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Many of the greatest role-playing games in video game history can trace their roots back to a developer's love of Dungeons & Dragons. Early classics like Ultima, Wizardry, and Final Fantasy have monsters, spells, classes, and other elements drawn directly out of the original edition of D&D. In addition to those games inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, the property has been the host of many officially licensed D&D games over the years - many of which stand as classics in their own right.
Peruse our ranked list of the top ten D&D video games below, and share your picks in the comments at the end of the article.
10. Eye of the Beholder Developer: Westwood Associates Release: 1990
A number of popular computer role-playing games in the 1980s, including Wizardry, The Bard's Tale, and Might and Magic, allowed for players to take an adventuring party into the depths of a dungeon while utilizing a first-person perspective to explore, fight, and engage with the world. Eye of the Beholder embraced the trend, and emerged as one of the best examples of the practice. The game boasts extremely challenging battles that are rooted in the monsters, weapons, classes, and races of the D&D fiction. Eye of the Beholder garnered an enthusiastic following that resulted in two subsequent sequels. It also had a pun for a name, which we appreciate.
9. Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard Developer: Liquid Entertainment Release: 2005
Somewhat less known than many of the titles on this list, Dragonshard is nonetheless a very enjoyable romp through the Eberron D&D campaign setting - unique on this list because it falls firmly into the real time strategy genre. Players control an army of heroes and soldiers as they compete over the power of a mystical magical artifact. One of its coolest features is the mix of above-ground army battles and more dungeon crawl-focused sections in the world's expansive underground. Three unique factions are each available to play, two of which get dedicated story campaigns, making this a relatively brief but enjoyable gaming experience that mixes RTS with role-playing elements.
8. Icewind Dale Developer: Black Isle Studios Release: 2000
Like several games on this list, Icewind Dale employs the Infinity Engine to great effect, allowing for a flexible, highly adaptable gameplay experience ideal for strategic battles, control of multiple characters, and impressive visuals. While comparable to the gameplay of the Baldur's Gate series, Icewind Dale established its own story continuity and characters, and shouldn't be overlooked in the shadow of the more well-known series. Real-time combat keeps up the action vibe, but most players make ample use of the ability to pause the action to figure out strategic options throughout an encounter. Among other strong features, the game is notable for its stellar musical score by Jeremy Soule, who would go on in later years to compose for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and Guild Wars 2.
[Next up: The chance to craft your own D&D adventures, and Patrick Stewart in a D&D game]
Email the author Matt Miller, or follow on Game Informer.
I'm in total agreement with this list. A rare thing on the Internet. :)
Fantastic list!
I just finished playing Planescape: Torment not too long ago and I thought it was pretty good.
Sooo glad I still have almost every one of these games. Might go back and play a few :)
Excellent list, Miller! Nice to see some Planescape love. :)
I've always preferred Tower of Doom over Shadow Over Mystara. Stupid Capcom - I hunted for quite awhile to get a Sega Saturn JUST to get the Japanese only released version of those two games. Stupid Japanese game with no English words. Stupid me for loving these games!
Man, talk about great games. I remember playing the old gold box (Pool of Radiance, etc) games on my 486 back in the day. I even had the Dragonlance games.
They don't make them like this anymore and that is just damned sad. Some of the best games ever.
Icewind Dale and Eye of the Beholder. :3
I miss CRPGs