Most people find the idea of real-time combat in CRPGs to be slightly messy, which is understandable. After all, players want their fights to be as organized as possible, especially in the CRPG genre which is notorious for featuring difficult combat systems where players need to be downright perfect to get through most combat encounters with minimal damage.
However, there are times when games that use real-time combat end up being quite engaging in their own right. It may get somewhat complicated as a fight goes on, but players can always pause the majority of these titles and take a breather as they strategize and figure out the best course of action to take against a particularly challenging foe.
9 Lionheart: Legacy Of The Crusader
The opening of Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader is very strong, with the city of Barcelona being a ton of fun to explore. Roaming around the various districts and finding all the sidequests it has to offer makes for a great time indeed.
The game unfortunately tapers off in quality as it goes on, with later environments not being nearly as detailed or intriguing. The game's combat is also pretty action-packed, with players using a combination of melee attacks and spells to great effect.
8 Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura is one of the deepest CRPGs that anyone can check out. The game was developed by Troika, a developer known for creating the amazing Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines.
While the role-playing of this title is amazing, the combat of Arcanum is pretty simple and is not easily exploited. However, most people won't mind dealing with these issues since the game itself is such a great example of what an in-depth CRPG can really be.
7 Tyranny
Tyranny is a surprisingly short game which is quite an anomaly in the CRPG genre. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, with Tyranny doing a great job of using its short length to craft a well-paced and engaging title.
The game's combat can be slightly overwhelming but well worth mastering for fans of great real-time CRPGs. Players essentially take on the role of a villain, which makes this title pretty unique indeed.
6 Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2 is a great sequel that improves upon almost all of the systems present in the first game. The fact that this title is still going strong courtesy of some excellent community-made content proves just how much people love this masterpiece.
The story of Neverwinter Nights 2 may be generic, but it's the great adventure this game sends players on that makes it such a fun title. The combat happens in real-time but is simple enough for beginners to wrap their heads around.
5 Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous
The Pathfinder series of games has been quite engaging in its own right. Wrath of the Righteous took everything that was done well in Kingmaker and improved it exponentially.
The end result is a riveting CRPG with combat that can be a blast if the player comes to grips with these systems. It helps that the story and characters are also well-written, adding to the allure of this title.
4 Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire
Many players consider the first Pillars of Eternity title to be the game that refined real-time with pause combat in CRPGs. Obsidian Entertainment has done a great job of developing this combat system which has been refined even more in Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire.
The game allows players to become pirates and explore the high seas while uncovering the game's brilliant story. The combat is engaging and many fans will be sad to reach the end of this brilliant modern day CRPG.
3 Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is the first game in a rich and beloved dark fantasy series that is still going strong to this day. Before moving on and becoming an action-heavy title, Dragon Age: Origins initially started out as an over-the-shoulder CRPG with real-time combat.
The game's amazing story, great characters, and fun combat all combined to launch the Dragon Age series in a truly impressive fashion. Even after all the years and games that have been released since, many people still consider the first Dragon Age game to be the best of the bunch.
2 Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows Of Amn
BioWare has a rich and diverse history in the realm of CRPGs, with their titles being quite legendary in their own right. No game personifies this more than Baldur's Gate 2, a game that is considered by many to be the gold standard of classic CRPG titles.
Shadows of Amn features a deep and massive story along with fun characters and a combat system that seems pretty rudimentary but is actually pretty complex. The game is still being talked about to this day, which proves just how beloved Baldur's Gate 2 really is.
1 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Most people can't stop talking about Knights of the Old Republic when the topic of the best Star Wars games enters the picture. The story of the main character as they slowly try to recover their memories while helping the Jedi makes for a great time, with the plot twist that arrives later on being the stuff of legends.
The combat of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is pretty rich and engaging, with players having several moves to choose from. While it's not necessary to micromanage all characters in a battle, this is definitely recommended for players if they're struggling with a particular encounter.