Best BioWare Games to Play Right Now

BioWare used to be a household name in the games industry when it came to developing and releasing immersive RPGs with truly compelling stories and characters that you could invest in. While they’ve certainly lost some steam in recent years, the studio’s still got a seriously impressive portfolio of games that you should still check out if you haven’t already. Here’s a quick list of the best BioWare games that you can play right now.

Mass Effect 2

Best BioWare Games

We’ll get the obvious one out of the way first. The Mass Effect series is still held in high regard today as one of the best sci-fi video game sagas ever made, and without a doubt, Mass Effect 2 can be crowned as the best entry in the trilogy.

Even as a completely new player, Mass Effect 2 is a fantastic entry point in every aspect. Gameplay-wise, it still holds up well, and it’s a far smoother experience than the clunkiness that was the original Mass Effect.

Shepard is thrust into a new environment and essentially gets a fresh start with the mysterious Cerberus organization, and the game does a good job of recapping key elements of the first story so you won’t be too lost.

And most importantly, the characters are all superbly written –both old and newcomers. There’s a lot of DLC here to help flesh out the story even further, and you just can’t go wrong with this one.

Dragon Age: Origins

Best BioWare Games

The Dragon Age series is another cornerstone of the BioWare portfolio, and we think that Dragon Age: Origins still stands out as the best in the trilogy. The gameplay may feel a little dated in some areas, but it’s not as clunky or as messy as the first Mass Effect, and the story and characters really help to carry the experience even now.

This is the entry where you’re first introduced to iconic series characters like the bewitching Morrigan, and other unforgettable faces like the knight Alistair. Origins sets the tone for the rest of the series, and if you find yourself having fun with this one, chances are good that you’ll love its sequels as well, Dragon Age II and Inquisition.

Now’s a great time to catch up with this series before DA4 becomes more of a real thing.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Best BioWare Games

Directed by Casey Hudson, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is another beloved BioWare classic, and also considered to be one of the best Star Wars video games ever made that wasn’t just a quick cash grab or a movie tie-in project.

The game is set before the formation of the Galactic Empire itself, and players can create their own unique character at the start of the game and customize them to their liking. As you play through the game, you’ll quickly find that your actions have consequences as everything you do will reward you with light or dark points, which determine whether you’re more aligned with the light or dark side of the Force.

It’s similar to Mass Effect’s paragon and renegade system, except set in the Star Wars universe. What more could you ask for?

Neverwinter Nights

Best BioWare Games

If you’re looking for a more DND-focused experience, BioWare’s got you covered as well. One of their earlier games, Neverwinter Nights is framed within the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of Dungeons and Dragons, and recently got an enhanced edition and re-release back in 2019, making it a good pickup on PS4, Xbox One, and even the Nintendo Switch.

Players will have to create their own unique character and go through a series of storylines while collecting rare items and talking to NPCs to progress. The game follows the DND ruleset, which means that most of your actions are determined by dice rolls, which will dictate how effective they are.

Baldur’s Gate II

Best BioWare Games

With the recent release of Larian’s Baldur’s Gate III on Steam early access, we’d be remiss not to mention Baldur’s Gate II as well. Whereas Larian’s game makes use of their signature tactical turn-based combat system from the Divinity games, those looking for the classic top-down isometric RPG combat will undoubtedly feel more at home with Baldur’s Gate II.

After creating a protagonist, players will take control of a party of up to six characters as you play through the story. The main story quests can take up to 50 to 60 hours of playtime, but if you’re planning on checking out all of the side quests, your playtime can easily go over 100 hours.

As you recruit NPCs to your party, depending on your party combination, you could potentially unlock new unique friendships or even romance plotlines. There’s still a ton to discover and enjoy in Baldur’s Gate II, especially for new players looking to see what all the fuss is about with this series.