In Pictures: A History Of Computer RPGs

[Guest]

Can't believe the original AOL Neverwinter Nights (91-97) isn't on here. The first graphical MMORPG should not be left off this list. Those who know, know.

 

[Guest]

And Fallout (1, 2 and Tactics) are the best by far. Also, I agree, jumping from 1998 to 2009 is a bit too much, that's an 11 year gap right there.

 

[CaedenV]

lol, I forgot about the 'quest' games. Hero quest, kings quest, and space quest! They were fun to play, had killer graphics (well... for the days of dos and win95), and insane story lines. Everything games were ever meant to be before the modern 'serious' RPG games took over. I do enjoy a good serious RPG from time to time, but I would absolutely love to have a fun light game to enjoy that eats a hundred hours or so.

 

[dontcrosthestreams]

i remember watching my friend play diablo 1 on his moms NEC. the staff of Apocalypse was crazy.

 

[joaompp]

so many games missing

 

[jdamon113]

okay since there are a lot of NO NO No
My no is What no dragon warrier, My first RPD I think in 89. at the time.
Awesome.

 

[izzzy12k]

Rogue should be on this list...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_(computer_game)

 

[izzzy12k]

Heck, Leisure Suit Larry... should have made the list. Lol!

 

[xtreme5]

good

 

[mfarlow]

That gap of 10 years is a little disheartening.

So many great games not mentioned.
Witcher (2007) IMO redined a dying RPG genre.
Arx Fatlis (2002) a tremendously well designed RPG that stands up to the best of them.
Planescape (1999) had one of the more unique stories of any RPG.
Realms of Arkania (1994) with one of the most comprehensive stats system of any RPG to date.
System Shock (1994), while not a classic RPG, combined the action of a FPS, with a deep role-playing experience. SS2 was one of the greatest RPG hybrids ever released.
Magic Candle (1989) probably one of the best RPG's ever made.
Faery Tale Adventure (1988)


Who can forget the slew of SSI spin-offs: Al Quadim, Ravenloft, darksun, Thnunderscape, Menzoberranzan. None of these would make my best of list, but they all bring back great memories.

 

[zak_mckraken]

I understand that this a very subjective article, so it can't please everyone. We all have our favorites that we would want to see here. However, jumping from 1998 et 2009 is another story. There are a lot of games in that time frame that were milestones in the RPG genre. Deus Ex, Dungeon Siege, Mass Effect, etc.

FYI, Skyrim if very hot right now, but I'm not sure we'll look back in 10 years and say the game was groundbreaking.

 

[mightymaxio]

Might and magic 6 and 7. Kings quest was also a big one left out.

 

[tleavit]

I played em all! I till think Bards Tale III and Ultima V are the best games ever created 😛

 

[BlueberryCake]

Are JRPGs not applicable in this category? Final Fantasy? Dragon Quest? Xenosaga? Suikoden?

 

[BlueberryCake]

Oops never mind. Ones I mentioned are primarily console RPGs.

 

[corndawg]

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura...spent way too much time on this.

 

[robochump]

Anyone that says Diablo III is lacking compared to 1 & 2 is simply stuck in nostalgia. D3 is so much better and the beta forums was full of trolls QQ'ing about anything missing from D2. That for the most part has disappeared and now its complaints about the RMAH system. D3 is the next big thing and beta was just a very small taste of it.

 

[djscribbles]

No Legend of Grimrock (circa about 3 weeks ago ) Sersiously, that game is a major throwback.

 

[Guest]

Shining and the Darkness was friggen awesome also....

 

[bak0n]

I've owned all but the last two. Oh. And Diablo isn't an RPG. It's a 3/4 view hack and slash with loot and a skill tree.

Also, how can you leave out Neverwinter nights?? Oh. i get it. This was a half assed article is how..

 

[zak_mckraken]

[citation][nom]BlueberryCake[/nom]Are JRPGs not applicable in this category? Final Fantasy? Dragon Quest? Xenosaga? Suikoden?[/citation]
As far as I know, they were all console games. This article is for computer games only. Else, I'd say Final Fantasy was THE RPG! Or maybe Dragon Warrior... I'm not sure which one had the biggest impact!

 

[iam2thecrowe]

What about the Might And Magic series? they were my favourite.

 

[Guest]

I think its a great shame they didn't do a more thorough treatment of Planescape Torment.

 

[maestintaolius]

[citation][nom]odaiwai[/nom]MATU![/citation]
What? No one's gotten this yet?

Gesundheit

Funny thing about this article is I just recently started replaying the gold box games on dosbox (getting them to install off the forgotten realms archive cd has been a bit of a headache). Right now I'm about 1/5 the way though Curse of the Azure Bonds after beating Pool of Radiance about 2 weeks ago. I plan on playing through the wizardry archives after I get through the FR archives.

 

[shafe88]

Wheres Wizardry for nes, shouldn't it be on this list.