So you finished (or are neck-deep in) Baldur’s Gate 3 and now your brain is shouting for another RPG overdose. Good news: the game buffet is huge, and not all dishes taste like reheated fantasy. Below are seven picks that scratch similar itches — some for the story nerds, some for the tactical addicts, and some for those who just want complicated companions and questionable life choices.
7. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Don’t roll your eyes — space opera hits a lot of the same buttons BG3 does: branching choices, big moral dilemmas, and companions who will judge your life decisions. Swap spells for biotics and you’ve got the same dramatic weight: every choice reverberates, and your squad will either worship or resent you. If you like character drama and consequences served with cinematic flair, this one’s a stellar detour.
6. Disco Elysium
One of the weirdest and smartest narrative games out there. Combat is minimal, but the dialogue, internal monologues, and political weirdness are off the charts — perfect if you loved BG3’s writing and role-playing depth but want something that treats conversation like a sport. It’s grim, hilarious, and occasionally painfully honest about humanity.
5. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Think of this as BG3’s ancestral warm-up. Made by the same studio, it nails cooperative play and turn-based tactics, with systems so flexible you can probably solve a quest by turning it into a taco. The world is rich, the choices matter, and the combat rewards creativity. Play the Definitive Edition and prepare to lose a weekend or three.
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Epic, moody, and full of morally gray decisions — Geralt’s world is darker but similarly packed with memorable NPCs, monster hunts, and political messes. If you loved the sprawling side quests and optional stories in BG3, Witcher 3 will happily swallow your free time with two massive expansions and a ton of human misery to explore.
3. Dragon Age: Origins
BioWare’s classic fantasy RPG still holds up as a companion-driven, consequence-heavy experience. Party dynamics and dialogue choices drive the story in ways BG3 fans will recognize. Combat is a bit simpler, but the narrative weight and role-playing opportunities make Origins a must-play for anyone who loves forming messy alliances and regrettable romances.
2. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Obsidian’s sequel is an isometric sandbox with superb writing and a delightfully detailed world. You get exploration, companions with opinions, and a flexible approach to quests and playstyle. Combat is real-time with pause, which is different from BG3’s turn-based fights, but the storytelling and party interplay make it a fantastic pick for fans of deep, reactive worlds.
1. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
If you want complexity and density that rivals BG3, this is the big one. It’s a hardcore, crunchy RPG inspired by tabletop systems, with deep character customization, turn-based combat that cares a lot about positioning and party synergy, and choices that genuinely alter how your campaign plays out. Be warned: this one is for players who enjoy spreadsheets disguised as character sheets.
There you go — seven routes away from the mind-melting goodness of Baldur’s Gate 3. Pick one based on whether you want story, tactics, companion drama, or a terrible number-crunching relationship with your inventory. And remember: whichever you choose, at some point you will forget to eat. That’s how you know it’s good.
