Reetika Choudhury
The Witcher 3 is considered among the best video games of all time, especially if we talk about the games in the role-playing genre. If you fell in love with the immersive world, rich storytelling, and captivating gameplay of this game, you’re definitely not alone! This game has set an incredible standard for open-world RPGs, combining intricate plots, memorable characters, and vast, adventure-filled landscapes. But don’t worry, gamers! There’s a whole host of other games out there that bring that same magic to life in their own special ways. Whether you’re looking for more epic quests, deep lore, or just a beautifully crafted universe to dive into, we’ve got you covered. Check out these top five games that will keep your sense of adventure alive and thriving!
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
This game might not play much like “The Witcher 3,” but there are a few elements that fans of Geralt might appreciate.
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice you play as a character nicknamed “Wolf,” which is a nice nod for Witcher fans. The main story revolves around rescuing and protecting a young noble with mystical importance, similar to Geralt’s protective role.
The game is a challenging action experience where you’ll face fast and deadly enemies, both human and monstrous. The combat system in Sekiro emphasizes parrying and dodging to destabilize your enemies and deliver the final blow. Additionally, you have access to various gadgets that can significantly aid you in combat, with many enemies being vulnerable to specific tactics.
Overall, if you enjoyed the protective aspects and intense combat of The Witcher 3, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice offers a fresh yet familiar challenge.
Horizon Zero Dawn
In Horizon Zero Dawn, you step into the shoes of Aloy, a young woman living in a distant future where our once-advanced civilization has crumbled. As Aloy, you’ll unravel the secrets of your past while battling against hostile human factions and robotic dinosaurs.
Horizon Zero Dawn arrived after The Witcher 3 set a high standard for open-world RPGs, and it shows. Zero Dawn feels like a post-apocalyptic, science-fantasy version of what made The Witcher 3 so captivating. You even get a nifty Bluetooth-like earpiece that works like Geralt’s Witcher senses. As you explore the stunning, eerie landscapes of a world overtaken by nature and machine, you’ll face off against formidable robotic dinosaurs.
Assassins Creed Origins
Assassin’s Creed Origins” is a visually stunning game, but at its core, it’s a pretty standard video game. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you enjoy beautiful landscapes and levelling up your character.
As the 10th main game in Ubisoft’s historical assassination series, “Origins” is part of the current trend of massive open-world games. Instead of a structured set of challenges, it offers a vast world filled with forts to conquer, side quests to complete, collectibles to find, and high points to climb.
In Assassin’s Creed Origins you play as Bayek as well as his wife Aya, in Ancient Egypt. The game is an action RPG viewed from a third-person perspective. You complete quests to advance the story and you can explore the open world on foot, horseback, camel, in horse-drawn vehicles, or by boat. The open world includes deserts, oases, lakes, and ancient cities like Alexandria and Memphis. The game even allows you to climb to the top of the pyramids. Bayek can also dive underwater, a feature last seen in the series in 2013’s “Black Flag.”
As you explore, you’ll meet various non-playable characters who need Bayek’s help. These side missions often involve rescuing prisoners, defeating enemies, collecting items, or investigating points of interest, leading you to discover hidden treasures throughout the game.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which is both a sequel and prequel to Assassin’s Creed Origins, was released a year later, and it gives a similar experience! It was the first game in the Assassin’s Creed series that was a true RPG, and many fans even feel that it is better to Origins in few aspects.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim is an obvious choice when you’re looking for games like The Witcher 3, and for good reason. When it launched in 2011, Skyrim set the bar for fantasy RPGs. It offers a richly detailed magical world where you can roam freely, uncovering secrets, battling monsters, and indulging in a bit of alchemy whenever you fancy. One small issue some fans of the RPG genre might not like is that it offers a first-person experience.
Unlike The Witcher 3, where you step into Geralt’s shoes, Skyrim lets you create your own character. You start as a prisoner on the brink of execution, only to discover you’re Dragonborn, destined to stop Alduin, the World-Eater, from destroying everything. It’s a hefty responsibility, but there’s plenty of room for fun too. You can get married, join various guilds, and even transform into a werewolf if the mood strikes.
Skyrim was such a massive hit that it’s been ported to nearly every platform imaginable, from PSVR to Amazon Alexa. Its vibrant community of fans, modders, and players is still going strong, keeping the game alive and fresh even years after its release.
Ghost of Tsushima
If you’re captivated by The Witcher 3‘s gripping narrative and the thrill of being a master swordsman, you might want to mix things up with Sucker Punch’s samurai adventure, Ghost of Tsushima. Inspired by classic samurai films like “Seven Samurai” and “Red Beard,” this game offers a cinematic experience that’s both visually stunning and packed with intense action.
While Ghost of Tsushima isn’t technically an RPG, it features a breathtaking open world that rivals the beautiful sunsets of The Witcher 3. You can race across this world on horseback, engage in side-quests, and enhance protagonist Jin’s samurai skills, giving it a similar appeal to fans of The Witcher 3 but with a more immediate, action-focused gameplay.
The combat in Ghost of Tsushima is dynamic and immensely satisfying, capturing the essence of the samurai fantasy much like The Witcher captures the monster hunter fantasy. You can challenge enemies to classic standoffs, and the game also incorporates a rewarding stealth element that sets it apart from The Witcher.
If you loved the exhilarating sword fighting in The Witcher and crave more intense, metal-on-metal action without the complexity of stats, Ghost of Tsushima offers a thrilling experience you won’t want to miss.
