When players think triple-A roleplaying, they thinkBioWare. Founded in 1995, the studio has become a pioneer for their gripping stories, range of memorable characters, unique combat, lore and worldbuilding, andcompelling romances. Despite their rocky history withEA, the outstanding studio has continued to move forward.
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Though time and obstacles have taken their toll on the iconic studio, BioWare’srecord of achievementsshould not be understated. Whatever the future may hold for BioWare, players will never forget the hours of fun their RPGs have brought them. Without further ado, it’s time to get into what matters most, and that’s video games.
10Jade Empire
“Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting”
Jade Empire
Published by Microsoft Game Studios as an exclusive for the first Xbox, Jade Empire is one of BioWare’s strangest yet most ambitious projects. Instead of a traditional fantasy world of knights and templars, the game is set in a mythical kingdom from Chinese mythology. You are the last Spirit Monk, trained in the art of Spirit-based magic and martial combat. After your master is taken, it’s up to you to rescue him and defeat the corrupt emperor, Sun Hai.
Jade Empire is old-school BioWare at its finest — an enthralling world with loads of side quests, combat builds, weapons, characters, and a great twist you won’t see coming. Unfortunately, despite earning positive acclaim from players and critics, Jade Empire has never received a follow-up.
9Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition
The world of Thedas is falling apart. With civil unrest in the land below and an enormous tear in the skies above, it’ll take more than one hero to save the world and seal the breach. It’ll take an entire Inquisition. As the third game in theDragon Ageseries, Inquisition feels like a return to the first game with its in-depth character customization. You create your protagonist from a selection of four different races, each with their own range of classes, builds, and voices.
As Inquisitor, you get your own fortress to upgrade and customize, and the game even adds a crafting system for forging armor and weapons for you and your team. Compared to the first and second game, Inquisition is a bit more combat-heavy, which some fans have mixed feelings about. Still, if you’re into action RPGs featuring a cast of interesting characters, DA: Inquisition hits all the right notes.
8Mass Effect
The Start of a Galactic Adventure
Mass Effect
You are Commander Shepard, the first human Spectre. When another Spectre named Saren goes rogue, it falls on you and your squad to track him across the galaxy and stop his insidious plans. Though not the first RPG to feature a fully voiced protagonist,Mass Effectchanged the game. While it didn’t reinvent the wheel, it did reinvent conversations in gaming by placing the player’s choices within the iconic dialogue wheel.
The Mass Effect series not only made one-on-one conversations a core mechanic of gameplay, but also made it interesting as you converse with a range of lovable otherworldly characters, ask questions, and form bonds. When you’re not expanding your lexicon, you’re exploring planets and battling aliens with a range of weapons and class abilities. Sure, the movement controls could be stiff, the cover system awkward, and the combat clunky at times, but the first Mass Effect remains a sci-fi classic.
7Baldur’s Gate
The Start of Greatness
Baldur’s Gate
Sometimes it takes a few misses before a young studio hits it big. Not for BioWare though. In 1998, the developer struck gold when it released its second game:Baldur’s Gate. This was a true gem for D&D players, one that came in a big tan box, a manual as thick as a book, andfiveCDs were required to run it on PC. Customers truly got their money’s worth back then.
Right from the start, your race, your identity, everything is for you to decide. You’re dropped into this immersive world filled with choices and adventure, all while being hunted by the one known as Sarevok Anchev, the Deathbringer. Some RPG players might be turned off by the game’s top-down isometric perspective, but that’s all part of its charm. Even after all these years, Baldur’s Gate remains a massive and enjoyable adventure.
6Star Wars: The Old Republic
The Biggest & Best MMO
Star Wars: The Old Republic
TheStar Warsuniverse has always been expansive. With all the aliens and planets to roam, it was the perfect setting for BioWare’s biggest creation, an MMORPG titled Star Wars: The Old Republic. Set in an age before the films, the galaxy is facing a Cold War as the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire struggle to maintain control over their regions of the galaxy. As for where the player fits into it, that’s your choice.
Featuring over 12 different species and 8 classes — such as Jedi, Sith, Bounty Hunter, and more — what you do is your choice. Be a traditional Jedi and Sith, or break the mold and play as an evil Jedi or a good Sith. Best of all, you don’t have to do it alone. The Old Republic features a fully voiced cast of characters and companions to join you on your journey, as well as other players.
5Mass Effect 3
The End of An Epic Trilogy
Mass Effect 3
The Reapers are invading. The Earth is lost. It’s up to you to unite a divided galaxy, take back Earth, and break the cycle of extinction. Everyone has mixed feelings regarding the endings, and that’s fine. But as a wise person once said, it’s about the journey, not the destination, andMass Effect 3is an outstanding experience. Starting with one of the most emotional openings ever seen in science-fiction, the game nails the feeling of dread and doom.
The combat and controls have never felt better as you have more flexibility for maneuvering and attacking. Every weapon has an in-depth level of modification as you customize your loadout depending on your class, which has also been upgraded with a wide range of new abilities. Even the multiplayer was fun. Sadly, it was removed in the Legendary Edition. Mass Effect 3 may have gotten some things wrong, but it got just enough right.
4Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn
The Continuation of Greatness
Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn continues what the first game started and improves upon it. The magic system has been enhanced, offering more developed spells to utilize. As for the graphics, even by modern standards, the pre-rendered 2D backgrounds still look great.
On top of that, Baldur’s Gate II is one of those RPGs you’ll lose yourself in — meaning you’ll be hours into the side content before you’ve barely even touched the main story. So many side quests feel vast and important, and you’re free to handle them however you choose. Most of all, your party members feel more developed, with better written personalities, banter, and by the time the ending is close, it’ll be hard to say goodbye.
3Dragon Age: Origins
Dark Fantasy Done Right
Dragon Age: Origins
In the late 2000s, BioWare tried its hand at another fantasy, one that emphasized character backgrounds, set in a darker and bloodier world. That decision led to the creation ofDragon Age: Origins. The Archdemon has arisen, leading an army of Darkspawn to blight the land. As a Grey Warden, only you can slay the near-immortal dragon.
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Along with the amazing origin system, where you can experience a new beginning for every background, the story and characters were a slam dunk in fantasy writing. Every companion has their own quirks, flaws, and moralities, making them feel truly fleshed out. Also, the game did not shy away from putting the player intomorbid and disturbing situations, truly earning its M rating. The combat may be slow at times, but the amount of content, violence, and loot more than make up for it.
2Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
The Greatest Star Wars Game of All Time
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
There’s no shortage of Star Wars games to be found. That will always be true. Yet when players discuss the lists for the best of all time, you’ll almost always seeKnights of the Old Republicon them. Many consider this to be BioWare’s first masterpiece, the point where they took their first step into a larger world. Because in KOTOR, you weren’t playing the movies, you were experiencing your own.
Thousands of years before there was a Skywalker, the Sith have grown in power, gaining an armada to threaten the peace of the Galactic Republic. As a force user with amnesia, your journey and the companions you meet along the way will determine the fate of the galaxy. Everything found in modern BioWare can be traced back to here: companions with questlines, dialogue choices, customization, open exploration, and even an alignment system where your decisions determine if you embrace the light or dark side.
Honorable Mentions: Neverwinter Nights is a great game, and despite their setbacks, Dragon Age II and Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood have their cult followings. Alas, ten is the limit.
1Mass Effect 2
The Biggest Blockbuster in Gaming
Mass Effect 2
Humans are being abducted by the Collectors, an enigmatic and technologically advanced race. Forging an uneasy alliance with the infamous paramilitary organization known as Cerberus, it’s up to you to build a team loyal enough to follow you into a mission of certain doom. Hailed by fans and critics asBioWare’s best story, Mass Effect 2 steals the award for being the greatest game in their library.
Everything from beginning to end looks and feels like a flawless 10 out of 10. Often in games, you go on an adventure and pick up companions along the way. In Mass Effect 2, that’s the core plot, recruiting the best of the best and gaining their loyalty, all while fighting the unknowns of the galaxy. Pair that with the phenomenal combat, stellar soundtrack, and engrossing writing, and you have everything you need to understand why Mass Effect 2 is an unparalleled masterpiece.
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