Ok, so I'll be the first to admit I'm not a real gamer. I have enjoyed a number of (pc) games in my life, but I know next to nothing of the game world, have never owned a console and am very much not up to date.

However, I do like playing games every now and then - I just don't really know where to start. The few games I really loved, I just kind of happened to come across.

So I figured: why not ask the experts for advice?

The number one game I've always loved is Dungeon Keeper (and Dungeon Keeper 2). I've finished both games and played them as a teenager and again as an adult, through GOG. I really enjoy this game not just for the type of gameplay (I like building up things, having my own say in how to build whatever it is, and being able to take my time) but also for the fun in the design and the whole idea of being the bad guy.

Other games I've actually finished as a teen/twenty-something were Rayman 2 and 3. I think they're kinda 3D platform games? Again, fun design and a cool world to run through. Have tried Rayman Legends, but despite the fact that it looks gorgeous, it didn't capture my attention as much.

Another game I've spend a lot of time on is Rose Online, a mmorpg. I enjoyed wandering around the world and being able to increase my skills, though eventually the missions stopped and I lost interest.

So what do I like? Based on this: I don't have any preference for very realistic games when it comes to design, and cartoonish violence is preferred over realistic violence. (Though once you get into a horror or fantasy world, I don't mind. I just don't care for realistic war.) I like big worlds with lots of things to see and find out. I enjoy puzzles as well as some skill in moving a character around, though I'll freely admit I'm a button basher. I also enjoy a good story, and playing God. As may also be clear, I really don't mind playing older games. I know next to nothing and I actually quite enjoy the older designs etc. Reminds me of the nineties/early zeroes.

So based on all that, what do you experts think are THE games I should try that I can find here on GOG? Hope you can help me!
(Edit: to be played on a laptop btw, as I have no gaming PC and I enjoy sitting on my couch.)

It seems I have similar tastes, as I came to GOG just for Rayman and Dungeon Keeper. I'm a fan of the Rayman series, but I still think that the first one is the best, and I enjoyed 2 and 3 more than Origins (which is like Legends and came first). On the other hand, I've played plenty of console and PC games and I like many "hard" games, so I don't know if I will succeed in helping you.

If you liked Dungeon Keeper and you like building, you should try Theme Hospital. It's a game made by Bullfrog, which actually made Dungeon Keeper. I totally love that game too, although I think it gets harder on later stages.

If you like platformers with puzzles and exploring, you could try:
* Fez starts as a platformer but is actually more a puzzle game. You can't die and most of the fun is figuring the puzzles by yourself.
* Gex is a platformer which came around the time Rayman launched, and I liked it too. I bought the GOG version but haven't tried how well it plays, though.
* If you want something with a funny story and don't mind pixelated graphics, try The Messenger. It starts as a basic platformer but personally keeps getting better.
* If you have ever played and liked classic Sonic games, try Freedom Planet, is a wonderful game.

Lastly, if you don't mind harder games, Hollow Knight, Cathedral, Wonder Boy III and La Mulana are awesome Metroidvanias. This is a genre focused on platforming, open maps, getting plenty of abilities and collectibles... But can be hard to complete.

Psychonauts - https://www.gog.com/game/psychonauts

1a. There is a series called Dungeons that I believe mimicks the Dungeon Keeper gameplay for current generations. I haven't played any of the games myself, so I can't sayi if they're any good, but they might be worth checking out. Dungeons 2 and Dungeons 3 are available here on GOG.

1b. If you just want to play an evil Overlord, regardless of genre, check out the 3D action games by the same name (Overlord+Raising Hell, Overlord II, both on GOG).

2. If you're looking for 3D platformers somewhat similar to Rayman 2+3, you could check out Yooka-Laylee, A Hat in Time, Skylar & Plux: Adventure on Clover Island, Asterix & Obelix XXL Romastered or XXL 2, Beyond Good and Evil, Psychonauts, like amok said, (and if you don't mind using Steam, there's also: POI, Super Lucky's Tale, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy)

3. Similar experience to an MMORPG, for single player: Kingdoms of Amalur.

Some of the newer games might not run on your laptop though, check the system requirements.

It's actually War for the Overworld that mimics Dungeon Keeper gameplay (also on GOG). I've played Dungeons 2, which is very Dungeon Keeper in some ways but has some significant departures, such as an overworld with RTS elements. So yeah, ironically War for the Overworld is only dungeons, and Dungeons has an overworld; maybe they could agree to swap titles....

Dungeons 3 is your best bet, OP.

It's a very good game and extremely cartoony.

It's similar to the Dungeon Keeper games, but not exactly the same. That's not a bad thing though. Most of the differences are good.

It having an Overworld makes it better, not worse. That adds variety to the gameplay and to the visuals.

War for the Overwolrd.

Is the spiritual successor to Dungeon Keeper kickstarted in 2015 with the blessing of Peter Molyneux himself and the voice acting by the same guy of the originals, Richard Ridings.

The game is basically a Dungeon Keeper and features new minions, rooms, tactics to avoid copyright violation.
There are a few addons for it as well as an Ultimate Edition with all the bells and whistles.

Populous 3 The Beginning (one of my favorite games) and Theme Hospital (already mentioned) are great games, made by the same guys that made Dungeon Keeper, have somewhat the same "humor style" and are fun to play. They are cheap but if you wait for a sale, wich regulary happens, they go as little as 1.3 Euros.

You also have Rayman Origins but it plays pretty much the same as Rayman Legends.
Shovel Knight is a awsome game with a real retro feel but plays great.
Limbo this game is a classic. Short and easy but very enjoyable.
SteamWorld games All good games but each has a diferent playing style. My favorite is SteamWorld Heist...

Lastly, the classisc HOMM3

I find it very hard to give advice here. There seems to be a preference for more cartoony visuals, but other than that it's pretty much open range (open world RPG, real time strategy with building, jump'n'run, be the bad guy...).

Depending on your financial situation I would simply advice to browse sales, read reviews, see what you can see yourself having fun with and take a risk here and there, until you're more clear and conscious about your taste in games. Could be you stumble across something totally not fitting any previous pattern that suddenly becomes your favourite game, who knows?

Also often finding "more of the same" can be pretty disappointing, when the new game - despite being similar - does something different than the one you try to "replace" and only then it becomes clear why you liked the first one so much.

Giants: Citizen Kabuto is also pretty fun. And Judge Dredd: Dredd vs Death. Both had me in stitches numerous times.

First of all if anyone here claims to be an "gaming expert" you can safely ignore their advice, because they will be an expert only in what suits their tastes and might not have anything in common with yours.

That said I think most people can agree with some tips laid out here. After your description I can really recommend to you Leroux's list of 3D platformers (Psychonauts, Yooka-Laylee, etc.)

Also, even before Leroux mentioned it I knew I had to recommend to you the Overlord series. Being the villain in those games is awesome, the second is good but the first is even better due to atmosphere and a better story IMHO.

And to recant the experience you have with builders you might try Theme Hospital as said above or one of the Caesar3/Zeus/Pharaoh/Emperor series. Banished is pretty good too but I don't think it will be your cup of tea because it's a bit "too realistic", as in you can lose due to hunger or a harsh winter too easily.

The Dungeons and War for the Overworld series like others commented might interest you too. Even the RTS sections in Dungeons might be up your alley. But in any case I'd check out a few gameplay videos before pressing the button.

Sadly I can't recommend you anything more aligned with your tastes on Rose Online. I'd say there must be a few open world ARPGs (like Gothic) but with less focus on realism and a different camera placement. I'd say you're probably not looking for first-person nor third-person "behind-the-character" perspectives. Unfortunately I know too few of the many ARPGs in offer to pick one for you. Maybe the Divine Divinity series? I'll leave the answer to others who actually play every game in this genre.

I'll also throw in my support for War for the Overworld. Closest gameplay and spiritual successor to Dungeon Keeper, if you're looking for something familiar. Thing is though that if you still play Dungeon Keeper 1 & 2 and love doing do, do you really need another clone added to your collection?

The new graphics make it look slicker, but it's more or less very much the same game. Maybe even too much. If you are tempted wait until there's a good deal on it.

Got some strong suggestions based on your list and some which are more speculative.

First, based on Raymen 2 and 3:

I definitely agree with anyone recommending Psychonauts. To me, the game captures just about everything about what made N64-era platforms great. I was honestly surprised by how good this game is.

To me, the second strongest candidate here would be "A Hat in Time". Yooka-Laylee comes in third, but while it is decent, it is weaker than the other two imo.

Second, based on Dungeon Keeper:
You should check out Evil Genius, which might be right down your alley: https://www.gog.com/game/evil_genius

Third, based on Rose Online:

Frankly, GOG is weak when it comes to anything remotely JRPGish...
There is some stuff you could consider like the Ys series or Xanadu, but they largely consist of action combat with limited exploration or build variety. Maybe Jade Empire could interest you:
https://www.gog.com/game/jade_empire_special_edition

Aside from that, some speculative recommendation:
Based on the other things you said, maybe The Sexy Brutale could be for you: https://www.gog.com/game/the_sexy_brutale

It is a charming game with a beautiful comic style. It is generally a puzzler with a groundhog day mechanic. The puzzles are interest but mostly more on the light side.

Since you said that god and story stuff, maybe Life is Strange would be interesting. I generally enjoyed it a lot, but I guess you have to see if a coming-of-age story of a teenage girl works for you https://www.gog.com/game/life_is_strange_complete_season

Glad someone's mentioned Evil Genius. In a nutshell - it's Dungeon Keeper but you're a Bond villain... :)

Oh, and in addition to what Robette wrote about Ys and Xanadu - I don't know if these would be comparable to Rose Online in any way, since they are not like MMORPGs at all, but looking at the cutesy screenshots of the game you liked, I wonder if you might enjoy 3D Zelda-style games like Gurumin, Oceanhorn, Yono and the Celestial Elephants, or, among the older ones, Little Big Adventure (especially the second one). They usually don't have much if any character customization and are not fully open worlds, but there is room for free exploration, some upgrades, some side quests.

In general I'd recommend watching some random gameplay footage of all the games mentioned in this thread to see whether they might appeal to you.

And since you said you just stumbled upon the games you liked, another thing you could do is buy a cheap bundle with a mix of various different games in it and then just try them out, see if any of them are fun to you. That way you might discover something new. Bundles seldom include GOG keys though, so if you'd like to buy your games here and DRM-free, that's a bit tougher (many bundles on humblebundle.com and all bundle on fanatical.com, for example, usually come with Steam keys instead).