Although the tide has shifted as technology has become more advanced, isometric RPGs have left their stamp on gaming. Popularized in the '90s on PC, this role-playing sub-genre tends to feature big casts of characters and is usually very story-driven; however, isometric RPGs can vary widely when it comes to their combat, ranging from turn-based systems to more action-oriented ones.

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While modern examples are few and far between, with many being marketed as throwbacks to classics from yesteryear, the subgenre has produced some of the greatest role-playing games of all time. Here are the best isometric RPGs available today.

Updated on May 5, 2023, by Sam Hallahan: We've tidied up this list and added even more info for you, so you know all you need to about the next isometric RPGs to dive into.

20 Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition

A screenshot showing gameplay in Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition

Developer

Overhaul Games

Release Date

October 2014

Following its work on the remasters of the original Baldur's Gate and its sequel, the dev team at Overhaul Games decided to tackle another classic CRPG from the Black Isle Studios stable. Originally released in 2000, Icewind Dale was another isometric RPG that made use of the Infinity Engine and the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Second Edition ruleset.

The Enhanced Edition currently ranks as the best way to experience the game today, with support for widescreens and a slew of little tweaks and bug fixes to help the gameplay better on modern computers. The game reuses most of the original assets though, so those expecting a complete graphical overhaul might find the visuals a little bit dated by today's standards.

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19 Tunic

A screenshot showing the fox about to pick up the sword in Tunic

Developer

Isometricorp Games

Release Date

March 2022

Borrowing as much from Dark Souls as it does from The Legend of Zelda, Tunic is a game that should instantly appeal to fans of both series. It was developed by Andrew Shouldice and released on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. It's considered by many to be the best isometric RPG released in 2022, as well as one of the year's best games overall.

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You play the role of a tunic-clad fox on an adventure through a mysterious land, presented in the style of a beautiful diorama. Aside from its shiny exterior, it also boasts some challenging boss fights that are almost Soulslike in nature. So, if any of that sounds like your kind of jam, Tunic is definitely worth checking out.

18 Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous

Pathfinder WotR Occult
via Owlcat Games

Developer

Owlcat Games

Release Date

September 2021

Released on September 2, 2021, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is the even better sequel to the already fantastic Kingmaker. A turn-based isometric RPG that also offers real-time combat as an alternative, Wrath of the Righteous provides customizations and systems in the dozens, presenting players with a wide array of classes that cover almost every conceivable gameplay style. This focus on customization extends to the difficulty options and speed of combat.

The mythic path is also an exciting addition to the late game and opens up a whole new slew of choices and trajectories to explore. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is a great modern inclusion to the genre, one that harbors back to the classics while also refining its own formula to create a largely satisfying and robust experience.

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17 Wasteland 3

Wasteland 3 battle lightning

Developer

inXile Entertainment

Release Date

August 2020

Those aching for something akin to the classic Fallout games need to check out the Wasteland series, particularly the second and third entries. As good as the former is, the latter is overall a more complete experience, courtesy of its immersive world, the plethora of consequential choices the game presents to players, and its deep skills and combat systems.

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Set in Colorado, Wasteland 3 tasks two Desert Rangers with tracking across the post-apocalyptic hellscape as they go from town to town. Along the way, they'll recruit NPCs as they construct a well-rounded party.

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16 The Age Of Decadence

The age of decadence game

Developer

Iron Tower Studios

Release Date

October 2015

Released in 2015, The Age of Decadence is built on the backs of classic RPGs from yesteryear, and that extends to its crushing difficulty. With multiple origins, weapon types, skills, factions, and reputations, The Age of Decadence bombards players with options that need to be memorized and perfected.

Although a budget title, The Age of Decadence's strong writing, challenging tactical combat, and fully fleshed-out world allow it to stand alongside the best turn-based RPGs on the market. Just make sure to thoroughly read the tutorials and lore.

15 Path Of Exile

Path-of-Exile-Omniphobia

Developer

Grinding Gear Games

Release Date

October 2013

This is the isometric RPG for die-hard fans. Inspired heavily by the Diablo franchise, Path of Exile has a familiar UI, infinite build options, and seemingly endless gameplay. Fans of the series laud its skill system and uncluttered gameplay as two chief pros.

More than just a great game in itself, Grinding Gear Games announced a sequel Path of Exile 2 at the 2019 ExileCon. Only time will tell if this sequel outshines the announced, but mysterious Diablo 4 from Blizzard.

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14 Pillars Of Eternity

pillars of eternity

Developer

Obsidian Entertainment

Release Date

March 2015

A highly-rated send-up to classic isometric RPGs like Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment, Pillars of Eternity serves as a prime example that these types of games still have a place in gaming when handled by a capable developer. Obsidian crafted an engaging and complex combat system that rewards adapting one's playstyle depending on an enemy's weaknesses and strengths.

Like many of the subgenre's best creations, Pillars of Eternity limits experience points to quest completion and exploration, freeing users to approach obstacles in whatever way they see fit. With eleven classes and a solid story, Pillars of Eternity is a great recent entry to the genre, and the sequel is also very good.

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13 Avernum Series

Avernum isometric RPG

Developer

Spiderweb Software

Release Date

2000

Debuting in 2000 and spawning two trilogies followed by a reboot series that welcomed its most recent entry in 2018, Avernum is a passion project by Spiderweb Software's Jeff Vogel that has developed a cult following over the years.

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While the third and fifth entries are the best in their respective trilogies, Avernum weaves a continuous narrative that requires the franchise to be taken as a whole. Avernum 1 is very rough around the edges but does a decent job of setting up the main conflict between the Empire and those exiled to Avernum's subterranean locations.

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12 Final Fantasy Tactics

Final Fantasy Tactics battle

Developer

Square

Release Date

June 1997 (JP), January 1998 (NA)

JRPGs are not usually associated with isometric camera angles, but tactical RPGs are the exception. Released in the same year as Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy Tactics is arguably even better than the mainline entry.

Combining 3D with an isometric camera angle, Tactics' turn-based battle system takes place on a grid-style battleground where a unit's movement is dictated by its stats and class. The combat system requires constant planning from the player, as the enemy AI offers a reasonable challenge through the lengthy and fantastic campaign.

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11 Jagged Alliance 2

Jagged Alliance 2 party

Developer

Sir-Tech

Release Date

April 1999

Ever since it was originally released in 1999, arguably no other title has come close to mimicking that sense of being part of a small rebellion waging an ever-expanding war against an overwhelming enemy. Jagged Alliance 2 places users in charge of a mercenary group tasked with liberating the nation of Arulco and restoring the royal family to their throne.

Along with taking over towns and mines to fund the resistance, the player is constantly seeking to expand their forces' numbers and arsenal. Jagged Alliance 2's ambition is impressive even in 2020, while the tactical turn-based combat is challenging but incredibly rewarding.

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10 Tyranny

Tyranny Gameplay camp next to bones

Developer

Obsidian Entertainment

Release Date

November 2016

Leave it to Obsidian Entertainment to follow up Pillars of Eternity with arguably an even better isometric RPG. Tyranny takes place in a world where evil has won in the form of the overlord Kyros, and users play as one of his subordinates tasked with bringing order to the world.

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While the gameplay sticks very close to Pillars of Eternity, Tyranny places more importance on interactivity and choice, even going as far as to allow players to shape the campaign's backstory by determining how Kyros claimed the world of Terratus as his own.

9 Fallout

city of necropolis, fallout 1

Developer

Interplay Productions

Release Date

October 1997

Although a case can be made for the bigger Fallout 2, 1997's original benefits from having a more focused storyline that ultimately leaves a longer-lasting impression. At its heart, Fallout tells a simple tale about one person's journey to protect their home; however, finding a replacement chip for Vault 13's water system in the Wasteland is anything but simple.

Fallout is all about making decisions and learning to live with the consequences. Actions change the world and the story's progression, perhaps even locking players out of certain endings. With great all-around writing and one of the best character creator systems in gaming history, Fallout is rightfully regarded as a classic.

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8 Encased

Encased rpg

Developer

Dark Crystal Games

Release Date

September 2019

From developer Dark Crystal Games comes Encased, a spiritual successor to the original Fallout game which is also on this list. The "Roadside Picnic" tribute lets players explore the wasteland, fight monsters, and join forces to retake this ruined world.

It is an early access game, but initial reviews are very positive. The developers describe it as being for fans of Fallout, Shadowrun, and Divinity: Original Sin. That means this game was tailor-made for fans of isometric RPGs. For unique character customization, replayability, and a unique story, Encased delivers. However, some reviewers do caution that some gamers may want to wait until the game is completed before picking it up.

7 Divinity: Original Sin 2

divinity original sin 2

Developer

Larian Studios

Release Date

September 2017

The most recent entry in the Divinity franchise is not only the best in the series but also one of the greatest RPGs of any generation. When the veil separating Rivellon from the Void begins to fade, the Seven Gods elect a Godwoken to keep the latter's evil forces from breaking into the former.

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Divinity: Original Sin 2's tactical combat comes with a steep learning curve as taking full advantage of the party members' individual strengths is key to overcoming even the most basic of battles. Outside of encounters, Divinity: Original Sin 2 boasts consistently impeccable writing and areas that just demand to be explored.

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6 Neverwinter Nights

A screenshot showing gameplay in Neverwinter Nights

Developer

BioWare & Obsidian Entertainment

Release Date

June 2002

Dungeons & Dragons' influence can be seen in nearly all isometric RPGs, so it is only natural that one of the subgenre's best releases happens to be set in the tabletop game's universe. While the classic hero's journey storyline might not hold all that many surprises, BioWare's minute-to-minute writing is strong throughout the base game's four chapters and its three expansion packs.

As good as the campaign was, Neverwinter Nights' multiplayer and Aurora toolset were its greatest components. The latter essentially allowed players to craft their own adventures, a tool that greatly expanded the content associated with the game.

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5 Planescape: Torment

Planescape torment characters standing around

Developer

Black Isle Studios

Release Date

December 1999

Another classic RPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, Planescape: Torment tells a refreshingly strange tale about an immortal being who sets out to find his memories as the slate is wiped clean whenever he is killed. The Nameless One is among the best protagonists in the RPG genre, one who is never reduced to a surrogate for players to live out their hero fantasies.

Planescape: Torment mostly pushes combat to the side to focus on its narrative and world-building, a decision that makes it more accessible for a revisit in this day and age.

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4 Disco Elysium

Cuno knocked out by the detective in Disco Elysium

Developer

ZA/UM

Release Date

October 2019

Described by TheGamer Reviews as "The best alcoholic cop simulator ever," Disco Elysium reimagines how games need to operate in tandem with the people playing them. In the game, players control a cop who has various voices whispering to him in his head. The player can choose which voices to listen to and bear witness to how the character's mental state holds up or deteriorates accordingly.

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Not only did the game take the most wins at the 2019 Game Awards, but it also scored multiple BAFTA 2020 wins and there is talk of a TV show in development. For a quirky isometric RPG, look no further than this.

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3 Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows Of Amn

Gameplay from Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Developer

BioWare

Release Date

September 2000

Two decades later and Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn has yet to lose its shine. Once again set in Dungeons & Dragons' Forgotten Realms, BioWare's RPG presents a detailed world rich with personality and tales to tell.

The main quest, which should roughly take around 75 hours to complete, builds on its predecessor by telling a more personal but still epic storyline. However, the side quests might be even better than the central story. The gameplay is strategic and versatile, allowing for different approaches to be used in combat and when trying to complete quests. Baldur's Gate II is everything an isometric RPG should be and more.

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2 Hades

Hades featuring Zagreus, Megaera, and Thanatos

Developer

Supergiant Games

Release Date

December 2018 (Early Access), September 2020 (Full Release)

Supergiant Games is famous for releasing unique games like Bastion and Transistor. Its latest entry, Hades, is something of the golden child in the gaming world right now. The game has addictive gameplay, sleek animation, and rewarding boss fights.

Fans of the developers are calling this their "magnum opus" after a long early access period which, as the studio says, was invaluable to the development. TheGamer reviewed the game earlier this year and branded it "a game fit for the Gods." If gamers want a new isometric RPG experience, this is the game to start with.

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1 Dragon Age: Origins

dragon age origins battle

Developer

BioWare

Release Date

November 2009

Technically, Dragon Age: Origins is only an isometric RPG if someone so chooses it to be; however, on PC, BioWare's game is at its best with the camera pulled out as far as possible. Stepping into the shoes of a Grey Warden, players go through a grand adventure as they seek to push back the Archdemon's forces, the Blight.

Set on Thedas, Dragon Age: Origins' world is soaked in personality and complexity, be it through the unique touches of the individual races or the smaller, personal storylines that are peppered across the map. The combat is accessible but deep, the story ranks among BioWare's strongest, and the characters are timeless; Dragon Age: Origins is both a brilliant entry-level isometric RPG and an easy recommendation for veterans of the franchise.

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NEXT: BioWare's Best Games, Ranked