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cRPG Reviews & Computer Game Reviews


Computer Game Reviews



cRPG reviews are a form of computer game journalism that seeks to evaluate computer role-playing games (cRPGs) either as a whole or in one or more categories of design. Such reviews usually consist of several paragraphs of commentary followed by a conclusion. Often, screencaps and infographics are sprinkled throughout the review in order to illustrate key points.

cRPG Reviews are characterized by constructive criticism of cRPG creations: they give reasons for their assertions and compare the cRPG with what came before as well as the genre-yardstick and Formalizer, Fallout 1. cRPG Reviews do not just evaluate cRPGs as they are in themselves but also in relation to their peers and predecessors.

This document was last updated on November 20, 2024.


For sweeping epic-level coverage readers are referred to my computer game chronologies:



Computer GameGenreDeveloperYearRating
7th Guest CD-ROM gameAdventure GameTrilobyte19933.5
Abuse IBM PC MS-DOSRun and GunCrack Dot Com19968.0
Agony AmigaShoot 'em upArt and Magic19926.0
Air Raid TRS-80Shoot 'em upSmall System19789.2
Al-Qadim Genie's CursecRPGCyberlore19946.0
Alien Breed AmigaRun and GunTeam 1719918.0
Alpha Centauri Sid MeierTurn-based StrategyFiraxis19999.8
Alone in the Dark IBM PCAdventure GameInfogrames19929.0
Another World AmigaPlatformerÉric Chahi19917.0
Ant Attack Isometric GameSurvival HorrorSandy White19839.9
Apocalypse ArchimedesShoot 'em upGordan J. Key19907.0
Arkanoid AmigaBlock-breakerDiscovery Software19889.9
Arkanoid 2 AmigaBlock-breakerImagine Software19889.5
Arcanum TroikaPure cRPGTroika20018.6
Armalyte Commodore 64Shoot 'em upCyberdyne19889.8
Baldur's Gate 1 OriginalGeneral cRPGBioWare19988.7
Baldur's Gate 2Themepark cRPGBioWare20006.5
Baldur's Gate 3Reddit RPG GameLarian Studios20232.1
BattleTech Revenge ReviewReal-time TacticsWestwood19908.5
BC Kid AmigaPlatformerFactor 519927.5
Beneath a Steel SkyAdventure GameRevolution19907.0
Betrayal at KrondorGeneral cRPGDynamix19937.5
Black Crypt AmigaFlip-screen cRPGRaven Software19926.0
Blood Money AmigaShoot 'em upDMA Design19896.5
BloodNet IBM PCcRPGMicroprose19937.0
Bloodwych AmigaFlip-screen cRPGAnthony Taglione19897.0
Boulder DashAction/PuzzleFirst Star19849.9
Bubble Bobble AmigaTaito PlatformerSoftware Creations19889.0
Buck Rogers CountdownFlip-screen cRPGStrategic Sims19916.5
Buck Rogers Matrix CubedFlip-screen cRPGStrategic Sims19935.0
Caesar IBM PCCity-buildingImpressions19929.0
Captive AmigaFlip-screen cRPGTony Crowther19909.0
Carrier Command ReviewRTS/Sim HybridRTGS Ltd.19889.1
Champions of KrynnFlip-screen cRPGStrategic Sims19905.5
Chaos Strikes BackFlip-screen cRPGFTL19898.5
Civilization 1 Sid MeierTurn-based StrategyMPS Labs19919.7
Civilization 2 Sid MeierTurn-based StrategyMPS Labs19969.8
Colonization Sid MeierTurn-based StrategyMPS Labs19949.9
Command and Conquer 1Real-time StrategyWestwood19959.3
Command Conquer Red AlertReal-time StrategyWestwood19969.7
Commander Keen IBM PCPlatformerid Software19907.5
Conquests of CamelotAdventure GameSierra On-Line19906.5
Conquests of the LongbowAdventure GameSierra On-Line19916.5
Cruise for a Corpse IBM PCAdventure GameDelphine19916.5
Curse of the Azure BondscRPGSSI19894.5
Crysis Windows PCBSOD FPSCrytek20077.5
Crystals of ArboreaFlip-screen cRPGSilmarils19927.0
Dark Sun Shattered LandsGeneral cRPGStrategic Sims19936.5
Dark Sun Wake of the RavagerGeneral cRPGStrategic Sims19944.5
Darklands ReviewGeneral cRPGMicroProse19925.5
Darkness Over DaggerfordGeneral cRPGOssian Studios20067.5
Dark Queen of KrynnFlip-screen cRPGMicroMagic19926.5
Death Knights of KrynnFlip-screen cRPGStrategic Sims19904.5
Defender of the CrownAction-strategyCinemaware19865.0
Deliverance AmigaHack n slashDevinart19926.5
Deluxe GalagaShoot 'em upEdgar M. Vigdal19959.0
Descent IBM PCShoot 'em upParallax Software19957.0
Deus Ex 1 GuideAction RPGIon Storm20006.5
Devil's DungeonAncient cRPGC.W. Engel19776.0
Diablo 1 ReviewHack n slashBlizzard North19967.5
Diablo 2 ReviewHack n slashBlizzard North20006.5
Doom 1 ReviewFPSid Software19939.0
Dragon Age: OriginsCasual RPG GameBioWare20093.5
Drakkhen IBM PCGeneral cRPGInfogrames19896.0
Duke Nukem GamesRun and gunApogee1991-966.0
Dune 2 ReviewReal-time StrategyWestwood19928.0
Dungeon Hack IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGDreamforge19937.0
Dungeon Master Atari STFlip-screen cRPGFTL19878.0
Dungeon Master 2 IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGFTL19954.5
Dungeon Rats GuideTactics cRPGIron Tower Studios20168.7
Elder Scrolls ArenaGeneral cRPGBethesda19946.0
Elder Scrolls DaggerfallGeneral cRPGBethesda19966.5
Elder Scrolls MorrowindReddit RPG GameBethesda20021.2
Eye of the Beholder 1Flip-screen cRPGWestwood19917.5
Eye of the Beholder 2Flip-screen cRPGWestwood19917.0
Eye of the Beholder 3Flip-screen cRPGStrategic Sims19936.0
F-15 Strike Eagle 2Flight SimMPS Labs19888.0
F-16 Combat PilotFlight SimDigital Integration19897.0
F-19 Stealth FighterFlight SimMicroprose19889.9
F-117A Stealth Fighter 2.0Flight SimMPS Labs19919.0
F-29 RetaliatorFlight SimDigital Image Design19897.0
F/A-18 InterceptorFlight SimIntellisoft19887.0
Faery Tale AdventurecRPGDavid Joiner19878.5
Falcon IBM PCFlight SimSphere Inc19879.7
Falcon 3.0 IBM PCFlight SimSphere Inc19919.9
Fallout 1 GuidePure cRPGInterplay19979.7
Fallout 2 GuidePure cRPGBlack Isle Studios19988.7
Fallout Resurrection GuidePure cRPGResurrection Team20137.0
Fallout Nevada GuidePure cRPGNevada Team 20156.5
Fallout Olympus 2207Pure cRPGNebesa Games 20215.5
Fate Gates of DawnFlip-screen cRPGreLINE Software19918.5
FIFA International SoccerEnglish FootballCreative Assembly19945.0
Flight Simulator 2Flight SimsubLOGIC19868.5
Flood AmigaPlatformerBullfrog19907.5
Formula One Grand PrixF1 SimulationGeoff Crammond19919.9
Frontier Elite 2 ReviewSpace Flight SimDavid Braben19939.9
FS1 Flight SimulatorFlight SimsubLOGIC19799.9
Future Wars IBM PCAdventure GameDelphine19907.5
Gateway Savage FrontiercRPGBeyond Software19915.0
Ghosts 'n Goblins AmigaPlatformerElite Systems19907.0
Ghouls n Ghosts AmigaPlatformerSoftware Creations19895.0
Gobliiins IBM PCPuzzleCoktel Vision19916.0
Gods IBM PCPlatformerThe Bitmap Brothers19918.0
Golden Axe AmigaHack n slashDementia19908.0
Gothic 1 Windows PCCasual Action RPGPiranha Bytes20005.5
Gothic 2 Windows PCCasual Action RPGPiranha Bytes2003-055.0
Gothic 3 Windows PCCasual RPG GamePiranha Bytes20062.5
Gradius Commodore 64Shoot 'em upSimon Pick19879.8
Guild of Thieves, The AmigaAdventure GameMagnetic Scrolls19876.0
Gunship 2000Flight SimMPS Labs19919.7
Gyruss Commodore 64Shoot 'em upJoe Hellesen19849.8
Half-Life 1 ReviewFPSValve19987.5
Highway EncounterFlip-screen gameCosta Panayi19859.4
Hired Guns IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGDMA Design19937.0
Hordes of the UnderdarkGeneral cRPGBioWare20036.5
Heroes of the LanceHack n slashU.S. Gold Ltd.19883.5
Hybris AmigaShoot 'em upMartin Pederson19889.9
Icewind Dale 1 OriginalCombat cRPGBlack Isle Studios20008.7
Icewind Dale 2 ReviewCombat cRPGBlack Isle Studios20028.5
Immortal IBM PCAdventureSandcastle19915.0
Impossible Mission C64Flip-screenDennis Caswell19849.4
Indianapolis 500 IBM PCVehicle SimPapyrus Design Group19899.3
Indiana Jones Last CrusadeAdventureLucasFilm19896.5
Indiana Jones Fate AtlantisAdventureLucasArts19926.0
Ishar IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGSilmarils19926.0
Ishar 2 IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGSilmarils19935.0
Ishar 3 IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGSilmarils19944.5
Jagged Alliance IBM PCTactics cRPGMadLab19959.5
Jagged Alliance 2 ReviewTactics cRPGSir-Tech19999.9
James Pond AmigaPlatformerVectordean19907.0
Jet 2.0 IBM PCFlight SimsubLOGIC19878.5
Jet Set Willy ZX SpectrumFlip-screenMatthew Smith19849.5
Joe & Mac Caveman NinjaPlatformerElite Systems19926.5
Kampfgruppe AmigaWargameGary Grigsby1985-889.8
Kenshi Game StartsCasual RPG GameLo-Fi Games20133.5
Kick Off 2 AmigaEnglish FootballDino Dini, Anco19909.8
Knight Lore ZX SpectrumFlip-screenUltimate Play the Game19849.6
Knights of the Sky IBM PCWWI DogfightingMPS Labs19909.2
KotOR 1 Windows PCCasual RPG GameBioWare20033.0
KotOR 2 Windows PCStory RPG GameObsidian20042.5
Lands of Lore IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGWestwood Studios19936.2
Lakers versus Celtics NBABasketballElectronic Arts19898.4
Laser Squad IBM PCTurn-based TacticsMythos Games19929.4
Legend of Faerghail AmigaFlip-screen cRPGOlaf Barthel19906.5
Legend of KyrandiaAdventure GameWestwood19926.0
Lemmings AmigaPuzzleDMA Design19919.6
Links Golf IBM PCGolf GameAccess Software19908.8
Liberation Captive 2 AmigacRPGTony Crowther19938.0
Lionheart AmigaPlatformerThalion Software19938.0
Llamatron 2112 AmigaShoot 'em upJeff Minter19919.2
Loom Original VersionAdventure GameLucasFilm19907.0
Lords of Chaos AmigaTurn-based TacticsMythos Games19919.4
Lords of the Realm IBM PCKingdom-managementImpressions Games19948.0
Lotus Games AmigaRacing GameMagnetic Fields19909.0
M1 Tank Platoon IBM PCArmor SimMPS Labs19899.8
Maniac Mansion IBM PCAdventureLucasFilm19887.0
Manic Miner ZX Spectrum
PlatformerMatthew Smith19839.2
Mask of the Betrayer
Story cRPGObsidian20078.0
Master of Magic IBM PCStrategy cRPGSimtex19949.9
MechWarrior 1 ReviewArmor SimDynamix19899.4
Mega Typhoon AmigaShoot 'em upNordlicht19967.0
Menzoberranzan IBM PC
General cRPGDreamForge19945.0
Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0Flight SimsubLOGIC19888.0
Midwinter IBM PCOpen worldMaelstrom19899.0
Monkey Island 2 IBM PCAdventureLucasArts19917.0
Moonstone Amiga OriginalHack n slashRob Anderson19916.0
Mortal Kombat IBM PCVersus FighterProbe Software19939.0
Neverwinter NightscRPGBeyond Software19918.0
Neverwinter Nights 1General cRPGBioWare20028.5
Neverwinter Nights 2General cRPGObsidian20067.5
New Zealand StoryPlatformerChoice19897.0
Oblivion With GunsCasual RPG GameBethesda20060.2
Oids Atari STShoot 'em upFTL19879.7
Operation Wolf IBM PCShoot 'em upBanana Dev19897.5
Operation Stealth IBM PCAdventure GameDelphine19905.5
Panzer General 1 ReviewWargameStrategic Sims19949.3
Paradroid Commodore 64Shoot 'em upAndrew Braybrook19859.9
Parasol Stars AmigaTaito PlatformerOcean Software19929.0
Pawn, The AmigaAdventure GameMagnetic Scrolls19866.0
Perihelion AmigaFlip-screen cRPGMorbid Visions19937.0
PGA Tour Golf IBM PCGolf GameSterling Silver19908.5
Planescape: Torment ReviewStory cRPGBlack Isle Studios19997.5
Pool of Radiance IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGStrategic Sims19886.5
Pools of Darkness IBM PCFlip-screen cRPGStrategic Sims19915.5
Populous ReviewGod GameBullfrog19899.7
PowerMonger ReviewWargameBullfrog19908.5
Quake 1 ReviewFPSid Software19969.7
Quest for Glory IBM PCcRPGSierra On-Line19895.0
R-Type ZX SpectrumShoot 'em upBob Pape19899.8
Railroad TycoonBusiness SimMPS Labs19909.8
Rainbow Islands AmigaTaito PlatformerGraftgold19909.0
Ravenloft Strahd
General cRPGDreamForge19945.5
Ravenloft Stone Prophet
General cRPGDreamForge19955.0
Realms BeyondTactics cRPG------
Rebelstar Games ReviewWargameJ. Gollop1984-889.5
Red Baron IBM PCWWI DogfightingDynamix19909.3
Red Storm Rising IBM PCSub simMPS Labs19899.7
Revs BBC MicroF3 SimulationGeoff Crammond19859.9
RoboCop 3 AmigaFPSDigital Image Design19918.0
Sea Dragon TRS-80Shoot 'em upW. Westmorland19829.0
Secret of the Silver BladescRPGSSI19905.0
Secret of Monkey IslandAdventure GameLucasFilm19907.5
Seek and DestroyShoot 'em upVision Software19937.5
Settlers ReviewReal-time StategyBlue Byte19937.5
Shadow of the Beast  AmigaBeat 'em upReflections19896.5
Shattered SteelMech SimBioWare19968.0
Siege of Dragonspear GuideGeneral cRPGBeamdog20165.0
Silent Storm ReviewTactics cRPGNival Interactive20038.0
SimCity IBM PCCity-buildingMaxis19899.0
Space Hulk Original VersionReal-time TacticsElectronic Arts19938.0
Speedball IBM PCFuture SportsThe Bitmap Brothers19889.0
Speedball 2 IBM PCFuture SportsThe Bitmap Brothers19918.5
Spelljammer IBM PCcRPGCybertech Systems19926.0
StarCraft 1 ReviewReal-time StrategyBlizzard Ent.19989.0
Star Cruiser Apple 2Shoot 'em upNasir Gebelli19809.3
Star Fighter 3000Shoot 'em upFednet19948.0
Star Trek 25th AnniversaryAdventureInterplay19926.0
Star Wars Dark ForcesFPSLucasArts19958.0
Star Wars X-WingSpace Combat SimTotally Games19938.0
Star Wars TIE FighterSpace Combat SimTotally Games19948.5
Starship CommandShoot 'em upPeter Irvin19839.2
Super Invader Apple 2Shoot 'em upM. Hata19799.3
Steel Panthers ReviewWargameSSI19959.2
Storm of Zehir GuideGeneral cRPGObsidian20088.0
Street Fighter 2 MS-DOSversus FighterCapcom19929.0
Strike CommanderFlight SimOrigin Systems19939.0
Sword of SodanHack n slashDiscovery Software19887.5
Swordflight ReviewGeneral cRPGRogueknight2008-239.5
Syndicate Original VersionReal-time TacticsBullfrog19938.5
System Shock IBM PCFPSLooking Glass19947.5
Tales of the Sword CoastGeneral cRPGBioWare20038.0
Target Sol-20Shoot 'em upSteven Dompier1976/779.9
Temple of Elemental EvilTactics cRPGTroika20038.0
Throne of Bhaal ReviewGeneral cRPGBioWare20016.5
Torment NumeneraStory RPG GameinXile Entertainment20174.5
Treasures Savage FrontiercRPGBeyond Software19925.0
Turrican 2 AmigaShoot 'em upFactor 519919.9
Tyranny ObsidianGeneral cRPGObsidian20165.0
Ultima Underworld3D cRPGBlue Sky Productions19924.5
Ultima 7 Black GateGeneral cRPGOrigin Systems19924.5
Underrail ReviewTactics cRPGStygian Software20155.5
Unlimited AdventurescRPGMicroMagic19938.0
Unreal AmigaPlatfomerOrdilogic19936.5
Uridium Commodore 64Shoot 'em upAndrew Braybrook19869.7
Vampire BloodlinesStory RPG GameTroika20044.5
War of the LanceTBS GameSSI
19907.0
Warband ReviewTactics cRPGTaleWorlds
20109.3
Warlords IBM PCWargameSSG
19899.3
Warlords 2 IBM PCWargameSSG
19939.0
WarCraft 1 ReviewReal-time StrategyBlizzard Ent.19947.5
WarCraft 2 ReviewReal-time StrategyBlizzard Ent.19958.5
Wing Commander OriginalSpace SimOrigin Systems19905.5
Witcher Windows PCCasual RPG GameCD Projekt RED20074.0
X-COM UFO DefenseTactics cRPGMythos Games19949.9
X-COM Apocalypse GuideTactics cRPGMythos Games19979.2
Xenon AmigaShoot 'em upThe Bitmap Brothers19887.5
Xenon 2 AmigaShoot 'em upThe Assembly Line19896.0
Xevious Apple 2Shoot 'em upDan Hewitt19849.4
Zak McKracken IBM PCAdventureLucasFilm19887.0
Zarch Acorn ArchimedesShoot 'em upDavid Braben19879.9


cRPG Review Characteristics


cRPG Reviews tables total scores for computer role-playing games (see above) whereas cRPG Design tables scores for cRPGs in each of 11 categories of design.

Some of the above links lead to standalone reviews whereas others lead to indexes that in turn link to dozens upon dozens of articles published on a single classic cRPG.

The reviews on cRPG Blog are formal in structure, are not based on maiden runs, and do not appraise cRPGs through a lens of current gen fads, trends and "sensibilities". Instead, only cRPGs with which I have a degree of expertise are reviewed, and evidence of expertise is supplied by linking to other articles of mine that support my standpoint. For example, the Baldur's Gate 1 evaluation is backed up by over 300 articles totalling 400,000 words (in length akin to eight novels).

cRPG Review Assessment Criteria


cRPG Review assessment criteria is explained in cRPG Design.

Under my exclusive assessment criteria, what ultimately makes or breaks cRPGs is their gameplay which is derived from player-interpretable stats and the interplay of impactful game mechanics (reactivity).

It is impossible for cRPGs to receive passing scores if they employ feeble, light-weight stats and mechanics that might as well not exist for all the impact they have on gameplay.

cRPG Veteran Readership


As a rule, the blog on cRPG reviews goes into great depth on the best cRPGs of all-time; that is, those which are valued by the cRPG connoisseur, tactics aficionado and champion of resource management: cRPG veterans that have two or three decades of genre experience under their belt. 

My formal commentary acknowledges the existence of no other gamer, only the veteran. Casual and mainstream gamers will not be able to understand the meaning of my words let alone relate to anything I write.

Written in King's English, the cRPG blog consists of connoisseur-level cRPG criticism and commentary.

My general commentary is not about discovering new things but rather refinement and reinforcement of what I already know as well as the celebration of my generation's supreme gaming era. I'm not going to weaken what wit remains to me by branching out or leveling down.

If you need proof that my treatment range of gaming is supreme, consider how many of the games are either seminal, destroyed what came before and remained superior to what came after. Also consider how they rendered certain classic genre redundant, and then consider how their legend grows as each decade goes by.

Lastly, consider how many current gen developers attempt to remake many of the best games in my treatment range: since they can't match let alone beat them with their own creations, they try to make the classic better by including features that pander to casuals who lack gaming pedigree, aptitude and aesthetic taste: achievements, story-mode and shaders that plasticize pixel graphics.

As such, all they end up with is a modern-day ape-caricature of the austere original. What an embarrassment, they have no shame, disgraceful.

cf. Reddit RPG Game Remakes for more info.

cRPG Types


Pure cRPGs are isometric, turn-based, non-linear, open-ended and reactive. The are usually ambitious and make a concerted effort to simulate tabletop RPGs. Since they require actual human thought and a degree of literacy to play, pure cRPGs are not popular. If mentioned by mainstream commentary at all, it is usually a cheap trick to score credibility points with cRPG veterans. However, only fools are taken in by token acknowledgements made by day-laboring hacks of mainstream computer game journalism.

Along with pure cRPGs, tactics cRPGs represent a facet of refined gaming. But while the best of pure cRPGs are occasionally mentioned by the above-mentioned charlatans, the best tactics ones go by almost wholly ignored. Tactics cRPGs often feature turn-based combat, isometric perspective and robust systems design. Of all cRPGs, they have the best gameplay. In short, tactics cRPGs tend to be made by gamers, for gamers.

As a rule, General cRPGs do everything pretty well and appeal to a vast audience, but they don't water themselves down (too much) in order to do so. The quintessential example is Baldur's Gate.

Casual RPG Games can be played by absolutely anyone, which is a bad thing. Pandering to the lowliest "gamers" conceivable, casual RPG Games are easy to get into and quick to beat. No gaming aptitude or pedigree is required to play casual RPG games. Advertised as deep and immersive by publishers and hack-journos, casual RPG Games are in actuality as shallow as puddles. Suffice it to say that casual RPG Games are absolute stinkers unworthy of cRPG-hood. Morrowind is a prime example.

Action RPGs receive their designation due to placing too much emphasis on the twitch skills of the player (e.g., FPS skills). Almost without exception, action RPGs commonly come out as casual games. Action RPGs include first-person games such as Deus Ex as well as hack n slash games such as Diablo 2.

Overall, a game-type that has cRPG appended is respectable whereas "RPG Game" is a mocking.

Note: I have since added some non-cRPGs to the above table. Mainly because I don't want to limit myself to what I perceive to be a disappointing genre. But since genre-type is clearly indicated in the table readers should have no trouble finding what they want to read about.


Main Indexes:

cRPG Blog cRPG Design cRPG Reviews cRPG List
cRPG Definition cRPG History cRPG Rankings cRPG vs cRPG

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