Top 5 Best BioWare Games

BioWare has hit a rough patch following the release of Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem. However, the company has released many acclaimed games over the decades. With many being beloved titles still heralded as some of the video games ever made. Here are the top 5 best BioWare games of all time.

5. MDK2

A gem from 2000, MDK2 was a bit different from you would expect from modern BioWare. Developed as a light-hearted action-adventure with humor to match. Unlike the previous game, players now controlled 3 characters and featured more platforming and puzzles.

MDK2 was a massive success for is variety in gameplay, inventive levels, and pure action. It was short and awesome that wasn't afraid to be weird. 

4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

BioWare is notorious for being the king of RPGs and one of the games that allowed the company to gain this title was Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Taking place 4000 years before the formation of the Galactic Empire, the player as a Jedi must venture to different planets to defeat the Sith armada led by Darth Malak.

The player wasn't limited to a specific path and could decide to either remain dedicated to the Jedi or align with the Sith. With ample opportunity to decide your destiny KOTOR was a massive achievement for narrative-driven games in general and widely considered one of the best games ever made. If you still have a sour taste from modern Star Wars games do yourself a favor and play this game. The graphics may have not aged well but the narrative is still outstanding.

3. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

You probably didn't know that BioWare developed a Sonic RPG for the Gameboy, but they did and it was incredible. Shockingly, one of the best elements from Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood was the narrative. Featuring an actually well-written story featuring Sonic and his friends trying to figure out what happened to the Chaos Emeralds and the defeat of Dr. Robotnik.

Instead of having a traditional Sonic game full of platforming challenges BioWare went with their strengths and designed Sonic Chronicles as an RPG. It was much easier than the companies previous titles but the game's array of moves, location, and character personalities were always loyal to the source material. It was one of the best games starring Sonic and a greatly underappreciated title from BioWare.

2. Dragon Age: Origins

Perhaps one of the games BioWare is best known for Dragon Age: Origins still remains one of the best fantasy and RPG games of all time. The branching narrative alone provides endless replayability thanks to custom origin stories, multiple romance options, and lengthy consequences for each major choice. Some choices at the beginning of the game don't have consequences until the very end. Players will need to read a ton of information to get the full experience but it's worth it. BioWare went above and beyond to craft a living and detailed world full of religions, cultures, races, and so much more.

The console and PC versions play very differently, with the consoles focusing on an active RPG system while the PC's version being an RTS. The ideal version is the PC version but Dragon Age: Origins still towers over most fantasy RPGs. I played this game so much I ran out of character slots.

1. Mass Effect 2

Before Mass Effect: Andromeda the Mass Effect was regarded as one of the best science-fiction series within gaming. The franchise had incredible characters, diverse worlds, and detailed alien cultures within its universe. The first game was a smash hit but had some problematic issues with the gameplay and third-person combat. That was all resolved in Mass Effect 2.

The second installment in this series not only provided more diverse locations to explore, forgoing the repetitive MAKO exploration of the first game, and focusing on unique missions but introduced a refined third-person combat system. Taking references from acclaimed third-person shooters like Gears of War BioWare crafted a more dynamic combat system that gave the player complete control over their abilities for both Shepard and his allies.

Just like the previous game, a dynamic story full of branching paths were introduced. Amplified with loyalty missions that had Shepard developing a deeper bond with each of his allies as they embarked on a suicide mission. The Collectors were a step up from the previous villains offering a new deadly enemy to face while also introducing Harbinger, the leader of the Reapers. BioWare went the extra mile by providing DLC that bridged the second game to the third game, giving fans an idea of what to expect from Commander Shepard's finale.

Mass Effect 2 was a crowning achievement in BioWare's career. Not only did it provided a fantastic sequel to one of the best trilogies of all time but overhauled the franchise. Putting Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 side by side, it's hard to believe they came out in the same console generation. Graphics, gameplay, and story received a significant boost that was simply remarkable. 

What are your favorite BioWare games of all time? Let us know in the comments below!

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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