Fans of the role-playing game (RPG) genre know how engrossing the gameplay and storylines can be. Some RPGs require you to be online for everything to work as expected. If you don’t have access to an internet connection but want to loot a dungeon or hunt down a boss, here’s a list of offline RPG games. Continue your adventures while on a plane or train, or anywhere the web isn’t available.

Best Classic RPG: Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition

This is a classic RPG set in the AD&D 2nd Edition mold. Baldur’s Gate sends you and your party of allies on a course for adventure and, more importantly, loot! With a well-crafted Dungeons & Dragons storyline and gameplay style that echoes the pen-and-paper days, the Enhanced Edition offers countless hours of entertainment.

  • Nothing from the original game is lost.

  • New features fit with the original’s charm.

  • Includes the Tale of the Sword Coast expansion and other bonus content.

  • The price for some versions is a little steep for what is essentially an older release.

While you need an internet connection for multiplayer action, Baldur’s Gate can be enjoyed solo while offline.

Baldur’s Gate is available for a variety of platforms at various costs:

  • $9.99 on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.$19.99 on digital platforms Steam and GOG.com (for Windows, Linux, and Mac).$27.99 on the Mac App Store.$49.99 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Download For:

Best Mobile RPG: Demon’s Rise

Although it received its share of recognition, this mobile RPG was relatively unheralded, considering how solid its content and gameplay are. Demon’s Rise features a turn-based battle system that’s a perfect fit for the underground city setting. Planning is key, as you form your six-member party from a whopping 30 different classes, each with tactical advantages and downsides.

  • The mobile version doesn’t require in-app purchases.

  • Experiences can vary depending on the makeup of a group.

  • Gameplay can lag a bit.

  • The mobile versions may experience an occasional crash on older phones and tablets.

Demon’s Rise, from Wave Light Games, is available as an iOS ($7.99) or Android ($5.99) app. A newer version, Demon’s Rise Lords of Chaos, is available for $6.99 for Windows via Steam.

Best Visuals: Dragon Age: Origins

The first title in the popular Dragon Age series, Origins, from EA Games, is an action-packed RPG played from the third-person perspective. Play your Grey Warden character as a dwarf, elf, or human from one of the mage, rogue, or warrior classes. The path you take is up to you, but your interactions along the way are influenced heavily by race and class. After you finish the game, you can start a new adventure from a different perspective.

  • Takes most of the good from the genre’s previous RPGs and combines it into one game.

  • Dialogue is nuanced and carefully constructed.

  • Some NPC conversations tend to drag on a bit too long.

The breathtaking visuals throughout make it easy to become engrossed in Origins right away. To play Origins offline on some platforms, you may need to activate offline mode from the game settings.

Play Origins on a Windows PC via Steam or download for Windows for $19.99 ($29.99 for the Ultimate Edition). The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 prices start at $19.99.

Best Apocalyptic RPG: Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout: New Vegas is a different type of RPG from the others on this list. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Sin City where you choose a side in an inevitable war, or go all out to become the leader of this nuclear wasteland.

  • Extra mods add content to an already robust game.

  • Explore the vast desert and the Hoover Dam in your quest for victory.

  • If you played a previous version of Fallout, a lot of New Vegas may feel familiar.

New Vegas is technically a first-person shooter. However, it also qualifies as a role-playing game due to its intricate storyline and the fact that your choices alter future events as you move forward. In addition to battling with a vast array of weapons, you can gamble in one of the game’s many casinos or roadside games. It is Vegas, after all, apocalypse or not.

The Windows version is available for $9.99 on Steam. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 prices vary.

Best Action-Style RPG: Mass Effect 2

This action-style RPG takes place in the next century. In Mass Effect 2, you assume the role of a soldier who teams up with an organization focused on saving the human race because entire colonies are abducted without explanation. Almost two dozen weapon types are available as you embark on a seemingly impossible mission, working alongside some of the galaxy’s most ruthless warriors while traveling in a powerful ship.

  • If you played the original Mass Effect, import your character to the new game.

  • Responses in unimportant conversations can shape your path.

  • Not enough character customization options.

  • Users complained about requiring an unofficial patch to run the game correctly.

The Windows version is available for $19.99 on Steam. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 prices vary.

Most Offline-Accessible RPG: Neverwinter Nights 2

Neverwinter Nights 2 is another offline RPG based on Dungeons & Dragons rules and set in the well-known Forgotten Realms campaign. In the game, you and your party work toward your goals in a more loosely structured manner than many quest-driven titles.

  • Stays true to its D&D roots.

  • Micromanage and tweak each character’s build.

  • Includes the Mask of the Betrayer, Storm of Zehir, and Mysteries of Westgate expansion packs.

  • Non-D&D fans may find a lot of the gameplay tedious rather than exciting.​

  • The cost hasn’t come down in years.

NWN2 features the entire compendium of classes, feats, and spells found in the D&D 3.5 rules. Most gameplay is accessible without connectivity, except for multiplayer adventures or hosting your own campaigns using the integrated Obsidian toolset. 

The game is available for Windows via GOG.com for $19.99.

Most Involved and Intriguing RPG: Planescape: Torment

Set in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy campaign of its namesake, this RPG’s story is as unique as it is intriguing. With your body draped in scars and tattoos gathered over many lifetimes, you and your companions roam the demon-ridden city of Sigil while looking for answers. You play as The Nameless One, exploring this critically acclaimed classic for tons of offline fun with a character that can be highly customized in true D&D fashion.

  • Macabre soundtrack and visuals fit with the game’s dark storyline.

  • Play for countless hours without encountering duplicate content.

  • Requires attention and dedication, so casual gamers beware.

  • Tough to navigate the menus on smaller mobile screens.

The computer version costs $19.99 on Steam. Smartphone and tablet users can download a minimized version for $9.99.

Best Old-School RPG: The Bard’s Tale Trilogy

Released in 1985, The Bard’s Tale helped shape the RPG genre and has withstood the test of time. Its old-school graphics and 3D, grid-based dungeons aren’t a deterrent more than 30 years later. The gameplay is as fulfilling today as it was in the era of big hair and bright clothing.

  • So many enemies that you can avoid encountering the same types of creatures over and over.

  • Bard’s Tale II and III are as enjoyable as the original.

  • Anyone born in the 1990s or later may not fully appreciate this style of play.

You and your motley crew of adventurers are tasked with rescuing the city of Skara Brae, with foes lurking around every corner. The anticipation that builds during the turn-based battles and wondering what awaits behind each door and dungeon gate make you forget you’re playing a game developed in a different generation.

The entire trilogy costs $14.99 for PC and Mac users via Steam. The mobile adaptation of the main title can be purchased for $2.99 on Android or iOS smartphones and tablets.

Best Attention to Detail: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

A true work of art in every sense, this is the crown jewel of the Elder Scrolls franchise. Some may argue that Morrowind (III) or Skyrim (V) are better. While those are terrific RPGs, if you’re into open-ended games with massive worlds to traverse, Oblivion is the title for you.

  • The fast-travel feature is a must-have when venturing a long way across the map.

  • You’ll likely never run out of new content.

  • Some quests can feel repetitive, especially when dealing with the more boring NPCs.

The attention to detail is remarkable, from the individual blades of grass to the captivating sunsets. Whether wielding a sword or a satchel of spellbooks, the first-person battle system has a realistic, intense feel. Also, because of the diverse character-creation tools, you can play the game multiple times from several angles. 

The PC version is available for $14.99 on Steam. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 prices vary.

Best Storyline: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Winner of more than 250 Game of the Year awards at the time of its release, this open-world RPG places you in the role of professional monster hunter. This visually stunning title encourages freeform exploration as you conduct your bounty hunter business, mixing it up with everyone from society’s elite to bands of marauding criminals.

  • Everything ties together smoothly as you progress.

  • The open world is amazing.

  • The underwhelming combat system doesn’t match the game’s grand scale.

Doing battle with the game’s vast bestiary is where Wild Hunt really shines. Preparing for each skirmish is just as important an element as the actual fights. Add in a rich storyline, and you have an incredible RPG to experience offline as well as online.

The PC version is available for $49.99 on Steam and GOG.com. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360 prices vary.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day