Community RPG Codex Top 70 PC RPGs (Now with User Reviews!)

[Broseph]

why does the Codex keep releasing these fucking lists that always have the same games on them? yes. we know. Baldur's Gate was great. Torment is a powerful character experience in a beautifully-realized world. Fallout brought its setting to life with its brilliant score and memorable dialogue. these things are very true. but there is not a single person on this site who doesn't know it. I'd be much more interested in reading lists that were "Top 10 RPGs we've never mentioned in a list before."

These lists aren't just for the Codex, bro.

 

[felipepepe]

I'd be much more interested in reading lists that were "Top 10 RPGs we've never mentioned in a list before."

That's exaclty why the list is so long. Ignore the top games and you'll see stuff like Uukrul, Wizards & Warriors, Geneforge, Wizardry 4 and the likes, "RPGs we've never mentioned in a list before".

 

[crawlkill]

These lists aren't just for the Codex, bro.

I'm sorry? who the fuck else do you imagine just stumbling across this one out there on the internet? if I google "top 70 PC RPGs," I get 38 hits, all of which are to this site. it's not being hosted anywhere else, bro. it's just a codex wank-off. (although I admit that just top pc rpgs, without quotes, does get me this ranking in at number 20, but I bet that's because personalized results float Codex way way up because of my browsing history.)

That's exaclty why the list is so long. Ignore the top games and you'll see stuff like Uukrul, Wizards & Warriors, Geneforge, Wizardry 4 and the likes, "RPGs we've never mentioned in a list before".

while I recognize that this strategy works, the attention that this kind of article draws is of the "omg no BG1 was so much better than BG2" flavor. what's the point of ranking universally loved things against one another? it just baits rancor among nerds who refuse to understand that not everyone has identical preferences.

 

[Infinitron]

You're trying too hard again, crawlkill

I get 38 hits, all of which are to this site

Not that I give a shit, but the list has been shared on Reddit and NeoGAF, among other places, and received some acclaim. If you think the Codex is some insular community that nobody's heard about then you're wrong. The true degree of our influence is hard to measure, but it's definitely there. After all, you did find this place and register an account, didn't you?

while I recognize that this strategy works

Good, then there's nothing left to discuss.

 

[Kane]

Obsidian called Jagged Alliance "not a CRPG"
http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/66196-rpg-codexs-top-70-pc-rpgs/page-5

I had to intervene.

PS: their forum can't process spoiler tags - it seems.

You're an hero.
▲
▲ ▲

 

[laclongquan]

4chan is not a forum.

4chan is not a forum. it's more a state of mind~

 

[HiddenX]

You care too much bro, relax.

I mean, FFS, look at the level of people you're debating with:

Many of the pre Fallout/BG ones are borderline unplayable and don't belong in any top list made in 2014 except as a historical footnote.

Btw, people should bear in mind that according to my last count (back in the day when I had a higher tolerance for tedious tasks) there were around 170 or so cRPG's (minus MMO) released altogether, so getting into the top 70 ain't exactly as prestigious as it sounds. The number is a guesstimate now, since I stopped maintaining the list ages ago, but it shouldn't be too far off.

, would only rage on a bad day.

I consider Jagged Alliance 2 one of the very best CRPGs ever. It is very nonlinear, it has free exploring, you can build up/train 3 sqads (6 chars) of non-anonymous troups with many stat & skill options. On top of that you can roleplay your very own (created) character. Choices with consequences everywhere. Some of the best tactical challenging combat (based on character skills). Many side quests. Interesting story and main quest. Hilarious party interaction. The game features crafting, too. Limited inventory. Tons of items to equip your characters.

-> This game is the complete package of CRPG goodness.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

You care too much bro, relax.

I mean, FFS, look at the level of people you're debating with:

Many of the pre Fallout/BG ones are borderline unplayable and don't belong in any top list made in 2014 except as a historical footnote.

Btw, people should bear in mind that according to my last count (back in the day when I had a higher tolerance for tedious tasks) there were around 170 or so cRPG's (minus MMO) released altogether, so getting into the top 70 ain't exactly as prestigious as it sounds. The number is a guesstimate now, since I stopped maintaining the list ages ago, but it shouldn't be too far off.

, would only rage on a bad day.

I consider Jagged Alliance 2 one of the very best CRPGs ever. It is very nonlinear, it has free exploring, you can build up/train 3 sqads (6 chars) of non-anonymous troups with many stat & skill options. On top of that you can roleplay your very own (created) character. Choices with consequences everywhere. Some of the best tactical challenging combat (based on character skills). Many side quests. Interesting story and main quest. Hilarious party interaction. The game features crafting, too. Tons of items to equip your characters.

-> This game is the complete package of CRPG goodness.

But no mage duels.

 

[HiddenX]

But no mage duels.

yep and you cannot romance Cynthia "Fox" Guzzman and Norma "Meltdown" Jessop...

 

[JoKa]

But no mage duels.

yep and you cannot romance Cynthia "Fox" Guzzman and Norma "Meltdown" Jessop...

It might just be for the better that you can't the latter..

 

[GlutenBurger]

what's the point of ranking universally loved things against one another? it just baits rancor among nerds who refuse to understand that not everyone has identical preferences.

Why ask a question if you're going to give the answer yourself?

 

[groke]

HA! Good Fun!
HA! Good Fun!
HA! Good Fun!
HA! Good Fun!
HA! Good Fun!

 

[HiddenX]

But no mage duels.

yep and you cannot romance Cynthia "Fox" Guzzman and Norma "Meltdown" Jessop...

It might just be for the better that you can't the latter..

Sure - romancing in CRPGs is unnecessary and is often waste of resources and time (on the player and on the developer side) in many CRPGs.
Vilja in Skyrim was pretty good - but again that's more sim-like.

 

[Jasede]

JA 2 definitely isn't a CRPG, but it's a fine strategy game with RPG elements.

Continue.

 

[HiddenX]

The only strategy parts are freeing the cities and the anti rocket sites and install troups to get resources and helicopter flights.

You can beat the game without doing this, playing only with free mercenaries and live only by loot.

It's a tactical fighting CRPG with a few strategy elements.

Main characteristic of pure strategy games:
You are playing mostly with anonymous non-named troups and can't beat the game without them.

 

[Darth Roxor]

LAPTOP GUY HAS NO STATS!

 

[tuluse]

LAPTOP GUY HAS NO STATS!

fuck you and the horse you rode in on

 

[WhiskeyWolf]

LAPTOP GUY HAS NO STATS!

 

[felipepepe]

I look at things like this and I imagine how it wll be when my book is released.... "Good book, but JA2 is not a RPG."

 

[Redlands]

The list is great, like everyone else I'd probably rank things differently but that's par for the course. The reaction has been hugely entertaining while I've been setting up our new gaming/programming machine.

Congratulations to felipepepe and Crooked Bee, I'll definitely be getting that book when it comes out.

 

[tuluse]

I made an RPG Codex Top 70 tag on steam, went through and tagged all the games available, and I get not enough items tagged when I try to look at it. It might just take a little bit to update? I would think the 40ish games I tagged should be enough.

http://store.steampowered.com/tag/en/RPG Codex Top 70/

 

[Infinitron]

Those of you with access to SA might be interested in this exchange regarding our list: http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3473537&pagenumber=61#post429775827

 

[norolim]

I made an RPG Codex Top 70 tag on steam, went through and tagged all the games available, and I get not enough items tagged when I try to look at it. It might just take a little bit to update? I would think the 40ish games I tagged should be enough.

http://store.steampowered.com/tag/en/RPG Codex Top 70/

I backed you up in your quest, but still no luck.

 

[groke]

hej guize chk this owt: *posts link to paywalled content*

Zionism at work.

 

[Infinitron]

Well, I might be convinced to copy-paste all the posts from there if you report the post 20 times