From sci-fi shooters to action RPGs set in a world inspired by Chinese mythology, BioWare’s stable of games presents players with plenty of diverse experiences. Some are definitely more well-known than others, but that doesn’t mean older or slightly more obscure titles should be forgotten. While fans wait patiently for more news of Mass Effect 4 and Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, they should take a look back through BioWare’s catalog of developed games and see if there are any that they want to check out.

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Shattered Steel

Shattered Steel was released in 1996, the year after BioWare was founded. The mech simulation game took players to a far future where humanity faces extinction and must fight for their survival against a variety of alien enemies. It had a range of “Planet Runners” – bipedal combat mechs – that players could choose from, including what weapons, engines, and shield generators they would equip. Shattered Steel was received fairly well, with fun but not overly complex action, but it was seen as a shallower interpretation of other games in the same genre.

Baldur’s Gate And Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn

Baldur’s Gate was BioWare’s first foray into the world of fantasy RPGs. Inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons setting of the Forgotten Realms, Baldur’s Gate featured a world that some players might already be familiar with. Players could create their own character and then explore the in-game world, recruiting a variety of companions as they went. Baldur’s Gate was a massive success and revolutionized the RPG genre, setting many of the standards that subsequent titles followed.

The impressive design of the settings, the levels of customization, and the engrossing storyline all received praise, and the release of a sequel two years later came as no surprise. Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn was also critically acclaimed and built on the elements that had made the first game so well-received. Its gameplay was slicker, its features more advanced, and the sequel had another compelling tale with new characters and additional twists and turns.

MDK2

After the release of the first Baldur’s Gate, BioWare returned to sci-fi for its next game. MDK2 is a third-person shooter and a sequel to the Shiny Entertainment-developed MDK. The second installment picks up mere moments after the end of the first game and plunges players right back into the world of Kurt Hectic, Dr. Hawkins, and Max who try to defend Earth from an alien invasion. Unlike the first game, gamers can switch between the three main characters and utilize their different skillsets to help them solve puzzles and complete platforming sections, in addition to MDK’s more shooting-focused gameplay.

Neverwinter Nights

Returning once again to Dungeons and Dragons and the Forgotten Realms campaign, Neverwinter Nights was another fantasy RPG from BioWare. Unlike Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights allowed players to host game servers and engage with multiplayer. The base game had a story campaign that could be tackled either in single-player or multiplayer, and this helped to make Neverwinter Nights an accessible and flexible experience for a whole host of gamers. The title was praised for its gameplay and its visuals were singled out as particularly impressive. BioWare developed a number of expansions, but Obsidian took over the development of the sequel.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Released by BioWare in 2003, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic immediately became the gold standard for Star Wars storytelling. It took the narrative back thousands of years before the vast majority of Star Wars material and opened up a whole new world to fans. Players could customize their playable Jedi and explore familiar worlds like Tatooine alongside less-familiar ones like Manaan. KOTOR received critical acclaim, with praise for its gameplay, story, settings, and worldbuilding in particular, and it has been hugely influential on subsequent titles.

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Jade Empire

The action RPG Jade Empire was a bit of a departure for BioWare and moved away from established franchises or more traditional sci-fi and fantasy settings. Set in a fictional far-eastern kingdom influenced by ancient Chinese history and mythology, Jade Empire allowed players to pick one of six pre-set character archetypes and then travel through the land tackling quests and following the epic saga at the heart of the game. It also contained elements that are now seen as ‘classic’ BioWare ingredients, like morality spectrums and dialogue options, as well as the ability to romance companions.

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood was BioWare’s first game specifically developed for a handheld device, and the title focused on Knuckles’ kidnapping and the disappearance of the Chaos Emeralds. Utilizing the fan-favorite speedster and his friends, Sonic Chronicles included both exploration and combat and even took players to another dimension. The game got a mixed response, with praise for the colorful design and graphics but criticism for the fairly insubstantial story.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Returning to the world of Star Wars, BioWare released Star Wars: The Old Republic in 2011. This MMORPG offered players a wide variety of professions, races, and skills to customize their characters and explore the expansive Star Wars setting. The three-act storyline gave gamers something to progress through as they navigated the rich world and leveled up their character with hundreds of hours of content to entertain them. While initially the game was immensely popular, it’s had a rocky ride over the years, but it still remains a beloved corner of the Star Wars universe.

Anthem

Anthem had so much promise, but the 2019 multiplayer action-RPG failed to deliver. Players loved Anthem’s comprehensive and enjoyable flight controls, its energetic combat, and the impressive visuals, but its story and gameplay loop left a lot to be desired. BioWare was originally committed to improving the game and even proposed a new and improved Anthem 2.0, but that was eventually shelved so that the developer could focus on its Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises.

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