Best Western RPGs That Master the Balance Between Combat & Story

Western RPGs have become some of the most coveted genres in the industry. Players want to immerse themselves in a grand adventure where their controlled character (or characters, in some instances) transforms from a weak combatant into one of the strongest people around who can smash their enemies to bits.

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Some Western RPGs have a greater focus on combat, while others prefer a story-heavy focus without making combat too dominant. Players who wish to enjoy a game in this genre that is perfectly balanced between combat and narrative will be spoiled for options.

8

Mass Effect 2

The Combat Is Improved And The Story Is Better Than Ever

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Released

January 26, 2010

While the first Mass Effect game boasted a great story, the combat could feel a bit too floaty and unresponsive at times. This wasn’t the case in Mass Effect 2, where the combat was upgraded to match the story’s quality.

All of a sudden, players could enjoy an amazing title where the combat felt fast-paced and rewarding, with each build letting players tackle combat scenarios differently. Along with this, the story of Mass Effect 2 reached a fever pitch as players had to contend with the impending threat of the Reapers along with the introduction of a new hostile race known as the Collectors.

7

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Boasts Excellent Gameplay Along With A Captivating Narrative

The Witcher 3 uses the area of White Orchard to hammer in just how balanced and engaging the experience is. Players get to control a powerful witcher who has regained his memories and must locate his adopted daughter at all costs.

This tantalizing premise is supported by a fun combat loop where players can use melee combat, alchemical creations, and powerful Signs (magic spells) to decimate their opponents. With amazing side content and numerous massive regions to explore, it’s easy to see why fans can’t get enough of The Witcher 3 to this day.

6

Deus Ex

An Excellent Tale Full Of Espionage And Conspiracies Carried By Superb Immersive Sim Gameplay

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Released

June 23, 2000

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Ion Storm

One of the greatest immersive sim ARPGs ever made, Deus Ex has aged like a fine wine and is infinitely playable to this day. Players love going through its many missions as they make the most of Denton’s skills, ensuring that he’s adept at whatever he sets his mind to.

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For a game that prides itself on its gameplay, it’s amazing to see just how fleshed out and engaging the writing of Deus Ex is. Some of the game’s best conversations will make players think about their actions, as Denton eventually uncovers a conspiracy where no one is innocent.

5

Baldur’s Gate 3

A Plot Driven By The Player’s Actions Coupled With Tactical Turn-Based Combat

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August 3, 2023

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a complex game that deserves all its praise. Every playthrough feels unique based on the class, race, and decisions made by the player. It’s one of the few games where an evil playthrough feels just as rewarding as a good or neutral one.

As a result, the story shines and becomes one of the best parts of the experience, along with an engaging tactical turn-based combat system. Figuring out environmental synergies and preparing for tough battles makes for a rewarding experience, as enemies are obliterated before they even have time to react.

4

Fallout: New Vegas

A Role-Playing Masterpiece With Fun Combat To boot

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Released

October 19, 2010

Fallout: New Vegas is one of the greatest RPGs in the Fallout series that fans can’t get enough of. It does justice to the brilliant role-playing options present in the first two games, ensuring that the player-driven story is as engaging and personal as can be.

Along with this, Fallout: New Vegas makes the most of Bethesda’s modern advancements in the genre to let players enjoy some amazing combat scenarios too. No matter what character players try to roleplay as, they can rest assured that their playthrough in New Vegas will be a rewarding experience every single time.

3

Tyranny

A Complicated Exploration Of Evil In A CRPG With Fun Real-Time Combat

It’s a shame that Tyranny stumbled at the end of its journey, since the rest of the game is immaculate and shows Obsidian Entertainment at its very best. The story is a unique exploration of evil that’s so novel that players can’t get enough of the game’s engaging writing.

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Along with this, Tyranny features an excellent combat system that shows all the lessons Obsidian learned from their development of Pillars of Eternity. Players can use various compelling builds, make the most of a customizable magic system, and team up with their party members to take part in the game’s fun real-time combat and help it stand out just as much as Tyranny‘s tantalizing narrative.

2

Cyberpunk 2077

V Has Many Options In Combat As They Struggle To Regain Control Of Their Body

After all the issues had been ironed out, Cyberpunk 2077 stands out in the eyes of many as one of the greatest action RPGs ever made. The sheer number of options players have in combat is impressive, with players either going in guns-blazing or sneaking in the shadows and using quickhacks to debilitate their opponents.

The gameplay is accompanied by one of the most fascinating tales ever told in an RPG, where players are forced to make tough decisions in a race against the clock to save V’s life. It’s a dark and moody tale where its moments of levity stand out and help Cyberpunk 2077 establish itself as one of CD Projekt Red’s best games.

1

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Fun Real-Time Combat In A Story That Brings Back The Epic Narratives Of This Dark Fantasy Series

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November 18, 2014

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

After the disappointment of Dragon Age 2, Inquisition felt like a return to form for the series, as the story felt as epic as ever. Players love improving Skyhold and leading the Inquisition as they try to stop Corypheus’ plans from becoming a reality.

Dragon Age: Inquisition‘s narrative is just one of its strongest facets, with its action-packed real-time combat system ensuring that players will have a blast playing as whatever class they want. Once players specialize and become stronger than ever, their foes have no chance of standing up to the might of the hero and their friends as they fight to save the world.

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