Since it first hit tables in 1974, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) has gone from a niche hobby to a pop culture powerhouse. What started as a way for friends to gather and tell epic stories has grown into something that touches all kinds of media, from movies and comics to card games and video games.
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D&D is a fantastic tabletop RPG, one that has inspired many video games over the years. These video games are perfect for D&D fans.
You don’t have to look far to see D&D’s influence. Whether it’s the iconic monsters, rich lore, or the whole idea of rolling dice to decide your fate, it’s left a mark on how we play games and tell stories. It’s especially big in video games, where so many RPGs borrow D&D’s mechanics, like alignment systems or its classic creatures.
This list does not include video games set within the D&D universe.
8
Doom Eternal
- Released
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March 20, 2020
- Engine
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id Tech 7
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
Doom Eternal is a fast-paced first-person shooter and the seventh installment in the iconic Doom series. Picking up after the events of Doom (2016), you take on the role of the legendary Doom Slayer, tasked with stopping Hell’s invasion of Earth and saving humanity. One of the game’s highlights is the Fortress of Doom, a sprawling space station created as the Slayer’s personal base.
Dungeons & Demons can be found on the top shelf of the bookshelf, the last book on the right.
The Fortress is packed with Easter eggs for fans to discover. Among its treasures are Commander Keen’s skull and plaster, the Soul Cube from Doom 3, and even magazines and books that reference the Fallout series, like The Vault Dweller’s Survival Guide. Check out the bookshelves, and you’ll find the Player’s Handbook for Dungeons & Demons — 6th Edition, a clever nod to D&D’s 5th Edition.
7
Magicka
Inspired by Norse mythology, Magicka is a hilarious, action-packed game set in the whimsical world of Midgård. This land is rich with quirky characters, over-the-top monsters, and endless opportunities for chaotic fun. At the heart of the story is Castle Aldrheim, the headquarters of the Order of Magick, where wizards are trained in the fine (and often explosive) art of spellcasting. You play as one of these wizards, fresh out of training and thrust into the role of protector as the city of Havindir faces relentless orc attacks.
The game is packed with references to various fantasy tropes and properties, including D&D. The very first lines of Magicka’s Adventure mode mention D&D by name:
“Stay a while and listen, and I will tell you a story. A story of Dungeons & Dragons, of Orcs and Goblins, of Ghouls and Ghosts, of Kings and Quests, but most importantly – of Wizards and Vamp – Well, a story of Wizards.”
Magicka’s first boss is called Behold the Watcher, a direct reference to the Beholder monster from D&D.
This cheeky introduction hints at the chaos and laughs that await players, priming you to keep an eye out for hidden Easter eggs.
6
Final Fantasy
The Final Fantasy series is known for its rich lore and iconic creatures, many of which seem to have wandered straight out of a D&D campaign. While some of the similarities stem from shared mythological roots, such as Griffons, Dragons, or Chimeras, others are clear nods to D&D, hinting at the influence the tabletop game had on early RPG development. Among these more direct connections are the Beholder (rebranded as the Evil Eye or Dark Eye in Western localizations), the Lich, and the ever-sneaky Mimics.
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One of the most notable examples is Bahamut, a creature that has become synonymous with the Final Fantasy franchise. Known as The Dragon King, Bahamut is often depicted as one of the most powerful summons, boasting immense strength that can turn the tide of battle. His presence in Final Fantasy draws parallels to his origins in D&D, where Bahamut is a draconic deity revered as the Platinum Dragon and a symbol of justice and nobility. Both versions share roots in Arabic mythology, where Bahamut is described as a colossal fish or creature that supports the world, a detail that has evolved into his draconic representation in modern fantasy.
5
Disco Elysium
- Released
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October 15, 2019
- Publisher(s)
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ZA/UM
- Engine
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Unity
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
Disco Elysium is a unique game that combines a striking oil-painting art style with a deeply immersive narrative. Instead of relying on combat, the game centers around puzzles, decision-making, and skill checks, making it more about solving mysteries than traditional action gameplay. You take on the role of a detective with amnesia, tasked with investigating a grisly murder in a sprawling, open world full of eccentric characters, secrets, and bizarre encounters.
One of the most interesting Easter eggs you’ll find in Disco Elysium is tucked away in the bookshop: an in-game tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) called Wirrâl. Much like Dungeons & Dragons, it uses maps, miniatures, and dice to facilitate a player-driven adventure. It’s a clever homage to Dungeons & Dragons and other TTRPGs that served as inspiration for the development of Disco Elysium itself.
After you find Wirrâl, collect the Figurine Set Revolutionary and Standard Wirrâl Die from the box to use in later quests.
4
Firewatch
- Released
-
February 9, 2016
- Publisher(s)
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Campo Santo, Panic
- Engine
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Unity
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ due to Suggestive Themes, Nudity, Drug and Alcohol Reference, Strong Language
Firewatch is an atmospheric adventure game set in the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming. You play as Henry, a fire lookout who is stationed alone in the vast wilderness. As strange and eerie events begin to unfold, Henry’s only connection to the outside world is Delilah, a fellow park ranger with whom he communicates via walkie-talkie. The game focuses heavily on narrative and exploration as Henry uncovers a deep mystery while navigating the isolation of the forest.
While exploring the area, you’ll find Ned Goodwin’s bunker overlooking the lake trail. Ned, a former fire lookout who had been living in the wilderness, left behind a variety of objects that paint a picture of his life in the park. Among the items in the bunker, you’ll find a copy of Wizards and Wyverns, a handbook for a TTRPG similar to D&D, as well as several character sheets.
3
Prey
Prey
- Released
-
May 5, 2017
- Engine
-
id Tech 4
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Prey is a first-person shooter set in an alternate reality where the Soviet Union first encounters an alien species, the Typhon. The discovery led to a joint effort with the United States to fight off the aliens, drastically accelerating the Space Race and setting the stage for an Earth that has colonized the stars, complete with high-tech space stations. The game’s setting, Talos I, is a vast and mysterious space station filled with secrets, alien threats, and rich lore.
The name “Fatal Fortress” is a nod to Arkane’s first game, Arx Fatalis, which is fatal fortress in Latin.
As you explore Talos I, you’ll find references to a TTRPG called Fatal Fortress. This game, which feels very much like Dungeons & Dragons, features a game master guiding players through a fantastical adventure, much like the beloved D&D campaigns. You can even find a copy of the Fatal Fortress Game Master’s Tome, 6th Ed. in the Recreation Center and next to Abigail Foy’s bed.
2
Life Is Strange: Before The Storm
Beware story spoilers for Life is Strange.
Life Is Strange: Before the Storm
Graphic Adventure
Interactive Narrative
Mystery
- Released
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August 31, 2017
- Engine
-
Unity
- ESRB
-
M for Mature // Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol, Violence
Life is Strange is a series of adventure games that follow Max, a young woman with the unique ability to rewind time. This power lets her change the fate of those around her, especially her childhood friend, Chloe. The first game builds up to a dramatic finale where a massive storm threatens to destroy Arcadia Bay. Max must make a heartbreaking choice: save the town at the cost of Chloe’s life or save Chloe and let the storm devastate Arcadia Bay.
Before the Storm is a prequel focusing on Chloe and her friendship with Rachel Amber, a vibrant and mysterious schoolmate. In Episode 3, there’s a fun moment where Chloe can jump into a D&D session. If you choose to join, you get to play as Callamastia, a fearless elf barbarian, and decide how she handles the adventure, just like a real D&D campaign. It’s a lighthearted break from the game’s emotional intensity and a fun nod to tabletop gaming.
1
Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina’s Assault On Dragon Keep
Beware of story spoilers for Borderlands 2.
Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep is a DLC expansion for Borderlands 2, re-released in 2021 as Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-Shot Adventure, a standalone story that does not require Borderlands 2 to play. The story unfolds within a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired tabletop RPG called Bunkers & Badasses, with Tiny Tina serving as the eccentric Dungeon Master. The story lets the Vault Hunter players and Tina process the death of Crimson Raiders’ leader, Roland.
As the campaign unfolds, the players interact with Tina’s evolving narrative, particularly her insistence on including Roland in the story. Together, they navigate the fantastical quest to rescue a queen from an evil sorcerer, while collectively confronting their feelings of loss and finding solace in their shared journey.
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8 Games Set In The Dungeons & Dragons Universe
Want more of the D&D universe in video game form? Try out these titles.