Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest and unforgettable games through the years. For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best video games, our attention this time turns to games with a fantasy theme. From vast MMORPGs to games with colorful worlds, you have a lot of games to whet your appetite. Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
World of Warcraft
Halo and World of Warcraft were two games that swept an entire nation of gamers with their wonderful gameplay, online player ecosystem, and astonishing worlds. Where Halo appealed to fans of action-centric gun-based gameplay, World of Warcraft catered to an audience of gamers who adored fantasy card and board games. This MMORPG released in 2004 by Blizzard Entertainment takes place within the world of Azeroth and takes place years after Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. This title allows you to create an avatar and traverse a vast open-world setting via a first or third-person perspective. It encourages cooperation from players as the bosses and quests can serve as a challenge when you’re alone. The game offers some fun PVP elements for those who’d like to test their prowess against other players. World of Warcraft entices players to continue playing for long periods via its addictive experience system. You’ll find yourself leveling up over time and gaining access to a variety of powerful items that you can sell for in-game currency to get other immaculate artifacts. This game has outlived many titles that dared to challenge it. If you’re looking for a fun MMORPG to play with your buddies for a long time period, check out World of Warcraft.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most influential video games of the past decade. This game boasts phenomenal gameplay, and high replay value, and offers many distinct locales for players to explore. This game offers players a chance to craft their own unique tale with its stellar customization system too. Skyrim takes place in the land of Tamriel, where conflicts arise regarding the king’s throne. At the same time, a dragon unexpectedly returns to Skyrim to wreak havoc on its residents. Deemed a Dragonborn, you must protect Skyrim from various wildlife and foes who aim to destroy it all. The story offers some clever turns, but it’s not the game’s selling point. What drives people toward Skyrim is its satisfying adventurous atmosphere. This world opens the door for players to explore their surroundings, purchase homes, complete missions, marry NPCs, and participate in other delightful activities. Check out The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim if you’re in need of an adventure.
Final Fantasy (Franchise)
No fantasy-themed game list would be complete without a mention of Square’s Final Fantasy franchise. Each game boasts an incredible plot, well-rounded characters, and exciting battles to overcome. Despite starting off as a turn-based JRPG, Final Fantasy has evolved over time with releases like Final Fantasy VII Remake and Dissidia Final Fantasy. Nonetheless, each game retains the enchanting atmosphere and emotional scenes fans adore. The battle animations in each game will fill players with glee and assist with their immersion. Voice acting is another key factor in Final Fantasy’s repertoire of game releases. It helps players feel a part of our character’s journey and understand the hardships they face from a personal angle. The gameplay itself can feel addicting at times. Some bosses can feel overly difficult to beat, requiring gamers to use proper strategy in hopes of overcoming the trial. Lastly, each Final Fantasy game’s setting evokes a sense of wonder and delight. You’ll find it hard to turn a blind eye to each game’s immaculate visuals. Final Fantasy’s soundtracks only add to the experience too.
Dragon Quest (Franchise)
Many RPGs and JRPGs wouldn’t be as grand and exciting if not for Dragon Quest. This title predates many well-known RPGs and went on to influence a generation of games, gamers, and fantasy addicts alike. It’s one of the rare JRPGs to not break tradition as it retains a similar turn-based structure similar to games like Pokémon. Fans who’re unfamiliar with the franchise should know that each game harbors different protagonists, side characters, and villains. However, each game evokes a similar atmosphere and offers a colorful world to explore. These worlds offer fun side quests, quirky NPCs, and memorable sequences that’ll leave a lasting impression on many gamers. That said, fans shouldn’t expect the games to feature joyful narratives. While there are moments where fans will smile at each cast’s quirks, the events they stumble across can feel heartbreaking or cruel from a thematic point of view. This parallels greatly with Dragon Quest’s cartoon-like art style. Fans searching for a traditional JRPG series with depth and nuance should play Dragon Quest.
Dragon Age Origins
This game boasts a rich storyline, an astounding cast, and excellent gameplay. This title wants players to experience a journey that’s distinct from their peers. It boasts a wealth of choices and dialogue to keep you hooked and glued to your screens. In Dragon Age Origins, you’re given the option to become the game world’s greatest hero or most menacing villain. It presents you with 6 origins to pick from and each background features a separate prologue scenario to tackle. This gives gamers enough groundwork to understand the ins and outs of its world. The game’s side characters aren’t irritating. Players will enjoy the characters’ dialogue, responses, and personalities. Their responses to the choices you make in-game help with your immersion. If you want a game with depth, charisma, and freedom, check out Dragon Age Origins.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring was a phenomenal experience from start to finish. This game harbors an alluring dark fantasy world full of challenging obstacles, fun combat, and chilling monsters for you to defeat. Many compare the game’s hardcore design to the Dark Souls series, as you’ll find yourself raging at the game’s powerful entities. Despite its insane difficulty curve, many players adore the challenge. Vanquishing a powerful foe can feel rewarding, especially those who put you through a heap of trouble. Boss battles are treated like spectacles you’d find in cinematic films. The visuals and animations given to everyone in Elden Ring allow players to stay immersed in their surroundings. With a fun customization system, robust gameplay loop, and exciting multiplayer functionality, it’s no wonder fans declare Elden Ring as their 2022 Game of the Year choice.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo set out on a mission to create some worthwhile experiences with their next system. With the Nintendo Wii U’s lackluster sales dreading slowly over their heads, they didn’t want a repeat of the event with the Nintendo Switch. This led Nintendo to release a slew of impactful games releases during the system’s first year. One of these games was none other than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This game boasts incredible puzzles, excellent visuals, and satisfying combat. This game follows Link, who awakens from a 100-year slumber. Upon meeting a mysterious gentleman, Link learns that he must embark on a quest to defeat the evil Calamity Ganon who has taken the Kingdom of Hyrule hostage. Despite not having any intricate dungeons or varying bosses, Breath of the Wild provides vast meadows, rocky terrain, snowy landscapes, and multiple towns to visit. The game includes some cameos from iconic Legend of Zelda characters alongside some new faces for people to interact with. If you’re searching for a Legend of Zelda game that changes its formula for something grand, I’d recommend checking this game out.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CDPR was hailed as one of the best video game developers today. While Cyberpunk 2077 soured fans’ excitement for future titles from them moving forward, many adore the rich fantasy setting they delivered with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This action-adventure game boasts wonderful storytelling, intricate quest design, and expansive lush environments to venture through. It’s worth highlighting that the game’s combat system may leave folks decisive. It’s less about learning enemy attack patterns and leans heavily into using your best equipment to attain a victory over an enemy. If you can overlook the game’s subtle inconveniences then you’re in for an amusing fantasy adventure. This game follows Geralt’s quest to find his former apprentice Ciri before The Wild Hunt does. He’s a monster hunter for hire who doesn’t back down from a fight. Geralt will meet many fearsome foes with powers capable of ending his world. The game’s side quests never feel uninteresting and the dialogue will keep you hooked into the narrative.
Dark Souls Remastered
The Dark Souls series is known for putting gamers through the toughest situations possible. Many titles like Bloodborne and Elden Ring owe Dark Souls respect for setting the precedent for hardcore dark fantasy titles. To fully appreciate the game’s glory, fans should consider picking up Dark Souls: Remastered. It’s a visually enhanced and modified version of the 2011 classic. The remastered version comes jam-packed with the Artorias of the Abyss DLC expansion. This gives players more content to dive into after they’ve completed this brutally pleasing endeavor. For those unaware, Dark Souls Remastered takes place in the fictional kingdom of Lordran. You’ll control a cursed human character who embarks on a quest full of undead people. This title never narrates the story for you. It’s not a game that’ll hold your hand either. It’s up to you to gather this world’s clues in hopes of understanding the bigger picture it’s trying to tell. The enemies never pity the player. Each battle feels as frustrating as you can expect and you may die multiple times. Nevertheless, if you can withstand the game’s challenging aspects, you’ll walk away with this title feeling confident and powerful.
Fable
Fable is a classic action RPG developed by Big Blue Box Studios, a satellite developer of Lionhead Studios. Many gamers and critics praised this series and the first entry for its quality gameplay and execution. In it, players control their character who is deemed the mantle The Hero of Oakvale, who can interact with people and objects and battle enemies. Your mission is to complete quests that advance Fable’s plot. The game offers optional missions and allows players to pursue actions not tied to the story’s completion. You’ll acquire most of your quests at the Heroes’ Guild. Despite being a heroic figure, you can assist evil characters like bandits with their tasks. The game includes a nice wager system where you can get rid of your gold earned through quests in exchange for something valuable. The NPCs in Fable feel authentic compared to other action RPGs. These characters react to your newly adorned attire realistically and compliment you on your achievements. The game’s experience system has enough depth to warrant long play sessions too. Therefore, Fable is a fun action RPG with an endearing fantasy setting that leaves a wonderful impression. So, there we have it, our pick for the best fantasy-themed video games through the years! What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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