When someone talks about the greatest western RPG series of all time, it goes without saying that the Dragon Age series would be mentioned. While it's true that the series might have a very rocky reputation for several reasons, there's still no denying the fact that the core facets of this series are still incredibly entertaining and have remained consistent — for the most part — across the three games that have been released till now.
An aspect of the franchise that has almost never been criticized — barring a few minor exceptions — is its brilliant storytelling, which definitely serves as the biggest hook of this series. Therefore, for people who wish to play more games with excellent stories just like the ones present in the Dragon Age series, here are ten titles that will surely scratch this itch.
10 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The third game in The Witcher series is an easy recommendation for anyone who wishes to get into excellent story-driven high fantasy narratives. While the game is a continuation of the series, it's still definitely not required to play the previous games before experiencing this masterpiece due to how beginner-friendly and self-contained it really is.
The game rounds off Geralt's character in brilliant fashion while simultaneously letting other personalities shine bright due to their impressive writing. This translates to a game with an engrossing and gripping story from start to end.
9 The Outer Worlds
Obsidian Entertainment is one of the most underrated western RPG developers around, and someone needs only try out the studio's latest title to understand what makes the company so special.
While The Outer Worlds might be an excellent game in its own right, there's one more title made by Obsidian Entertainment that truly put the studio on the map as one of the greatest RPG developers around...
8 Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas didn't receive the greatest reception upon its release. Gamers were more than displeased with the immense amount of bugs in this title, which ultimately served as a detractor to the overall experience in the worst way possible.
That being said, mods and patches have helped this game be largely playable to the masses now, to the point where one can argue that Fallout: New Vegas is one of the greatest western RPGs ever made. Every build feels viable and the story is incredibly engrossing, featuring excellent writing that is still missing in a ton of more modern games.
7 Fable
While the story of Fable might feel fairly cut and dry when compared to some other games, it still checks all the boxes when it comes to a high fantasy narrative that will keep gamers hooked, especially if they loved the storytelling of the Dragon Age series.
While the series might have its fair share of detractors, Fable is an excellent title that any fan of fantasy games should definitely check out, sooner rather than later. The sequels are more of a mixed bag, especially Fable III, but they both have their positives.
6 Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines
If players don't mind distancing themselves from the concept of high fantasy for a while in order to experience a unique and engaging narrative, then they should check out Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines. The game was released on the same day as Half-Life 2, and the resounding success of Valve's FPS meant that Bloodlines ended up being overlooked as a result.
It's a shame, since Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines is genuinely an excellent RPG featuring some of the smartest writing ever seen in a video game. Any issues that the game might have launched with have been largely patched by fans, making for an experience that pretty much no one should miss out on.
5 System Shock 2
A pioneer of immersive sims and a standout title in its own right, any person who's a fan of cyberpunk narratives should definitely try out System Shock 2.
While the game might initially seem rather daunting, players who manage to ease themselves into the overall experience will be able to enjoy a title that is considered legendary for all the right reasons. The original System Shock is also quite good.
4 Dark Souls
While Dark Souls might be known more for its excellent combat and well-balanced difficulty, the lore of this series is truly expansive and will satiate most story nuts. It is very much possible to play through a Dark Souls game without picking up any details relating to its world's history, but it is worth putting in the extra effort to learn the lore.
It certainly helps that the game itself is a blast to play through, making the gradual lore reveals even all the more rewarding as a result.
3 Jade Empire
Before the massive success of the Dragon Age and Mass Effect series, BioWare tried its hands out with other IPs as well. In this regard, Jade Empire is a hidden gem from this studio that most people should try out.
While the game might falter in the latter half, Jade Empire is nevertheless an excellent game that will definitely be up the alley of most BioWare fans.
2 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Of course, it is impossible to mention old BioWare titles and not discuss the one that greatly improved the reputation of the studio.
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic might seem a little too dated for most people's tastes, but players who are willing to get past this slight hiccup will find themselves thoroughly enjoying one of the greatest Star Wars games ever made.
1 Mass Effect
It is difficult to talk about story-rich games similar to Dragon Age and not mention another BioWare IP that played a massive role in helping the company grow to greater heights.
The Mass Effect trilogy is undoubtedly one of the greatest gaming trilogies of all time, with the story of Commander Shephard being an absolute blast to play through in every sense of the word.