A Look Back at BioWare's Greatest RPGs Following Studio Closure

October 22, 2026 - 14:57

After more than three decades in the video game industry, BioWare has announced it is closing down. The studio leaves behind a legacy built on storytelling, character development, and player choice. Looking back at its catalog offers a clear picture of why it mattered so much to so many players.

At the top of any list sits Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn. Released in 2000, it expanded on its predecessor with deeper companions, a sprawling story, and a villain many still consider among the medium's best. The original Baldur's Gate also deserves recognition for bringing Dungeons and Dragons-style role-playing to a wider audience.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic reshaped what a Star Wars game could be, with a twist that remains one of gaming's most memorable reveals. Mass Effect 2 refined the studio's formula, putting squad loyalty and consequence at the center of its story. The first Mass Effect introduced a universe that felt genuinely vast, while Dragon Age: Origins delivered a dark fantasy epic with origins that changed how each playthrough unfolded.

Later entries like Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age: Inquisition had their share of criticism, but both showed the studio's ambition. Whatever comes next for the developers, these games will keep influencing role-playing design for years.