Is this some kind of a bad joke? What the heck is Fallout
3(!!!) doing here? And Oblivion? And Fable? Diablo II? These are barely cRPGs and more like action games. There are so many great cRPGs out there and you choose something like this. I'm not talking about your taste, everyone likes different things, but Fallout 3 isn't even an cRPG - it's FPS! Same goes to Deus Ex, though it has some cRPG elements so I can understand that (consequences of your choices). Diablo II? Do you call slashing hundreds of enemies an cRPG? Oblivion - same as Diablo - is more action game than cRPG, games like that are called hack'n slashes. Mass Effect isn't the best choice too but it's not that bad as well. I haven't played Fable much so I can't say if it is a cRPG or not, all I know is that I just don't like it
So I will tell what cRPGs should be on this list and why.
First you made a good choice with:
Planescape Torment - deep, long and great dialogues which are essential for this game are something others should learn from. In this game combat doesn't really matter much so you can focus on actual roleplaying - dialogues etc.
Neverwinter Nights - while campaign is just a boring hack'n slash this game allows players to play 'real' RPG online - with a GM, so you don't need anymore looking for someone to play with you a RPG - you just play NWN in multiplayer.
Baldur's Gate - This game was one of the first "new" cRPGs and made this genre popular, after Fallout.
KotOR - I played it but didn't like it and never finished so I won't say anything. All I know is that people in general are saying it is a good cRPG.
Games you should include in this list:
Fallout - First "new" cRPG, open world but not empty (as in most new sandbox cRPGs), filled with quests, interesting postapocalyptic world etc. You could play the way you like - idiot with a weapon, diplomat etc. Classic and the first 'real' cRPG, not a dungeon crawler or hack'n slash.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - same as Fallout - you can play whoever you want, multiple quest solutions, interesting world where technical advance pushes off magic etc.
Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines - great world that cannot be seen in any other cRPG, dark atmosphere and best voice acting ever made in a computer games. Same goes to facial expression - even new games cannot be compared with it and "
" or "
" Oblivion's facial expressions looks just retarded and not serious when compared to Bloodlines. Multiple quest solutions and different dialogues and playstyle dependable on your vampire clan choice (which is much, I mean really MUCH, different than just selecting thief or mage in other cRPG games). NPCs lies to you and manipulate you, you don't get everything straight as in most games.
Temple of Elemental Evil - Best tactical turn-based combat system, which should be included in most games with izometric view.
The Witcher - great Choices and Consequences, not seen in cRPGs so often, unfortunately. Different quest solutions with consequences, no good/evil like in nearly all fantasy cRPGs. Hard choices etc.
Gothic - sandbox + good story, this is how sandbox games should be made. Not just random running around but a real story. While this game is not really great as a 'true' cRPG it is greatly made sandbox cRPG where you decide where to go and what you do next (though Fallout is better in this)
So top ten cRPGs should be like this in example (you could change the order or some games, it doesn't really matter)
Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines
The Witcher
Planescape Torment
Fallout
Neverwinter Nights
Arcanum
Baldur's Gate
Deus Ex
Temple of Elemental Evil
Gothic
