Obsidian Entertainment is not a huge game studio at all. In fact, as of January 2025, after the release of their much-anticipated RPG, Avowed, the studio employed only 300 people, a number that is microscopic compared to the multiple of thousands for EA andRockstar.
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Despite that, Obsidian Entertainment knows how to entertain its fans. Their expertise at crafting vast open worlds with deep lore and intricate RPG mechanics is matched by very few studios. Scattered amidst their expansive roster of RPG games are a few non-RPG titles too and these ten are the best of the bunch.
A World Where Evil Won Before You Even Got There
In mostRPGs, the story starts with a hero rising up against an oppressive force. Tyranny flips the script. The war is already over, evil has won and players take on the role of a Fatebinder, an enforcer for Kyros, the tyrannical overlord ruling the land. The story doesn’t revolve around stopping evil; it’s about navigating the aftermath, making difficult choices and determining how the world should function under Kyros' rule.
With a branching narrative where every decision carries significant weight, Tyranny is one of Obsidian’s most unique RPGs. The game introduced mechanics like the Conquest mode, where players shape the world’s history before even stepping into the game itself. And true to Obsidian’s strengths, the dialogue-driven gameplay offers multiple paths, many of which have no clear good or bad choices, just different shades of control, manipulation and survival.
Not Quite Honey, I Shrunk The Kids
In 2020, Obsidian took a break from creating massive RPGs to make something completely different: an online survival game where players are shrunken down to the size of an ant and forced to survive in a backyard filled with towering blades of grass, massive spiders and other dangers. Grounded may have started small (literally and figuratively), but by the time it fully launched in 2022, it had evolved into one of the best survival games out there.
The game blendsco-opmechanics with a lighthearted-yet-surprisingly deep story, revealing what really happened to the kids and why they ended up trapped at the size of insects. Base building, crafting and combat all feel polished, and the world’s design is full of small details that make an ordinary backyard feel like an enormous, living ecosystem. With regular updates and new content, Grounded proved that Obsidian could step outside its RPG comfort zone and still deliver something special.
8The Outer Worlds
When The Outer Worlds Feels a Little too Familiar
The Outer Worlds
Featuring a corporate dystopia where mega-corporations control everything, from people’s salaries to their very lives, The Outer Worlds was instantly compared to Fallout: New Vegas in space. And for good reason. It carried over Obsidian’s signature branching choices, dark humor and deep RPG mechanics, but with a much smaller scope.
The game was a solid return to form for the studio, featuring multiple planets to explore, quirky characters and plenty of ways to approach quests. The combat wasn’t its strongest suit, but the real appeal lay in the absurd world-building and player freedom. Want to be a ruthless corporate lackey? A rebellious outlaw? A bumbling idiot with low-intelligence dialogue options? All are valid playstyles, making The Outer Worlds feel like a proper RPG sandbox.
A Familiar Blade in a New Sheath
Obsidian’s newest RPG takes players to the world of Pillars of Eternity, but instead of the isometric perspective of the latter, Avowed shifts to a first-person, action-RPG format reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls. The game leans into spellcasting, swordplay and dual-wielding mechanics, allowing players to mix and match abilities in a way that feels both strategic and fast-paced.
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Despite the change in perspective, Avowed carries Obsidian’s unmistakable storytelling touch. Dialogue is rich with choices that meaningfully shape the world, and factions within the Living Lands react dynamically to the player’s actions. While comparisons to Skyrim are inevitable, Avowed embraces a more structured narrative, keeping a tighter focus on questlines and character-driven storytelling rather than a sprawling, do-anything open world. While the game doesn’t attempt to reinvent the RPG formula, it polishes familiar mechanics with the depth and choice-driven design that have long defined Obsidian’s best work.
6Pentiment
A Hand-Painted Journey Through History
Most RPGs focus on grand, sweeping narratives with swords and magic. Pentiment is different. It’s a murder mystery set in 16th-century Bavaria, where players step into the role of Andreas Maler, an artist caught in the middle of a town’s turbulent history. Instead of leveling up through combat, players navigate social hierarchies, uncover secrets and shape the story through dialogue choices.
The art style, inspired by medieval manuscripts and early printed books, immediately sets it apart. Every frame feels like a living, breathing painting, with intricate details that make the world feel authentic. Beneath its stylized visuals lies a story about history, knowledge and how the past is written by those in power. It’s a slow-burn game, but for those who appreciatedeep storytellingand historical authenticity, Pentiment is one of Obsidian’s most-unique works.
5South Park: The Stick of Truth
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South Park: The Stick of Truth
Licensed games have a history of being terrible, but South Park: The Stick of Truth shattered expectations. Developed by Obsidian and closely supervised by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, it felt like playing through an actual season of the show. From the hand-drawn art style to the absurd humor, everything was perfectly in line with South Park’s world.
Underneath the crude jokes and over-the-top gags, there was a surprisingly solid RPG. The turn-based combat, heavily inspired by Paper Mario, was simple yet engaging, and the story, where kids take their backyard LARPing way too seriously, was filled with hilarious moments. Few games capture the essence of their source material as well as The Stick of Truth, making it one of Obsidian’s most memorable releases.
4Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
The Sequel that’s Almost as Good as the Original
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
After the massive success of Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian had a lot to prove with the sequel. Deadfire didn’t just live up to expectations, it surpassed them. Expanding on everything from combat to exploration, the game introduced a fully-explorable archipelago, allowing players to captain their own ships and engage in naval battles.
The writing remained as strong as ever, with deep lore, branching narratives and morally-complex choices that felt even weightier than before. The real-time-with-pause combat returned, but Deadfire also added a full turn-based mode for those who preferred a more tactical approach. Despite critical acclaim, Deadfire struggled to reach a wider audience, making it one of Obsidian’s most underrated gems.
3Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
The Darkest Star Wars Story
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
Following BioWare’s Knights of the Old Republic was no easy task, but Obsidian delivered something entirely different. Where the first game was a classic hero’s journey, KOTOR II was a deconstruction of Star Wars itself. The lines between good and evil were blurred, and the story delved into themes of trauma, loss and the failures of the Jedi.
The game introduced one of the most-fascinating characters in Star Wars history: Kreia. Her philosophy on the Force challenged everything players thought they knew, making her one of the most-compelling mentors (or villains) in any RPG. Unfortunately, the game was rushed to meet deadlines, resulting in a cut ending and unfinished content. But even in its incomplete state, KOTOR II remains a masterclass in storytelling.
2Fallout: New Vegas
The Game That Defines Obsidian
Fallout: New Vegas
No game represents Obsidian’s strengths better than Fallout: New Vegas. Given just eighteen months to develop it, the studio managed to create one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. Unlike Fallout 3 or Fallout 4, which focused on grand narratives, New Vegas put player choice above all else. Almost every faction, quest and decision could be approached in multiple ways, leading to wildly-different outcomes.
From its branching storylines to its morally-gray choices, New Vegas embodied everything that made Obsidian stand out. It may have launched with bugs (thanks to its rushed development cycle), but that didn’t stop it from becoming a fan favorite. Over a decade later, it remains the gold standard for RPG storytelling, proving that sometimes, even with limited time and resources, great writing can carry a game to legendary status.
1Pillars of Eternity
Obsidian’s Magnum Opus
Pillars of Eternity
When Pillars of Eternity launched, it was a love letter to classic isometric RPGs like Baldur’s Gate and Planescape: Torment. Kickstarter-backed and fueled by passion, the game revived the genre with deep world-building, intricate lore and a complex combat system that rewarded tactical thinking.
Obsidian crafted a brand-new fantasy world filled with gods, souls, and a protagonist suffering from visions tied to past lives. The sheer depth of choice, from character builds to story decisions, made every playthrough feel unique. It may not have reached mainstream popularity, but for RPG fans, Pillars of Eternity stands as Obsidian’s finest achievement.
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