Key Takeaways
- Western RPGs feature unique combat systems rooted in Western heroism and sword-and-sorcery themes. (93 characters)
- The Exile, The Vault Dweller, and The Nameless One are iconic Western RPG protagonists with compelling storylines. (113 characters)
- Games like Dragon’s Dogma and Neverwinter Nights offer immersive plots and exciting final battles. (87 characters)
There have been hundreds of games that could be considered to be classic Western role-playing games. Many of these hark back to a time before gaming became a thing in Asia, and games with clearly Asian themes and visuals began to become common.
A Western RPG is a game that generally leans on the Western take on concepts such as heroism and honor. Generally, they leverage generic sword and sorcery themes, often influenced by periods of human history such as the Dark Ages. Creating a game world that any person who is familiar with The Lord of the Rings or other well-known Western fantasy literature will instantly feel at home in.
7 The Exile
Game: Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
Knights Of The Old Republic (KOTOR) and its follow-on title, KOTOR 2, are lauded as being among the best Western RPGs of all time, and for good reason. The gameplay was solid, and the storyline was immersive and entertaining. In Knights Of The Old Republic 2, the player can play as The Exile, a Jedi Knight named Meetra Surik, that has been exiled from the Jedi Order, due to the things she did during the Mandalorian Wars.
The Exile is the main protagonist, that has to explore the galaxy, trying to uncover a way for them to reconnect to the Force. Playing as The Exile, the player must face the mistakes they made in their past, and at certain stages of the plot, make important decisions that will have an impact on the entire Jedi Order.
6 The Vault Dweller
Game: Fallout
The Vault Dweller is the protagonist in the original Fallout game. They are sent out of Vault 13 into the wasteland, to try and locate a water chip to save the vault. Simple sounding quest, but one that takes up the entire game.
As The Vault Dweller, the player must travel across the wasteland that was once California, tackling challenges as they come, and completing quests as they go. During their travels, they uncover various factions, and ultimately, fight the Master and his army of mutants at the Master’s Cathedral.
5 The Nameless One
Game: Planescape: Torment
In Planescape: Torment, the player takes on the role of The Nameless One. As such, they are an immortal that suffers the curse of having to live through many iterations of their life, always forgetting previous ones.
The Nameless One must explore the city of Sigil, shifting through different planes of existence, as they try to unlock their past and the secrets it hides. Eventually, The Nameless One learns of the reason for their immortality, and eventually travels to the Fortress of Regrets to confront their past.
4 The Arisen
Game: Dragon’s Dogma
In Dragon’s Dogma, the player, in their role as The Arisen, takes on the challenge of tracking down and slaying a dragon that had attacked their village. They must kill the dragon, reclaim their heart, and try to find out why the dragon left them alive.
The plot of Dragon’s Dogma takes The Arisen all over the open world map of Gransys. As they progress through the game, they will uncover secrets and the mysteries that surround why they alone survived the dragon’s attack on the village. The Arisen fights monsters, completes tasks, and ultimately confronts the dragon in its lair.
3 The Inquisitor
Game: Dragon Age: Inquisition
In Dragon Age: Inquisition, The Inquisitor is one of the characters that the player can choose to control. They are the leader of the Inquisition, which is an organization that was set up to try and restore order to Thedas.
The Inquisitor is tasked with closing the Breach, which is a huge tear in the veil that separates the real world from the Fade. To do this, they must prevent Corypheus, the ancient darkspawn, from completing their plans. Ultimately, The Inquisitor must face a final battle, at the Temple of Mythai.
2 The Hero Of Neverwinter
Game: Neverwinter Nights
In this Dungeons & Dragons inspired game. The Hero Of Neverwinter is the name of the main protagonist in Neverwinter Nights, which the player controls. The main plotline revolves around The Hero Of Neverwinter trying to save the city of Neverwinter from the spread of the wailing death plague.
The Hero Of Neverwinter must depart on a journey to find the ingredients to create a cure for the plague. On their adventures, they uncover a conspiracy, and must collect certain ancient artifacts. Ultimately, this leads to a showdown with the cult leader at the Host Tower of the Arcane.
1 The Exile
Game: Icewind Dale 2
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS
- Released: August 27, 2002
- Developer: Black Isle Studios
- Genre: Role-playing Video Game
Playing as The Exile, the player must lead a party of adventurers safely through the Spine of the World. A task that is complicated by encounters with monsters, and the ever-present Legion of the Chimera. The plotline is very well written, and fascinating as it unfolds.
During their travels, The Exile learns of a plot to invade Ten Towns, and takes on the responsibility of foiling this plot, which ultimately leads them to the Severed Hand. This is a huge enemy fortress, where the final battle involves The Exile and their companions defeating the leader of the invading army. This final battle is nothing short of epic in this top down RPG.
