From books to movies and television, the fantasy genre has been extraordinarily well represented in media throughout the years. We’ve seen everything from critically acclaimed works like Lord of The Rings to known cult favorites like The Dark Crystal and The Princess Bride. Fantasy has also been a favored genre in the realm of video games.
The list of great fantasy based video games is as long as the Nile River, but there’s certainly a select few which rank high above the rest. Regarding finding these amazing games, Steam is a prominent home for a torrent of superb fantasy gems. These ten represent the genre’s peak.
10Dragon Age Origins
A Showcase Of BioWare’s RPG Mastery
There are few developers as synonymous with the RPG genre as BioWare. From space epics like Mass Effect to the D&D-based Baldur’s Gate series, BioWare has delved into a vast range of settings for their games, such as the fantastical world of Dragon’s Age.
While there are several strong entries in the series, many point towards 2009’s Dragon Age: Origins as the best in the franchise. With splendid writing, captivating characters, and a gripping story, Dragon Age Origins represents BioWare at its finest.
9Skyrim
Bethesda Softworks' Mangum Opus
It’s fair to say that Bethesda’s game design has fallen out of favor with the general gaming audience.Starfield’s mediocre receptionand Fallout 76’s disastrous launch have done significant damage to the studio’s reputation. But things used to be different.
2011’s Skyrim might not to be everyone’s taste and certain elements show their age, but it’s hard to find a more atmospheric and rich fantasy world in all of gaming. There’s a good reason people have put hundreds of hours into Skyrim, even years later.
8Persona 3 Reload
An Amazing Remake To A Beloved Series
Video game remakes have become increasingly commonplace in recent years. Even though most of these “reimagines” are almost indistinguishable from their predecessor aside from minor graphical improvements, periodically something special comes along.
Persona 3 Reload is a remake of 2006’s Persona 3 and, according to many, is one of thegreatest video game remakes of all time. It’s clear that studio Atlus put forth a lot of effort in updating this cherished title for a new generation of consoles.
7Hades
A Stylized Rogue-Like Gem
Often, fantasy and rogue-like go hand in hand. After all, the name rogue-like is intrinsically linked to high fantasy and tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. Nearly forty years after Rogue brokered in the genre, rogue-like is still going strong.
2020s Hades is not only a magnificent rogue-like adventure; for many, it sits upon the Mount Rushmore of rogue-like video games. Developed by Supergiant Games, Hades is as expertly crafted in gameplay design as it is magnificently illustrated in visual excellence.
6Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
One of The 2010s Biggest Surprise Hits
For as synonymous Lord of the Rings is with the genre, J. R. R. Tolkien’s high fantasy series proved somewhat challenging to successfully convert into the video game format. But that all changed when Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor dropped in 2014.
Most well-known for its one-of-a-kind nemesis system, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor might very well be the finest fantasy video game of the 2010s. Even though it’s clad in a sliver of controversy, there’s no denying the fiction of Talion is absolutely riveting.
5Divinity: Original Sin II
A Masterwork Of RPG And Video Game Storytelling
Larian Studios achieved new heights with Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2023. It was awesome to see such a talented studio finally get the universal respect it warranted. However, it’s important not to forget that Baldur’s Gate 3 wasn’t their first masterwork.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 might not feature big AAA production value, but regarding writing, voice acting, gameplay freedom, and pure creativity, it’s without equal. In the conversation of the greatest RPG games ever produced, Divinity: Original Sin 2 must be included.
4Elden Ring
Another Outstanding FromSoftware Title
If there are two things,FromSoftware gamesare most recognized for their monumental difficultly and striking worlds. It’s a mutuality across each one of their releases. Suffice to say, Elden Ring spotlights both these pieces front and center.
Elden Ring’s high barrier of challenge might not be for everyone, but in terms of fantasy settings, you’d be hard-pressed to find any game world more elegantly constructed, darkly perverse, and eternally enthralling as the world of Elden Ring. The setting alone makes Elden Ring well worth your time.
3Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
A Brutal And Brillant Samurai Experience
Fantasy isn’t always about extraordinary displays of magic and otherworldly occurrences. Sometimes, it’s the stories where the wondrous aspects feel more grounded and pragmatic, which makes them more interesting to experience.
Developed by FromSoftware, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice feels much less fantastical than their previous efforts, but it more than makes up for it with its grand blend of FromSoftware flair and remarkable Sengoku period backdrop.
2Hollow Knight
A Charming And Bewitching Metroidvania Journey
As much as we embrace the huge epic fantasy adventures seen in triple AAA titles, independent developers have proven to be just as adept at creating splendid games. There’s perhaps no game that better presents this than Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight.
This 2-D metroidvania side-scroller reaped critical acclaim when it released in 2017. Partially funded through a Kickstarter, Hollow Knight was lauded for its visuals, music, combat, and atmosphere, all of which are among the apex in fantasy video games.
1Baldur’s Gate 3
A Fantasy Treasure In Every Single Way
It took two decades for the third chapter in the Baldur’s Gate saga to come out. During that period, the property changed hands from BioWare to Larian Studios. After three years in early access, Baldur’s Gate was released in 2023.
2023’s game of the year not only brought Larian Studios to a new level of honor but represents everything that’s wonderful, not just about fantasy games or RPGs, but video games in general.With phenomenal writing, rich characters, outstanding gameplay, and a sensational narrative, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a must-play.
