Games Like Baldur's Gate 3: 8 Tactical RPGs to Play Next

The closest game to Baldur's Gate 3 is Divinity: Original Sin 2, from the same studio, Larian. Right behind it, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Pillars of Eternity II and the Dragon Age series offer the same freedom, companions with real personality and tactical fights. Here are 8 RPGs that bring back the feeling of playing a proper tabletop campaign.

What makes Baldur's Gate 3 special

Baldur's Gate 3 is a Dungeons and Dragons campaign brought to the screen by Larian Studios. A parasite is eating you from the inside, an ancient evil hangs over the city of Baldur's Gate, and you need to survive with a party of companions who are as lovable as they are difficult. Every turn-based fight uses the environment, and every conversation can hinge on a dice roll.

It's huge. Plan on over 100 hours with side quests. Since nearly every situation has several solutions, plenty of people start over with a new class or new choices. There's no exact match, but some games come very close.

How to choose your next RPG

Start with the combat style. If you want pure turn-based, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Wasteland 2 and Pathfinder are for you. If you're fine with real time with pause, Pillars of Eternity II, Baldur's Gate II and Dragon Age: Origins pick up the slack.

Then think about what you loved most: the fights or the conversations. Disco Elysium has almost no combat, but its skill checks and choices feel a lot like the best moments of BG3. And if you want to keep playing with friends, Divinity: Original Sin 2 does co-op just like Baldur's Gate 3.

1. 

   1. Divinity: Original Sin II

   2017 · Main story 54.5 h

   The direct older sibling from Larian. You get turn-based combat with elemental surfaces to exploit, the humor, companions with backstories and online co-op. Fewer cutscenes than BG3, but just as much wild freedom. The first pick if you want exactly the same feeling.

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2. 

   2. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

   2021 · Main story 55 h

   Owlcat Games adapts the Pathfinder tabletop RPG with enormous depth. You lead a crusade against demons and pick a mythic path that transforms your hero. Combat runs in real time with pause or turn-based, your call. Demanding, very long and perfect if you love rules.

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3. 

   3. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

   2018 · Main story 50 h

   Obsidian takes you to a pirate archipelago, with your own ship and crew. The writing is rich, the factions plentiful and your choices shape the region. Combat is real time with pause, with an optional turn-based mode. A modern tribute to the great RPGs of the 2000s.

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4. 

   4. Dragon Age: Origins

   2009 · Main story 25 h

   BioWare's RPG where you become a Grey Warden facing the Blight. The companions are memorable, the moral dilemmas plentiful and your origin changes how the adventure opens. It looks dated now, but the writing still holds up. A classic to understand where BG3-style RPGs come from.

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5. 

   5. Dragon Age: Inquisition

   2014 · Main story 39.5 h

   You lead the Inquisition to close a tear in the sky. There are large zones to explore, a headquarters to manage and companions with well-written romances. It leans more toward action than BG3, but it scratches the same itch of building bonds with your party.

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6. 

   6. Disco Elysium

   2019 · Main story 19 h

   An RPG with no real combat, where everything happens through dialogue and skill checks. You play an amnesiac detective in a crumbling port city, and your own thoughts argue inside your head. If your favorite BG3 moments were persuasion rolls, go for it. See also games like Disco Elysium.

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7. 

   7. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

   2000 · Main story 200 h

   The direct ancestor, built by BioWare on Dungeons and Dragons rules. You face the mage Irenicus with a party of companions who became legends. Combat is real time with pause and the interface takes some getting used to. A piece of RPG history that's still a joy to play.

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8. 

   8. Wasteland 2

   2014 · Main story 42.5 h

   Tactical turn-based combat in a post-apocalyptic desert. You build a squad of Rangers and manage every skill, from weapons to lockpicking. The moral choices are harsh and the consequences visible. Less fantasy, but the same party logic and thoughtful combat as Baldur's Gate 3.

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FAQ

What game is most similar to Baldur's Gate 3?

Divinity: Original Sin 2, made by the same studio, Larian. Turn-based combat, an interactive environment, companions with strong personalities and online co-op: it's the foundation Baldur's Gate 3 was built on.

Do I need to play Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 before 3?

No, Baldur's Gate 3 tells a new story that works without the older games. You'll spot a few nods and familiar faces, but nothing essential. Baldur's Gate II is still a great bonus if you enjoy RPG history.

Are there co-op RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3?

Yes. Divinity: Original Sin 2 can be played fully in online co-op, with each player controlling their own character and making their own choices. It's the closest thing to Baldur's Gate 3's multiplayer experience.