Obsidian Entertainment Games With The Best Real-Time Combat, Ranked

Obsidian Entertainment is one of the most beloved RPG developers around. Despite the roadblocks they’ve endured, the studio continues to make quality role-playing games that fans can’t get enough of.

From CRPG throwbacks to modern action RPGs, Obsidian are kings of this genre and know how to make their role-playing experiences as riveting as possible. Their takes on real-time combat have been amazing more often than not, letting players micromanage their parties in combat or control a single character as they lay waste to the many threats standing in their way.

8

Neverwinter Nights 2

The Combat Can Be Clumsy At Time, But The Real-Time Tactics Are Fun To Mess Around With Nevertheless

Neverwinter Nights 2

RPG

Narrative

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Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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Released

October 31, 2006

ESRB

rp

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Platform(s)

Microsoft Windows, macOS

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Neverwinter Nights 2 is a sequel to a beloved BioWare game that more fans need to check out. It’s a classic CRPG that boasts impressive depth and an easy-to-digest story that doesn’t complicate things too much.

The combat occurs in real-time, but players can pause the action to give individual instructions or prioritize healing. This hybrid combat system makes the best of both worlds and ensures that players can make the most of fast real-time combat without being overwhelmed if they have to manage multiple party members at once.

7

Alpha Protocol

The Game Can Still Be Janky At Times, But It Never Gets In The Way Of A Player’s Fun

Systems

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Released

June 1, 2010

ESRB

m

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Alpha Protocol is an espionage RPG that could’ve been great had bugs not dampened the impressions this title made at launch. After most of the glitches were ironed out, fans were treated to an excellent role-playing game that combined modern stealth and action gameplay for a tantalizing combination.

Players could embody one of the three JBs of spy media (James Bond, Jason Bourne, or Jack Bauer) as they made their way through numerous missions and completed objectives however they saw fit. Players can use both ranged and melee combat to take out their foes or go down the silent and charming route, depending on what suits their fancy.

6

Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

The Game’s Auto-Combat Can Be Managed With Great Care To Unleash Abilities At The Right Time

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Released

December 6, 2004

ESRB

T For Teen due to Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

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Knights of the Old Republic 2 is another Obsidian game that came out buggy and unfinished, tarnishing its reputation in the eyes of many. It’s a shame since most people who gave this title a fair shot were impressed by how riveting the story was.

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Kreia has established herself as the greatest Star Wars villain in the eyes of many. Before fighting their mentor, the protagonists must go through their fair share of trials and tribulations as they become masters in combat and use a wealth of Jedi techniques to take out anyone and anything standing in their way.

5

Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

A Great Improvement Over The First Game, With Multi-classing Being One Of The Best Additions

Systems

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Released

May 8, 2018

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ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

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Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is a refinement of the first game that features robust combat, multiclassing, and a whole lot of options to choose from when heading into combat. Players can use stealth to position themselves before ambushing enemies and taking them out in no time.

A highlight of Pillars of Eternity 2 is the ship traversal, with players loving the act of hunting down bounties and boarding their ships. The music and combat are top-notch during these segments and ensure that players will never think about engaging in complex ship combat when the real-time alternative is so much better.

4

Tyranny

The Inclusion Of Team Attacks Coupled With A Robust Magical System Helps Tyranny Stand Out

Released

November 10, 2016

ESRB

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t

Platform(s)

Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS

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Tyranny is a CRPG that could’ve been generational had it achieved its full vision. As things stand, fans will still love the journey this game takes them on, even if the ending can be a bit too sudden for most people’s liking.

The combat rewards players for building up Loyalty and Fear with their companions, letting them use various tag-team techniques in the heat of battle. It’s a great way to enhance the splendor of Tyranny‘s combat, with fans always having the option of pausing the game if they want to micromanage certain things in battle.

3

Fallout: New Vegas

Simple Yet Engaging Combat That Can Be Played In Either First Or Third-Person

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Released

October 19, 2010

ESRB

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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

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There’s a reason why many people see Fallout: New Vegas as the best Obsidian game ever made. The role-playing in this title is off the charts as players take their Courier on an adventure for the ages, with the hunt for Lenny spiraling into a plot to take over control of New Vegas.

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Combat is great in New Vegas, with players enjoying a palpable sense of growth as their fragile Courier transforms into a legend of the Mojave. The satisfaction players enjoy from taking out a horde of cazadors after being decimated by them early on is a thrill fans can’t get enough of.

2

The Outer Worlds

First-Person Combat Where Players Can Use Guns Or Melee Weapons To Beat Down Their Foes

Released

October 25, 2019

ESRB

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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

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OpenCritic Rating

Strong

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While the short length and lack of interesting world-building may take away from The Outer Words to an extent, the title more than makes up for it with its stellar visuals and fun combat. Players can use both ranged and melee weaponry to beat down their foes to a pulp.

Getting up close and personal with enemies is a viable strategy, but players who want to prioritize self-preservation would prefer to use the many sci-fi guns in the game instead. Shocking and melting foes is a thrill that fans can’t get enough of and ensures that players will love switching out and modding their weapons till the very end of The Outer Worlds.

1

Grounded

Nailing Perfect Blocks And Finding Reliable Weapons Makes Combat More Manageable

Grounded

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Released

September 27, 2022

ESRB

Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Violence

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OpenCritic Rating

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Strong

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Unlike most of Obsidian’s games, Grounded is a co-op survival title that is more competent than players would assume. It’s a video game version of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids where players control one of four miniaturized characters who must survive against regular pests that have become gigantic.

Combat in Grounded is heavily reliant on perfect blocks, and this is something the game hammers in early on. Players who eventually master defense can use their attack windows to punish foes, acquiring more powerful weaponry in the process to deal with tougher foes.

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Grounded: 6 Best Trinkets, Ranked

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Trinkets in Obsidian’s shrunken survival game Grounded just provide passive bonuses, but some are so effective they become essential.