Games

Best Leveling Systems In Western RPGs

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Christoph Rediske

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Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Leveling up in Western RPGs allows for meaningful role-playing choices that impact gameplay significantly.
The leveling systems in games like Tyranny and Gothic are immersive, enhancing combat skills and overall gameplay experience.
Games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Fallout: New Vegas offer deep level-up systems that require strategic stat investments for success.

Western RPGs allow players to engage with deep role-playing mechanics that let them either take on the role of an original character or a premade one. Regardless of what choice players make, the RPG goodness awaiting them will be a joy to experience.

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There are many systems in this genre that players love to interact with, and a simple leveling system can take on a life of its own if players know what they’re doing. From meaningful stat investments to multi-class opportunities, many Western RPGs know exactly how to keep players engaged for the long haul.

8 Tyranny

Each Level Enhances The Role-Playing Options At A Player’s Behest

Tyranny

Systems

Platform(s): Linux , Microsoft Windows , macOS
Released: November 10, 2016

A unique CRPG that explores the nature of evil in meaningful ways, the stellar writing of this title is held up by fun gameplay. Pillars of Eternity fans know what to expect here, but Tyranny does just enough to help it stand out as a unique game in its own right.

With each level, players can shape the Fatebinder in whatever manner they see fit. They can be a magic expert who can create a bunch of unique spells with ease, or a physical behemoth with no equal. It helps that every level feels meaningful and helps players take on tougher enemies with more confidence.

7 Baldur’s Gate 3

Every Level Up Feels Meaningful And Lets Players Tackle Tougher Encounters

Despite only having twelve levels, the stellar pacing of Baldur’s Gate 3 ensures that players won’t find this system limiting in any way. Players can build up a class and specialize as they gain levels, giving them access to a whole host of unique abilities.

This means that every level feels like a major step forward, letting players access a whole host of skills that can help them take down tough foes by the skin of their teeth. It seems like a simple leveling system, but what players choose across these twelve levels completely changes their approach in any given situation.

6 Gothic

Gaining Experience And Investing It To Level Up By Talking To Certain Masters Is Incredibly Satisfying

Gothic

Systems

Released: November 23, 2001
Developer(s): Piranha Bytes

One of the most immersive Western RPGs players can get their hands on, Gothic is a cult classic that fans love for its immersive world design. The game wastes no time in establishing players as weak and helpless, with most enemies able to wipe out the Nameless Hero in no time.

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It’s only after players reach a camp that they understand how to invest their experience, speaking to several masters to improve their combat skills and raise attributes. With enough training, players slowly become a one-man army that can take out tough-as-nails orcs without too many problems.

5 Wildermyth

The Party Of Heroes Gets Stronger And More Powerful With Each Level

Released: June 15, 2021
Developer(s): Worldwalker Games

One of the most interesting indie RPGs that combines turn-based tactical gameplay with procedural storytelling, Wildermyth promises playtimes that can last for hours without players getting bored. It helps that the leveling system is unique and helps players transform their ragtag group of heroes into pillars of justice over the course of a memorable campaign.

With each level, players become quite strong and gain access to useful abilities that can turn the tide of combat in a flash. Each level feels like a major achievement, which is why a hero’s death or retirement is so hard to digest for some.

4 Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Multi-Classing And Substantial Level Ups Are A Joy To Play With

Pillars of Eternity 2 and its prequel came out during a modern CRPG revival and let players enjoy a naval adventure for the ages. The worldbuilding and lore are a blast to explore, with the leveling system letting players go all out in the development of The Watcher and his friends if players don’t want them to auto-level.

Multi-classing is an excellent introduction that gives players more options to mess around with for every level. Even if players choose to stick to a single class, the sheer number of options at their fingertips means that most players won’t feel like they’re missing out on anything and helps them enjoy a deep and satisfying leveling system.

3 Divinity: Original Sin 2

The Difference Of A Single Level Can Make For A World Of Difference In Encounters

Released: September 14, 2017

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is one of the greatest CRPGs ever made and set the stage for Larian Entertainment to wow fans with their work on Baldur’s Gate 3. The game is known for being quite challenging, with a single level often making the difference between victory and defeat.

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Every level allows players to acquire new skills, improve their stats, and use better equipment to bolster their Physical and Magical Armor. It’s one of the most meaningful leveling systems that players must capitalize on if they don’t want to be flattened by their enemies.

2 Disco Elysium

The Unique Stats In The Game Make Every Stat Investment All The More Meaningful

Released: October 15, 2019
Developer(s): ZA/UM

One of the most unique RPGs players can get their hands on, Disco Elysium manages to be an intense and fascinating experience despite lacking any traditional combat. Instead, dialogue and skill checks form the bulk of a memorable experience where players solve a mysterious murder case in Revachol.

Every level up is meaningful since players get to decide the skills they want to be stronger, even if that may lead to these areas of Harry’s mind messing with him at times. This leveling mechanic is accompanied by the Thought Cabinet, which gives players random buffs based on the things they decide to dwell on.

1 Fallout: New Vegas

The Amazing Role-Playing Chops Of This Game Make Every Level Up Exciting

Released: October 19, 2010

Fallout: New Vegas features one of the deepest systems in the genre that fans can enjoy. It combines the best of old and new Fallout to make for an unforgettable experience, and players must be wary of the stats they’re investing in if they want to make the most of this game’s role-playing opportunities.

It’s fine to put some stats on the backburner if players want to master others, helping them in dialogue, exploration, and combat. Turning into a gun-toting Courier is as easy as they come, but one can also be a silver-tongued devil if they don’t want combat to dominate the bulk of the experience.