Three CRPGs For Beginners

Talking about a few CRPG's that I think serve as short and sweet ambassadors to the genre great for beginners!
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#CRPGs

[@andrewstencel]

I am myself sort of a newcomer to the genre, so I'd add Dragon Age: Origins and Wasteland 3 on a beginner friendly reccomendation list as well.

[@miraclemaker1418]

@@JBrandonMercer123 that union song slaps

[@lipayy9852]

@@JBrandonMercer123 great game, and definitely as a newcomer. I was a little bit very disappointed in the yawn level difficulty as a genre veteran though.

[@anomanomom239]

Dragon Age Origins has a lot of implicit mechanics. Rogue's backstab mechanic requires correct positioning and correct timing of crowd control. Warrior's threat mechanic requires proper initiation of fights. Mages have pretty tricky spell combo mechanic. U can of course play them whatever on easier difficulties or cheese it by stacking auras and stuff, but that would basically take away good chunk of what makes the game actually fun.

[@JosieJOK]

Don’t know about Wasteland, but Dragon Age, although a fantastic game series which I would highly recommend, is more of an action RPG, and isn’t really a great introduction to the cRPG genre. I’ve played quite a few aRPGs, including the Dragon Age series, but it didn’t at all prepare me for my first cRPG, Divinity Original Sin 2. I would recommend DOS2 as a starter cRPG, though, because the concepts are easy to grasp (despite a learning curve), and the story is really good. That game sent me in search of similar games! I tried out Baldur’s Gate 3, which is currently in early access. It’s more complicated than DOS2 for me since I never played DnD before, but the story is really compelling and I like experimenting with different builds.

[@AurioDK]

@@JosieJOK Own both DOS games and never got into them, I am a looter and everything that isn´t nailed to the wall gets in my backpack, that didn´t go well in DOS, had so much crap after only a couple of hours. My DNA is however against leaving anything behind. Not saying its a bad game, just not for me.

[@Laban6112]

Tyranny was my first real dive into CRPGs. I feel it's simple enough mechanically while still keeping gameplay interesting (I didn't end up bricking my character and had no problems finishing the game even though I had no idea what I was doing) and the story is something I still hope will be continued someday.

[@Seisachtheia]

CRPG's are that genre that I've always struggled with getting into. I love the idea of them and I've tried a variety of them (and near-format genres) but always drop after a few hours. Part of that is probably trying to approach them as an adult when life is so busy and not having had the experience of them as a kid makes it even harder to get into.

[@shawngillogly6873]

Expeditions: Rome is also a good jumping in point because on the surface, it's a game a XCom player can easily adapt to. I don't know how short Rome is, I'm at 60hrs and just reached Gaul. But I 100% agree on Shadowrun. For someone wanting to decide if they like Shadowrun, I point them to Dragonfall. But it's a more complicated game, especially since you have a full party from the 1st mission.

[@thomm6736]

It's funny, for the longest time I didn't buy the isometric crpgs as, like the fool I was I thought they didn't 'look' cool. But then I saw how many great reviews original sin 2 was getting so I picked up the first original sin on a whim to see what the go was. After now completing both original sins and both pillars games (completing all side quests and dlc), with Torment and Pathfinder waiting on the shelf, needless to say I'm hooked 😁

[@Jasta85]

Torment is much more about exploring the lore and stories of the world it takes place in than combat, you can actually get through almost the entire game without combat if you really spec your characters and choices in that direction. It does have combat of course but as that isn't the primary focus I think a lot of people bounced off it, but it is pretty enjoyable if you know that going into it.

[@ducky36F]

Same man, same. Actually I was looking for something similar to Dragon Age Origins and everyone was like “Divinity: Original Sin 2” and “Pillars of Eternity” so eventually I just caved, bought both and really got into them (dos2 first), now I’ve played the majority of cRPGs people talk about 😂

[@miraclemaker1418]

You may not like torment if you didn't play infinity engine games before.

[@thomm6736]

@@Jasta85 thanks for telling me, I think I should be ok with that. For me crpgs are more about the world and characters anyway. I mean how fleshed out is Eora! It's crazy! And then to be getting Avowed based in that world is so awesome. Fingers crossed we get to hear Durance call Magran a whore in 4k 😂

[@tata313155]

My very first crpg was DOS2, I remember wrestling with the game for about 10 hours. It was physically sickening to play it, but i continued playing because i was so utterly confused how could this be a best seller on steam. And then it just clicked and now it's probably the best video game I've ever played.

[@orarinnsnorrason4614]

I highly recommend Solasta. The UI is simple and so is the combat and so its very easy to get into. Plus the mechanics of converting the table top into a game is done excellently.

[@Dreez76]

My favorite crpg is Icewind Dale-II , because of an amazing story and beating the game with less than max party. I beat that game SO many times. Would love an enhanced edition made for todays resolutions.

[@brendanmckenna7613]

There is a Mod that has official or semi-official endorsement from beamdog. Its being made by the red chimera team, and its my favorite of the infinity engine games from a combat standpoint.

[@ObiJuanKenob]

DOS2 man I still can't get over how great that first chapter is. Begining until leaving the island was a win. Haven't moved passed that but man was it great trying to do everything.

[@Hrafnskald]

I would definitely recommend DOS 2 over these games. It takes you through the UI, explains things, and starts with much easier combats than Solasta.

[@fgc_7433]

This was a great video. I've always been a big fan of RPGs but have just now wanted to get into CRPGs and your videos have been a god send. Thanks

[@CosmicAeon]

To be honest if my first CPRG was shadowrun I think it would've put me off them for life. That game just felt too shallow and uninteresting to get lost in, which is the fun of RPGs I think. DOS2 on the other hand, is amazing.

[@shawngillogly6873]

Dragonfall's story is 1st rate. And Shadowrun has some of the deepest lore of any game system. So, nope.

[@CosmicAeon]

@@shawngillogly6873 A game can have all the lore it likes, but if the gameplay itself is shallow, bland and uninteresting then who cares? So yep.

[@shawngillogly6873]

@@CosmicAeon Dragonfall's gameplay is nothing but any of those. Honestly like it better than DOS2, with its trash armor system that renders hybrid builds pointless.

[@AuspexAO]

DOS2 is a top tier game, but it's insane offering it to new players. It feels like finding a shooter newbie and giving them an old Tom Clancy Rainbow Six game. Great games, but waaaay too much freedom and complexity. A big part of introducing someone to a genre is not drowning them.

[@disclancer]

Back in my day Baldurs gate was all we had! And we where glad of it! *old man grumbles*

[@Hrafnskald]

I feel for you-I grew up on original trilogy Ultima and Temple of Apshai :)

[@AuspexAO]

@@Hrafnskald Ultima IV was god tier though. It was honestly a lot more intuitive and epic than a lot of newer RPGS.

[@wj_owen]

Ahh. More content. Brilliant. Helping me through my boring day at work! Thanks. Keep them coming.

[@rodneybray5827]

I don't want to give you a big head but you have a gift for these videos. Some folks make really flashy videos but if they don't deliver the goods, I really don't care. Your style is perfect. I wish I knew how to program. I'd run a script to play all of your videos over and over while I'm afk so you'd get some of the reward you deserve.

[@alphatheprotector5734]

Dragon Age Origins would be my pick

[@psychooefvet3580]

Currently playing my first CRPG in years (since balders gate in the early 2000s) started back off with DOS2 because of channels like yours and I couldn't be happier! Just sucks that I'm currently only on console.

[@Nergalsama01]

My first CRPGs were the KOTOR games, back in the day. After that, I got curious about CRPGs in general and got into BG. Hoooh boy, that was a rude awakening. But I stuck with it. :)

[@shawngillogly6873]

KotOR would be a great introduction if it wasn't a nightmare to get running on a modern machine. It's a familiar setting. And everyone wants to be a Jedi sometime.

[@shakaj1525]

@@shawngillogly6873 Kotor is on mobile nowadays and runs good.

[@souxoux1671]

@@shawngillogly6873 is also good on Switch

[@ducky36F]

I played the kotor games back in the day but I was like 12-13 and only owned consols so still had no idea they were 'crpgs' and had no idea the whole subgenre existed back then 😂😂

[@Mickymiii]

I've gotten so many of these type from epic games (shadowrun trilogy, encased, tyrrany, Pillars of Eternity, Pathfinder, fallout...) so it got me interested in playing thig genre. Thanks to you I will probably start with shadowrun returns and see how I'll like it. Might buy expeditions Rome after, looks good and it's my favourite historic time period.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

I remember playing KoToR when I was younger and not understanding what the stats meant. As a result, i had a much harder time with it and didnt enjoy it. Some time later, I played Baldurs Gate and actually put the the pieces together. Then it clicked for me that they use very similar systems for stats and I made MUCH better choices on my second KoToR run.

[@AlacrityTW]

​@@quint3ssent1a Is it possible to screw up in the game tho? Beside the fight with Bendak I didn't find any encounter hard especially once you unlock the Jedi prestige classes. Even Malak was a joke.

[@AlacrityTW]

In 3e and DnD in general, healing is usually secondary to just prebuffing/debuffing: best abilites are force speed, energy resist, and force valor for light side/plague for dark side.

[@paralysekid]

I remember playing Shadowrun back then, great games! So you're right, because they were some of my first cRPGs.

[@224ryan]

This video is great! In the past year I have really gotten into Dungeons and Dragons and I love rpgs. I tried Baldur's Gate and Pillars of Eternity 2 out, but found them really hard to get a hang of controls and the combat. I'm downloading Solasta right now and I hope this helps me not find other CRPGs as so overwhelming.

[@TimeIsMine93]

I’d recommend the pillars series. It’s not short but the game can be more forgiving. It has a lot of the things that made classic crpgs great with some modern sentiment. The sequel is even more beginner friendly but playing the first will make the whole thing make more sense

[@AlacrityTW]

I don't know... pillars was a pretty hard game imo (phantoms and wisps in Act 1 is brutal especially without a priest). And a lot of the game mechanics aren't transferable since they use their own system. Writing is also pretty hard to digest for newcomers.

[@JosieJOK]

@@AlacrityTW Yeah, I really couldn’t get into that game. I couldn’t get used to the RTWP combat, and the story just never grabbed me.

[@ilejovcevski79]

Solid recommendations all around and for the right reasons. Good video

[@Shikao87]

Great video My first cRPG was Baldur's Gate in times when internet was slow and not really popular (probably still used modem), so I totally agree it was not newbie friendly. In particular I didn't hear about D&D before it.

[@ducky36F]

I’d go with DOS2, Tyranny and Wasteland 3 personally. They’ve just got that little extra polish and have very distinct personalities, DOS2 and Tyranny both have very open character creation systems and more people should be able to put something together that works on lower difficulties, and if they want to change their build respecing is easy. And Wasteland 3 will feel very familiar to anyone who has played any fallout game before which most people who get interested in cRPGs will have.

[@megamike15]

the only thing i can see throwing a new comer off with dos 2 is the skill system. as unlike in most crpgs you don't earn them naturally by leveling you have to use skill books.

[@KarlWinterling]

I actually recommend Tower of Time also because the game systems are laid out in the UI in a way that's very clear and the story gradually eases you in if you're not used to doing tons of reading. I feel like they do real-time with pause correctly: you have a maximum of 4 party members and fight enemies in waves so you're not overwhelmed by information. The story doesn't overwhelm people with reading right away if they're not used to reading a lot on a regular basis. A menu has a "story so far" recap that summarizes what's happened in the story. Again, the major downsides are: (1) the game becomes very easy once you learn the system and know how to optimize your characters and (2) it still isn't for people who prefer a more cinematic experience like the Mass Effect games because you're still going to read a lot.

[@neosho3953]

Tyranny was the first CRPG I ever beat on hard difficulty. I think it is worth checking out to newcomers of the genre, especially since the world and roleplaying is very strong.

[@user-zw4tj1yj5w]

My first CRPG was Pillars of Eternity. Compelling story with easy enough to understand mechanics. Spend 1k hours there and satisfied with every second.

[@Typical7]

crazy how i was just looking for a video like this

[@adaml929]

Ages ago, my first was Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna, and I think I loved it so much because my party was my family of 4 (I tank, mom archers, dad heals, sister rains fire from the sky). So now if I ever do come back to the genre, I look for real time with pause. Tyranny is a great game that I also highly recommend, and it may actually be my favorite in the genre. It got me into my current RPG thats I'm slowly going through for the past few months, Pillars of Eternity by the same creators as Tyranny.

[@milanesanapolitana2002]

I would also add Disco Elysium, it's more of a visual novel, but it get's the player used to the controls and massive amounts of text this genre has.

[@miraclemaker1418]

Disco elysium isn't a good entry to the genre, since there's no other game like that at all

[@milanesanapolitana2002]

@@miraclemaker1418 true, it was my first CRPG and I have been chasing that magic feeling ever since, wich led me to play a lot of other CRPG in the process.

[@AuspexAO]

I would recommend Disco Elysium to people who love reading but haven't made the jump into video games (and I have!)

[@erikskoog8415]

Good show sir! Got to try Solasta one of these days😃

[@oldrin1876]

I found it helpful. Thank you. Just found your channel very cool.

[@namelessking9068]

im playing dos2 at the moment and i love it btw, tyranny is the most underrated crpg of the last years :)

[@painfullyaware5221]

I've had Solasta in my library forever, but only started playing it last week. It's a lot of fun, but don't expect a highly polished experience. I especially like the pre-built characters personalities. I would advise beginners to stick with those pre-built characters, though. I've tried rolling my own and the game was noticeably more difficult.

[@oldrin1876]

Solasta is 50% off on steam til Feb 3rd 2022, i just got it for 20 dollars. Just wanted to mention that for other ppl who are thinking about getting it! (Never heard of it before this video)

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

It is also on gamepass right now. It will eventually be off of gamepass though so being on sale is good.

[@oldrin1876]

@@Blasted2Oblivion Good call! I forgot about game pass!

[@werbearjack]

I can't agree with any build working in SR:Returns. Returns in particular is heavily geared towards quickness builds with the early missions offering almost only guns while the gimmick to defeat the final mission relying on your gun skill as well. And it also has the problem that you don't really have any companions and have to pay for help pretty much constantly. Although it being so short is definitely a reason to label it as good for beginners, although the Vox Populi "remake" you can get for Shadowrun: Hong Kong is probably even better. Which is a bit wierd since you'd buy one game to play a different game but in a more modern engine and with some scenario fixes.

[@bakuiel1901]

I started with a lot of JRPGs and a few old CRPGs like Might and Magic but Shadowrun Returns and Solasta would be a great place to start.

[@tzikas95]

Hey Mortym, love the channel. I want to explore more RPGs and I really want to play Pathfinder but I hear mixed opinions about kingmaker. Are the 2 titles related? Do you recommend kingmaker as a good rpg?

[@MortismalGaming]

They aren't related you can jump straight to WotR if you want. Kingmaker is good if you're on PC, but it has a lot of rough edges if you don't mod it.

[@MinecraftMartin]

There's an upcoming game called Archaelund thats combining first person exploration and isometric, tactical/ crpg combat. If the developer pulls it off, it might join this list as a transition game. Think we'll see early access in 2023 at best though.

[@Choteron3]

Dos 2 was my first crpg and made me a fan of the genre.

[@what-oy8il]

The new game expeditions rome is perfect for a beginner. Very easy to learn to play.

[@putinstea]

I played BG for the first time last year. Wasn't hard to get into. Certainly not any harder than Pillars of Eternity. Pathfinder Kingmaker is on a whole different level lol. I was so overwhelmed when I opened the character creation in that game.

[@ampur2]

I played DOS2 as my first CRPG and I would still recommend it. great fuckin game, nice story, nice mechanic

[@strongerstone9651]

thanks, I definitely will try expedition rome, sounds like a good game to me.

[@stevemyers4967]

Solasta by far is one of the best crpg tactical based combat D&D pc game in the last 15 years that i have played. AMAZING game. I would recommend Solasta to anyone. and I have played all three of these games.

[@timm8998]

I couldnt get into it at all. The ui is so crappy, the characters and skills are uninteresting, I cant really tell anything positive about it.

[@ArthurTorrias]

My first CRPG was DOS2 DE and it was amazing! I've thought about getting PF Kingmaker, WOTR, or POE2 Deadfire while waiting for Baldur's Gate 3 to finish, but they don't look very appealing to me.

[@ampur2]

I played DOS2 as my first CRPG as well but I can assure you PF WOTR is one of the best CRPG to date. The amount of customization you can do is the best among these games. Story wise, might lose to other game, but customizing, rpg wise, this is the best.

[@bugs1yb1ins]

I liked the list, you beauty of a man

[@XoRandomGuyoX]

With Solasta being as close to a 1:1 recreation of the D&D fifth edition combat rules as you'll see in a game, it's both accessible to play and a good gateway between CRPGs and tabletop gaming.

[@SlabtheKiller89]

The Avernum saga from Spiderweb software is also quite beginners friendly (and all titles have a contained cost)

[@hordolur]

First wanna say I love your videos.. that said, I have basiclly purchased all cRPG games, but have issues playing them, I have completed kotor, BG1, Dragon Age 1 and 2, and Icewind Dale.. but Pathfinder both games, Shownrun all games, Wastelands all games, Pillars of Eternity both games, Divine both games, all give me issues, either combat or systems or story, and it is sad cause there great graphics and most time great stories I would love to know about

[@dempa3]

Shadowrun is a great suggestion. My first CRPG was NWN. It was a good starting point. I think I misunderstood in the beginning how some of the things worked, but it was easy enough to learn, and the game difficulty is very forgiving. When I played Baldurs Gate later on, it was quite a different experience.

[@shawngillogly6873]

Neverwinter Expanded Edition is a very good shout. The tutorial is well done. Bioware explains the rules well. And the story is forgiving with regards to mistakes. So build errors aren't lethal.

[@weirdo3116]

this is actually funny cause my first crpg was/is wrath of the righteous. started about a month ago in december after find your channel lul

[@TheBlueDeath123]

Start em off with Icewind Dale. See if they have the fortitude to stick with the genre :p. To be serious, I love Shadowrun: Dragonfall - it's much better in every way than Returns. Also Disco Elysium is very worth playing for anyone. :)

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

Icewind Dale was fun but I definitely wish I did before Baldurs Gate. After playing those two, Icewind Dale felt way to short and uninvolved.

[@richardjecooke8036]

Yeah, Icewind Dale should definitely be number 1. There is no other RPG out there that saves and loads INSTANTLY. Such a joy to play and try different things, knowing you don't have to wait 20 seconds every time you walk into a room.

[@AeonQuasar]

@@Blasted2Oblivion I find them both enjoyable. I prefer Icewind dale when I just want the combat as I like that you create your entire party from scratch. Baldurs gate are more quest and story focused compare to IWD. I like the combat, level up and party creation better in IWD2, but I really hate the early game before you are done with the ice castle. So grindy boring. Everytime I try to play a IWD2, I fell off at the goblin camp because it's so boring.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

@@AeonQuasar You mentioned IWD2. I noticed that there was an enhanced of 1 but not 2 so I did some looking. Apparently there is a modder group that is overhauling 2 into their version of enhanced edition since the source code was lost. Thought you might like to know.

[@Hrafnskald]

@@AeonQuasar Agreed, though I will say the storyline after the Goblin Camp is much more interesting. Just like 1 is better once you leave the starting town.

[@matthuck378]

I would recommend Wildermyth as well. But yeah, those are 3 excellent choices. DOS and DOS2 are good, especially if you make a Lone Wolf build. Just having to deal with two party members instead of 4 (or more) can really take the edge off of getting used to CRPG combat and party management. I wonder...Are they any CRPGs with just one character? I don't think I've seen one...

[@maxrobe]

Neverwinter Nights

[@AuspexAO]

Also kinda Disco Elysium

[@Darth_Wallace]

DOS 1 was my first and sure seemed like a challenge on my first run but only because I was rubbish at CRPGs at that point

[@radicalcentrist4990]

KOTOR 1&2, Dragon Age Origins, Divinity OS 2, Baldur's Gate 1&2 are my favorites in this genre. I'd say the KOTOR's and Dragon Age Origins are the easiest to get into mainly because they're not too long and easier to understand.

[@samuelofcarvalho]

Kotor 1&2 and DA:O were the first ones I played, and I really loved them as a beginner. So I agree with you. Very good introductions to the genre. But Im playing Wasteland 3 right now and I see its very good as introduction too, but not much mechanically. I think mechanically, DA:O is a better entry for games like PoE 1&2 and DOS 1&2, even better than KOTOR too.

[@YogBaal]

Thanks for the video. Question: I am 55 and played AD&D in the 1980s, so would Baldur’s Gate actually be a GOOD place for me to start? PS: it sucks that your Steam friends list is full!

[@MortismalGaming]

Yeah if you understand how THACO works and you're familiar with the good low level spells for that system you'll probably be fine

[@raphaelzenazel3821]

DUNGEON NAHEULBEUK is also good, introduced crpg to my 7years son with it and he's loving it.

[@shaunthemighty]

Amazing video. I love this genre but I'm a console player. Can you do a top console crpgs? I'm currently playing divinity original sin 2 and pathfinder King maker. I'm enjoying both but would love to find more to play in the future.

[@AuspexAO]

Pillars games are on consoles too. Gonna be brutally honest, though. Unless you eat PoE1 and I mean put the lore in your mouth, chew it for hours, and swallow every bite, you probably will bounce off. Everything is unexplained in the beginning and until you learn about the gods, factions, etc. it all seems like moonspeak gobbledegok.

[@shaunthemighty]

@@AuspexAO Hahaha so funny you saying that, I've tried PoE and just up, had no drive to continue. Ive got to that castle Cad something twice and just gave up. Maybe a 3rd try and just keep going lol

[@kpd8726]

My real dive to the CRPGs was Expeditions Rome (+ Vikings and Conquistador of the same series), then I got into D:OS2, after that I've gone literally nuts and got excited about PoE1, Tyranny and even Baldur's Gate 3. To me its weird to say this, but I'm more excited about BG3 release than I'm about Starfield or Hogwarts Legacy. Hah. If I had to pick one CRPG to play rest of my life it would be D:OS2, but there is way too many great games on this genre to choose just one.

[@moistywetcrack]

I started my crpg journey with shadowrun returns...and it's the 1st one of the video wow

[@viktoriliev212]

I have watched some of you're old video's and have a question is Dalis The Hammer a Dragon knight.

[@MortismalGaming]

No, at least not in the traditional sense. I made a video about dragon knights that goes into more detail, but Dallis got that power from Braccus. It is functionally similar to a DK but not the same thing from a lore stand point

[@viktoriliev212]

@@MortismalGaming Thanks

[@Frogotron]

I'd definitely go with DOS2. Put me on the path...

[@daniel.holbrook]

I'd probably be quick to recommend Dragon Age Origins to newcomers mostly because that was one of the first cRPGs I truly got into and I never felt too confused or disoriented playing it. Which might have something to do in part with the fact it's arguably a looser interpretation of cRPG, but still. Shame that it has technical problems on more modern machines. DOS2, I've co-opped that game with friends who had little to no prior experience with cRPGs and they managed to catch on. Solasta felt accessible but kind of dry for my tastes and I don't necessarily think that direct tabletop adaptations are the best the genre has to offer especially to newcomers, honestly. Even a modified 5e comes with baggage some new players might find unappealing (having to rest and carefully manage resources and rations, spell slots, etc) Fallout 1 is dated as hell but I'd still recommend it to anyone who can look past that. For as sprawling as the series has become the original game is surprisingly focused in what it wants to accomplish and it makes for a pretty solid lone wolf cRPG in my opinion. It's surprisingly sparse on text-walls, bullshit encounters, and fetchquesting compared to its sequel and is my vastly preferred pick as a result

[@shawngillogly6873]

No, Origin is absolutely a CRPG. It's helped by the Origin system itself, which teaches you the basics of the systems in a reasonably forgivable way.

[@AuspexAO]

@@shawngillogly6873 Much like all of Bioware games, they start at CRPG and kinda drift into action RPG.

[@pockystyx4087]

Dragon Age Origins definitely helped me get into the genre.

[@johnyoungerman1857]

Besides what has already been mentioned...I would like to add Wildermyth to the beginner friendly list. If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should. Gruß

[@name_christian]

I currently get my ass handed to me in DOS2 story mode lol. But it’s fun and I learn a lot. Pro Tip: character levels do matter in fights. ;)

[@GoddessCynthia]

I always found solasta odd. my biggest gripe with it is that NO death is allowed. If one of your party members die, you all die for some reason.

[@Antonin1738]

I like Solasta, but imagine it with the class depth of the Pathfinder games, it would be amazing. Then add a grand story to it! Otherwise it's good and just needs to be optimize the performance really.

[@bobsatan69]

I'd say my first crpg was either shadowrun returns or poe however if dragon age origins is considered a crpg then that was my first.

[@arindammukhopadhyay4359]

Out of these three games which one will I start with : DOS, POE1/2, or Pathfinder : Kingmaker? Never played these types of games however recently played Desperados (played all older versions also), War Mongrels and back in our time Stronghold, Zeus, Ceaser, Commandos etc. Tried Turn Based like CIV, however never enjoyed may be due to lack of patience. Played recently Sands of Salzaar. Enjoyed a lot. Also avoided Guild time games. Need to read lots of text.....so avoided. Please do suggest. Regards

[@danieltuomey4859]

All three are mechanically very solid in my opinion, though people obv quibble about things they don't like in each one's combat system. But realistically any one of them will be a good time for a slightly confused first timer who's not afraid to bumble through and maybe do the odd bit of googling. Pathfinder maybe has more barriers to entry around dense and complicated rules than the other two. Personally I think this choice is gonna have to come down to tone, or rather which world you wanna hang out in for a hundred hours. Watch trailers or let's plays for early chapters. See which one has writing and animation and spells and so on that speak to you. That's the only way to decide. For what it's worth, for me Pillars is the no-brainer choice: it has this kind of mysterious, slightly gloomy feeling and your character (at least initially) actually feels like a small actor surviving in a complex changing world. By comparison DOS2 was too goofy for my taste, and Pathfinder is way way too classic questing fantasy good'n'evil. But yeah maybe you love those things! And regardless if you like one of them you'll probably end up playing all of them lol Enjoy good luck up the Dubs and god bless

[@shawngillogly6873]

Depends. Have you played Pathfinder or D&D at the table? Then Kingmaker will be the most familiar to you. Pillars is the highest bar of entry of the 3. Especially the 1st game. It has minimal tutorials. No way to preview your build choices. And a combat system that needs a computer to resolve all the factors. I enjoy it. But it's absurdly opaque. DOS is the most user friendly of the games you mentioned. It has a unique system. But it actually explains how said system works in a way neither Pillars 1 nor Kingmaker does (Wrath probably has better tutorials than any of these games). For me the question is Larian's writing. I bounce off it hard. But they're probably the most popular modern CRPGs for a reason.

[@Hrafnskald]

Pillars 1 and 2 are great, but complex systems. If you are willing to experiment, and learn as you go, they have great storylines. DOS 2 would be the best to introduce you to RPGs. Pathfinder can be fun, but it is extremely complex.

[@arindammukhopadhyay4359]

@@Hrafnskald Is it necessary to play Pillars I? Or directly can I play Pillars 2?

[@arindammukhopadhyay4359]

@@danieltuomey4859 Dan, then what to do? Start with Pillars 2? Or playing Pillars 1 is necessary?

[@reyrey5217]

Honestly DA:O should be on the list. It is one of the greatest and it is simple and easy to understand with a great voice acted story. Ignore 2 & 3 .... sigh.

[@Davlavi]

thanks

[@zardox0163]

Yup, divinity original sin 2 is a solid choice for a person who never played RPGs before.

[@prkeene]

I’ve got two kids under 2yr old. I get maybe 1-2hrs per week to relax and play a game. CRPGs are my favorite genre but their complexity in the face of my current personal commitments has nerfed my enjoyment. I have a PoE Deadfire save that hasn’t been meaningfully progressed in 6mo because it takes all my free gaming time to even manage the inventory.

[@fragilous]

Is Dragon Age Inquisiton CRPG? Ive started w DOS2 and then WOTR... Im playing DAI currently and I feel like I missed this 10 yrs ago or something.

[@MortismalGaming]

Depends on who you ask really, personally I'd say no but it's similar

[@shawngillogly6873]

I'd say DAI is an Open-World ARPG, similar to Skyrim and Witcher 3.

[@megascoops]

I feel like expeditions rome is a tough sell to newcomers just because the controls still feel very wonky to me. I don't feel as in-control of my characters as I do in DO:S or other crpgs

[@chanm01]

Hmm, I see why you chose these, but the way I see it, if you're dedicated enough to learn Solasta, you can probably pick up any modern CRPG and make your way through it with some Google assistance. My pick for beginner CRPG would actually be DoS2 - specifically the co-op mode. I've watched people who would normally never look twice at an "rpg" start playing DoS2 due to the co-op mode enabling what amounts to a guided experience. Did they usually end up finishing the game? No, not even close. The game is too long, and the co-op makes combat too cumbersome. But it _did_ help overcome that initial resistance to trying the type of games where the most meaningful player choices often happen on nearly static sceens.

[@risingdawn5259]

While Wasteland 2/3 are more trpg's, I'd still recommend them to newcomers as they have a large overlap with the crpg, yet very easily grasped systems and skills

[@skoomamuch356]

what about Expeditions: Viking?

[@Bridenbrad]

strange to me that people consider DOS2 to be more on the complex end of a crpg cuz as someone who is still fairly new to the genre I picked it up on a whim and LOVED it but also didn't really have much of an issue understanding its systems. of course right after discovering that game I decided to follow it up with pillars of eternity 2 deadfire, and THAT is what I would call a complex crpg lol. I have tried to wrap my head around that game multiple times but I just keep finding myself consistently lost by the complexity of the games systems and I put the game down again and again 🤷‍♂

[@KarlWinterling]

I recommend Pillars of Eternity 2 on turn-based because it isn't that hard and it gets you used to how the mechanics work. It does break the game a bit because it significantly reduces the penalties associated with having low Dexterity or wearing heavy armor (yes, you can make optimal turn-based builds that benefit from high Dexterity and no heavy armor). But I still recommend it because IIRC inexperienced players in playtests of turn-based games like XCOM: Enemy Unknown did not engage very deeply with game mechanics or try to make optimal decisions.

[@aFLYER1980]

Here's me starting with Pillars of Eternity 😬

[@me36391]

A good list, but I think Kotor 2 would be a good point because its so simple but I would also say DoS1, not 2.

[@shawngillogly6873]

KotOR2 would be a great game if it was finished. The last act is messy. Also, you can go way too long before getting a working lightsaber. Which will frustrate anyone wanting to play as a Jedi.

[@me36391]

@@shawngillogly6873 I cant recall the name but there is a mod that fixes almost all of the issues. When I played it 2yrs? ago no issues, amazing story with so much potential left on the table.

[@shawngillogly6873]

@@me36391 I don't recommend a new player of anything to use mods.

[@AzNFoLk]

The one game I would recommend anyone and everyone is Disco Elysium.

[@gilmer3718]

You should get advertising revenue directly from the game companies, because I buy the ones you recommend.

[@valitsemllaluokanavahyvaks3556]

I would personally say crpgs that are turn based are most easiest and fun to play for beginners.

[@Anik501]

I feel DOS1 is a lot easier to get into than DOS2, but to each their own.

[@AuspexAO]

Oh yeah, 100% easier to get into. DOS2 is the perfect example of "too much freedom" for beginners.

[@cypher9000]

What's a "C"RPG?

[@MortismalGaming]

classic/computer

[@theonewhoseeks4880]

iam kinda a begineer i thought balder's gate 3 will be easy to understand

[@Hrafnskald]

I respect you, but Solasta is *not* newbee friendly. Solasta implements every aspect of 5e, including some very complex rules on lighting, line of fire, concealment, angle of attack, etc. that most 5e players never use. It never explains any of this. You just miss, constantly. Did you accidentally switch weapons? Good luck figuring out why you can't cast any spells. Solasta, in the first major dungeon, throws you into a fight where you are outnumbered by opponents that are individually more powerful than your characters, fighting in the dark, in an obscenely bad starting position, against enemies that can poison you for absurd damage, in the middle of an escort quest where if any of your worthless two escorted people dies, you lose. Did I mention the enemies can teleport, hang from the ceiling, and abuse cover? This is in the FIRST DUNGEON. I've played a ton of 5e, and I know how to abuse tactics, and it took me FIVE ATTEMPTS TO BEAT THIS ONE FIGHT. I respect you, but with respect, that game has a HUGE difficulty spike, and ZERO explanation of why your attacks are constantly missing (cover, light, line of fire, etc.). I get that you like the game, I respect that. It has a lot of promise. But a game that throws the player into an impossible fight, with more enemies than allies, each of which is stronger and forces the fight in the worst tactical position, is not a nice game for newbees.

[@MortismalGaming]

It does explain those things, on top of a pretty thorough tutorial. Also as I mentioned it has a very customizable difficulty setting. That said I understood this isnt a subject people agree on when I made the video, so to each their own.

[@Hrafnskald]

​@@MortismalGaming Honestly, if they didn't have the death fight in the first dungeon, I would agree. But they throw you into a fight that, even on the easiest difficulty settings, is extremely hard because you are surrounded, outnumbered, by creatures that are two levels too powerful for this stage of the adventure. You start the fight unable to return fire, and have to spend 2-4 turns per character moving into position, while the enemy can shoot at you. Do you remember that fight in the bridge section filled with pillars you have to climb over and under? With the poison shooting teleporting monsters you can't shoot back at because they constantly duck behind cover? This is a fundamentally broken battle, and not something that should be thrown at players in the first dungeon. As frustrating as that fight was for me, someone who knows 5e rules backwards and forewards, to ask a newcomer to fight that...

[@TheGreaterGrog]

I would never recommend Shadowrun Returns over Dragonfall. SR isn't much more than a rules/tech demo for the latter.

[@onatgz]

free comment for beginners.

[@Searibox]

is it just me or people barely if ever mention Original sin 1 but constantly reference OS2

[@MortismalGaming]

Most peoples only experience with both the Divinity universe and CRPGs at large is OS2

[@richardjecooke8036]

Please add timestamps to your videos

[@gingerdynamite]

None of this games have good story/choices system, so I wouldnt really recommend any of those for start with genre. But you do you;)

[@shawngillogly6873]

Pardon? Expeditions has a very good amount of choice and consequence. And a solid story that branches into 5 possible endings based on your decisions.

[@AJCrowley0153]

Story and characters are some of the main selling points of the genre and Solasta is a terrible representation of those. It's a much better introduction to xcom/tactical games

[@Morden97]

Definitely not pathfinder 😅😅

[@Hrafnskald]

Would make for an EPIC April Fools video: Wrath of the Righteous as a beginner's game. Good for at least 5 hours of content :)

[@hi123452008]

@@Hrafnskald And, if you enjoyed those 5 hours, you can then even continue past the character creation!

[@Mountain_Manu]

I play Wrath of the Righteous in turnbased mode and find it a lot easier and less frustrating then Pillars. I manage it on hard difficulty without too many reloads while Pillars on normal had me quit twice because I was so frustrated. Just don't get along with this realtime pause combat

[@Hrafnskald]

@@hi123452008 Wait, you've successfully finished creating a single character in Pathfinder in under 5 hours? I'm impressed :)

[@Hrafnskald]

@@Mountain_Manu Pillars is definitely a game to play on Easy mode the first time, which equates roughly to Wrath's Hard. The difficulties are different, though: In Wrath, it's hard to decide what to make your character, as the sheer number of options overwhelms. Wrath has an extremely hard to finish character creation. In Pillars, it's harder to keep your character alive in combat. Pillars has a hard to survive First Act. Once you have a party gathered, it gets a lot easier, as much of the combat relies on synergy and mutual support.

[@DirkParker]

SOLASTA: CotM just came to Xbox game pass. I’ll be trying it out as my first crpg. And first dnd like experience even.