11 Little-Known RPG Games That Are Awesome (PC)

Updated:

25 Feb 2016

Interested in playing a little Indie?

Everyone knows the classic PC RPGs. We’ve all had our share of Skyrim, Dragon Age, and the other epics of our generation, but let’s not forget the little guys.

Kickback and relax with some lesser known RPGs from the smaller side of the industry, guaranteed to knock your socks off.

11. LISA

LISA Gameplay Trailer

LISA is one of the strangest yet most hilariously bizarre games you’ll ever play. This low-key RPG doesn’t haven’t much to brag about in terms of graphics, but it more than makes up for itself in terms of story.

The game follows our protagonist, Brag Armstrong, after an event that brings about the death of every woman. Brad finds the last living female and raises her as his daughter, Buddy. She is then kidnapped which sets into motion his journey through the sleezy wasteland that is his home of Olathe.

The game certainly has its strong points when it comes to its dark and often shocking humor, but some may find the pacing of the gameplay a little tedious. The side scrolling action and turn-based fighting style may remind you of older RPG games and with a little patience you’re sure to get your money’s worth.

Poppin’ a wheelie like oh yeah.

10. Thea: The Awakening

Thea The Awakening Gameplay PC HD [60FPS/1080p] [Early Access]

This beautiful game based on Slavic Mythology takes you on an epic journey through the land of Thea. You play as a god (of your own choosing) who leads a band of followers to try and save the world recovering from a great darkness.

The gameplay is quite interesting as you set out on expeditions in order to gather materials and care for the town and villagers you manage. Your choices in the game reveal dialogue options and the story progresses gradually based on which quests you apprehend and carry out. The micromanaging aspect of the game may not appeal to everyone, but detail-oriented nature of the game certainly provides an interesting varied gaming experience with each replay.

What? It’s perfectly normal to come across women sitting on rocks in the middle of a river.

9. Windward

Windward Gameplay 1080p

Windward is an interesting RPG as it relies on a sandbox mode of gameplay. You can set out and explore your map either by yourself or with friends, pick up items, upgrade your ships, and set out on numerous adventures.

The best part of the game however is its variability and the opportunities that teamwork really bring to your world building experience. Although this isn’t much of a true RPG as it lacks a solid plot, you still have plenty to do as you pick up quests and explore your map.

It takes a while to get into the game, as it requires a lot of setup and gathering of materials, but you’ll soon find yourself sinking many hours of play into this addictive sandbox adventure.

My ship runs on 100% pure awesome sauce.

8. Rebel Galaxy

Let’s Play Rebel Galaxy

Rebel Galaxy is an awesome space cowboy adventure where you roll around in your very own ship, trading and bounty hunting across the edges of the known universe. The game can get off to a sort of slow start before you’re able to build up your spacecraft, but the payoff is worth it once you start completing quests and advancing the story.

One of Rebel Galaxy’s best features is its beautiful gameplay and battle sequences. The design and overall look of the ships as you battle it out against enemies is outstanding and certainly not what you’d expect from such a small scale developer.

Am I a lizard or a fish? It’s a part of my mystique.

7. The Age of Decadence

The Age of Decadence: Game Play

The Age of Decadence takes us back to a simpler time of classic RPG gaming. Character customization is key here as you must choose from a variety of professions and skillsets that greatly affect the game as you play. Although this may seem like just another turn-based, storyline RPG, don’t be fooled as your choices do have weight and consequences which make for exciting and highly varied replays each time around.

The story follows your character as you must choose to align with various factions in a post-apocalyptic world, echoing the downfall of the ancient Roman Empire. However the plot changes based on your choices, eventually leading to one of several different endings for the text-heavy, yet always intriguing, story-driven game. Overall, it’s a fantastic game and one in which you can easily invest many hours into.

That could have gone better...

6. Tempest

Tempest Gameplay PC HD [60FPS/1080p] [Early Access]

This game is still in early access but it’s still worth checking out. In Tempest you’ll find yourself a pirate, battling it out with other ships in order to claim their loot and treasure. Along the way you’ll have to work together with you crew, duke it out with other pirates, and even encounter some legendary creatures of the sea, such as the infamous Kraken.

As this game is still in development, you may find it lacking in some regards, but it is sure to improve over time. For now there are some cool customization features and lots to explore on the high seas as you gallivant about waving your pirate flag.

Kraken > Ship. No contest.

5. Grim Dawn

Grim Dawn 1080p 60fps gameplay – Securing Burrwitch (level 14 Archanist)

Grim Dawn is a very action-heavy RPG, perfect for those who like to grind in battle with a purpose. Although there are plenty of quest-like and crafting adventures to be had, like any true RPG, the fighting is the true strength of this gameplay. You’ll find yourself constantly engaged in warfare as you attempt to survive a world in chaos, tipping over on the brink of destruction.

The story is complex and never boring as you learn the human race is caught between the wars of two sets of otherworldly beings. One seeks to use the humans for devious purposes, the other only wants to destroy them. Your duty is to survive the grim new world you find yourself in.

Monster smash puny human.

4. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing

The incredible adventure of Van Hellsing! gameplay pc 1080p

Van Helsing brings to life one of fantasy’s most epic fantasy names in a very twisted steampunk action-adventure. The game, created by Hungarian game developers, NeocoreGames, is set in the fictional land of Borgovia, based on an alternate 19th century Eastern Europe. The often cited “gothic-noir” will take you on a journey battling a host of mythic monsters as you would expect from the Van Helsing legacy.

Although the story may seem lacking, it’s the game play where this RPG really shines. The customization and specialization of Van Helsing is quite top notch. As you can’t really choose a class or profession like many other RPGs, you instead put your effort into skill building. This allows you to create an entirely unique monster-fighting vigilante suited to your playing style.

Ka-boom.

3. How to Survive

How to Survive Gameplay PC HD 1080p

How to Survive is a strange RPG-zombie-survival hybrid game that really packs a punch. You’re shipwrecked on a chain of islands with several other survivors where you must work to destroy the zombie-infested coastline and somehow escape along with your companions. You can play as one of three different characters, each with their own set of traits and benefits for all your zombie-slaying needs.

The most interesting feature of this game is that you can choose to play it one of two ways: story or challenge. While story is pretty self-explanatory for an RPG game, challenge pits you against the elements (being zombies) where your only goal is to survive and escape off the island as quickly as you can. These different game modes allow for you to mix it up and test your limits in this whacky action-adventure.

It ain’t a zombie apocalypse until someone hacks the weed-whacker.

2. Shadowrun: Hong Kong

Shadowrun Hong Kong PC 60FPS Gameplay | 1080p

Shadownrun: Hong Kong carries on Shadowrun legacy in this standalone, indirect sequel to the franchise. Set in the year 2056, the story takes you on a cyberpunk style adventure through the streets of Hong Kong. The story is rich with intrigue while characters are never lacking in backstory, giving you a reason to be emotionally invested in their various and sometimes tragic fates.

The gameplay of this Shadowrun if your typical turn-based tactical combat one might be used to seeing in class RPGs without feeling overdone. Its unique look and edgy soundtrack keep help give the game a lift it doesn’t need and only adds flavor to an already great story. Overall Shadowrun is a worthy successor to its beloved predecessors.

Who knew future Hong Kong would have so much garbage lying around?

1. Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon – Gameplay Ep. 1 [No Commentary]

The last game on our list is one that has been highly anticipated ever since its successful kickstarter, though still not well known by your average PC gamer. Luckily this seems all about to change as this fantastic game takes off in 2016 (released on January 19th of this year). Early access was well received and oh boy are we ready for the final result!

Darkest Dungeon features a gothic-style roleplay with a heavy focus on dungeon crawling. And although we could go on about the story, it’s really the artistic style that first catches your eye. It’s very much unlike any other RPG out there, giving you a very unique gaming experience in a world rich with color and eerily pretty animation.

However this doesn’t mean the gameplay should be entirely denied. The very rewarding, but highly difficult, rogue-like dungeon crawling set-up will test the limits of even the most experienced gamers. While the emphasis on party health and the numerous heroes you can recruit to join in your quests is entirely refreshing, if not nerve-wracking. Once your heroes die, they stay dead, putting a lot of pressure on your choices in battle.

This may seem daunting, but don’t let the uniqueness of its style put you off. Darkest Dungeon was well worth the wait!