(Best Pc Games)In the wake of “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” a masterpiece of RPG gaming, the quest for similar experiences leads us to “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” – a realm of boundless adventure and freedom. This journey doesn’t stop here; it extends to a curated list of 13 exceptional games. Each offers its unique flavor of storytelling, world-building, and immersive gameplay. Join us as we explore these worlds, each echoing the depth and excitement of “The Witcher 3,” and discover why they are treasures in their own right for RPG enthusiasts.
1. “The Witcher” and “The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings”
- Release Date & Production House: Developed by CD Projekt Red, “The Witcher” was released in 2007, followed by “The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings” in 2011.
- About: These games set the stage for Geralt of Rivia’s story, offering a dark fantasy world rich in Slavic mythology and moral ambiguity. With a strong focus on narrative, the games blend action RPG elements with a complex story.
- Why Play: For those who enjoyed Witcher 3, playing the first two games provides a deeper understanding of Geralt’s backstory, the politics of the Continent, and the intricate relationships he navigates.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: They establish the narrative depth, world-building, and character-driven stories that Witcher 3 is lauded for. The choices made in these games can significantly impact the world and characters, mirroring the complex decision-making process in Witcher 3.
2. “Elder Scrolls Series”
- Release Date & Production House: Starting with “The Elder Scrolls: Arena” in 1994 and most famously “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” in 2011, this series is developed by Bethesda Game Studios.
- About: This series is known for its expansive open worlds and freedom in character development and exploration. Set in the continent of Tamriel, each game offers a unique storyline, with rich lore and detailed world-building.
- Why Play: The Elder Scrolls games are renowned for their massive, explorable worlds filled with numerous quests and a high level of character customization. The games offer a variety of playstyles, catering to both action-oriented players and those who prefer a more strategic approach.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Like Witcher 3, the Elder Scrolls series excels in creating an immersive world filled with lore, freedom of exploration, and a plethora of side quests. The focus on player choice and a vast, open world are key elements shared with Witcher 3.
3. “Fallout Series”
- Release Date & Production House: Originating in 1997, the series, particularly “Fallout 3” (2008) and “Fallout 4” (2015), was developed by Bethesda Game Studios.
- About: Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the Fallout series combines dark humor with survival and RPG elements. Each game explores the aftermath of a nuclear war, offering a unique blend of retro-futuristic aesthetics and deep narrative.
- Why Play: The Fallout series is praised for its rich storytelling, open-world exploration, and the freedom to shape your journey. The player’s choices significantly impact the game world and narrative, offering a personalized experience.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Both the Fallout series and Witcher 3 share a deep commitment to storytelling and player choice. The immersive worlds, filled with unique characters and moral dilemmas, offer players a similar depth of engagement and narrative richness.
4. “Elden Ring”
- Release Date & Production House: Released in 2022, Elden Ring is developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.
- About: This action RPG is set in the Lands Between, a world filled with rich lore, vast landscapes, and challenging enemies. The game is noted for its open-ended exploration, deep combat mechanics, and storytelling collaboration with George R. R. Martin.
- Why Play: Elden Ring offers a unique blend of challenging combat, exploration, and storytelling. Its world is densely packed with secrets, diverse environments, and complex boss battles that encourage strategic thinking and skill development.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Both games immerse the player in a richly detailed world filled with lore and a sense of grand adventure. Elden Ring’s emphasis on exploration, intricate world design, and the depth of its lore aligns closely with the experience provided by Witcher 3.
5. “Dragon Age Series”
- Release Date & Production House: Developed by BioWare, the series began with Dragon Age: Origins in 2009.
- About: Set in the fantasy world of Thedas, the series is known for its deep lore, complex characters, and impactful player choices. Each game explores different regions and aspects of the world, with a strong focus on narrative and character development.
- Why Play: The Dragon Age series offers a rich, story-driven experience with a focus on party dynamics and moral choices. The games are celebrated for their well-written characters, engaging plot, and the depth of their lore.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Like Witcher 3, Dragon Age places a strong emphasis on narrative, character development, and a world impacted by player decisions. The focus on storytelling and the depth of the game world resonate with what players appreciate in Witcher 3.
6. “Kingdom Come: Deliverance”
- Release Date & Production House: Developed by Warhorse Studios, Kingdom Come: Deliverance was released in 2018.
- About: This game offers a realistic medieval RPG experience set in the Kingdom of Bohemia. It stands out for its attention to historical accuracy, realistic combat, and immersive world-building.
- Why Play: Players looking for a historically grounded RPG with a strong narrative and realistic combat system will find Kingdom Come: Deliverance appealing. The game emphasizes realism in every aspect, from character interactions to the combat system.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: While Kingdom Come leans more towards historical accuracy, it shares Witcher 3’s attention to detail, immersive storytelling, and a living, breathing world. Both games create a strong sense of place and time, pulling the player into their respective worlds.
7. “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey”
- Release Date & Production House: Developed by Ubisoft Quebec and released in 2018.
- About: Set in ancient Greece, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a part of the expansive Assassin’s Creed universe. The game stands out for its blend of history and mythology, offering a vast open world to explore and a flexible combat system.
- Why Play: Odyssey is celebrated for its rich storytelling, detailed open world, and the freedom it offers players to explore ancient Greece. The game provides a mix of historical and mythical narratives, allowing players to delve into a well-realized and vibrant world.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Both games feature expansive open worlds filled with a wealth of quests and side activities. The focus on strong narratives, character development, and richly detailed settings make Odyssey comparable to the experience in Witcher 3.
8. “Divinity Series”
- Release Date & Production House: Developed by Larian Studios, notable titles include Divinity: Original Sin (2014) and Divinity: Original Sin II (2017).
- About: Known for their deep tactical combat and interactive environments, these games set in the fantasy world of Rivellon offer a rich narrative and a high degree of player freedom.
- Why Play: The Divinity series is lauded for its strategic depth, character customization, and the impact of player choices. The games offer a unique blend of humor and fantasy, with a focus on cooperative gameplay and puzzle-solving.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Similar to Witcher 3, the Divinity series provides a deep RPG experience with an engaging story, complex characters, and a world responsive to player actions. Both series offer a memorable journey with meaningful choices and a richly detailed world.
9. “Ghost of Tsushima”
- Release Date & Production House: Developed by Sucker Punch Productions, Ghost of Tsushima was released in 2020.
- About: Set in feudal Japan, this action-adventure game focuses on the story of Jin Sakai, a samurai on a quest to protect Tsushima Island during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. It’s known for its stunning open-world, samurai combat, and beautiful storytelling.
- Why Play: Ghost of Tsushima is celebrated for its breathtaking visuals, engaging combat, and emotional narrative. The game immerses players in a beautifully crafted story set against the backdrop of a vividly realized historical setting.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Both games offer a visually stunning open world to explore with a strong narrative focus. Ghost of Tsushima, like Witcher 3, features immersive storytelling and well-developed characters, along with an array of side quests that enrich the overall experience.
10. “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” and “Shadow of War”
- Release Date & Production House: Developed by Monolith Productions, Shadow of Mordor was released in 2014, followed by Shadow of War in 2017.
- About: Set in the Lord of the Rings universe, these games blend action, adventure, and fantasy elements. They are known for their innovative Nemesis System, which creates unique interactions and rivalries with enemy characters.
- Why Play: For their engaging combat system, the innovative Nemesis System, and the rich lore of Tolkien’s universe. These games offer a unique perspective on the Lord of the Rings world, filled with action and adventure.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Like Witcher 3, the Middle Earth games provide a deep fantasy setting with engaging storytelling and character development. The focus on a narrative-driven experience in a richly detailed world is a key similarity.
11. “The Outer Worlds”
- Release Date & Production House: Released in 2019, The Outer Worlds is developed by Obsidian Entertainment.
- About: This sci-fi RPG is set in an alternate future that diverged in the early 20th century. The game is known for its dark humor, narrative-driven gameplay, and player-driven choices that impact the story and the game world.
- Why Play: The Outer Worlds is acclaimed for its engaging narrative, memorable characters, and the impact of player choices. Its satirical take on a corporate-dominated space colony offers a unique twist on the RPG genre.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Like Witcher 3, The Outer Worlds excels in storytelling and character development. Both games allow for significant player choice, impacting the narrative and world around them.
12. “Baldur’s Gate Series”
- Release Date & Production House: The series began with Baldur’s Gate in 1998, developed by BioWare.
- About: These classic RPGs are set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. They are celebrated for their deep storytelling, complex characters, and strategic combat.
- Why Play: For fans of traditional RPGs, the Baldur’s Gate series offers intricate narratives, strategic gameplay, and rich fantasy settings. The series is a benchmark in the RPG genre, influencing many subsequent games.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Both series are known for their storytelling, world-building, and character development. The emphasis on narrative depth, player choice, and a complex game world aligns closely with the experience provided by Witcher 3.
13. “Nioh Series”
- Release Date & Production House: Developed by Team Ninja, the first Nioh game was released in 2017, followed by Nioh 2 in 2020.
- About: Set in a fantasy version of the Sengoku period in Japan, the series is known for its challenging combat, detailed settings, and a unique blend of Japanese history and myth.
- Why Play: Nioh is celebrated for its demanding combat system, deep lore, and rich historical and mythological setting. The games offer a unique take on the action RPG genre with a focus on skill and strategy.
- Similarity to Witcher 3: Both Nioh and Witcher 3 feature dark fantasy worlds with deep lore. They focus on challenging combat and a narrative that delves into folklore and mythology, offering a rich and immersive gaming experience.