Pyre ✅ Not demanding Pyre From the creative geniuses behind Bastion and Transistor, Pyre is a party-based RPG which has you leading a band of exiles in their quest to win their freedom. To do this you participate in a series of battles, or Rites, 3v3 style; that ressemble more a sporting match than a battle. In fact, some call it the succesor NBA Jam needed.



Supergiant is known for gorgeous artwork, excellent stories and top notch audio and voice acting, and Pyre doesn’t disappoint. With a unique battle system and beautiful new world to explore, Pyre is also lightweight enough to run on just about any recent Mac.

82 Metascore Not demanding

Banner Saga 2 ✅ Not demanding Banner Saga 2 The second installment in the Banner Saga series, The Banner Saga is a classic RPG, with some unique features. The Banner Saga takes place in a Viking-inspired setting. It uses beautiful, hand-drawn 2D graphics and animations and, as with many of the games on this list, focuses as much on story and character as on combat.



And while we’re showcasing Banner Saga 2 here, you should know that your choices and their effects carry over from one game to the next, so it’s probably worth starting at the beginning. The Banner Saga 2 is one of the most satisfying turn-based RPGs to be found on the Mac and can run on just about any Mac.

82 Metascore Not demanding

Torchlight 2 ✅ Not demanding Torchlight 2 Another classic-style action RPG Mac gamers can enjoy, Torchlight 2 was a near miss on our last list and has stood the test of time well enough to make it this time. Featuring cooperative multiplayer and a large developer community filling the Steam Workshop with mods, Torchlight 2 also makes a contender for best value at $20.



With a focus on exploration and combat, Torchlight 2 builds on the original with new classes, more and better loot and the return of randomly generated levels for maximum replayability. A sequel to the original story, Torchlight 2 isn’t the most original game on this list but it is one of the most fun to play.

88 Metascore Not demanding

Pillars of Eternity ⚠️ Fairly Demanding Pillars of Eternity Our winner in the traditional RPG category in the previous version of this article, the original Pillars of Eternity is still a great RPG. While a little late to release after its successful Kickstarter, PoE delivered on its promise of a return to old-fashioned RPG gaming.

Pillars features extreme character customization, a large world to explore, an engaging story, and a real-time with pause combat system, all executed beautifully.



You’ll have multiple options for companions in your party, a deep main quest and eventually your own home/manor/castle to build and furnish. That said, this modern classic still requires a moderately powerful Mac.

89 Metascore Fairly Demanding

Tyranny ⚠️ Fairly Demanding Tyranny Between Pillars of Eternity 1 & 2, Obsidian Entertainment brought us Tyranny. Seriously, where do they find the time? The twist in Tyranny is that you start off in a world already conquered by evil; you’re an arbiter of justice in this world, and will literally help shape this world and the story.



While keeping a familiar look and style from PoE, Tyranny’s story leaves some players daunted while others find the combat system clunky. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a classic RPG with a unique twist, Tyranny is for you.

80 Metascore Fairly Demanding

Torment: Tides of Numenera ⚠️ Fairly Demanding Torment: Tides of Numenera Set in the Torment universe, Tides of Numenera is a “spiritual successor” to the original while maintaining that game’s story-driven focus in a world affected by your words and action. In fact this game is so story-driven you can actually avoid much of the combat through your words and actions.



Much like Tyranny, complaints center around the amount of reading involved, with people comparing it to a book or choose-your-own-adventure game. But if you’re looking to return to the Planescape universe, this provides another chapter in that story.

81 Metascore Fairly Demanding

Shadowrun: Dragonfall Director’s Cut ✅ Not demanding Shadowrun: Dragonfall Director’s Cut Shadowrun: Dragonfall was originally released as an expansion campaign for Shadowrun Returns but was so darned good the developers decided it deserved its own game release as Shadowrun: Dragonfall Director’s Cut.

With loads of new content, new music and a revamped interface and combat system, Dragonfall certainly feels like its own game.



The combination of magic and technology has always been a hallmark of the Shadowrun series, and this entry is no exception. You’ll lead your small team, each with their own unique abilities, on a mission to try and prevent chaos and devastation from destroying your world.

87 Metascore Not demanding

Battle Chasers: Nightwar ✅ Not demanding Battle Chasers: Nightwar Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a classic-style JRPG featuring turn-based combat, lots of dungeon crawling, and a beautiful comic-book art style based on the original Battle Chasers comic book series. Clearly, this is an homage to classic 1990s JRPGs.



Known for its character customization options and complex but learnable battle system, Nightwar also features a lot of grind at certain parts of the game. Randomized dungeons, the excellent battle system and the beautiful surroundings do help alleviate some of the tedium. Able to run on most any Mac, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is perfect for some single-player, retro-RPG fun.

90 Metascore Not demanding

Bastion ✅ Not demanding Bastion An action RPG that features hand-painted graphics and a narrator who reacts to everything you do, Bastion has you attempting to discover the secrets of the Calamity, which shattered the world to pieces.



Unique in that ground only appears as you move around, making movement tricky, Bastion also feels less like an RPG than many on this list. With excellent combat weapons and controls, Bastion flips from many of the games on this list in being known for its combat more than its story; so if that’s what you’re looking for, it could be your ticket.

86 Metascore Not demanding

The Witcher 2 ⚠️ Fairly Demanding The Witcher 2 While we’d rather be telling how fantastic Witcher 3 is, unfortunately, that title hasn’t made it to the Mac (yet?). But the Witcher 2 is still considered one of the best RPGs of modern times and so maintains a place on this list if a bit lower than before.



While earning its Mature rating for various reasons including nudity, The Witcher 2 also manages to play like a classic fantasy RPG. The game features a solid story continuing from the events of the original, interesting characters, and notably good voice acting and graphics. Plus, it features combat mechanics far better than the original. The Witcher 2 will keep you as gripped as the original, and might even make you forget that the third entry is still not on the Mac.

88 Metascore Fairly Demanding

West of Loathing ✅ Not demanding West of Loathing Described by its developers as “a slapstick comedy stick-figure wild west adventure role-playing game,” West of Loathing is definitely a different take on the adventure RPG. While you’ll find the traditional RPG elements, they’re presented in a comedic western setting.



Looking like an RPG out of the 80s, West of Loathing is worth it for the dialog and comedy alone, but there’s a fun game in there waiting to be explored as well. With a focus on story and dialog, the combat can pale in comparison, but West of Loathing is worth it as a breath of fresh RPG air.

86 Metascore Not demanding

Legend of Grimrock 2 ✅ Not demanding Legend of Grimrock 2 A class dungeon crawler RPG, Legend of Grimrock 2 focuses as much on exploration and puzzle solving as combat. Shipwrecked on the Isle of Nex, your party of four will explore the island and the dungeons beneath it as you attempt to survive and escape.



Along the way you will uncover magical statues, secret chambers and buried treasure to help you in your battles against a wide variety of monsters. Known for challenging puzzles and great replay value thanks to the Dungeon Editor and Steam Workshop, Legend of Grimrock 2 is just the thing for puzzle-solving, dungeon-crawling fun.

85 Metascore Not demanding