As a huge fan of Obsidian, it’s amazing to think about how far they’ve come! It’s wild to remember there was a time when they were struggling and had so many projects fall through, almost putting them out of business. Then, Pillars of Eternity happened – that crowdfunding campaign really saved them, and it launched them into making some of the most beloved, niche games we’re playing today. It’s a total comeback story!
Ever since Microsoft bought Obsidian Entertainment, the studio has been consistently releasing fantastic games. Their latest title, The Outer Worlds 2, has been a critical success and is just one example of their impressive collection of original, high-quality games.
South Park: The Stick of Truth
Wait, That Was Obsidian?
While not what most people expect from Obsidian Entertainment, South Park: The Stick of Truth is a surprisingly fantastic and funny RPG. The unusual combination of the game developer and the TV show proved to be a wonderful surprise, offering fans a fresh and unique way to enjoy the world of South Park.
I’m a huge fan of the South Park RPGs, and while there was a sequel, Fractured But Whole, everyone still talks about Stick of Truth being the best one. That’s because Obsidian really nailed the feel of South Park – their unique style perfectly captured the show’s humor and made the whole RPG experience in South Park, Colorado, just incredibly fun.
Neverwinter Nights 2
A Cult Classic RPG Utilizing Dungeons & Dragons 3.5e Mechanics
Released in 2006, Neverwinter Nights 2 is a beloved role-playing game based on the original Neverwinter Nights and the Dungeons & Dragons ruleset. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, it’s known for its intricate story, meaningful choices, and focus on characters and conversations – a shift away from simply exploring dungeons, which defined the first game.
I remember when Neverwinter Nights 2 was handed over to Obsidian – they had a really short time to finish it! It launched with a lot of bugs, even though it was super ambitious. But honestly, even with the technical problems, I was blown away by the story and how much choice you had in the quests. And as a huge D&D fan, I really appreciated how accurately they brought the 3.5 edition rules to life in the game.
Through fan-made updates and the Mask of the Betrayer expansion, Neverwinter Nights 2 gained a dedicated following and became a beloved game. An improved version of the game was recently released on all popular platforms earlier this year.
Tyranny
Evil Reigns In This Essential Isometric CRPG
Released in 2016, Tyranny is a unique computer role-playing game (CRPG) played from an overhead perspective. It challenges typical RPG morality by putting you on the side of the villains – you’re an enforcer for an already-victorious evil empire. Built using the same engine as Pillars of Eternity, the game features fast-paced combat and a complex story with meaningful choices that truly impact the game world and its people.
After the success of Pillars of Eternity, a small team at Obsidian created Tyranny to delve into complex moral choices, moving away from the typical black-and-white good versus evil storylines often found in role-playing games.
Tyranny was well-received by critics for its daring story, a world that felt alive and responded to player choices, and its excellent writing. However, some found the game too short and the ending felt rushed. Over the years, like other RPGs made with the Obsidian engine, it’s developed a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its original concept and focus on player choice.
Pillars Of Eternity
Both The Original & Deadfire Are Must-Play Obsidian Masterpieces
If you haven’t played Pillars of Eternity yet, it perfectly captures what makes Obsidian Entertainment special. The game was created as a tribute to beloved, classic role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate and Planescape: Torment. It was originally funded through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign and signaled a major turning point for Obsidian, helping them get back on their feet after a difficult period of canceled projects and financial struggles.
This game takes place in the beautifully crafted world of Eora and offers engaging, tactical combat that you can pause at any time. You can deeply customize your characters and experience a story that changes based on the decisions you make. Its popularity helped bring back interest in classic role-playing games.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire built upon the success of the first game by adding a large, open world to explore with your own ship, and improving the artificial intelligence during battles. While it wasn’t as popular as the original, the two Pillars of Eternity games are considered a major accomplishment for Obsidian Entertainment. They offer a fresh take on classic role-playing games, focusing on meaningful choices and detailed world-building on a massive scale.
Grounded
An Obsidian Survival Game Based On Honey, I Shrunk The Kids
Both Grounded and Grounded 2 stand out from Obsidian’s usual role-playing games, and many fans don’t realize how good they are. The games have a simple but charming idea: players are shrunk down to the size of an insect, much like the classic 90s film Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, starring Rick Moranis.
In this unique survival game, players are magically reduced to the size of insects and must fight to survive in a typical backyard. Though Obsidian Entertainment is famous for role-playing games, Grounded proves they can successfully create exciting games in completely different styles – and on a very small scale!
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II – The Sith Lords
The Obsidian Project That Put Them On The Map
Released in 2004, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords was Obsidian Entertainment’s first game. It quickly established the studio’s reputation and became a benchmark for future titles. Despite a challenging deadline set by LucasArts to follow up on BioWare’s popular KOTOR, Obsidian created a Star Wars story with a notably darker tone.
The game delved into the complex morality of the Force, challenging traditional Jedi beliefs with compelling characters like Kreia, who remains a favorite mentor figure in the Star Wars universe. Even with some technical problems and a quick release, reviewers and players loved its story, immersive atmosphere, and focus on moral dilemmas.
Over the years, KOTOR 2 – The Sith Lords has gained a dedicated following and is largely responsible for establishing Obsidian as a developer known for RPGs with strong stories, even though the studio has faced challenges with projects that were ultimately cancelled.
Avowed
Step Into The Pillars Of Eternity Universe & Get Your Hands Dirty
It feels like ages ago, but the release of Avowed earlier this year was definitely one of my favorite RPGs. The game offers a new perspective on the Pillars of Eternity world, immersing players in the fantasy realm of Eora and allowing them to create customized characters and try out different ways to play.
Although Avowed received mixed reactions from fans when it was released, with some feeling it didn’t quite reach the heights of other popular Obsidian games, it still compares favorably to many of this year’s top titles. Avowed deserves praise for perfecting Obsidian’s unique style and demonstrates how the studio stands out from the competition.
Pentiment
Obsidian’s Historically Immersive Narrative-Driven Masterpiece
Pentiment was a special project spearheaded by Josh Sawyer, who also directed the popular game Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity. Created by a small team, it’s different from Obsidian’s usual role-playing games. Instead of focusing on battles and character stats, Pentiment tells a story centered around solving a mystery.
This game takes place in 16th-century Bavaria and focuses on solving murders and understanding the conflicts within the community. It features a beautiful art style reminiscent of medieval manuscripts. Your choices in conversations, how you manage your time, and how you interpret clues all affect the story and its ending.
Though relatively small in scale, Pentiment received high praise for its unique artistic vision, incredible historical detail, and moving story. It’s one of Obsidian Entertainment’s most creatively daring games, demonstrating the studio’s ability to take risks and try new things. Unlike Obsidian’s bigger role-playing games, Pentiment is a carefully crafted, personal experience that proves their skill and adaptability.
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds Games Are Peak Obsidian
Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is considered one of their best role-playing games ever, and the recent release of The Outer Worlds 2 suggests the series will continue to be popular. Although The Outer Worlds 2 isn’t off to a perfect start – initial player numbers are lower than expected – it clearly embodies the qualities that Obsidian is known for.
If you haven’t heard of it, The Outer Worlds is a sci-fi role-playing game played from a first-person perspective. It takes place in Halcyon, a distant colony run by powerful corporations. As a player, you can side with these corporations, join the resistance, or forge your own path, ultimately deciding the future of Halcyon. The game is known for its dark humor, satire, and complicated moral choices, offering a biting commentary on the dangers of unchecked corporate power and dystopian societies. Plus, it’s genuinely funny!
Fallout: New Vegas
Arguably The Best Obsidian Game Ever Made
Many consider Fallout: New Vegas to be Obsidian Entertainment’s greatest achievement. While using the same engine as Fallout 3, it’s known for its complex, branching storyline and how much the game responds to player choices. Set in the ruined Mojave Desert after a nuclear war, players determine the future of New Vegas by choosing to support groups like the New California Republic, Caesar’s Legion, or the mysterious Mr. House.
Fallout: New Vegas is widely praised by both critics and fans for its compelling story, well-developed characters, and the way your choices truly matter. It’s become a beloved classic, frequently considered one of the best role-playing games of all time and a showcase of Obsidian Entertainment’s skill in creating immersive stories and worlds.
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2025-11-04 19:45