Summary
The tabletop format ofDungeons & Dragonsmight seem far removed from the digital medium that is video gaming, but that dividing line becomes thinner and thinner as time goes on. In fact, playingD&Ddigitally has been a growing trend for quite some time, whether by humble, low-tech methods such as play-by-post or utilizing mediums such asSkypeorROLL20to get a much-need roleplaying fix without all the hassle of organizing a live, in-person session.
That said, if players are looking for something a little different, find themselves intimidated byD&D’s complexity, or are simply looking for a graphical analog, there are several video games out there that channel that classicalDungeons & Dragonscharm if they aren’t inspired directly from the source material. These games feature massive stories, intricate combat systems, and a wealth of interesting characters in imaginative worlds that encompass everything from classic high fantasy to sci-fi epics and everything in between.
Updated July 05, 2025, by Hamza Haq:Despite its incredible popularity and cult-like status, video games inspired by Dungeons and Dragons are surprisingly few, maybe because the TTRPG format doesn’t lend itself well to the medium. Regardless, the attempts at recapturing the magic of a well-run D&D campaign in games are there for those determined enough to dig deep.
Even after all the strides that Bethesda has taken in the RPG genre, some people still argue thatMorrowindis one of their finest and most immersive titles by far. The unwavering focus on role-playing coupled with a massive world that players can get lost in makes for a truly great time.
Navigating the world ofMorrowindis far from easy, with players having to follow directions to reach certain areas instead of just relying on a map marker. It’s also important to decide a character’s predominant skills early on so that they can level up efficiently too.
Thehype forCyberpunk 2077was through the roofbefore its launch, with the marketing push being truly massive. Attaching the name of Keanu Reeves and showing off some truly amazing gameplay led everyone to think that this game would be a true next-gen title that would push the gaming industry to a whole new level. So, it was rather disappointing that a mix of cut content and unfinished development led to the legacy ofCyberpunk 2077being tarnished for good.
However, CD Projekt Red didn’t give up on a game that they’d put so much time and effort into and decided to ensure thatCyberpunk 2077would reach the heights that many fans were promised. The studio patched out most of the bugs and added a wealth of content to make the game as enjoyable as ever, and the launch ofCyberpunk: Edgerunnersallowed many people to check out this masterpiece once again in a brand new light. As of right now,Cyberpunk 2077is an excellent game that deserves all its plaudits, and fans can’t wait to see what changesPhantom Libertybrings to the table too.
TheDragon Ageseries is one of BioWare’s biggest franchises that has gone on to help the studio become a household name. The first game is touted by many as one of the best Western RPGs of all time, while the second game does have its fair share of fans, even if its attempts to cater to a casual player base didn’t resonate with the series' fans. Thankfully, BioWare learned their mistake and decided to makeDragon Age: Inquisitionbigger and grander than ever before.
While the game’s combat was action-oriented, it also allowed players to mess around with various stats and complexities to enhance their combat efficiency even more.Dragon Age: Inquisitionmay not be the best RPG that fans can check out, but it’s a pretty good one that’s full to the brim with a memorable storyline, fun characters, and some great set pieces where BioWare is flexing its budget.
For the Kingcaptures the essence of what’s at the heart of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign: the party. Players choose a party of three, choosing from a roster of characters that are all twists on classic archetypes from D&D. Each character comes with their own specialities and playstyles, with different weapons and tools for the job. The story takes place across a typical fantasy island with damsels in distress, evil wizards, and skeletons coming back to life.
Combat is turn-based and can get surprisingly complex at higher levels, especially inside dungeons and special encounters where resources are at a premium. The gameplay loop is addictive and fun, with enough depth and the possibility of broken item combinations to give players a reason to replay the game over and over again.
Regarded as one of several crown jewels in BioWare’s catalog, theKnights of the Old Republicgames are essentiallyD&Dcampaigns set within theStar Warsuniverse. The rules and mechanics aren’t a direct mirror ofD&D, but they’re more than familiar and comfortable for anyone who has played the latter. The saga of Darth Revan provides a gripping narrative for both games, and the characters are incredibly well-written.
The Witcher 3was a massive release for CD Projekt Red, showing how far they’d come from their humble roots while working on the first game in the series. The story of Geralt as he hunts down Ciri while trying to take down the Wild Hunt makes for a great time, with the many emotional moments and a wealth of amazing side quests leading to this title being absolutely jam-packed with meaningful content across the board.
Players who love the intricate and elaborate stories told in a session ofD&Dwill love playing throughThe Wild Hunt. The stories are intriguing, the gameplay is fun, and the world is absolutely beautiful to behold. With the next-gen upgrade, players can enjoy an even better-looking version of the game that is improved via a mix of ray tracing and community-made mods.
Skyrimis a game that took the world by storm when it was announced, and the game itself captured the hearts of players for hundreds of hours, if not more.Becoming the Dragonborn and laying waste to their enemiesmade for an amazing power fantasy, with players starting out very weak before slowly enhancing their power and becoming so powerful that even towering giants couldn’t take them out.
For what it’s worth, the story ofSkyrimis pretty generic, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, just likeD&D, it’s the journey that matters the most. Given the sheer number of interesting locales and unique quests that players will find in the game, it’s easy to see why players can be positively enraptured for hours on end.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandis the Borderlands spin-off set in afantasy TTRPG-inspired worldwhere players navigate the various in-game locations just like one would move their character miniatures across a tabletop campaign, but transform into the first-person shooter playstyle of Borderlands when they arrive at their destinations. The wacky, iconic humor of Borderlands is enjoyable as ever, only with a fantasy twist and quips about goblins and tavern wenches instead of oligarchs and spaceships.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandfeels like being guided through a D&D story by an unhinged DM who isn’t afraid to throw some curveballs players' way. The weapon selections are diverse, and all fantasy-themed spins on popular guns. The fights range from popping kobold heads with sniper rifles to downing literal dragons with assault rifles and special abilities.
A great part about aD&Dcampaign is that the stories can be whatever players want, unlike video games that need to adhere to certain algorithms and get as many players hooked as possible to avoid having poor sales and the like. So, it’s refreshing to seevideo games likeTyrannywhere the player doesn’t need to necessarily take on the role of a good guy.
Instead, the game focuses on the Fatebinder, a high-ranking member in a tyrant’s legion who has to restore order and balance to the world after this evil emperor has conquered the world this game is based on. This makes for an interesting moral dilemma, with players essentially being villains who are enforcing the demands of a heinous leader.
A big part of what madeD&Dsuch a runaway success was the fact that players could craft wondrous stories that would stick with them long after their campaigns were over and done with. In this regard,Planescape: Tormentis perfect for fans of these rich and beautiful tales.
Planescape: Tormentfeatures a rich story that more than makes up for its rudimentary combat. The story of the Nameless One is quite intriguing, and the fact that this game is set in locations from an establishedDungeons & Dragonsfantasy setting makes it a perfect recommendation in every way.
