These days, BioWare is known as the developer behind franchises like Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Anthem. However, during its early years BioWare cut its teeth on isometric RPG’s like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights. If you’ve never played such classics before or if you’re looking to play them again, we’ve got good news. Several classic isometric RPG titles are coming to modern consoles later this year.
Classic Isometric RPG’s on Consoles
The upcoming classic RPG console ports are coming courtesy of Beamdog and Skybound Games. You might recognize Skybound as the studio which took over Telltale’s The Walking Dead after Telltale’s unfortunate closure. As for Beamdog, it too may have been on your radar since this is hardly its first RPG restoration effort.
Previously, Beamdog has released enhanced editions of isometric classics like Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights. The upcoming console ports will be similarly enhanced. Also, the full list of upcoming console ports extends beyond even Beamdog’s initial efforts. Fans can expect enhanced console ports of the following games later this year:
- Baldur’s Gate
- Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadow of Amn
- Icewind Dale
- Planescape: Torment
- Neverwinter Nights
- Siege of Dragonspear (an original Baldur’s Gate expansion developed by Beamdog)
Skybound Games’ initial announcement didn’t list which specific consoles the ports are coming to. However, a follow-up Twitter announcement confirmed the consoles in question are Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Pricing for the upcoming console ports also hasn’t been disclosed but we’re guessing it will be in the $10-$20 range.
It’s possible that Skybound and Beamdog are using the upcoming ports to gauge the potential for entirely new isometric games. Fans have been clamoring for a Baldur’s Gate 3 for many years now, as an example. Plus, Obsidian Entertainment’s Pillars of Eternity series proves that classic-style isometric RPG’s can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their more modern-looking kin. Either way, it sure will be nice getting to play Neverwinter Nights from the comfort of my handheld Nintendo Switch.