10 Best Games Like Baldur’s Gate 3

So, you’ve finally reached the end credits of Baldur’s Gate 3. You’ve paid your respects at Withers’ gathering, you’re experiencing a profound sense of post-game melancholy, and naturally, you’re already mapping out your next playthrough. It is nearly impossible not to crave that exact rush all over again. The catch, of course, is that you can never experience Baldur’s Gate 3 for the very first time twice. Fortunately, the gaming landscape holds plenty of hidden gems capable of delivering a remarkably similar thrill.

To establish what we mean when hunting for true spiritual successors to Baldur’s Gate 3, let’s set some ground rules. A genuine peer to Larian’s masterpiece is an isometric cRPG driven by reactive storytelling, deeply consequential choices, unforgettable companions you genuinely grow to care about, and multiple pathways to triumph — including diplomacy, stealth, or outright violence. (That final criterion is precisely why, much to our heartbreak, Disco Elysium misses the cut.)

To keep our selection refined, every title featured here boasts high production values, substantial runtime, and overwhelmingly positive acclaim. I have also made the agonizing choice to leave out Larian Studios’ earlier masterpieces, alongside the foundational Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2. They are all legendary adventures—especially Divinity: Original Sin 2. If you haven’t ventured through it yet, drop everything and queue it up immediately.

With those ground rules out of the way, which titles genuinely capture the spirit of Baldur’s Gate 3? Which ones hold up brilliantly in 2026? It’s time to curate your next gaming obsession. Here are the 10 absolute best games like Baldur’s Gate 3.

1
Wasteland 3

Image: inXile Entertainment

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It delivers a darkly humorous, tactical squad-based RPG experience populated by an eccentric crew of loyal outcasts.

Why it’s not: It leans heavily into sci-fi post-apocalypse territory, and while the party members are deeply endearing, romance mechanics are absent.

Where to play: Mac, PC, Steam Deck

In Wasteland 3, players are consistently thrust into bleak moral gray areas devoid of clean solutions—forcing you to shoulder the heavy compromises you make. Stepping into the boots of the sole surviving Desert Rangers, your primary objective is securing supplies and ensuring survival for your fledgling headquarters. You will accomplish this by investing in unconventional proficiencies like “Animal Whisperer,” “Lockpicking,” or the surprisingly vital skill of “Toaster Repair.” Just how critical is fixing broken kitchen appliances in frozen, post-apocalyptic Colorado? There is only one way to find out!

2
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

Image: Owlcat Games

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It stands as the definitive cRPG for players yearning for vastly deeper character customization and build variety than BG3 offers.

Why it’s not: It relies on an intricate, highly mechanical tabletop ruleset that can feel exceptionally complex to newcomers.

Where to play: Mac, PC, Steam Deck

If agonizing over every minute detail during a level-up in Baldur’s Gate 3 was your favorite pastime, take immediate notice. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous places an astounding array of over 25 base classes, archetypes, and feats at your disposal. Your protagonist can ascend into an Angel, a Demon, a Lich, or even a Swarm-that-Walks—with each mythic path profoundly altering the overarching narrative and mechanics. This game is deeply mathematical and rules-dense, but if ascending to literal godhood is the goal, precision planning is mandatory.

3
Wildermyth

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It focuses on emergent storytelling structured around lifelong companion arcs, wrapped in a distinctive storybook art style.

Why it’s not: Accessible combat mechanics and a whimsical aesthetic create a significantly cozier atmosphere than BG3.

Where to play: Mac, PC, Steam Deck

For cozy gamers who consider BG3 an exciting deviation from their usual tastes, Wildermyth offers a brilliant procedural adventure centering on ordinary farmers thrust into legendary heroism. Players guide their custom characters as they form families, pull off death-defying feats, and eventually grow old and retire. You can even immortalize your favorite heroes in a personal hall of legends for future campaigns. Who ever said you have to say a permanent goodbye to your treasured companions?

4
Tyranny

Image: Obsidian/Paradox

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It’s a dark fantasy RPG emphasizing narrative consequences over pure combat, allowing players to explore villainy with nuanced depth.

Why it’s not: It features a more intimate party roster and a somewhat shorter overall campaign than most titles on this list.

Where to play: Older Macs (incompatible with macOS 10.15 Catalina and later), PC, Steam Deck

The twist: When you launch this adventure, the forces of darkness have already triumphed. The silver lining? If you relish playing an antagonist with access to morally grey decisions backed by exceptionally written, reactive content, this is your holy grail. Instead of choosing between standard heroic altruism and cartoonish malice, you operate as a ruthless, highly efficient, or rebellious Fatebinder tasked with enforcing the decrees of a triumphant overlord.

5
Pillars of Eternity

Image: Obsidian Entertainment/Versus Evil

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It’s an expansive fantasy epic where NPCs and regional factions actively remember your past actions and alliances.

Why it’s not: It utilizes real-time-with-pause combat, which requires a brief adjustment period for fans accustomed to BG3’s purely turn-based flow.

Where to play: Mac, PC, Steam Deck

Here, you step into the role of a “Watcher” capable of perceiving souls and past lives, granting you a profound and troubled perspective on the socio-political turmoil unfolding around you. Pillars of Eternity grapples with heavy themes of fading faith, reincarnation, and existential inquiries regarding the tangible nature of divinity. It is a richly written, text-heavy journey, but offering choices between real-time-with-pause and turn-based mechanics ensures BG3 veterans will feel right at home.

6
The Mass Effect Trilogy

Image: BioWare

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: These legendary RPGs feature character writing and narrative depth that still inspire fans to hail Mass Effect as one of the greatest RPGs of all time nearly two decades after its debut.

Why it’s not: Combat is action-shooter based rather than tactical turn-based, and it takes place in a hard sci-fi universe.

Where to play: EA Play, PC, Steam Deck

Think of this as an interstellar counterpart to Baldur’s Gate 3 that utilizes a save-import system to carry your decisions across a sprawling three-part sci-fi epic. Boasting a stellar found-family dynamic and the freedom to forge Commander Shepard as a paragon of virtue or a ruthless pragmatist, this trilogy is an absolute must-play for BG3 fans enamored with rich lore and profound companion interactions.

7
Dragon Age: Origins

Image: BioWare/EA

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It’s a dark fantasy masterpiece built heavily around companion approval metrics and morally ambiguous dilemmas.

Why it’s not: The game’s visual fidelity and combat mechanics inevitably show their age when compared directly against Baldur’s Gate 3.

Where to play: EA Play, PC.

Drawing parallels between Origins and Baldur’s Gate 3 is hardly a novel concept, but it remains entirely accurate. As a Grey Warden tasked with saving the realm from a catastrophic demonic Blight, the methods you employ are entirely up to you. Will you dabble in feared Blood Magic because the utility is simply too good to pass up? How will you navigate the intense political friction fracturing dwarven society? With Morrigan and Alistair bickering over your affections back at camp, you might just need to distribute gifts to secure a peaceful night’s rest. Hundreds of choices and consequences await!

8
Expedition 33

Image: Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It’s a narrative-driven RPG that masterfully oscillates between devastating grief and sharp, pitch-black humor.

Why it’s not: It delivers a considerably more linear, focused journey without extensive party-building or character creation freedom.

Where to play: PC, Steam Deck

If you missed experiencing this upon its initial release, envy surrounds you at the prospect of playing it fresh! For those already acquainted with this striking French title examining existential sorrow, perhaps a second run is in order—this time tracking down every hidden silver swimsuit so your squad can look hilariously ridiculous while squaring off against the final boss.

Expedition 33 is an unflinchingly honest exploration of loss. It is also crafted by developers who intimately understand gaming culture and narrative conventions—and know precisely how to subvert expectations. Say no more—there is a profound reason this title dominated Game of the Year discussions. Several reasons, in fact, not least of which is that unforgettable ending.

9
Persona 5 Royal

Image: Atlus/Sega

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It’s an exceptionally character-driven RPG featuring inventive, highly stylized dungeon exploration.

Why it’s not: It leans into slice-of-life teenage melodrama rather than high fantasy, and its calendar-management framework diverges entirely from traditional cRPGs.

Where to play: Windows, Steam Deck

High school academia meets supernatural dungeon crawling. While the artistic direction is a stark departure from BG3, the mental energy spent agonizing over social interactions, forging deep bonds, and meticulously planning strategic combat encounters is identical. By day, you navigate contemporary Tokyo as a student at Shujin Academy. By night, you command a clandestine band of teenage vigilantes known as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. Which environment is more hazardous? Hard to say.

10
Cyberpunk 2077

Image: CD Projekt Red

Why it’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3: It’s an open-world RPG offering genuine problem-solving freedom, complemented by an elite sense of high-tech fashion.

Why it’s not: Traditional party management is absent, focusing instead on an immersive, singular protagonist storyline.

Where to play: Select Macs (incompatible with Intel-based macOS systems), PC, Steam Deck

In Baldur’s Gate 3, your adventure kicks off under the pressure of a ticking clock thanks to your unfortunate tadpole predicament. Here, your protagonist, V, deals with a rogue digital construct voiced by Keanu Reeves who is slowly overwriting their consciousness. While opting for a first-person perspective instead of BG3’s isometric overhead viewpoint, the approach succeeds brilliantly—and the neon-drenched metropolis is breathtaking from any vantage point.

As a final honorable mention rounding out this compilation, those intrigued by classic Dungeons & Dragons-adjacent RPGs will find a wealth of older titles well worth exploring. (Psst! Steam frequently hosts convenient, heavily discounted bundles for those inclined to take the plunge.)

Whether you dive into legendary cRPGs or modern masterpieces that match Baldur’s Gate 3 beat for beat, hundreds of hours of phenomenal gaming await. Time to embark on your next journey!

Before you dive in, share your thoughts below. What titles would you add to this curated collection?

 

Source: Polygon