First timer cRPGs (2024 edition)

[Gandalf]

Which titles would you recommend for a first timer?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Russia is over. The end.]

Starfield, Fallout 76, Dragon Age Veilguard, Diablo 4, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, Palworld, Cat Quest III, Unicorn Overlord, Persona 3 Reloaded, Elex 2.

Choices, choices.

 

[The Abominable Showman]

Akalabeth. Gotta start from the very beginning.

 

[Sweeper]

Underrail or Pathfinder Kingmaker.

 

[0sacred]

My first RPG was Ultima VII - Black Gate, and I think it's still a good title for a first timer. In fact it's most enjoyable before you have developed any standards for UI or mechanics.

 

[Infinitron]

Which titles would you recommend for a first timer?

Thanks in advance.

Turn-based? Party-based?

 

[Dark Souls II]

Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II, Planescape: Torment, Morrowind.

 

[Gandalf]

Which titles would you recommend for a first timer?

Thanks in advance.

Turn-based? Party-based?

Any type you can think of would be great.

 

[Dorateen]

Legends of Amberland

 

[Gregz]

Which titles would you recommend for a first timer?

Thanks in advance.

Turn-based? Party-based?

Any type you can think of would be great.

https://rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=12405

 

[cioran]

New Arc Line could prove interesting.

LE: Gandalf, I am a little confused about the title. Are you looking (only) for 2024 games or is this an update to what has been said before in similar, older threads?

 

[Gandalf]

New Arc Line could prove interesting.

LE: Gandalf, I am a little confused about the title. Are you looking (only) for 2024 games or is this an update to what has been said before in similar, older threads?

New games came around, so I thought about updating the list of potential titles for the first timers.

 

[Dark Souls II]

If it's 2024 games then Felvidek. Good story, good writing, looks good, memorable characters, some humor, amazing music, very fun combat, short compact game that you can complete in 5-10 hours. Perfect package for a "first timer".

 

[The Abominable Showman]

Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II, Planescape: Torment, Morrowind.

I actually did start with these. Planescape: Torment is good for beginners because the gameplay is such an afterthought that you can just walk to the end of the game without much trouble. You can just run from fights most of the time because 99% of xp in the game comes from picking the right dialogue options.

 

[Butter]

Judging by normie discourse, their first CRPGs are usually Wasteland 2/3 or Divinity OS 1/2/3. This doesn't translate into them exploring the history of the genre to find any of the really good games, but that's normal. It's not like zoomers getting into shooters with Doom Eternal are going to suddenly play Blood or Duke 3D.

So the question for resident autists to ponder should perhaps be "What's the best way to set a normie on the Path of Incline?" I think Legends of Amberland and Skald might be two of the best options.

 

[Zboj Lamignat]

Judging by normie discourse, their first CRPGs are usually Wasteland 2/3

 

[Falksi]

Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday was the one which got me into the genre on SEGA Mega Drive, and it strikes the perfect balance between introducing CRPG elements to those not familiar with them, whilst staying simple and JRPG-like enough to make someone new to the genre feel comfortable. It's also only 15-20 hours long too, so won't burn you out. Fantastic game.

The PC version is better, but I love that I played the console version first, then had even more to get my teeth into when playing the PC version later. Felt both familiar and fresh.

Avernum: Escape From The Pit treads a nice line of simple-but-good too, another great game. And again, if you enjoy it you can then delve into the Exile games.

If you want something more modern, Shadowrun Returns and Dragonfall also fall into that simple-but-brilliant bracket. Returns is very linear and short, and really an appetizer for Dragonfall. Dragonfall is fucking mint.

 

[Nikanuur]

Welcome to RPG games, and especially to RPG gaming Cødex. The land of many marvelous oppørtunities, the cape of the kindly-capricious-ones, and many... ....well.... opportunities!
As one of the said, I'm not recømmending the best of RPG games, mynd you, but for a newcomer to our ever-only-declining BELOVED genre, I'd recommend Wasteland 3.
Albeit a thørn in the eye of the die-hard fans, it is a streamlined RPG game that does everything accessible-enough, isn't shy of adding a little extra, and prøvides an easter egg here and there to the merriment of all.
Møøses be praised and toothbrushes in galore for everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYYRH4apXDo

 

[mondblut]

BG3, duh. Numbers don't lie, and no man on earth can claim "it's just a popamole action game with a couple of stats".

 

[Daemongar]

Which titles would you recommend for a first timer?

Thanks in advance.

Disco Elysium. For a newbie, best to ease in to rpg combat by playing a game with a limited amount of combat. Slight spoiler Kims a homo

edit: Numbers don't lie, and no man on earth can claim "it's just a popamole adventure game with a stats".

 

[Gilius Thunderhead]

Why would you potentially ruin someone's life by introducing them to RPGs?

 

[Spike]

I think the answer is "any one that interests you"

 

[Russia is over. The end.]

BG3, duh. Numbers don't lie, and no man on earth can claim "it's just a popamole action game with a couple of stats".

It's a push-em-all with a couple of stats.

 

[Nifft Batuff]

Baldur's Gate 3. But everything else after will look worse (with the exception of Underrail)

 

[Spike]

Baldur's Gate 3. But everything else after will look worse (with the exception of Underrail)

We need a giant ? button