Role-playing games and the iPad tend to go hand-in-hand. While some game genres, like first-person shooters, can come off awkward on a touch device if not done just right, RPGs tend to fall in line with the iPad's mechanics. The best RPGs on the iPad tend to use a touch-to-walk scheme, but as titles like Dungeon Hunters 2 show, on-screen movement pads can work just fine.
With over 40,000 apps (and counting) available for the iPad, there are a lot of different choices for those who want to quench their role-playing thirst on the app store. The following is a few of the best, most-addicting RPGs for the iPad.
Infinity Blade
When a game is featured in an iPad commercial, you know Apple likes what they see. And it's not hard to tell what caught Apple's eye with Infinity Blade. The game from Chair Entertainment uses the Unreal Engine 3, so it is not surprising that it has sweeping visuals and beautiful landscapes.
But Infinity Blade is more than just eye candy. The action-RPG creates a nice balance between the role-playing elements and the exciting action of combat, with tap-controls allowing you to attack,dodge, block and cast spells.
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
The role-playing game ruled the 80's, but by the middle of the 90's, many called the role-playing game a dead genre on the computer. And then came two games: Diablo and Baldur's Gate. Diablo spawned a genre of action RPGs, but Baldur's Gate proved you could still build a story-oriented puzzle-filled hack-and-slash RPG and be a success. Considered by many to be one of the best RPGs of all time, the Enhanced Edition is a great port of the full game to the iPad.
Ravensword: Shadowlands
Did you love The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion? Have you played Skyrim for hours and hours on end? If you answered yes to either of those questions, Ravensword: Shadowlands is the game for you. Built with the same skill-based class system and open sandbox design, Ravensword: Shadowlands is a gorgeous game with beautiful landscapes and plenty of baddies to mow down on your way to see those scenic views.
Dungeon Hunter 2
Dungeon Hunter set the gold standard for an Action-RPG on the iPad, and the sequel does not disappoint. Boasting fine-tuned controls and expanded game play, Dungeon Hunter 2 is everything you want in a sequel: the addictive game play of the original and enhanced features that feed rather than detract from that game play.
In addition to a deeper level of character customization, Dungeon Hunter 2 ads co-op multiplayer so you can go out adventuring with your friends.
Bastion
What happens if you put character into an isometric action RPG? You might get something like Bastion. A beautiful port of the popular game released in 2011, Bastion is a great example of not delivering a pared down experience when bringing a game to iOS. But the real beauty of Bastion is its many-tiered elements of gameplay where there always seems like there is something new to experience within the variety of enemies, levels and mini games.
Pocket Legends (MMO)
Who needs World of Warcraft when you can carry Pocket Legends wherever you go? A great fantasy-based MMORPG, Pocket Legends leads the way for massively mutiplayer game play on the iPad. Anyone that has played an MMORPG will feel right at home in Pocket Legends. And because you can create an account for free, it's easy to list as a must-have download.
The great thing about Pocket Legends are the frequent updates, which keeps the game from getting stale. These updates include new areas, new quests, new monsters, new items and (occasionally) even a raising of the level cap.
Dungeon Defenders: First Wave
If the idea of an action-RPG and a tower defense game being put into a blender and turned into a single application makes your mouth water, Dungeon Defenders: First Wave is the game for you. The game features everything you would expect in one of the best RPGs on the iPad: stats, tons of items, character building, etc. But it combines these addictive qualities with the stategy of a tower defense game to create a great hybrid.
You also won't be taking on the hordes of baddies alone. Dungeon Defenders: First Wave features both co-op multiplayer modes and player-vs-player modes.
Pocket RPG
Sword of Fargoal Legends
If Sword of Fargoal Legends rings a bell in your memory bank, there's a reason. First released for the Commodore 64 back in 1982, the game sports a new look on the iPad, but don't think its graphics have strayed too much from its illustrious past. It still has that retro-game appeal.
As a Rogue-like RPG. Sword of Fargoal Legends features random dungeon generation, which means each time you play through the game you'll get something different. And you'll have plenty of hack-n-slash fun on your way down the depths of the dungeon in search of the Sword of Fargoal.
Rimelands: Hammer of Thor
A steampunk turn-based RPG with an action-RPGs style, Rimelands: Hammer of Thor puts you in the role of Rose Cristo, treasure hunter extraordinaire. Join her on a journey that will take her to the supernatural and byond as she sets out to unveil a plot that could tear the very fabric of the world aprt.
Rimelands: Hammer of Thor is designed to be simple to learn but difficult to master. It offers three different paths with unique talent trees for replayability. You can also download a free Lite version of the game to check out before you plunk down your hard earned gold.
