A lot of the best tabletop games have been around as long as video games. In fact, some tabletop games have been around a lot longer. They were a great way of getting together with friends and role-playing as someone else in another world. For years, games like Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer, and Cyberpunk have captured the attention of many players and have had an impact on pop culture for decades.
We all know by now that if something gains a lot of popularity, it’ll likely be made into a video game somehow. Especially since roleplaying games are very popular among console and PC players alike.
In this article, we’re going to go over the best tabletop games that became video games. It is important to note that we’re only covering video games based on tabletop games already in existence. We will NOT be covering the tabletop/video game combo that saw a tabletop game come out based on the video game.
Neverwinter Nights – (2002)
[Image via Bioware]
- Tabletop Developer: TSR/Wizards of the Coast
- Video Game Developer: BioWare
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Based on the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of Dungeons and Dragons, Neverwinter Nights is a real treat for any DnD fans. Developed by BioWare, this game has over 100 hours of playtime. On top of this, all of the rules of the video game are based on the rules from the original tabletop rulebook.
Everything is set in the middle of a mysterious plague that is ravaging the lands. Quests will have you go through Neverwinter, with dozens of main and optional quests.
Character animations and combat actions are very fluid which is very amazing for a game at the time.
With Steam’s Enhanced version available, players can also expect two expansion packs as well as a large multiplayer server that’s still active. If you ever wanted to explore Neverwinter with a compelling story, this is a game that should be on your radar.
MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries – (1996)
[Image via Activision]
- Tabletop Developer: BattleTech
- Video Game Developer: Activision
The last game that Activision worked on for the BattleTech franchise, Mercenaries one of the best. As an expansion to Mechwarrior 2: 31st Century Combat, you are part of a mercenary group that is caught in a war between four factions.
The game allows you to choose whichever missions you want from any faction at any time. Also, every mission that pays you also allow you to decide where your finances go. Plus, you have a say in how it’s distributed. Yet that all pales in comparison to the mech combat.
What made MechWarrior such a blast was the variety of mechs based on the tabletop that you could play as. From the iconic Timber Wolf to the behemoth Summoner, there are dozens of mechs to fight and use. That leaves one a lot of replay time with this game. It also never gets old hearing the AI confirming a kill or saying a mission success every time.
Shadowrun Returns – (2013)
[Image via Harebrained Scheme]
- Tabletop Developer: FASA, Fantasy Productions, & Catalyst Game Labs
- Video Game Developer: Harebrained Schemes
Arguably one of the best games of the Shadowrun IP is Shadowrun Returns. It is certainly returning to form, ever since the first game graced the Super Nintendo. This gives fans new and old an unforgettable experience of this cult classic.
The main campaign follows your hero tracking down a killer after receiving the news of the death of your partner. You are on a quest for survival when all leads to one of the most powerful megacorporations.
This combines elements of cyberpunk with fantasy, Shadowrun has you take control of your own custom character with some freedom in creativity. Seriously, there’s no other game that lets you create an Ork Street Samurai.
Between the turn-based combat and branching side quests that happen in between, Shadowrun Returns is definitely a great comeback.
Dungeons & Dragons: Shadows Over Mystara – (1996)
[Image via Capcom]
- Tabletop Developer: TSR
- Video Game Developer: Capcom
Something about playing arcade games is very nostalgic. This is why we had to bring in Capcom’s hidden gem. Set in the Mystara campaign of Dungeons and Dragons, this game is a sequel to the Tower of Doom.
You roam the land to take on hordes of enemies throughout the land to stop the evil sorcerer, Synn. This allows up to four players to join in co-op mode, with six classes of characters to play as.
What separates Mystara from all other beat-em-up games is that it allows for item collection, spell learning, and experience points gaining. Mystara is truly a game meant for fans of DnD.
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines – (2004)
[Image via Troika Games]
- Tabletop Developer: White Wolf Publishing
- Video Game Developer: Activision
The World of Darkness IP has had a number of tabletop games that are like homages to the Universal movie monsters. Out of all of them, however, Vampire the Masquerade is the most popular.
In the shady streets of Los Angeles, the belly of the underworld hides a secret society of vampires. You take the role of a recently turned vampire, battling against both humans and vampires using your newly attained powers.
The game itself has an intuitive progression system that is similar to pen and paper tabletop game rules. The developers even went as far as adding in rules that punish you for using powers in places when you shouldn’t. This means you have to choose who to fight and shoot, and when it’s right to use your powers.
With Bloodlines 2 just around the corner, this game would be a great introduction to those new to this cult classic.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – (2011)
[Image via Games Workshop]
- Tabletop Developer: Games Workshop
- Video Game Developer: Relic Entertainment
In the far-flung future in the grimdark universe, there is only war!
The 40k franchise has had a fair share of video game adaptations. While most believe Dawn of War is considered the best out of them, we had to give it to Relic Entertainment’s Space Marine. Players of the game say it’s an amazing third-person action experience well worth checking out.
Captain Titus is tasked with lending aid to the Imperial Guards to fend off the Orks and the Forces of Chaos. Not only is the dialog and art direction amazing, but the gameplay is just so much fun. Every character and the environment feels like the tabletop game came to life.
Combat is incredibly fluid and fun, giving you access to all sorts of weapons to play around with. Between bolters, chain-swords, laserguns, and thunder hammers, you are basically a giant Swiss Army knife.
Many feel that Space Marine is a good starter for anyone who’s just getting into the 40K series, which is hard to dispute due to how well it is made. With news of a long-awaited sequel coming out, the Emperor most definitely approves.
Planescape: Torment – (1999)
[Imag via Black Ise Studio]
- Tabletop Developer: TSR/Wizards of the Coast
- Video Game Developer: Black Isle Studios
This is a bizarre and interesting game set in the Planescape campaign of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons that really stands out. You take on the role of “The Nameless One,” who wakes up in a morgue without any recollection of his memories.
The whole game has you find your history and explore the multiverse of Planescape. There are many unique dialogs and balanced gameplay set by the rulebook of DnD, as well as some very quirky and unique characters to meet up with.
While this may not appeal to all DnD fans, the dark setting and great script work of Planescape Torment might appeal to those looking for something different. It might also be something that novice DnD fans might enjoy or those brand new to the franchise itself. Therefore, we recommend it for all.
Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn – (2000)
[Image via BioWare]
- Tabletop Developer: TSR/Wizards of the Coast
- Video Game Developer: BioWare
Shadows of Amn is considered a masterpiece in the tabletop video gaming community.
Taking place in the Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons & Dragons, you find yourself in Athkala, taking on a variety of quests around the land. During the quests, you will have encounters with creatures and beings under the control of a powerful mage.
Everything about this game has a great semblance of quality in both presentation and writing. Even better, you are free to explore the land at your own leisure, allowing you to encounter many NPCs and activate numerous quests.
Steam also released an Enhanced Edition of the game which updates controls and visuals. This means that even today, modern gamers can appreciate this timeless classic. Baldur’s Gate always separates itself from the DnD world, yet excels just as well as the main DnD universe.
Total War: Warhammer 3 – (2022)
[Image via SEGA]
- Tabletop Developer: Games Workshop
- Video Game Developer: Creative Assembly/SEGA
This game was something of a long wait for fans. Now it is safe to say that the wait was totally worth it.
After the opening prologue, the death of Kislev’s God means the realms of Chaos have been opened. Now Kislev, the Empire, and Grand Cathay stand their ground against the Four Chaos Gods.
Outside of the massive battles with armies and giant monsters, there are also choices that affect things like army buffs, land claimed, and alliances or rivalries made. That means you really have to decide what would benefit your army the most as opposed to just killing everyone. Well, unless you are loyal to Khorne at least.
With a beautifully laid-out design in backdrops combined with the massive army battles that take place, Warhammer 3 really comes together like it is an epic campaign from the tabletop game.
Cyberpunk 2077 – (2020)
[Image via CD Projekt Red]
- Tabletop Developer: Mike Pondsmith/R. Talsorian Games
- Video Game Developer: CD Projekt Red
We know this game is still very controversial, considering the number of patches and criticisms. However, we feel like this game deserves a spot. After the fixes took place, and after a lot of the overall game bugs were taken care of, it is now being played more and more by gamers who enjoy the experience.
Cyberpunk was definitely not released in the best of states, leaving fans with mixed feelings when it finally hit shelves in the Fall of 2020. Of course, CD Projekt Red is hard at work making the game it was meant to be. Hence the fixes we referenced.
Based on the Cyberpunk 2020 tabletop game made by Mike Pondsmith, you take on the role of V, a mercenary who wants to make their mark on Night City. In the game, V is capable of being either male or female, but there is also essentially a non-binary version possible too.
You lose a close friend, are killed by your contact, then brought back with a chip that holds the spirit of Johnny Silverhand.
The main story and side quests that you take apart really feel like a campaign from the tabletop come to life. Progression feels natural and even offers several upgrades, weapons, and cybernetics that allows you to keep experimenting. NPCs you interact with feel like actual people that just ooze with personality too.
Even though this game is rough around the edges, it’s still a diamond in the rough.
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