BioWare used to be one of the most renowned video game developers in the entire industry. Every game they crafted had a sense of care and amazement that raised the bar for RPGs every time without fail.
Recent flops like Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda has called into question if BioWare is still as skilled as they once were. Whatever your opinion is on BioWare, they have created some of the most breathtaking RPG titles in the entire industry. If you have never played Mass Effect, Knights of the Old Republic, or have never even tried an RPG before, these are the 10 games made from BioWare that you need to play.
10 Dragon Age: Inquisition
While not as engaging as Origins, Dragon Age: Inquisition holds its own in a sea of generic fantasy RPGs with its somewhat grimdark setting and phenomenal voice acting.
Players take the role of an inquisitor who bears a mark to seal breaches that plague the land of Thedas. These breaches seem to spawn demons called "darkspawn" that want to ruin Thedas and its inhabitants. You spend the game getting better gear, leveling up, completing a variety of missions and developing relationships with your companions. It doesn't have the same level of polish or writing mastery as Origins, but it vastly outperforms Dragon Age 2 in almost every regard, especially when it comes to world scale and combat.
9 Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights is less of a game and more of a framework. This game takes the Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition and puts it into a computer game for players to experience.
What is so amazing about Neverwinter Nights, however, is the game's scope. Up to 96 players can enter servers to quest or duke it out amongst each other, or you can go it alone in a campaign BioWare created. The campaign is serviceable but doesn't match the highs of KOTOR or Mass Effect. Rather, the real fun comes from the hundreds of custom-made campaigns and the multiplayer carnage players can experience together.
8 Star Wars: The Old Republic
Yes, Star Wars: The Old Republic is an MMORPG. Yet, it contains plenty of quests and mechanics that originate from a single-player heavy RPG.
Each character class in SWTOR has a unique story to tell, adding up to 8 unique main stories to play through. Each class has companions exclusive to them they can interact with and build relationships with, just like you could in KOTOR. Unlike KOTOR, this is also a game you can play with your friends. The story doesn't have the same immaculate pacing from KOTOR, but it contains the same epic scale and well-told plot that those single-player titles have. If you have always wanted a KOTOR 3, SWTOR is as close as you can get.
7 Baldur's Gate 2
Baldur's Gate 2 redefined the entire RPG genre. Many RPG fans will remember how amazing the characters were, ranging from the infinitely-quotable villain to the interesting companions.
The Enhanced Edition for Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 helps bring both games up-to-date with modern hardware, fixing resolution errors and critical bugs. It doesn't fix the rather dated combat or visuals, however. If you can stomach the older graphics and archaic combat, there is a well-written RPG waiting to be played. It might feel somewhat generic by today's standards, but that is because it set the standard for the entire RPG genre.
6 Mass Effect 3
Besides the catastrophic backlash for its rushed ending, Mass Effect 3 is a solid revision of the Mass Effect formula. Rather than break the mold and innovate, this game instead refined what was already established in previous entries.
The focus on the main narrative in ME3 is a nice change from the focus on side content in ME 2. Combat feels faster and smoother than Mass Effect 2 while refining certain elements like health. While the story doesn't branch off dramatically based on your choices, the conclusion to the trilogy is satisfying enough and is a great send-off for fans. Oh, and the multiplayer in this game is pretty amazing too.
5 Jade Empire
Most have likely heard of this game but never played it. Jade Empire, for all intents and purposes, is a Chinese Knights of the Old Republic.
BioWare created a unique universe that takes obvious inspiration from Eastern cultures and combines it with more Western presentation. The game has a morality system, companions, and certain philosophies that players will have to tackle throughout their journey. Just like KOTOR, it contains an amazing plot twist that rivals that game's reveal. If you want another solid RPG to play, give Jade Empire a shot.
4 Mass Effect
BioWare set off to create their own universe in Mass Effect, a monumental task after working with the likes of Star Wars and Dungeons & Dragons.
So how did they do? Near perfect. It has a few flaws—combat has not aged well at all—but the Star Trek-inspired diplomacy mixed with Star Wars mythical elements landed exactly as they needed to. Characters are all charming with unique quirks, planets have a sense of history that keeps the player intrigued, and there is so much lore baked into the game you can spend dozens of hours reading codex entries or watching analysis videos on YouTube.
3 Dragon Age: Origins
Do you like Medieval fantasy games? Do you like Medieval fantasy games about dragons and demons? If so, Dragon Age: Origins might be the game for you!
Players pick a typical class: fighter, rogue, or mage. Your starting race will determine the opening, but the game quickly shifts to working with an organization called the Grey Wardens, who stand to slay the demonic "darkspawn" force that wants to invade the world. The story is epic in scope and execution, providing a game with dozens of hours of content that can reach hundreds with subsequent playthroughs.
2 Mass Effect 2
Players will immediately notice how much better Mass Effect 2 feels in terms of combat and visuals. Shepard may have died at the start, but he certainly learned how to properly fire a gun.
The main narrative in this game surprisingly takes a back-seat to the side missions and companion drama that encompasses much of the game's content. Players will spend hundreds of hours investigating planets and factions to help form a crew. While the final mission is one of the most epic in gaming history, the side missions and companion quests are the most engaging parts of Mass Effect 2, making it a must-play.
1 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Considered by many to be Bioware's Magnum Opus, Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic is one of the best Star Wars games ever made, arguably one of the best RPGs ever made as well.
Players wake up on a ship invaded by Sith that want you killed. The game wastes little time getting you introduced to characters and the Star Wars universe. Unlike most Star Wars titles, it takes place during its own time period with unique lore and characters. While the combat and visuals are dated, the story and pacing hold up exceptionally well. It also houses one of the best plot twists in any video game.