Most Influential Isometric RPGs, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Isometric RPGs, like Disco Elysium and Pillars of Eternity, shape the genre through unique storytelling and innovative gameplay.
• Games like Fallout and Planescape: Torment set new standards with deep narratives and impactful choices, influencing future titles.
• Titles such as Divinity: Original Sin and Wasteland 2 redefine the genre through strategic depth and environmental interaction, ensuring their relevance in the gaming market.

The isometric RPG genre plays a crucial role in the gaming market, establishing narrative and mechanical standards that have shaped generations of players. Since their inception, these games have offered rich and immersive experiences, standing out for their focus on detailed exploration, complex decision-making, and innovative combat systems, becoming indispensable in the evolution of RPGs as a whole.

Both older and recent entries have influenced the genre in unique ways, introducing new approaches to deep narratives and strategic mechanics. These games continue to redefine the industry, combining creativity with innovation. Thus, isometric RPGs remain relevant in the gaming market, attracting fans and developers in search of remarkable and differentiated experiences.

8 Disco Elysium

An Isometric RPG Focused On Dialogue Rather Than Combat

Although many isometric RPG franchises are known for their combat systems, whether turn-based or real-time with pauses, some games dared to change this, as was the case with Disco Elysium. Through a unique approach, the title managed to attract the attention of numerous fans due to its incredible writing.

Many of the battles in Disco Elysium are fought in this way; characters do not use firearms or similar weapons but confront each other with words. Fortunately, the game’s legacy is being carried forward, with many titles using a similar setting and gameplay philosophy being produced, showing the influence this release had.

7 Fallout

A Milestone Of Significant Choices In The Genre

Released in 1997, Fallout is one of the most influential games in the isometric RPG genre. Its post-apocalyptic world, inspired by the 1950s, presented a non-linear narrative filled with decisions that directly impacted the story. With a turn-based combat system and mature themes, the game brought an innovative approach to the genre.

The contribution of the original Fallout games goes beyond their time, inspiring other incredible games like Arcanum and Wasteland. Their focus on narrative freedom and deep choices established new standards for isometric RPGs. Even contemporary titles like Encased seek to replicate the acclaimed formula, ensuring that the original isometric Fallout games, despite changes in the formula, have left a legacy that continues to influence the industry.

6 Planescape: Torment

An Isometric RPG Focused On Deep Narratives

By exploring profound themes like identity, mortality, and redemption, Planescape: Torment offers a deeper narrative depth when compared to many other CRPGs. The journey of The Nameless One offered an experience focused on choices and dialogues, standing out for a dense and impactful story, establishing a new standard for storytelling in the genre.

The focus on character interaction and moral dilemmas enhanced player engagement, differentiating it from other isometric RPGs of the time. Planescape: Torment profoundly influenced the narrative design of subsequent games, consolidating itself as one of the most influential isometric RPGs of its generation.

5 Wasteland 2

The Return Of A Forgotten Franchise That Helped Shape Fallout

Originally released in 1988, Wasteland was one of the pioneers in the post-apocalyptic RPG genre and a direct inspiration for the creation of Fallout. Despite its initial impact, the series was forgotten for decades until it was revitalized with the release of Wasteland 2 in 2014, rescuing its legacy and post-apocalyptic setting.

The first Wasteland did not use the isometric perspective due to the technical limitations of the time. However, with Wasteland 2, the series adopted this approach, modernizing its gameplay and delivering a more immersive experience. The combination of turn-based combat and significant choices brought relevance to the title, consolidating the franchise as a milestone for isometric RPG fans and reinforcing its historical influence.

4 Divinity: Original Sin

This Game Established Several Of Larian’s Core Philosophies

Divinity: Original Sin was a turning point for the isometric RPG genre. Its turn-based combat system, coupled with environmental interaction, brought new layers of strategic depth, establishing an innovative standard for narrative and tactical experiences. It is also recognized for influencing the revitalization of the genre.

The success of the title guaranteed Larian Studios a prominent place in the RPG market. Its emphasis on cooperative mode and the inclusion of modding tools strengthened the community of players and creators. This impact was fundamental for the growing popularity of isometric games, paving the way for successes like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3.

3 Pillars Of Eternity

Responsible For The Comeback And New Popularization Of The Genre

Crucial for a new popularization of the genre, Pillars of Eternity was one of the most influential games in isometric RPGs, marking a significant milestone for many fans. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the game drew inspiration from several other classic titles of the genre, bringing modern new mechanics and a well-crafted story.

Thus, the game’s influence on isometric RPGs lies in how it reintroduced the genre to a new audience, proving that the gameplay style could still be viable and relevant for players. Pillars of Eternity also helped establish a new wave of such games, inspiring other studios to develop similar titles.

2 Diablo

A Milestone For Action RPGs

Diablo‘s pioneering of transforming real-time combat and accessible design redefined the action RPG genre. Through dynamic gameplay and an intuitive interface, it captivated a broad audience, offering an experience that engaged both newcomers and veterans of the genre. The combination of simple mechanics and strategic depth became an industry reference.

The generation of procedural dungeons and random loot ensured virtually infinite replayability, also being considered one of the best games in the genre. Such success meant that the influence of the first Diablo not only resulted in new franchise releases but also in many companies attempting to replicate the formula of this isometric ARPG.

1 Baldur’s Gate

The Game That Popularized The Infinity Engine

The first entry in the Baldur’s Gate franchise is a landmark not only among isometric RPGs but also within the gaming industry as a whole. With a strong focus on narrative and character development, featuring well-crafted dialogues and extensive character interaction, it set a new standard in the gaming world. Its influence paved the way for numerous franchises in later years, including Dragon Age.

Another crucial element contributing to Baldur’s Gate’s legacy is its use of the Infinity Engine, which later became the foundation for other isometric RPGs of the era, enabling releases such as Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment. By doing so, the game established many elements now considered essential in the genre, shaping not only gameplay mechanics and visuals but also the design philosophy of countless titles.