This is a classic RPG from 2002 that introduced some unique ideas to the the genre, some more successfully than others! The world building is fantastic and the game will pull you into a story that will take many hours to complete. However, it is looking very dated now, and I didn't get on with the magic system, which requires you to draw symbols with your mouse. Make sure you install the Arx Libertatis mod before you play, which is pretty much mandatory to fix bugs and make sure you can actually finish the game!
Anachronox is one of the best RPGs ever made, a hidden gem. It's got a fairly unique take on the genre, with heavy JRPG influences. The cast of characters are fun and memorable and there's a good deal of humour in the game. Exploring the different planets on your quest will remind you of Mass Effect, but of course this game came long before before Mass Effect! However, I didn't gel with the turn-based combat and the game is definitely showing its age. If you can get past all that, then this is a game definitely worth checking out.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura was the first game from Troika Games, an outfit formed by Tim Cain, Leonard Boyarsky and Jason Anderson, who all worked on Fallout 2 at Interplay. It's an isometric RPG set in a steampunk/fantasy world, and plays a lot like the Infinity Engine games (Baldur's Gate 1 & 2, Icewind Dale 1 & 2), but with some significant differences. For example, it does not use the D&D ruleset, and the combination of magic and technology means there are interesting locations, items and different ways to solve quests.
Fallout 3 was my first game in the Fallout universe, and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go back and play Fallout and Fallout 2 to see where it all began. Those are very different games, but worth playing in their own right, especially if you want to experience the history of the series. Unlike previous titles in the series, you play the game from a first-person perspective (or an "over-the-shoulder" third-person perspective once you complete the tutorial). Your early life in Vault 101 acts as a tutorial and character creator, as you configure attributes using the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck). You also learn how to use your Pip-Boy 3000. Finally, you come of age and emerge from Vault 101 into the Capital Wasteland where your adventure begins. Lots of quests and many, many side quests later (this is a Bethesda game, remember), you will achieve your goals. This Game of the Year edition also includes all the DLC: Operation: Anchorage, The Pitt, Broken Steel, Point Lookout, and Mothership Zeta, which are all worth playing through. Grab a Nuka-Cola and start exploring!
Unlike the Fallout games that came before it, Fallout Tactics is a squad-based game that requires strategic thinking to overcome your enemies. The game will take some tweaking to run on modern hardware, but's well worth the effort as you will discover a different take on the Fallout universe that requires tactics to get you through the excellent story. If you liked Fallout 1 and 2, I'd say give this a go.
This is the first Hitman game in the series, but I would only recommend playing it for nostalgia or if you really want to see where things started. The graphics have not aged well and the controls are difficult to work with. You're better off playing something later in the series.
Divinity 2 is another great Action RPG from Larian, who later went on to develop the Original Sin games and Baldur's Gate 3. The graphics hold up well today, and the story has some excellent writing, with Larian's trademark humour seen throughout. This Developers Cut version has a number of enhancements, and is well worth playing.
I really enjoyed the first game in the series, Divine Divinity, but this one not as much. Working with the Death Knight in a two-person party was just fiddly and annoying. The story is OK and there are some interesting locations, but I just felt it wasn't as compelling as Divinity. It plays more like Diablo than the Baldur's Gate games. I experienced some bugs and crashes, so if you venture here, I'd advise saving early and often!
Divine Divinity is an isometric RPG that was heavily influenced by Diablo, but has some unique gameplay and an interesting story filled with an abundance of quests and side quests. Whether you play it for nostalgia or to see an earlier game from Larian, who produced the excellent Original Sin games, and more recently the incredible Baldur's Gate 3, you will have an amazing and lengthy adventure. The game is from 2002, so be prepared for old school graphics and systems that can be hard to get to grips with. However, if you persevere you will have a very enjoyable experience.
Dungeon Siege This is a classic Action RPG from 2002, so set your expectations accordingly. The graphics have not aged well, and the gameplay is without many of the improvements that have been made in the genre in the last 20 years! However, I would still recommend this game if you want an enjoyable hack and slash experience in some interesting environments. Dungeon Siege II Another classic Action RPG from Gas Powered Games, Dungeon Siege II has some issues on modern hardware, but these can be worked around if you do some googling. The game's systems are an improvement over the original Dungeon Siege, but I found the story not to be as interesting. However, if you're a fan of ARPGs then you're probably not here for the story! Dungeon Siege III Dungeon Siege 3 is a hack and slash Action RPG. I have to say I didn't enjoy it as much as Dungeon Siege 1 and 2. Unfortunately, Obsidian changed a lot of things about the Dungeon Siege formula that made it fun to play. The game seemed dumbed-down compared to the previous titles in the series, and certain mechanics were removed altogether. The graphics were noticeably improved, but the environments were not as interesting or expansive. Maybe Obsidian was aiming for a different audience here, but it did not please existing Dungeon Siege fans who were looking forward to the sequel.
