Ranking the D&D video games from best to worst. In what has unquestionably been an even bigger undertaking than ranking the Final Fantasy games, its time to look back now at an astonishing 40 years (!) of history where Dungeons & Dragons was translated into the electronic medium. To keep this manageable and less than 100 pages long, I'm going. Among all (roughly) modern D&D games Troika’s Temple of Elemental Evil definitely stands out. Not only does it use a famously complex 3.5 D&D ruleset, but it uses a LOT of it. Plenty of character-building options and a well-developed turn-based combat system make ToEE the most complete and faithful adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons’ rules to. Among all (roughly) modern D&D games Troika’s Temple of Elemental Evil definitely stands out. Not only does it use a famously complex 3.5 D&D ruleset, but it uses a LOT of it. Not only is Planescape: Torment the best D&D game to have been made thus far, many would argue its place as the best RPG game ever made.

D&D has been part of popular culture for over 40 years.

Even its creator Gary Gygax could not have possibly predicted the reach and popularity that this pen-and-paper tabletop game would achieve. Naturally, its successes have allowed it to seep into different types of media—video games included.

Thus far, D&D’s video games have followed the RPG formula. These titles also tend to translate the tabletop’s intricate rulesets into engaging video game mechanics, where players can create and customize characters. Plus many titles on this list boast fantastic narrative and writing, thanks in part to a significant amount of published literature and tabletop content for D&D.

Let’s dive in and see which games are the most fun to play in the D&D franchise.

NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, the video games on this list are available only on PC (either Windows, Mac or Linux).

10. Dungeons & Dragons Online

Released in 2006, Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) is the franchise’s first major take at an MMO title.

When it originally came out DDO scratched the online multiplayer itch with third-person perspective combat, cooperative quest-based progression, and customizable build paths.

Its graphics were functional in quality, but they sufficed for the game’s basic premise.

Unfortunately DDO hasn’t aged very gracefully in either graphics engine or gameplay.

Still, it earns a spot on this list for being a decent first shot at an online D&D video gaming experience. On the bright side it also came before D&D as a franchise really took off through Internet fandom, so maybe there’s hope for another similar multiplayer title.

9. The Temple of Elemental Evil

Released in 2003, The Temple of Elemental Evil follows the RPG formula taken by D&D video game titles from the previous decade.

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However this game takes players away from the Forgotten Realms setting, which had become something of a favorite for D&D content.

Instead we are taken to Greyhawk, the first world designed by Gary Gygax for the tabletop’s first edition.

Temple of Elemental Evil uses turn-based combat, and many of its mechanics are based on the D&D 3.5 edition ruleset that released in the same year.

This title’s fidelity to the tabletop’s rules serves as a particular highlight overall, though it does lack the same narrative punch and writing chops as some other video games in the franchise. Still a really fun game to play if you’re a big fan of D&D as a whole.

8. Tales from Candlekeep: Tomb of Annihilation

Released in October 2017, Tales from Candlekeep: Tomb of Annihilation is set in the Chult region of the Forgotten Realms, one of D&D’s flagship settings.

The game’s main story follows the same plot threads as D&D 5th edition’s Tomb of Annihilation adventure module.

Unlike many preceding video games in the franchise, Tales from Candlekeep shies away from basing its mechanics too wholly on any one edition of D&D’s ruleset.

Instead combat follows an amalgamation of rules that resembles standard D&D fare adjusted particularly for a dungeon crawler focus.

In that regard, the gameplay is more reminiscent of the turn-based combat seen in the XCOM series than previous D&D video games.

Players get to choose the members of their main party from a set of premade adventurers, each with their own specializations that give you leeway to develop multiple iterations of tactics and combos.

Typical of RPGs, adventurers progress by undertaking quests that reward experience, gold, items, all that fun stuff.

The game also contains a map generation system that lends itself to multiple replays so it’s probably gonna keep you entertained for a while.

7. Neverwinter

Unrelated to other Neverwinter-themed titles (which we’ll come to later), Neverwinter is a free-to-play MMORPG available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

The game takes place in the eponymous city of Neverwinter where players can undertake different quests and storylines.

All the narratives and locations take inspiration from novels written in the Forgotten Realms setting. However recent content includes tie-ins to official modules published for the tabletop game.

You can also experience player-created content through the game’s “Foundry” system.

Neverwinter initially started with mechanics that took after D&D’s 4th edition rules. Gameplay involved players creating characters based on one of eight classes, each with its distinct roles and abilities(typical of D&D).

Players could team together in up to five-man parties while completing content. With the advent of D&D’s 5th edition, however, the game rebalanced its classes in 2019 to better match the most recent edition’s ruleset.

Like other MMORPGs, your characters grow more powerful by leveling up and acquiring better equipment. Though now you can do it in D&D-style!

6. Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition

This isometric RPG takes place in the eponymous Icewind Dale, a region in D&D’s Forgotten Realms setting.

Based on the Icewind Dale Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore, the game boasts fantastically-written dialogue and hours of content through quests and exploration.

Players create and control an adventuring party of up to six characters. Each character receives special class designation and stats, which determine their effectiveness in combat, skill access, and spellcasting ability.

You also improve these characters by earning experience points from quests and enemies.

Black Isle Studios(who is responsible for other great favorites on this list) developed the original Icewind Dale game.

Much later Beamdog took over its Enhanced Edition remake, which packaged in the original DLCs as well.

The Enhanced Edition features improved graphics, UI changes, bug fixes, and gameplay tweaks.

For both new and experienced D&D fans I’d say Icewind Dale will definitely scratch that classic RPG itch.

5. Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition

The original Neverwinter Nights had been developed by Bioware with Beamdog taking over the game’s 2012 remake.

This title contains hundreds of hours of content set in D&D’s Forgotten Realms.

In addition to the main storyline there are numerous side-quests and subplots. Players receive rewards (such as experience and items) for completing content outside of the main questline, so there is a lot of incentive to partake in engaging different characters and exploring areas—a highlight of the Neverwinter Nights experience.

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The actual gameplay mechanics are mainly based on D&D’s original 3rd edition ruleset, which gives you many options in customizing characters.

Practically everything you do in the game relies on chance, based on a 20-sided die roll. You have some control over the results based on character stats and abilities, but there will always be a level of randomness to the successes and failures.

The game also has modding compatibility which adds more replay value through fan-made mods(and there are dozens o