Why a Ravenloft Video Game Is the Next Logical Step for D&D After Baldur's Gate 3

As a lifelong fan of role-playing games, I've spent countless hours wandering the Forgotten Realms. Baldur's Gate 3 was a masterpiece that captured the heroic, epic fantasy of Dungeons & Dragons perfectly. Yet, as we move into 2026, my excitement isn't for another sequel to that story, especially with Larian Studios stepping back. Instead, my mind wanders to a place shrouded in mist and despair, a realm where horror and fantasy intertwine. I desperately want to see the gothic nightmare of Ravenloft brought to life in a modern, story-driven video game. It feels like the perfect, natural evolution for D&D's digital presence.

Ravenloft Is the Perfect D&D Video Game Setting

You want it darker? Ravenloft delivers. This gothic horror domain has already reshaped D&D as a tabletop experience. Unlike traditional adventures focused on goblins and dragons, the original Ravenloft module thrust players into a dark fantasy riff on Dracula, creating a haunting counterpart to Transylvania filled with dread and tragic villains. When I first played through the classic 1983 module, it was a revelation—a complete departure from anything else, prioritizing a complex, oppressive atmosphere over simple monster slaying.

Its modern resurgence, the fan-favorite campaign Curse of Strahd, proved this setting's enduring power. Nearly a decade after its release for D&D's fifth edition, it remains the most beloved campaign book. In today's gaming climate, where players crave deep narrative and sophisticated role-playing, an adventure in Ravenloft is more compelling than ever. The themes of corruption, despair, and tragic romance offer a richness that standard fantasy sometimes lacks.

A Ravenloft Game Could Deliver On D&D's Greatest Strengths

So many storytelling opportunities await in the mists. Looking at Baldur's Gate 3, it's obvious that the elements players adore—complex characters, meaningful choices, rich dialogue—would translate brilliantly to a darker setting. Some of BG3's most memorable moments, like the Shadow-Cursed Lands or characters like the tormented Ketheric Thorm, already have a gothic sensibility that feels right at home in Barovia.

Ravenloft is also the perfect setting to focus on intense interparty interactions. Imagine your companions being courted not just by you, but by the domain's master himself. Strahd von Zarovich is a master manipulator, often trying to turn adventurers against each other or seduce them to his side. This adds a thrilling, paranoid dimension to party dynamics that a heroic fantasy game can't easily replicate.

From a development perspective, it's surprisingly feasible. Unlike the sprawling Forgotten Realms, the core domain of Barovia is contained. You could depict a relatively complete version in a single game. Strahd's castle, looming over the valley, is a ready-made, iconic dungeon that could rival any Castlevania-style fortress. The scope is manageable, allowing developers to focus on density of detail and atmosphere over sheer scale.

A New Ravenloft Game Is Long Overdue

D&D has never fully delivered on Ravenloft's video game potential. Back in 1994, there was a Ravenloft series, but it was a first-person dungeon crawler that looked more like DOOM. While decent for its time, it didn't have the narrative depth or production values of later classics like Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale, and it certainly hasn't aged gracefully.

The lack of a modern, story-focused Ravenloft game is becoming a glaring omission. Given the massive, enduring popularity of Curse of Strahd at tabletops worldwide, the audience is clearly there. The hunger for gothic horror in games hasn't faded—if anything, it's grown. While we might not see Bloodborne 2 anytime soon, a Ravenloft CRPG could beautifully satisfy that craving for a dark, atmospheric experience.

The one notable exception is Dungeons & Dragons Online, which added Ravenloft in a 2017 expansion. But as a traditional MMO, it can't deliver the same intimate, player-driven narrative that a single-player or co-op CRPG could. It's a fun adaptation, but it's not the definitive Ravenloft video game experience.

The good news? D&D is making a major push into video games in 2026. With several projects in development, it's not at all far-fetched to think a Ravenloft venture could already be in the works. While a direct Baldur's Gate 3 sequel might seem like the safest bet, I'm convinced that a Ravenloft game offers something better: a perfect balance. It would provide a unique, chilling identity while still leveraging the familiar, beloved rules and role-playing strengths of D&D. Out of every possibility, it's the game I'm most eager to see materialize from the mists.