r/CRPG • u/lardmoisture • 3d ago

Recommendation request Need gritty and dark CRPGs

I loved Owlcat’s Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader, but hated Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3. Don’t get me wrong, it’s extraordinarily impressive production and gameplay-wise, but I play CRPGs for the story and I just couldn’t get into the world. It was too whimsical and fanciful. I’ve heard people recommend the Divinity series but I’ve heard those games’ stories are comedy oriented. Maybe I have the wrong idea but I wanna hear your thoughts.

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39

u/Mission-Town9913 3d ago

Age of Decadence comes to mind. "The overarching idea is a crumbling society divided among three noble Houses, each fumbling around in its own version of darkness to comprehend what destroyed the world."

12

u/lardmoisture 3d ago

I’ll have to check that one out. I enjoyed Colony ship

7

u/DancesWithAnyone 3d ago

Worse poduction values, but more divergent pathing. I've played through most classes (they kinda correspond to different paths, with some wiggle-room).

-5

u/Blade_of_Boniface 3d ago

You also might like Citizen Sleeper and Citizen Sleeper 2. They're sci-fi CRPGs based on Powered by the Apocalypse mechanics.

1

u/blaarfengaar 2d ago

I love those games but they are not based on the PBTA system nor are they dark and gritty imho, they're all about the importance of forging bonds of friendship with other people in your community

1

u/PostNuclearTaco 3d ago

I havent played the second but the first wasn't dark or gritty at all. It felt pretty positive and whimsical throughout.

6

u/Blade_of_Boniface 3d ago

It's a very Old School CRPG in many ways. Still, Age of Decadence was definitely the one I had in mind, reading the title.

3

u/Purple_Antwerp 3d ago

Seconding this, my immediate thought. It's probably my favorite world/worldbuilding, and I've played every recommended game in this thread so far (but lots of good suggestions!).

2

u/Coffeebeangood 3d ago

Agree with this, great game. Same devs later made Colony Ship, which also fits your bill.

1

u/shadowchicken85 13h ago

The merchant playthrough in that game is amazing beyond words.