Recommend PC RPGs that are easy to pick up and play?

[angryfish]

When I have a couple of hours of downtime, I often feel like playing an RPG for a bit, but don't feel like planning a character (like I would if I were playing fallout, making sure that my starting stats are what I need in order to get all the perks that I want to have, etc.), but also want it to be complex enough to be engaging. It also needs to be something that I can easily come back to in 5 months (either making a new game or continuing where I left off), which means that it can't be something where I have to remember where I'm supposed to be going/what I'm doing next(like in Pokemon) or it needs to have a good amount of replayability. I'm not interested in any kind of multiplayer.

Some things that I like/have tried:

Fallout: New Vegas is one of my favourite games, but like I said, for me personally it requires too much planning if I just want to play something for a bit.

Dungeons of Dredmor is easy to pick up and play, and has some quite complicated mechanics, but the actual core gameplay is too simple and repetitive for what I'm looking for.

Bioshock doesn't have enough rpg elements.

Baldur's Gate is quite a good balance, but I spend more time doing inventory management than actually playing the game (and some elements of the story and gameplay put me off a bit).

FTL would be perfect but I've played it too many times.
Minecraft would be perfect if I could play the xbox version on pc.
Shadow of Mordor is okay but not particularly replayable.

Bastion is fine but I'd like to have other options.

 

[omega 616]

Torchlight series or diablo series.

I prefer torchlight for it's pet system, makes inventory management so much better, just send patches the dog back to town with all your junk to sell while you carry on the slaying.

Diablo has the better aesthetic and a few other bits, I can't even tell you the amount of times I've played and completed diablo 2 and lord of destruction.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

The Witcher 3 is the perfect RPG in my eyes. As for the character, you get a character with a face and a voice and you get an active combat system that works like in a third person action-adventure game combined with the best elements of an RPG. It's not too complicated that you'll need hours upon hours to learn and master, but it's just deep enough to be incredibly engaging and entertaining. Especially once you start combining signs (magic), potions and bombs into your combat style. The world is absolutely huge and it feels alive and real unlike most open worlds that feel artificial. The quests are varied and never boring because there aren't any fetch quests. Every quest (even smallest side quests) has a story and a background. The exploration and reward system is actually the best I've seen in an RPG because the game never makes you feel like you're wasting your time and the story is one of the best that I've ever seen in a video game. It just sucks you in. I still find it hard to believe that a game like that can exist in this day and age.

 

[Bobular]

I think Mass Effect 2 is easy to get into, but to get to that you really need need to play 1 first witch isn't as simple due to the inventory system being worse then Baldur's Gate at times.

But in terms of replayablity I think the Mass Effect series has tones.

 

[Doom972]

Did you play Fallout 3? If you liked NV, you'll most likely enjoy it as well. Skyrim might also be what you're looking for.

 

[spartandude]

Possibly Borderlands? In my opinion it's a fantastic FPS/Action Rpg. You may sometimes finding yourself doing inevntory management but over than that they are all fantastic games (number 2 being my favorite).

But for more RPG focused games i would highly recommend Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Heck KotOR 2 is easily the number one favourite game of all time period!

 

[loa]

Well if you liked bastion, try transistor.

 

[The Jovian]

Shadowrun: Dragonfall. It has a great story, easy to learn but still complex gameplay and decent customization. It's one of my favorite RPGs of all time, right up there with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (which you should also play if you haven't already, it's the best Star Wars game ever). Both are excellent RPGs that deserve your time and money. Get them on Steam if your PC still runs Windows 7 (otherwise KOTOR most likely won't run on it).

 

[Mister K]

I am not sure if my suggestions will meet all your criterias, but here goes:

- If you want something dumb and fun, try Torchlight II. It is basically more light-hearted Diablo. There are only 2 things that you do in this game: mess around with stats/gear/skills and whack things. All classes can use all weapons, and they all have three skill trees tailored for different playstyles and you can mix and match abilities from all trees of your class. Story is barely there though.

- Jade Empire. Pretty simple early Bioware action-RPG. Unique thing about it is the setting: Medieval(?) China, with Martial Arts and Chi-magic. The story is nothing too spectacular, but it's good.

- Shadowrun (Returns, Dragonfall and/or Hong Kong). The setting is basically not too distant future, where fantasy races (such as dwarves and elves) came to our world through a portal to other dimension. The class system is pretty flexible: you just assign points to things you want your character to have, and he/she does it. You want shaman fistfighter? You can do it. Charismatic haker with a shotgun? Also viable. My only advice is to raise your Health up to 6. And don't worry about the story. While it is interesting and engaging, it is mission based, so you can just complete a mission, speak with people and give it a rest for a few days. Also, I don't remember about Returns, but in Dragonfall the first few (if not about 50% of the game) you are basically doing work for your firm while your chief is looking for the info related to the main story, so at least for a few hours you won't have to worry about the big picture.

- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2. Even if you are not particularly interested in SW movies and only like the general idea of a lightsaber and Force (i.e., me) you will still enjoy those 2. Storywise, the first one is simpler, with you basically being either a good guy or a bad guy by the end, but the second one is a lot more complex and is pushing you (story, not gameplay wise) to a more or less neutral path. The biggest problem with part 2 though, is that it originally shipped without a huge ammount of endgame content, so you'll have 3 options: a) buy it on Steam where the content was restored, but be shackled by Steam DRM, b) Buy it on GOG and wait for devs to path this version too, or c) Buy it on GOG and install the Restored Content Mod.

- And the last, but far, FAR from least, is Planescape: Torment. It is a cult classic for a reason. I don't want to spoil the story (because it is THE thing people play this game for), I'll just say that it's really interesting. Also, your companions are just so damn good: a floating, joke and women loving skull, a tiefling redhead with Scotish accent, a Succubus that abandoned her ways and is your dedicated healer, and more. Also, combat wise, it is really easy.
There are 2 problems with this game though.
1. May not be a problem for everyone, but in order to fully experience the story you'll need to have high Intelligense, Wisdom and Charisma, so the game is basically pushing you towards being a mage. Check the guides about how to get all three classes and stick to the mage.
2. For you, it may have a downside since the story is complex and you may lose your way in it if you don't play for long enough.

 

[DefunctTheory]

FTL would be perfect but I've played it too many times.

I strongly suggest Convoy, a game that flat out says it was inspired by FTL.

https://www.gog.com/game/convoy
https://www.gog.com/game/convoy


You trade your space ship for a convoy, led by your MSV ( big, uncontrollable vehicle). Crew members are replaced with vehicles, which you equip with different weapons and equipment and upgrade the stats of (What you can do depends on what vehicles you have) which you then actively maneuver around your main vehicle. Its a bit less time sensitive (Its one massive map with no driving force but what you decide to do, which can sometimes make you feel a bit listless, but you'll also never feel completely boned by RNG, although occasionally you'll still get the odd rogue game bullshit event). Personally, I'm loving it so far. Highly recommend it.

EDIT: Some mood music.

Spoiler

 

[KayeFaye]

The Mass Effect games are pretty Pick up and Play, they are good mixtures of solid Role-Playing and Action. If you want even more of an action lean, Diablo is also there.

The first Deus Ex is also pretty good, it seems daunting at first and it *IS* the kind of game where you can completely lock off certain sections without sinking the right skills in but it is NOT, however, a game that will prevent you from beating it for not choosing said areas. It's pretty well balanced in that regard. Deus Ex: Human Revoultion is too light on the role playing elements for me to personally count it as an RPG, but it IS a good game and maybe it will be a good enough role playing experience for you.