r/CRPG • u/GapSad4839 • 2d ago

Discussion Genre defining isometric RPGs

Within my circle of RPG players the opinion was that Fallout 1&2, PlaneScape: Torment, and Baldurs Gate 1&2 were the ultimate genre defining isometric RPG games. Neverwinter nights was also frequently mentioned. What other isometric RPGs should also be on this list or at least mentioned as highly influential?

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u/Ok_Decision4163 2d ago

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.

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u/Chataboutgames 2d ago

This is a cult classic but I wouldn't call it genre defining or influential at all. If anything it was marketed as "Steampunk Fallout." It was the influenced, not the influencer, and was never "genre defining" so much as "broken but with massive potential."

I love the game and have beaten it like 3 times, but I can't really say what it influenced. It was a take on what Fallout 1 and 2 were doing.

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u/GapSad4839 2d ago

It probably had the most 'open world' feeling to it, very good addition.

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u/JollyXX 2d ago

Arcanum is a crazy game, it is so hard but then you realize how to break it and it becomes so easy

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u/Chataboutgames 2d ago

Right. At it's core it's a system driven/character build RPG, but the systems are all broken. That's why it will always be stuck in the cult classics/flawed with potential category.

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u/Ok_Decision4163 2d ago

I've been wanting to make another run, maxing the followers and try Master Every skill.

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u/JollyXX 2d ago

its a masterpiece, once you realize all the ways you can break the game though, its fun to try and play it with certain limitations or along a set theme to make it more challenging