The best top-down party-based RPG games

Party-based role-playing games with a top-down perspective were among the first CRPGs to capture the attention of pen-and-paper RPG fans. The top-down view is ideal for evoking the feeling of looking at a map and is perfect for showcasing each party member in turn-based combat. Among the most fondly remembered top-down CRPGs from the golden age of gaming are those designed by the legendary Richard Garriott, such as the Ultima series. Other classics, like The Magic Candle, Dark Sun, and Wasteland, are also worth mentioning.

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Ultima 7 Part 1: The Black Gate

DOS1992 Origin Systems

Ultima VII: The Black Gate is a top-down RPG where you, the Avatar, have to find out what's happening in Britannia by solving quests, meeting interesting NPCs and fight hordes of headleass monsters. The land of Britannia is shaken by mysterious earthquakes, a new religion (the Fellowship) is spreading and is replacing the old virtues, and who is th...

Ultima 6: The False Prophet

DOS1990protected Origin Systems

Ultima VI: The False Prophet is a classic RPG released in 1990 by Origin Systems. It’s the sixth main entry in the Ultima series and marks the conclusion of the Age of Enlightenment trilogy. The game was originally developed for MS-DOS and later ported to other platforms like Amiga, Atari ST, and SNES. The game takes place in Britannia, ...

Ultima 3: Exodus

DOSMac OS1985 Origin Systems

Ultima III: Exodus is a role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and published by Origin Systems. It was released in 1983 for the Apple II and later ported to various other platforms such as the Commodore 64, MS-DOS, and NES.The game is set in the fantasy world of Sosaria, where the player controls a party of adventurers on a quest to ...

Tunnels & Trolls: Crusaders of Khazan

DOS1990 New World Computing

Tunnels & Trolls: Crusaders of Khazan is a computer RPG released in 1990 for MS-DOS and PC-98 platforms. It is based on the tabletop role-playing game Tunnels & Trolls created by Ken St. Andre, which was a lighter and more accessible alternative to Dungeons & Dragons. The main storyline, "Crusaders of Khazan," sends the party on an...

Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny

DOS1988 Origin Systems

Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny is a role-playing video game developed and published by Origin Systems in 1988. It is the fifth installment in the highly influential Ultima series, created by Richard Garriott. Initially released for the Apple II and Commodore 64, it was later ported to DOS, Atari ST, Amiga, and other platforms. The story pi...

Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar

DOS1985freeware Origin Systems

Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar is one of the most influential and innovative role-playing games (RPGs) in video game history. Released in 1985 by Richard Garriott under the Origin Systems banner, it is the fourth installment of the Ultima series and marked a significant shift in the genre of RPGs at the time. Unlike previous RPGs which revolve...

Fountain of Dreams

DOS1990 Electronic Arts

Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus

DOS1987 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.

Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle

DOS1993 Origin Systems

After the well-received Ultima VII: The Black Gate, Origin decided to reuse their impressive Ultima engine for one more game. Ultima VII: Part Two - Serpent Isle picks up right where The Black Gate leaves off. This time, the Avatar travels to an entirely new land, far removed from the familiar landscapes of Britannia. Serpent Isle brings its own un...

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I

DOS1990 Interplay Productions

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I is an abandoned fantasy top-down DOS RPG game set in the The Lord of the Rings universe. The Lord of the Rings I was developed and released by Interplay Productions in 1990. The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I is based on the popular The Lord Of The Rings book by J.R.R. Tolkien and it's focused on the f...

Dark Sun: Shattered Lands

DOS1993protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.

Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire

DOS1990freeware Origin Systems

After the success of Ultima 6: The False Prophet, Origin decided to "create worlds" not part of the popular Ultima series (strictly speaking) using the same engine of Ultima 6. They came up with two games: The Savage Empire and Martian Dreams. The Savage Empire is set in a stone age-like world and features prehistoric tribes, dinosaurs, insectoid a...

The Magic Candle

DOS1989 Mindcraft Software

The Magic Candle: Volume 1 is the first chapter of a series of fantasy old school RPGs. The Magic Candle was developed and released by Mindcraft Software in 1989 for DOS but was also published for Apple II and Commodore 64. The whole Magic Candle series is very similar to some of the early Ultima games in every aspect: turn-based combat, top-down v...

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers

DOS1992 Interplay Productions

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers is an abandoned fantasy top-down DOS RPG game set in the The Lord of the Rings universe. The Lord of the Rings II was developed and released by Interplay Productions in 1992. The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers is based on the popular The Lord Of The Rings book by J.R.R. Tol...

Exile: Escape from the Pit

Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1995freeware Spiderweb Software

Exile: Escape from the Pit is a turn-based role-playing game (RPG) developed by Spiderweb Software. It is part of the Exile series, originally released in the mid-1990s. This game was later remade and re-released as Avernum: Escape from the Pit. The game is set in a massive underground world called Exile, where the Empire banishes criminals, p...

The Temple of Elemental Evil

Windows XP/98/952003protected Troika Games

The Temple of Elemental Evil is a computer role-playing game (CRPG) released in 2003 by Troika Games and published by Atari. The game is set in the World of Greyhawk, one of D&D's most famous campaign settings. The story begins in the small village of Hommlet and revolves around an ancient, sinister temple that serves as the center for ele...

Planet's Edge

DOS1991protected New World Computing

Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams

DOS1991 Origin Systems

Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams is an abandoned science fiction RPG designed by Jeff George, developed by Origin Systems and released in 1991 for DOS. Martian Dreams uses the Ultima VI engine to depict Mars in a top down perspective.

Ultima 1: The First Age of Darkness

DOS1981 Origin Systems

Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness is a seminal role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and released by California Pacific Computer Company in 1981. It is the first game in the long-running and influential Ultima series. Initially released for the Apple II, it was later ported to various platforms including DOS, Commodore 64, At...

Dark Sun 2: Wake of the Ravager

DOS1994protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.

The Dark Heart of Uukrul

DOS1989 Digital Studios Limited

Keys to Maramon

DOS1990 Mindcraft Software

Keys to Maramon is a role-playing game developed by Mindcraft Software and released in 1990 for the Amiga, MS-DOS, and Commodore 64 platforms. The game is set in the same universe as the "Magic Candle" series, another popular RPG series by Mindcraft. The game is set in the fantasy town of Maramon, where the player must protect the town from waves o...

Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress

DOS1983 Origin Systems

The second chapter of the Ultima saga is much similar to the first one (same top down visual, same dungeon 3d visual, same gameplay), although there are many small improvements. The series begins to take the shape of the detailed, deep, rpg saga that gamers will always remember.

The Magic Candle 3

DOS1992 Mindcraft Software

Amberstar

DOS1992 Thalion

Amberstar is a fantasy old school RPG very similar to Ultima 6 that uses a top-down view for interiors and small locations and a first person pseudo 3D view for everything else. Unfortunately, the sequel (called Ambermoon) was available for Amiga only and no version existed for DOS or Windows. Amberstar was developed and published by Thalion for DO...

Blades of Exile

Windows 3.xMac OSWindows XP/98/951997freeware Spiderweb Software

Blades of Exile is a classic role-playing video game developed by Spiderweb Software. It's the third installment in the "Exile" series. The game was released in 1997 for Mac OS, and later for Windows in 1998.In Blades of Exile, players control a party of adventurers who explore the underground world of Exile/Avernum, a vast network of caves and dun...