If you’ve been playing games for the past two decades, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the developerObsidian. Founded in 2003 by former developers at Black Isle Studios, Obsidian Entertainment has created a variety ofcult-classic hitsand modern gems, which we know best for their fantastic writing and worldbuilding.
Although a good portion of Obsidian’s catalog has been additions to previously established IPs, such asFalloutandStar Warssequels, many of these titles have still gone on to surpass the original.
In recent years, Obsidian has switched to primarilycreating original IPs, taking the skills they’re known for and translating them into some of the most unique worlds we’ve seen in gaming, such asThe Outer WorldsandPentiment.
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Although the contents of the titles from Obsidian Entertainment can vary vastly from one another, if you’re a fan, there’s a good chance you may still recognize their games from a mile away, asObsidian’s masterwork in dialogue and morally engaging storytelling make it hard to compare them to anyone else.
So, it’s a tremendous honor to review the catalog of Obsidian Entertainment, one of the best developers and storytellers in all of gaming.
15Skyforge
Skyforgeis an almost 10-year-old MMO RPG, which means, like many otherlongstanding MMOs, much of the fun to be had here is sadly lost to time. Although this was a unique collaboration between Obsidian and Allods Team, the dwindling player base and somewhat dated mechanics give it almost no modern appeal.
That said, unlike many other massive MMO projects that launched and failed,Skyforgehas always excelled in quality, giving players a very detailed and impressive-looking world to conquer.
A mixture of bugs, bad voice acting, and a mediocre story hold this game back even in the best moments, despite the combat being somewhat higher quality than what you’d expect from your averagefree-to-play MMO.
14Pathfinder Adventures
Pathfinder Adventuresis an interesting mix between Obsidian’s typical RPGs and thePathfinderphysical card game. Initially made for mobile devices but eventually ported to PCs,Pathfinder Adventuresfinds its niche in the market ofdigital translationof physical games.
Although progression may be slow, often feeling like your typicalgrindymobile game, the main loop of slowly building and improving your deck and your player stats can be satisfying and lead to compelling gameplay moments.
Sadly, with an in-game cash shop and some areas of bugs and jank,Pathfinder Adventuresis one of the most forgettable games Obsidian has ever developed.
13Dungeon Siege III
Dungeon Siege 3
Although setin a world of high fantasy,Dungeon Siege 3is an Obsidian title that cheekily explores the action side of action RPGs, delivering a game with more combat than most others on this list.
Compared to the deep narratives of other Obsidian worlds, this one takes the back seat and allows players to dive headfirst into theengaging combatand unique range of characters and abilities.
Sadly, for a game focused so profoundly on combat within a fantasy world, a lot more could be desired from the RPG class-building aspect, ason subsequent playthroughs of this dungeon crawler, you’ll find it lacking substantial build variety.
Unlike many Obsidian titles, there’s not much to keep you returning. That said, if you enjoy an interesting action RPG with some satisfying combat, this one is worth checking out.
12Armored Warfare
Armored Warfareis a tank battle simulator that immediately draws comparisons toWorld of Tanksand evenWar Thunder. While there may be better updated and populated tank warfare games, Armored Warfare is still one of the best in the genre.
With a mixture of PvE and PvP gameplay,Armored Warfarebreathes life intomodern tank combat.Its surprisingly solid graphics make it satisfying to play, and the steady progression systems are perfect for veterans of online tank simulators.
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Additionally, there are loads of different types of tanks to play as, ranging from fast, attack-inclined machines to larger, heavier beasts, allowing for multiple combat strategies for every player.
While not the most groundbreaking game,it’s still a surprisingly solid addition to a genre Obsidian has no reason to be good at.
11Alpha Protocol
Alpha Protocol
While yes,Alpha Protocolwas reasonably criticized for many clear issues, it has since earnedunderground critical acclaimfor the exact reasons you’d expect an Obsidian game to get credit: brilliant writing and complex RPG storytelling.
As a third-person action espionage game that bridges the gap betweenCall of Dutyand CRPGs, Alpha Protocol exists in a genre we have never seen before and have yet to see since.
To be fair, while the game excelled in storytelling, it still failed primarily due to lackluster gameplay and various bugs.
Even the most negative reviews still describe this game’s brilliant story, especially the manybranching narrative choicesplayers are forced to make, which give the game, like many in the Obsidian catalog, massive replay potential.
So, while not the strongest Obsidian Entertainment title, we would still recommend it as an essential checkpoint in the developer’s catalog, especially since it is their first original IP.
10Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2
LikeKnights Of The Old Republic 2,Neverwinter Nights 2is a sequel Obsidian made based on a previous Bioware game. However,Neverwinter Nights 2is set in a much moretraditional D&Duniverse, notably the 3.5 edition.
Neverwinter Nights 2sadly relied a lot on multiplayer aspects, such as community-made campaigns and large-scale MMO-like worlds, which now are mostly unfunctional unless you go through acommunity-maderoute to restore them.
Nevertheless,Neverwinter Nights 2is fantastic for those interested in third-personaction-adventure CRPGs. Despite having a few issues with playing in 2024,the title still boasts a few fantastic built-in campaigns, filled with Obsidian’s knack for RPG gameplay and strong storytelling.
Despite much of its magic being lost to time,Neverwinter Nights 2is a highly noteworthy addition to the league of RPGs Obsidian has become known for.
Taking heavy notes fromPillars Of Eternity’smodern take on CRPGs,Tyrannydecides to dive head-first into those decision-making and moral questions that make Obsidian RPGs that much of a headspin to play.
Tyrannyputs you in the shoes of a villain in an already collapsed world, and within the narrative, the game makes it clear that player decisions matter, andyour party’s impact on the story directly relates to the outcome of the world itself.
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Set in a unique setting reminiscent of the Bronze and Early Iron Ages,Tyrannytakes full advantage of the aesthetics within its gameplay, narrative, and UI to craft a worldfilled with profound loreand exciting twists and turns.
Although the somewhat rough nature of this CRPG may not be perfect for everyone,Tyrannycarries over gameplay and combat akin toPillars Of Eternity1, with party-driven, pause-heavy, real-time combat that is a blast for fans of the genre.
8Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
As a sequel,Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfirehad the difficult task of following up Obsidian’sPillars Of Eternity, one of the most influential CRPGs in the modern era. In doing so,Deadfireswitches upPillar’s gameplay with a new focus on sea exploration and naval combat.
While some may say this change negatively impacted the story,Deadfireis still a much-needed upgrade toPillars Of Eternity. It adds some nice changes while once again sticking with a solid narrative filled with player choice and a wave of moral and political examinations.
If you are a fan ofPillars Of Eternityor the CRPG genre as a whole,Pillars Of Eternity 2:Deadfirestill stands strongas one of the best of the genre, a must-play with a range of striking visuals, gameplay, and an outstanding narrative.
Although Obsidian had been developing many revolutionary narrative RPGs in the past years, amidst these releases, and just two years after the release ofThe Outer Worlds, Obsidian releasedGrounded, a survival game set in the perspective of kids who’ve been shrunk down to the size of a toothpick.
Although significantly different from their other releases,Groundedhas already become one of the mostrecognized survival gamesof the last few years.Obsidian somehow took the situation of being shrunk down in a backyard and injected their signature world-building and charm.
Base building, insect-based combat, and asolid survival gameplay loop, where you constantly improve tools and abilities, makeGroundeda very rewarding experience, especially with the unique biomes and ideas that come with being microscopically small.
Since its launch, Obsidian has continued to release new content and updates to this game, making it a must-try from the modern Obsidian library.
6South Park: The Stick Of Truth
South Park: The Stick of Truth
This licensed title was a game with large shoes to fill, set in the groundbreaking South Park universe. AlthoughSouth Park gamesbefore had a lot of that classic South Park wit, being an RPG,Stick Of Truthhad the highest expectations of hitting the politically and socially aware voice South Park is known for.
Luckily, if you can count on Obsidian Entertainment for anything, it’s delivering insanely smart but also impulsively funny dialogue. Their collaboration with South Park is one of thebest matches in gaming, makingStick Of Truthprobably the best game ever released within the South Park universe.
Stick Of Truthis constantly firing on all cylinders, with a barrage of jokes and charm that make the game feel ripped straight out of a South Park episode.Compared to modern titles likeSouth Park: Snow Day,Stick Of Truthmaintains that classic 2D animation style, heightening its authenticity.
Although the sequel from Ubisoft,South Park: Fractured But Whole, still hit many of the same notes asStick of Truth, we’d still be nowhere without Obsidian’s blueprint.
