Best Hidden Gems In Isometric RPGs You Probably Missed

Isometric RPGs have become an iconic genre in video games, gaining prominence in the ’90s with titles like Baldur’s Gate and Fallout. Inspired by tabletop RPGs, these games combine captivating stories and well-developed characters, earning a loyal fanbase. As a result, many franchises have become popular, serving as major references in the genre among enthusiasts.

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10 Best Isometric RPGs To Try If You Are Not Into The Genre

For new players or those not fans of the genre, these isometric RPGs offer engaging stories and mechanics for incredible experiences.

Despite this, numerous underrated isometric RPGs remain. Even delivering incredible experiences, many go unnoticed due to unconventional mechanics or settings that are less familiar to players. However, these games still offer experiences as fascinating as the major classics, making them important for enriching the genre through their compelling adventures.

10

GameDec

Isometric RPG With Cyberpunk Aesthetics

Although a popular setting, few isometric RPGs embrace the cyberpunk aesthetic, with GameDec being one of the exceptions. Here, the game takes players on a journey through 22nd-century Warsaw, where virtual reality dominates people’s lives, and the main character is a detective specialized in solving crimes within this world.

Another aspect of the game is its minimal emphasis on combat, similar to Disco Elysium, catering to players who prefer more dialogue and narrative, as well as deducing the culprits. Additionally, GameDec features a more hurried second half, shifting the pace and moving away from free investigation in favor of linear sequences.

9

The Temple Of Elemental Evil

One Of The Most Famous Dungeons & Dragons Adventures

• Developer: Troika Games
• Platforms: PC
• Release: September 16, 2003
• Genre: RPG

Based on a legendary Dungeons & Dragons module, The Temple of Elemental Evil faithfully recreates the rules of the 3.5 edition, offering intense tactical combat. The group of characters starts their journey in a quiet village but soon discovers a growing threat. Every decision, including party formation, influences rewards and conflicts throughout the campaign.

Exploring dungeons filled with traps and dangerous creatures, players encounter numerous opportunities to test their combat strategies. For those who appreciate an authentic tabletop experience, the system is precise and full of nuances. Despite requiring patience and attention to detail, The Temple of Elemental Evil rewards adventurers willing to face its tactical challenges.

8

Atom RPG

A Journey In The Soviet Post-Apocalypse

Atom RPG is set in a ruined future, inspired by classic Fallout titles but situated in a Soviet post-nuclear war scenario. Players begin their adventure as an agent searching for secrets that could rebuild the remnants of civilization. Exploration is enhanced by dialogues filled with dark humor and missions that test creativity and adaptability.

Character development is detailed, allowing for different attributes and skills, ranging from melee combat to stealth or charisma. Each choice can alter the course of events, highlighting the developer’s care for player freedom. For those who admire classic RPGs and dense narratives, Atom RPG stands out for its immersion and depth.

7

Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game

A Hardcore Sci-Fi Isometric RPG

• Developer: Iron Tower Studio
• Platforms: PC
• Release: November 9, 2023
• Genre: RPG

Developed by the same people behind The Age of Decadence, the two games share many mechanical similarities, but Colony Ship changes the setting, taking place on a giant spaceship that left Earth for Proxima Centauri. Thus, this title explores more themes of survival and the degradation of an isolated society in space.

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Being more hardcore, Colony Ship is a highly overlooked isometric RPGs, and its interface and graphics might discourage players accustomed to more modern genre titles. However, the game offers a complex narrative designed for passionate Sci-Fi fans, along with great freedom to solve problems that arise during the story.

6

Expeditions: Viking

A Fun Historical Fiction Isometric RPG

• Developer: Logic Artists
• Platforms: PC
• Release: April 27, 2017
• Genre: RPG

For players interested in a more grounded story without the presence of monsters or major fantasy elements, Expeditions: Vikings is a perfect hidden gem among isometric RPGs. The game revolves around the Viking invasions of Britannia, placing players in control of a small clan that needs to gather resources to survive.

Besides its strong storytelling, the game excels in its setting, transporting players to a journey through 790 AD Europe, where choices impact how different factions perceive the characters. Expeditions: Vikings features tactical combat similar to other games in the genre, which may seem challenging at first but becomes easier as players become familiar with the game’s rules.

5

Encased

Isometric RPG For Sci-Fi Fans

• Developer: Dark Crystal Games
• Platforms: PC
• Release: September 7, 2021
• Genre: RPG

Encased transports players to a reality shrouded in mysteries within a massive dome, where rival corporations compete for valuable technologies and resources. Inspired by works like Roadside Picnic, the game offers tactical turn-based combat and a flexible character creation system. Each sector of the dome hides peculiar events that reward thorough exploration.

The storyline unfolds through choices that can affect relationships with different factions within the dome, ensuring multiple endings and progression paths. Beyond its post-apocalyptic atmosphere, Encased shines in how it encourages creativity, whether in conflict resolution or resource management. A perfect find for those who enjoy exploring every detail.

4

UnderRail

A Game With Strong Fallout Inspirations

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Released

December 18, 2015

Developer(s)

Stygian Software

Publisher(s)

Stygian Software

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Set in a dystopian future where humanity lives in underground systems after the surface becomes uninhabitable, Underrail combines tactical combat elements with exploration and a progression system that makes it a unique game. The game draws significant inspiration from the early Fallout titles, focusing heavily on choice freedom and character building.

Due to its complexity, especially the initial difficulty and simpler aesthetics, Underrail might deter players accustomed to more accessible titles. However, those who delve into the game’s story discover an immersive world full of content and a level of complexity not found in many modern games.

3

Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura

A Game Where The Industrial Revolution Meets Magic

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Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

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Platform(s)

Microsoft Windows

Released

September 26, 2000

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura is an classic old-school isometric RPG that uniquely blends fantasy and steampunk elements. Released in 2001 by the now-defunct Troika Games, the title presents a world filled with conflicts between magic and technology, inviting players to explore industrial cities, enchanted forests, and societies marked by social tensions.

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In addition to its rich setting, the game offers a deep character creation system, allowing each build to focus on different schools of magic or technological devices. This freedom expands quest resolution possibilities, encouraging experimentation and promoting high replayability. It’s a treasure for fans of classic adventures.

2

The Age Of Decadence

A Complex Isometric RPG Based On Ancient Rome

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Microsoft Windows

Released

October 14, 2015

Although it appears to be a game entirely inspired by the Roman period, The Age of Decadence is actually a low fantasy post-apocalyptic game only inspired by Rome’s aesthetics, delivering an immersive and, above all, challenging experience. Due to its difficulty, the title is often overlooked isometric RPGs by some players, as the learning curve is steep.

However, the possibilities available in The Age of Decadence are incredible, as the game offers various paths based on choices made throughout the narrative and adapts well to each player’s gameplay style. This is because combat isn’t always the best option, and there are multiple ways to solve a problem, in addition to the character’s background influencing many game factors.

1

Solasta: Crown Of The Magister

A CRPG Delivering An Experience Closer To Dungeons & Dragons

While Baldur’s Gate 3 is the current major reference when thinking about games based on Dungeons & Dragons, Solasta: Crown of The Magister offers a similar experience to Larian’s isometric RPG but stays truer to the rules. Whereas one adapts some mechanics to better fit video game gameplay, the other prefers to follow what is written in the book.

Additionally, Solasta: Crown of The Magister offers a highly customizable experience, allowing players to edit any character in the party and supporting custom campaigns. This means players can create their own stories and share them with others, making the experience even more enjoyable.

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