco, Entertainment
- Release Date: September 2017
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iPad
8. Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII is the 12th game in the Final Fantasy RPG franchise, and plenty of exciting innovations were made for this release to improve on previous titles. Dragon Age players who enjoy exploring massive open worlds, complex combat and skill systems, and wide-open AI with compelling dialogue and endless side quests will love Final Fantasy XII.
Players spawn into the magical world of Ivalice and will be able to choose any of six major characters to play as, each of which are deeply connected to the besieged nation of Dalmasca, which is trying to free itself from the yolk of the Archadian empire. Each in their own way, the characters resist the occupation.
Final Fantasy XII is played from a third-person perspective, but unlike the previous Final Fantasy titles, this release also allows gamers to fully control their camera and interact with almost everything in the world.
You level your characters up through combat experience, but in addition to that, Final Fantasy XII allows gamers to modify their characters’ skills via a License Board.
- Developer: Square Enix
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: March 2006
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
9. Demon’s Souls 2020 Version
The original Demon’s Souls was released back in 2009, but gamers with an appetite for modern gameplay dynamics should go for the fresh new 2020 remake of Demon’s Souls (but only if they have a PS5, because this is a single-platform game).
As in the original the 2020 version of Demon’s Souls invites players to take on the role of an adventurer exploring Boletaria, a cursed and dark land. Players can fully customize their character’s appearance and starting class, which affects later stat upgrades.
Demon’s Souls offers plenty of weapon choices, as well as making use of “grains” to protect themselves. It’s important to choose wisely, however, because you can only ever carry so much.
Choose this action RPG for its truly amazing and well-developed graphics and for its challenging gameplay.
Demon’s Souls is one game you won’t sail through, because to have any hope of making it out alive, you’ll have to plan well and fight bravely.
- Developer: Bluepoint Games
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Release Date: November 2020
- Platform: PlayStation 5
10. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Gamers who want to dive deeper into the action RPG genre but are bored of fantasy are going to dig Kingdom Come: Deliverance — an open-world role-playing game with a first-person perspective and a classless system.
This game is set in the 15th century kingdom of Bohemia. You’ll play as Henry, whose family was brutally slaughtered by the Hungarian king Sigismund. With nowhere to go and revenge to plot, Henry joins the resistance. What he does from there is up to you, the player.
Depending on your play style, you will be able to take on the role of a bard, warrior, a thief, or a combination. The decisions you make influence the rest of the story, but be careful, as you will only have a short time to choose what you’ll do next.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance features a complex dialogue system and a hefty dose of realism. You won’t just have to feed yourself, but your clothes also wear out — and something as simple as sleep deprivation could kill you off in no time.
Gamers who love non-linear and open-ended gameplay will have a hard time staying away once they get into Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which is beautifully designed. There are horses, too; a lot of horses, perhaps in a nod to the developer.
- Developer: Warhorse Studios
- Publisher: Deep Silver, Warhorse Studios
- Release Date: February 2018
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Luna
11. Fable II
Fable II is a great choice for players who want to go back to basics. First released in 2008, Fable II is an open-world action RPG set in the perilous land of Albion. You will be acting as the hero of the story, and you’ll have the job of stopping the crazy ousted leader from destroying the world.
Fable II has an exciting open-world feel from the very start. Players simply start exploring, and all the many ways in which they can choose to interact with the world, and the NPCs they’ll encounter therein, will influence the story.
If interacting with buildings and NPCs isn’t enough for you, it’s interesting that Fable II can buy most of the properties on the massive map. If you want to earn enough money, however, you will have to do odd jobs around town.
Players aren’t alone even if they opt for singleplayer mode, because a dog will follow them around — and this best friend isn’t just a cosmetic, as the dog can assist you in your battles and even lead the way to treasure.
The fact that Fable II offers a multiplayer mode, too, makes the 2008 game all the more exciting, especially if you enjoy cooperative gameplay.
- Developer: Lionhead Studios
- Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
- Release Date: October 2008
- Platform: Xbox 360
12. GreedFall
GreedFall is a 2019 action RPG that takes place in a fictional fantasy version of the 17th century on a beautiful island in which the native population is guarded by a magical force. Players assume the role of a neutral explorer, called De Sardet.
Will you befriend the locals and harness their power, or will you join hands with the invading forces?
The exciting open world of GreedFall will require gamers to engage in battle, diplomacy, and stealth movement and, as you’d expect from the genre, each choice you make will determine what options remain open to you later in the game.
- Developer: Spiders
- Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
- Release Date: June 2019
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S
13. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an award-winning game that was first released in 2018 and is the third title in the Red Dead series. This action-adventure RPG calls on gamers to take on the role of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw in a crumbling Wild West.
He joins the ruthless Van der Linde gang where he goes after riches while trying to stay on the cops’ good side and dealing with rival gangs.
The setting might be just about the furthest you can get from the Dragon Age franchise, but this open-world RPG has plenty to offer.
Ride around on your horse and explore the massive world, where you’ll find wastelands interspersed with the odd town and settlement. Along your way, you will have to decide how to interact with the many NPCs you’ll encounter, opening up dynamic dialogue trees that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the few games on this list that offers a multiplayer mode as well, making it the perfect choice for gamers who want to adventure with their friends.
- Developer: Rockstar Studios
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Release Date: October 2018
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia
14. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic is an action RPG set in a familiar universe — a galaxy far, far, away, of course! You, the player, sets off on a hero’s journey.
You’re the Jedi Order’s last hope, and the choices you make as you play will reveal whether the faith they placed in you was warranted. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic is wide open, after all, and if the hero role doesn’t suit you, you can just stroll over to the Dark Side and destroy everything in sight.
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic features round-based tactical combat as well as an exciting and complex dialogue system.
The game may be set in space, but Dragon Age players will quickly understand why Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic made it onto this list.
- Developer: BioWare, Obsidian Entertainment, Aspyr
- Publisher: LucasArts, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Disney Interactive Entertainment, Aspyr
- Release Date: July 2003 (first release), February 2022 (latest release)
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Linux, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
15. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey is an action RPG set in an alternate version of history where players act as a Spartan mercenary who will have the chance to fight on either side of the war between Athens and Sparta.
Played from a third-person PoV, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey invites players to finish the main campaign as well as making it possible to explore the wide open world freely to tackle any of the side quests.
You will have access to multiple combat modes, including light combat and heavy combat as well as melee and ranged weapons, and can use stealth to move around the open map — when you’re not commanding a warship, that is!
- Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Release Date: October 2018
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia
A Final Word
Even the best game universes grow dull over time, and Dragon Age fans will eventually want to expand their horizons and branch out to explore new worlds.
The vast world of Dragon Age has influenced and inspired plenty of other fantasy RPGs and similar games over time, and once begin looking, you’ll find countless other games to dive into.
Pillars Of Eternity, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition, and Baldur’s Gate will likely appeal most to diehard Dragon Age fans, but any of the RPGs on this list can quench your thirst for more action and adventure.
