Chronology of computer role-playing games
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This is a comprehensive index of commercial computer role-playing games (CRPGs), sorted chronologically. Information regarding date of release, developer, publisher, operating system, sub-genre and notability is provided where available. The table can be sorted by clicking on the small boxes next to the column headings. This list does not include console RPGs (unless they were also released on a computer), roguelikes or MMORPGs. It does include action RPGs and tactical RPGs.

For more details on the history of roguelikes, see Chronology of roguelike video games.


Chronology of computer role-playing games
Release year Game Developer Publisher Archetype Platform Notes
1974 dnd Gary Whisenhunt, Ray Wood Fantastical PLATO
1975 Dungeon Don Daglow Fantastical PDP-10
1979 Akalabeth: World of Doom Richard Garriott California Pacific Fantastical Apple II, MS-DOS Sometimes known as Ultima 0.
1979 Space Edu-Ware Edu-Ware Futuristic Apple II An adaptation of Traveller, which was taken off the market after a lawsuit by Game Designers Workshop.
1979 Space II Edu-Ware Edu-Ware Futuristic Apple II Expansion to Space.
1980 Rogue Michael Toy and others. Various Fantastical Various This was the beginning of roguelike computer games. For further developments see Chronology of roguelike video games.
1980, 1983 Temple of Apshai Epyx Epyx Fantastical Various The 1983 date refers to the release of versions compatible with Commodore 64 and MS-DOS systems. Amiga compatibility followed.
1981 Temple of Apshai: Upper Reaches of Apshai Epyx Epyx Fantastical Expansion for Temple of Apshai.
1981 Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness Richard Garriott California Pacific Fantastical Various Series debuts. Re-released by Origin in 1986.
1981 Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantastical Various Series debuts.
1982 Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Cloudy Mountain Mattel Mattel Fantastical Intellivision
1982 Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Treasure of Tarmin APh Mattel Fantastical Intellivision
1982 Dragonstomper Starpath Starpath Fantastical Atari 2600
1982 Telengard Avalon Hill Avalon Hill Fantastical Various
1982 Temple of Apshai: Curse of Ra Epyx Epyx Fantastical Expansion for Temple of Apshai.
1982 Tunnels of Doom Kevin Kenney Texas Instruments Fantastical TI-99/4A
1982 Ultima II:The Revenge of the Enchantress Richard Garriott Sierra On-Line Fantastical Various Re-released by Origin. Sequel to Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness.
1982 Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantastical Various Sequel to Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.
1983 Ultima III: Exodus Origin Origin Fantastical Various Sequel to Ultima II:The Revenge of the Enchantress. Pioneered many innovations that would become standard on many CRPGs that followed.
1983 Wizardry III: Legacy of Llylgamyn Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantastical Various Sequel to Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds.
1984 Age of Adventure: The Return of Heracles Quality Software Quality Software Fantastical C64, C128 Originally released for the Atari in 1983.
1984 Dragon Slayer Nihon Falcom Nihon Falcom Fantastical NEC PC-8801 Action role-playing game, Japanese language
1984 Questron SSI SSI Fantastical C64, Apple II, Amiga
1984 Hydlide T&E Soft T&E Soft Fantastical NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801 Action role-playing game, Japanese language
1984 The Black Onyx Henk Rogers Bullet-Proof Software Fantastical NEC PC-8801 Japanese language
1984 SunDog: Frozen Legacy FTL Games FTL Games, Accolade Futuristic Apple II, Atari ST
1984 Tyrann Oric, Amstrad, Thomson
1985 Adventure: Only the Fittest Shall Survive, The Green Valley Green Valley Fantastical Apple II
1985 Alternate Reality: The City Paradise Programming Datasoft Futuristic Atari 8-bit family
1985 Bards Tale, The Interplay Electronic Arts Fantastical Various The first CRPG to put Interplay on the map as a future CRPG developer.
1985 Phantasie SSI SSI Fantastical Various Series debuts.
1985 Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar Origin Origin Fantastical Various Sequel to Ultima III: Exodus. The first major CRPG to move from "hack and slash" gameplay to a "virtuous" story-driven approach.
1985 Wizard's Crown SSI SSI Fantastical Various Tactical RPG.
1985 Xanadu Nihon Falcom Nihon Falcom Fantastical MSX Action RPG. Japanese language.
1986 Deep Dungeon HummingBirdSoft DOG (Square) Fantastical Famicon Disk System
1986 Dragon Quest Chunsoft Enix, Nintendo Fantastical NES, NEC PC-9801, MSX Series debuts. Japanese language. Arguably the beginning of modern console RPGs. For further developments, see Chronology of console role-playing games.
1986 Bards Tale II: The Destiny Knight, The Interplay Electronic Arts Fantastical Various Sequel to Bards Tale, The.
1986 Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes Nihon Falcom Nihon Falcom Fantastical NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, MSX, Sharp X68000 Japanese language.
1986 Might and Magic: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum New World Computing New World Computing Fantastical Various Series debuts.
1986 Phantasie II SSI SSI Fantastical Various Sequel to Phantasie.
1986 Shard of Spring Digital Illusions SSI Fantastical Apple II, C64, MS-DOS Followed by Demon's Winter.
1986 Starflight Binary Systems Electronic Arts Futuristic Amiga, ST, MS-DOS, MAC, C64 A rare example of a sci-fi CRPG and the spiritual ancestor to games such as Star Control 2 and Space Rangers.
1986 Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantastical Various Sequel to Wizardry III: Legacy of Llylgamyn.
1987 2400 A.D. Origin Origin Futuristic MS-DOS
1987 Alternate Reality: The Dungeon Paradise Programming Datasoft Futuristic Atari 8-bit family Sequel to Alternate Reality: The City.
1987 Deathlord Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Fantastical C64, Apple II
1987 Dragon Quest II Chunsoft Enix Fantastical MSX Japanese language.
1987 Dungeon Master FTL Games FTL Games Fantastical Various
1987 Eternal Dagger SSI SSI Fantastical Various Tactical RPG.
1987 Phantasie III: Wrath of Nikademus SSI SSI Fantastical Various Sequel to Phantasie II.
1987 Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished Nihon Falcom Various Fantastic Various Action RPG. Japanese language. Later released for Windows.
1987 Zeliard Game Arts Game Arts, Sierra Entertainment Fantastic PC Action RPG. Japanese language; English release 1990.
1988 Bard's Tale III: Thief of Fate, The Interplay Electronic Arts Fantastical Various Sequel to Bards Tale II: The Destiny Knight, The
1988 Might and Magic II: Gates to Another World New World Computing New World Computing Fantastical Various Sequel to Might and Magic: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum.
1988 Death Bringer Pandora Spotlight Software (Cinemaware) Fantastical Amiga and C64
1988 Pool of Radiance SSI SSI Fantastical Various First game in the Gold Box series, uses AD&D rules and Forgotten Realms campaign world.
1988 Advanced Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes of the Lance U.S. Gold SSI Fantastical Various Ancient, forgotten RPG, similar in some ways to Zelda 2.
1988 Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny Origin Origin Fantastical Various Sequel to Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar.
1988 Wasteland Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Futuristic MS-DOS, C64, Apple II Post-apocalyptic setting.
1988 Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantastical Various Sequel to Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna.
1988 Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished - The Final Chapter Nihon Falcom Various Fantastic NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, MSX Action RPG. Japanese language. Later released for Windows.
1989 2088: The Cryllan Mission Victory Software Futuristic Apple II
1989 Advanced Dungeons and Dragons: Hillsfar Westwood SSI Fantastical Various
1989 Dragonlance: Dragons of Flame U.S._Gold SSI Fantastical Various
1989 BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception Westwood Infocom Futuristic Various
1989 Centauri Alliance Brøderbund Brøderbund Futuristic C64, Apple II
1989 Curse of the Azure Bonds SSI SSI Fantastical Various Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1989 Dragon Wars Interplay Activision Fantastical Various Spiritual successor to The Bard's Tale III: Thief of Fate.
1989 Drakkhen Infogrames Data East Fantastical Various
1989 Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back FTL Games FTL Games Fantastical Various ]
1989 Final Fantasy Square Software Microcabin Fantastical MSX Japanese release. Port.
1989 Knights of Legend Todd Porter Origin Fantastical MS-DOS, C64, Apple II
1989 Magic Candle, The Mindcraft Mindcraft Fantastical Various Series debuts.
1989 Quest for Glory: So You Want to Be a Hero Sierra Sierra Fantastical Various
1989 Sentinel Worlds I: Future Magic Spaceport Malibu Electronic Arts Futuristic MS-DOS, C64
1989 Starflight 2: Trade Routes of the Cloud Nebula Binary Systems Electronic Arts Futuristic Amiga, Macintosh, MS-DOS
1989 Xak: The Art of Visual Stage MicroCabin Microcabin Fantastic MSX, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, Sharp X68000 Action RPG. Japanese language.
1989 Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Nihon Falcom Various Fantastic NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, MSX, Sharp X68000 Action RPG. Japanese language.
1990 Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday SSI SSI Futuristic Various Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1990 Champions of Krynn SSI SSI Fantastical Various Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1990 DarkSpyre Event Horizon, Inc SSI Fantastical MS-DOS
1990 Eye of the Beholder Westwood SSI Fantastical Amiga, Various
1990 Hard Nova Malibu Interactive Electronic Arts Futuristic MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST Follow-up to Sentinel Worlds I: Future Magic.
1990 Keys to Maramon, The Mindscape Mindcraft Fantastical MS-DOS, Amiga, C64
1990 Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire Sierra Sierra Fantastical Amiga, Macintosh, MS-DOS Sequel to Quest for Glory.
1990 Pool of Radiance: Secret of the Silver Blades SSI SSI Fantastical Various Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1990 Ultima VI: The False Prophet Origin Origin Fantastical Various Sequel to Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny.
1990 Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantastical Various Sequel to Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom.
1990 Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire Origin Origin Fantastical MS-DOS, NEC PC-9801 Beginning of a spin-off series that features the Ultima VI engine.
1990 Last Armageddon Braingrey.Mind Yutaka Fantastical MS-DOS Japanese language
1990 Xak II: The Rising of the Red Moon MicroCabin Microcabin Fantastic MSX, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, Sharp X68000 Action RPG. Japanese language.
1991 Brandish Nihon Falcom Nihon Falcom Fantastical NEC PC-9801, MS-DOS Action RPG. Japanese language.
1991 Dragonlance: Death Knights of Krynn SSI SSI Fantastical Various Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1991 Dragon Knight II ELF Corporation ELF Corporation Fantastical MSX Eroge, Japanese language.
1991 Dragon Knight 3 ELF Corporation Megatech Software Fantastical MS-DOS Eroge, Japanese language. Translated to English by Megatech.
1991 Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon Westwood SSI Fantastical MS-DOS, Amiga Sequel to Eye of the Beholder.
1991 Gateway to the Savage Frontier Stormfront SSI Fantastical C64, Amiga, MS-DOS
1991 Magic Candle II: The Four and Forty, The Mindcraft Electronic Arts Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to The Magic Candle.
1991 Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams Origin Origin Contemporary, Futuristic MS-DOS Ultima offspring using Ultima 6 Engine
1991 Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra New World Computing New World Computing Fantastical MS-DOS, Amiga, Macintosh, NEC PC-9801 Sequel to Might and Magic II: Gates to Another World.
1991 Obitus Psygnosis Psygnosis Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS
1991 Planet's Edge New World Computing New World Computing Futuristic MS-DOS
1991 Pools of Darkness SSI SSI Fantastical Various Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1991 Spirit of Adventure Attic Ent. Starbyte Software Fantastical Amiga, Atari ST, C64, MS-DOS
1991 Xak: The Tower of Gazzel MicroCabin Microcabin Fantastic MSX, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801 Action RPG. Japanese language.
1992 Abandoned Places ArtGame CIE MS-DOS, Amiga
1992 Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed SSI SSI Futuristic MS-DOS Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1992 Dark Queen of Krynn, The SSI SSI Fantastical Various Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1992 Darklands MicroProse MicroProse Fantastical, Historical MS-DOS
1992 Magic Candle III, The Mindcraft Electronic Arts Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to The Magic Candle II: The Four and Forty.
1992 Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen New World Computing New World Computing Fantastical MS-DOS, Macintosh, NEC PC-9801 Sequel to Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra.
1992 Quest for Glory III: Wages of War Sierra Sierra Fantastical Amiga, Macintosh, MS-DOS Sequel to Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire.
1992 Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace Cybertech SSI Fantastical MS-DOS
1992 The Summoning Event Horizon, Inc SSI Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to DarkSpyre.
1992 Treasures of the Savage Frontier Stormfront SSI Fantastical MS-DOS Utilizes the Gold Box engine. Perhaps the first game where an NPC can fall in love with a player character if his or her conduct warrants it
1992 Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss Looking Glass Origin Fantastical MS-DOS, NEC PC-9801 Looking Glass Studios' first CRPG and an inspiration to many other first-person dungeon crawlers that came after it.
1992 Ultima VII: The Black Gate Origin Origin Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to Ultima VI: The False Prophet.
1992 Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantastical, Futuristic MS-DOS Sequel to Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge.
1993 Betrayal at Krondor Dynamix Sierra Fantastical MS-DOS
1993 Bloodstone: An Epic Dwarven Tale Mindcraft Mindcraft Fantastical MS-DOS Prequel to The Magic Candle.
1993 Dark Sun: Shattered Lands SSI SSI Fantastical MS-DOS
1993 Dungeon Hack DreamForge SSI Fantastical MS-DOS
1993 Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor Westwood SSI Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon. Was the first in the series not to be written by Westwood Studios and many fans felt it lacked the "feel" of the previous games.
1993 Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures SSI SSI Fantastical Various Utilizes the Gold Box engine.
1993 Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos Westwood Virgin Fantastical MS-DOS, NEC PC-9801 Series debuts after Westwood Studios split with SSI over "artistic differences".
1993 Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen New World Computing New World Computing Fantastical MS-DOS, Macintosh, NEC PC-9801 Sequel to Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen.
1993 Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny Attic Ent. Sir-Tech Fantastical Amiga, MS-DOS The original German version was released in 1992.
1993 Shadow Caster Raven Software Origin Fantastical MS-DOS A 3D, real-time, first-person, Action RPG created with an engine developed by ID software.
1993 Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds Looking Glass Origin Fantastical MS-DOS, NEC PC-9801 Sequel to Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss.
1993 Ultima VII, Part Two: Serpent Isle Origin Electronic Arts Fantastical MS-DOS Second part of Ultima VII, after Ultima VII: The Black Gate. Some gamers believe this to be the high-point of the series.
1993 Ultima VII: Forge Of Virtue Origin Electronic Arts Fantastical MS-DOS Expansion to Ultima VII: The Black Gate.
1993 Ultima VII, Part Two: Silver Seed Origin Electronic Arts Fantastical MS-DOS Expansion to Ultima VII, Part Two: Serpent Isle.
1993 Xak III: The Eternal Recurrence MicroCabin, NEC Microcabin, NEC Fantastic NEC PC9801, FM-Towns Action RPG. Japanese language.
1994 Advanced Dungeons and Dragons: Collectors Edition SSI WizardWorks Fantastical MS-DOS
1994 Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse Stormfront SSI Fantastical MS-DOS
1994 Alien Logic: A Skyrealms of Jorune Adventure Ceridus Software SSI Futuristic, Fantastical Windows
1994 Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager SSI SSI, Mindscape Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to Dark Sun: Shattered Lands.
1994 Elder Scrolls: Arena, The Bethesda Bethesda Fantastical MS-DOS The Elder Scrolls series debuts.
1994 Jagged Alliance Madlab Software Sir-Tech Contemporary MS-DOS
1994 Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness Sierra Sierra Fantastical MS-DOS, Windows Sequel to Quest for Glory III: Wages of War.
1994 Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession DreamForge SSI Fantastical MS-DOS
1994 Realms of Arkania: Star Trail Attic Ent. Sir-Tech Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny.
1994 Ultima VIII: Pagan Origin Origin Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to Ultima VII: The Black Gate.
1994-2002 Realmz Fantasoft Fantasoft Fantastical Macintosh, Windows
1995 Albion Blue Byte Blue Byte Fantastical MS-DOS Released in Germany in 1995.
1995 Brandish 2: The Planet Buster Nihon Falcom Nihon Falcom Fantastical MS-DOS Action RPG. Japanese language. Sequel to Brandish.
1995 Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep FTL Games Interplay Fantastical Various Sequel to Dungeon Master.
1995 Entomorph SSI Mindscape Fantastical Windows
1995 Exile II: Crystal Souls Spiderweb Spiderweb Fantastical Windows, Macintosh Sequel to Exile: Escape from the Pit.
1995 Exile: Escape from the Pit Spiderweb Spiderweb Fantastical Windows, Macintosh Later reborn in the Avernum series, demonstrates untapped potential in the indie CRPG market.
1995 Legend of Sword and Fairy, the Softstar Softstar Fantastical MS-DOS, Windows Chinese language.
1995 Ravenloft: Stone Prophet DreamForge, SSI Mindscape Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession.
1995 Thunderscape SSI SSI Fantastical MS-DOS
1996 Diablo Blizzard North Blizzard Fantastical Windows, Mac OS Action RPG. Is released with wide appeal, renewing interest in the CRPG genre.
1996 Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, The Bethesda Bethesda Fantastical MS-DOS Sequel to The Elder Scrolls: Arena. Demonstrates the power of procedurally-generated quest and buildings in a CRPG.
1996 Wizardry Nemesis Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Fantastical
1997 Betrayal in Antara Sierra Sierra Fantastical Windows Uses the Betrayal at Krondor engine.
1997 Diablo: Hellfire Synergistic Software Sierra Fantastical Windows Action RPG. Expansion to Diablo.
1997 Exile III: Ruined World Spiderweb Spiderweb Fantastical Windows, Macintosh Sequel to Exile II: Crystal Souls.
1997 Blades of Exile Spiderweb Spiderweb Fantastical Windows, Macintosh
1997 Fallout Interplay Interplay Futuristic MS-DOS, Windows, Macintosh Post-apocalyptic setting. Series debuts.
1997 Final Fantasy VII Square Eidos Futuristic, Fantastical Windows JRPG. Sequel to Final Fantasy VI. Though not as critically acclaimed on the PC as on the PS1, some CRPG developers such as Chris Avellone cite it as a minor influence upon their games.
1997 Lands of Lore II: Guardians of Destiny