Start with combat, because it decides whether you’ll still be playing after ten hours. Then check how much the story responds to your choices, which difficulty options exist, and whether the co-op mode fits your group’s platform and size. This guide walks through those four checks in order. It uses Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2 as worked examples, not as universal “best RPG” picks.
Step 1: Decide how you want combat to feel
The main split is between turn-based and real-time combat. Turn-based games give you time to plan each action, position characters and combine abilities. Real-time games reward reflexes and timing. Pick the side you’d enjoy at hour fifty, not the one that looks best in a trailer.
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Both of our example games are in the turn-based tactical camp. Larian presents Baldur’s Gate 3 as a Dungeons & Dragons RPG, and the Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition Steam listing describes deep tactical turn-based combat. If you want fast, reflex-driven action, look for that in a game’s official description. Don’t assume it from the genre label “RPG”.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallStep 2: Check how much story and agency you want
“Story-rich” can mean several things. Ask which of these you care about:
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- An authored main plot, as opposed to a sandbox you fill yourself.
- Companion or character arcs.
- Choices with real consequences.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s official page describes an expansive original story. The Divinity: Original Sin 2 listing says choices have consequences and that its origin characters have their own backgrounds and quests. Shortlist games whose official pages name these features specifically. Vague phrases like “epic adventure” tell you little.
Step 3: Match difficulty options to your tolerance
Look for named difficulty modes, then read what each one changes. Don’t assume every RPG has an easy setting, or that an easy mode removes all challenge.
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- Larian says Baldur’s Gate 3 has three difficulty settings that let you customise the challenge of combat (official about page).
- Larian’s Community Update #20 says that in Story mode, combat is more forgiving so players can immerse themselves in the narrative.
- The Divinity: Original Sin 2 Steam listing doesn’t give comparable difficulty detail. Check the current store page or the in-game options before you buy.
If you’re mainly there for the story, a forgiving mode is a feature. If you enjoy hard tactical puzzles, check that a harder setting exists too.
Step 4: Settle co-op logistics first if you’re playing with others
For group play, practical questions beat genre questions. Work out these three:
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- Will you play on one screen (local) or on separate machines (online)?
- How many people will play?
- Which platform does everyone own?
Co-op support varies by game and by platform edition:
- The PlayStation Store listing for Baldur’s Gate 3 describes local split-screen for up to two players, or online play for up to four.
- The Divinity: Original Sin 2 Steam listing describes up to four players, online or in split-screen.
Don’t carry one platform’s limits over to another. Check the exact listing for the edition you plan to buy.
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Two examples side by side
| Game | Combat and story | Difficulty | Co-op | Fits a player who wants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | D&D RPG with an expansive original story (Larian) | Three settings; Story mode is more forgiving (Larian) | PlayStation listing: 2-player local split-screen or up to 4 online | A story-rich tactical game with adjustable combat challenge |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition | Tactical turn-based combat; origin characters with quests; consequential choices (Steam) | Not stated on the cited listing | Steam listing: up to 4, online or split-screen | Tactical play, character origins and group play |
These are feature descriptions from official pages, not hands-on test results. They don’t show which game is easiest or has the best story.
Putting the four checks together
- You like planning and complex encounters: start with turn-based tactical RPGs. The two games above are examples, not a complete list.
- Story comes first: shortlist games that name companion or origin stories and consequences, then check their difficulty modes.
- You want a gentler ride: confirm a story-focused or easier setting exists and read what it changes.
- You’re buying for a group: filter by platform, player count and local versus online play before you compare anything else.
Before you buy, recheck the storefront listing for platform, co-op type, player cap and language. Store pages and editions change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Maladum is a fantasy miniatures board game set in the kingdoms of Enveron, a prosperous continent on a distant world
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