[Top 15] Best Games like Baldur’s Gate 3

Updated:

25 Sep 2023

Baldur’s Gate 3 is no doubt one of the best role-playing games of 2023. From its sprawling landscapes, immersive story, and beautiful graphics, it naturally inspires a newfound love for the genre. Thankfully, RPGs have been evolving since the 1970s and have since created an iceberg of amazing games. So if you’re looking to scratch a similar itch, here’s a list of our top 15 recommendations similar to Baldur’s Gate 3:

15. The Witcher 3

Geralt's encounter with a fierce monster.

Brandish your swords as you take on the role of Geralt of Rivia, the stoic, fierce monster-slayer for hire. But killing beasts isn’t the goal of the game; with his adoptive daughter missing, explore a vast open world of dangerous cities, mountain passes, and deep caverns to find her whereabouts, all before other dangerous factions find her first.

The Witcher 3 is praised for its narrative, writing, and characters—and for good reason. Each quest is its own compelling story, tackling different themes and topics which provide depth into the game’s bleak but beautiful world. If you loved Baldur Gate 3 for its fantastical worldbuilding and sprawling amount of things to do, you’ll feel right at home playing The Witcher 3.

Choose this game if you like:

An open world that rewards free-roaming with secrets, quests, and special events: With a map packed with things to do, you’ll feel as though you’re in a setting that’s truly alive.
Unique side quests: many RPGs struggle with repetitive missions, but in The Witcher 3, each quest tends to have a unique element that makes it memorable.
An epic fantasy story that stands among the best of both gaming and cinematic history. Even those who don’t consider themselves gamers will enjoy the narrative qualities of The Witcher 3 alone.

14. Divinity: Original Sin 2

Utilize the battlefield for devastating attacks.

Set in Rivellon, where magic allows people to do godly feats, Divinity: Original Sin 2 lets you play as a god’s champion, tasked to become divine in their stead. But using magic comes at a cost, and the question now is whether you’re willing to pay the price.

Taking what they’ve learned from their previous entries, Larian Studios has packed Divinity: Original Sin 2 with the hallmarks of a great RPG: tons of fun builds, alternate storylines, compelling combat, and a world that reacts to player engagement. Even when it seems that everything has tied up neatly, it’s only at the end where the weight of your actions are fully revealed.

Ultimately, like most RPGs, Divinity: Original Sin 2 entrusts you with the fate of the world. How you go about that remains entirely up to you—who you side with, how you finish a quest, and what you do with power all cultivate into the god you’re destined to be.

Choose this game if you like:

Complex combat: The action is one of the first things you’ll hear in a list of what makes Divinity: Original Sin 2 great. While it starts like any other turn-based battle, the mechanics open up as you realize the many ways on how to approach enemies. If that means filling a chest with heavy items and throwing it to chip away at a guard’s defense, so be it! Your own creativity is your limit.
Memorable characters: While certainly not unique to Divinity Original Sin 2, the game takes it up a notch by having your own party have their own wants and desires. In practice, this means that your team can leave you depending on your actions during their storyline, making for much more memorable interactions.
Tons and tons of builds: Want to play as a spell-slinging wizard? Done. Summon the dead? Done. Bulldoze enemy defenses at the expense of poor health? Done! The game offers tons of available playstyles, some you can even mix and match to create the ultimate warrior.
Unusual setting: Fantasy is known for the weird and extraordinary and Divinity Original Sin 2 embodies these concepts. You’ll have skeleton people wearing other people’s faces or ships capable of thinking. Yet, even with all these fantastical elements, the game is able to make them feel natural and authentic.
Morally-gray choices: Nothing in life is black and white. Sure, you can definitely play the hero in the game but more often than not, you’ll be forced to consider the best decision among limited choices.
Game Master Mode: For the Dungeon Masters out there, make your campaigns come alive by using the game’s built-in game master mode. Here you can control NPCs, manipulate events, and create missions similar to how you would play a tabletop game. If you’re more of the player type, there are also custom campaigns you can download and play for unlimited hours of fun.

13. Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

Lead your troops in card-based battles.

While set in the same world as The Witcher, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales shies away from the action-adventure and instead leans heavily into a tactical deck-building game. As the queen of Lyria and Rivia, it’s up to you to command your troops and protect your kingdom from the invading Nilfgaardian Empire.

Thronebreaker takes the card game Gwent from the original series and expands upon it. Like Baldur’s Gate 3, each encounter feels like a puzzle that can be solved through multiple approaches. Whether that’s brute-forcing your way through sheer strength or beguiling enemies with status effects, Thronebreaker offers deep mechanics and even deeper strategies for countless hours of fun.

When not in combat, you’re thrust into a beautifully crafted grimdark world. Exploring is rewarded with resources, events, and worldbuilding not found in the main series. But remember that in the end, you are a kingdom’s ruler, and each of your choices has strings attached, some not immediately clear.

Choose this game if you like:

Deck building and card-based battles: Fans of The Witcher 3’s card game rejoice! Gwent comes back in Thronebreaker with expanded mechanics that capture the original’s fun and strategic combat. Even for newcomers, the Gwent system is explained effectively that you’ll get hooked by the early stages.
Political intrigue: The main plot of Thronebreaker is the growing strife between the Northern Realms and the Nilfgaardian Empire. With an invasion looming over the horizon, it’s up to you to juggle your role as queen and commander to protect your kingdom.
Tough choices: A standard among RPGs, morally difficult choices is something that Thronebreaker has polished to a tee. Your decisions are not just localized into one event but instead ripples into different narrative branches as well as how your people perceive the example being set for them.
More Witcher: If you’re just hungry for more worldbuilding, Thronebreaker covers content that the main games don’t touch. Explore new locales like the dwarven city of Mahakam, each masterfully crafted to draw you deeper into the world of The Witcher.

12. Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition

Investigate, reflect, and ponder the past that eludes you.

From the bygone era of the 90s, Planescape: Torment has remained as a hallmark of great RPGs. As the Nameless One, you wake in a mortuary with no memories, with only a floating skull to act as your companion. From there, you travel the city of Sigil, in search of your past and laying the foundation for who you’re to become.

Unlike most modern RPGs, Planescape: Torment forgoes thrilling combat for storytelling. Granted, while there are minimal changes to the overarching plot, how you get there will vary wildly on multiple runs. If you love the roleplaying aspect in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll enjoy recreating the very persona of the Nameless One in Planescape: Torment.

Now with an Enhanced Edition, you can play the game on modern hardware hassle-free! Coupled with quality-of-life improvements, a remastered soundtrack, and 4K-compatibility, exploring the city of Sigil has never been better!

Choose this game if you like:

Incredible storytelling: When judging by writing alone, it’s difficult to find a game that rivals Planescape: Torment. Its dialogue, plot, and pacing are among the best in the genre with a script comparable to the length of high-fantasy novels. Just be prepared for a lot of reading. A lot of reading.
Dialogue-heavy gameplay: Combat in the game is sparse. In fact, play your cards right and the number of battles you can get can be counted in one hand. Instead, events are handled with dialogue, with progress dependent on the choices you make.
Philosophical undertones: Possibly the most philosophical game of all time, you’ll enjoy the game for the ideas it represents like nihilism and the nature of man. This focus on the self makes the game feel personal despite reaching cosmically-high places.

11. Disco Elysium - The Final Cut

Sing the woes of life and existential crises. It's a good time for disco.

A game unlike any other, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut doesn’t have you playing a hero but as an amnesiac cop waking up in his own vomit. With no recollection of who you are, you’re suddenly thrust into a city ripe with political tension and a murder case that seemingly ties things together.

The game heavily focuses on dialogue and worldbuilding, often likened to a novel rather than a game. With virtually no combat, most conflicts are instead solved through skill checks similar to Baldur Gate 3’s dice rolls. What’s unique about Disco Elysium is that it embraces failure and asks you to do the same; a failed skill check doesn’t mean the end, but rather another path that defines your character.

That said, Disco Elysium is not for everybody. With its heavy themes and bouts of exposition, it requires the player to have a certain mood before playing. But when you have an inkling for a slow-burn game, snowballing into a political drama, war, and reevaluation of self-worth, Disco Elysium is made for you.

Choose this game if you like:

Solving a high-profile murder case: If you like playing detective, Disco Elysium circles around a murder case you need to solve. Granted, while not particularly unique, the game’s execution of the puzzle will have you fixating on what’s fact and fiction.
Dice decide your fate: Thanks to the game’s mechanics, you won’t have full control over what happens in the story. Even an event that has a high guarantee of success may result in failure if the dice aren’t on your side. But the reverse is also true; depending on the roll, even seemingly impossible odds can become miracles.
History-rich setting: The city of Revachol isn’t just a backdrop for the story to progress. As you explore the streets, you’ll soon find a place that’s full of history, culture, and trivia that has evolved even before your involvement.
Interesting and quirky side characters: Aside from Kim, your partner-in-crime and fan-favorite companion, the game is filled with interesting characters. Each feels like a real person with their own stories to tell. Given time, you may find them more related to the case than what you initially thought.
Amazing voice acting: In the Final Cut edition of the game, each line of text is voice-acted–amazingly, too. From the narrator to the NPCs, the addition of voices brings life to the blocks of text.

10. Wildermyth

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A game with a cute arstyle because tentacle-tongued frogs are terrifying.

With its papercraft aesthetic, it’s easy to mistake Wildermyth for a game focused on simplicity. Don’t be fooled though; despite each adventure lasting only about 10 hours, they become interconnected through your characters’ legacy. Every playthrough lets you encounter your previous adventurers, seeing them take on new roles like a mentor or family man depending on your in-game choices.

The main appeal of Wildermyth is how it interacts with the player themselves. While you may sway two characters into romance, the game can introduce a love triangle because your choices have shaped the adventurer into a hopeless romantic. These aren’t just flavor text, too; depending on your character relationships, you can get various stat boots or debuffs, providing more depth to the combat and roleplaying.

Being a procedurally-generated game, the combination of events you can get is practically endless, especially with sandbox mode turned on. Add a great modding community and Wildermyth can literally remain a fresh experience across legacies.

Choose this game if you like:

Procedurally-generated storytelling: The main appeal of Wildermyth is that there’s no defined story. That means while it won’t have a strongly-defined narrative, there’s an infinite number of story events that you can get making each playthrough unique.
Gameplay-altering choices: Wildermyth can be deceptive in how much your choices affect the gameplay. In truth, almost every action you choose will have long-lasting consequences. For instance, letting a character remain cursed after a battle can make them give birth to a child afflicted with the same condition, so choose your actions carefully.
Character relationships and matchmaking: Some people like playing matchmaker and in Wildermyth, you can guide characters into a relationship you see fit for them. Not only does this seem like a minigame on its own but you’ll have stat boost or debuffs depending on how their interactions play out.
Creating and playing new campaigns: By offering multiplayer support,you can play through Wildermyth with friends. You can let the game itself guide you through the adventures or create your own, capturing a tabletop feel that few games can replicate.

9. Wasteland 3

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Firing a bazooka against giant, mechanical spiders.

Take command of the Desert Rangers, lawmen and women rebuilding society after a nuclear fallout. After an AI-gone-rogue threatens to eradicate humanity, you’re forced to destroy your base to take the machine down along with it. Now with no supplies, dwindling numbers, and growing enemies, aid comes in the form of an interstate call, promising help in exchange for a job that grows darker with every turn.

Unlike most RPGs, Wasteland 3 takes on a scifi approach rather than fantasy. As such, it’s a great pick just for its change of pace, let alone its array of quirky characters, dark humor, and enjoyable turn-based combat. In harder difficulties, encounters require more emphasis on tactics, but when you pull off a nice combo, the game feels all the more cinematic.

For those worried about starting in the third entry of the series, worry not! Wasteland 3’s story stands on its own save for minor references from its predecessors. In fact, it has improved every aspect from the previous games that it has cemented itself as one of the best modern RPGs to play.

Choose this game if you like:

A break from fantasy-based RPGs: Fantasy games are a dime a dozen. True, each of them have their own unique elements but it’s easy to see overlaps in the genre. In Wasteland 3, you’re in for a world rooted in science fiction, meaning robots, cyborgs, and guns instead of the usual fantastical tropes.
Apocalyptic stories: Of course, being set in the aftermath of a nuclear fallout, society is in ruins. The game does a great job in telling the story of how society continued to evolve and how different it has become compared to what we have today. In fact, modern-day items are seemingly so far-fetched that donuts are a myth in the game.
Turn-based gunplay: Guns are the main weapon in Wasteland, and there are tons of them. From one-handed pistols to a mini-nuke, you’ll have the option to customize how you’ll shoot down the bad guys.

8. Solasta: Crown of the Magister

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Breathing fire to put the undead back to the grave.

A sleeper hit from 2021, Solasta boasts a strong introduction to classic RPGs. It follows standard fantasy tropes, specifically, a group of adventurers seeking artifacts from a dead civilization (and fighting dragons!). However, it adds its own flair with spectacular set pieces and a tight combat system with heart-pumping moments of tension.

Like Baldur’s Gate 3, Solasta uses the 5th Edition of the Dungeon and Dragons’ ruleset, making it the easiest game to follow in terms of mechanics. You’ll see familiar phrases like initiative and attacks of opportunity, as well as recurring classes, bonuses, and skills. That said, it follows a more faithful adaptation of the rules so expect a more tabletop-like experience compared to Baldur’s Gate 3.

This isn’t the only difference that sets the two apart. Solasta takes advantage of its linearity, with clear directions where to go next. For those new to the genre, this approach benefits from being less overwhelming and is a better pick for players who prefer a guiding hand.

Choose this game if you like:

Character creation: In the game, you create not just one, not two, but up to four playable characters. This gives you total freedom on how the dynamic between party members play out–not to mention it just boasts a splendid character creator in general.
Faithful D&D recreation: As fun Baldur’s Gate 3 is, there are some homebrewed mechanics that will make hardcore tabletop fans go, “That’s not in the rules!” If you’re one of those people, you’ll be pleased to know that Solasta adopts the 5th Edition rulebook down to the dot.
High-stakes combat: Combat is the highlight of the game. In fact, the developers themselves admitted that they’re not competing narratively but instead focused on creating a tight system that makes combat fair and engaging.
Large modding community: While the main game is fun, Solasta also has a large number of modders that bring new life to the game. From simple spells to full-blown campaigns, there’ll always be a reason to come back to the game.

7. Elden Ring

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Valiantly charging a dragon with only mettle and sword.

Elden Ring takes all the best parts of the previous Soulsborne entries and injects them with a refreshing open-world formula that entices both newcomers and veterans alike. With a massive map ripe with mystery and danger, you’ll never want to put down the controller. But adventurers beware: combat remains as unforgiving as ever, putting players on the edge of their seats as they panic roll through the dangers in the Lands Between.

By now, FromSoft Studios has perfected their brand of storytelling, creating worlds that are as fascinating as they are fearsome. This doesn’t just extend to lore alone; plenty of items contain hints or narrative clues thus encouraging exploration and reviewing text. Don’t fret though, reading is entirely optional and the extensive buildcrafting options are perfect if you just want to mow down difficult bosses (after losing to them yourself, of course).

Essentially, Elden Ring, like Dark Souls before it, is a game of mastery. More than its quests or dungeons or NPCs, it’s about trial and error, loving the losses just as much as success. After all, the Lands Between are hostile, but when you finally chip away the horrors that kill you, it’s about wanting more anyway.

Choose this game if you like:

Difficult but accessible gameplay: We’re not going to lie: Elden Ring is a punishing game. That said, it’s also the most accessible among the Soulsborne series, especially for newcomers. If a boss is giving you trouble, simply wander off into a different area first and level up. Not to mention that summoning is easier than ever, whether that’s friends or in-game companions.
Varying builds and playstyles: I personally go for a standard swordsman build because that’s how I grew up with Dark Souls. If you want to branch out, however, the game offers hundreds of builds to experiment with. Even weapons can have imbued spells to add flair to melee fighters.
Deep, twisted lore: FromSoft has always been good at creating intricate, bleak worlds. This time, they’ve collaborated with Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin to create their best setting yet. You’ll encounter dying gods and rot-filled lands, all of which tie organically into the worldbuilding.
Rewarding exploration: Unlike other open-world games, the map in Elden Ring is full of activity. That rock by the edge of a cliff may just be a new dungeon or holds a special piece of equipment. Regardless of what it is, exploration is rewarded in the game–and if nothing else, the Lands Between is just a gorgeous sight to behold.

6. Assassin's Creed: Origins

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Climbing the pyramids for a scenic view.

As the turning point of the series, Origins shifts from the series’ standard stealth formula into an open world that few games can rival in scope. Here, you’ll travel through ancient Egypt, exploring significant landmarks like the pyramids and the Nile River, all the while uncovering the beginning of the Assassin’s Brotherhood.

The fun doesn’t stop there either! Characters are as rich as the environment they’re set in, and aside from a few repetitive quests, will have engaging stories to finish. The main characters themselves are set on a warpath for the murder of their son. However, like Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll need thoughtful consideration of what stats to level up to make it to the next battle.

With Origins, all limitations of the previous games are virtually removed. Instead, the series takes on a new creed: Kill how you want, explore as you please, and loot what you will. This evolution to modern day standards has just the right amount of change to excite both fans and newcomers alike.

Choose this game if you like:

Exploring ancient civilizations: The game’s rendition of Egypt is beautiful. Exploring the golden sands of the city in incredible detail and interactivity is an experience offered only by Origins.
A dark, revenge-filled story: The main plot of Origins is dark and heavy, the kind that deals with grief and loss. However, this makes character growth all the more rewarding. If you like seeing characters go through highly personal and dramatic changes, Origins has one hell of a story to tell.
One-shot assassinations:If you like feeling like a badass, you’ll be pleased to know that Origins retain assassination kills. As long as you remain undetected, you can pull off stunning animations that can take down enemies in one move.
Reliving the history of the franchise: The Assassins’ Brotherhood has been a staple in the entirety of the series. Here in Origins, we finally learn the beginning of what sets the stage in the later games.

5. Monster Hunter: World

A successful team effort to hunt down a ferocious beast.

Even after four years from its initial release, Monster Hunter: World stands at the peak of the franchise. While the core gameplay is the same–namely hunting giant monsters–it has been polished to perfection with more mechanics added to keep things fresh. For starters, maps are now seamless and brimming with interactive elements like boulders to drop on a target’s head.

Granted, the series isn’t known for its roleplaying aspect. Instead, it’s at its best when you want thrilling, action-packed battles against gigantic beasts. This is all the more evident in World where while there’s an extensive list of gear to choose from, equipping the right ones can be the difference between being hunter or prey.

If you are going to pick Monster Hunter: World, we recommend getting the Iceborne expansion pack along with it. Not only does this come with a larger roster of monsters, it also adds quality mechanics like the clutch claw. And when you’re tired of grinding alone? Turn on multiplayer to make hunts more exciting with friends (or randos, we don’t judge!).

Choose this game if you like:

Grinding for loot and equipment: Ultimately, this is the make or break aspect of the game. You hunt monsters, harvest parts, and craft equipment back at base–rinse and repeat. The gameplay is top-notch, but you’ll have to like grindy games; some can even spend hours just hunting the same monster repeatedly to complete an armor set.
Hunting monsters in a beautiful backdrop: Imagine this: you’re in a hidden part of a jungle, tracks in front of you illuminated by the dim light of fireflies. Then a growl, a roar, and suddenly a dinosaur-like beast rusher from a corner ready to bite. In World, you’ll feel more like a hunter than ever, with mechanics that help track the target. But remember,you’re still mortal and a miscalculation can easily send your HP to zero.
Heavy-feeling moveset: Unlike other action-RPGs, Monster Hunter: World’s weapons have a weight to it. Each attack is predated with a slight pause as though bracing for the next move. Others may find this mechanic clunky, but it adds a certain realism to the game, and dissuades you from just button-mashing to win.

4. Wartales

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Resting in camp before venturing into a savage world.

Wartales throws you into a nation suffering the aftermath of a plague. Now run by bandits, thievery, and mercenary work, morality is a trait almost forgotten. The game makes it clear from the start: you’re not a hero of this story, just another cog in a hostile world, desperate to survive.

The gameplay loop of Wartales is brutal; it forces you into gritty turn-based combat while simultaneously juggling your resources, party, and expanding your mercenary group. At one point, you can even cook your fallen comrades if you’re low on food. There’s also an expansive list of skills and weapons, so if you enjoyed customizing your loadout in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll enjoy the amount of choices if Wartales.

Ultimately, Wartales is an economic simulation RPG, draped with medieval overtones and a grounded low fantasy feel. There are storylines to investigate, but don’t expect an overarching narrative with a neat ending to tie it all together. Like we said at the start, you’re just another set piece to the game, and where or when to stop is entirely up to you.

Choose this game if you like:

Setting up combos and class interaction: Gameplay in Wartales is addictive for a reason, and setting up combos is one of them. It adds strategy into the combat and forces you to think which skills best pair up with each other. The setup definitely takes commitment but when your barbarian forces the enemy troops into the archer’s auto-hit range, the results are worth it.
Exploring tombs: Akin to dungeons, you can explore tombs in Wartales. Aside from its beautifully gritty aesthetic, the puzzles are engaging and require some thinking to solve. Be aware though, some require reflexes so prepare your thumbs for cramps.
Progressive difficulty: The world never feels easy in the game. As you level up and your crew grows, the enemies become more challenging as well. If you prefer your combat to remain touch until the end, Wartales has you covered.
Economy management: In the game, you don’t just run your party. You’ll have to consider the entirety of your mercenary crew’s rations, professions, and progress. Failing these, prepare to lose some of your recruits, sometimes even your strongest characters.

3. Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition

A failed skill check resulting into combat.

Baldur’s Gate II is the pinnacle of RPGs at the time of its making, and in many ways, holds up by modern standards. You’ll find yourself in a Roman-inspired world, pursuing plot lines that take you from prison breaks to illusory circuses to the game’s equivalent of Hell without so much a dip in atmosphere or agency.

It’s not a one to one comparison to Baldur’s Gate 3, though. Baldur’s Gate II uses the 2nd Edition ruleset of Dungeons and Dragons so some mechanics will vary. Similarly, combat takes a backseat for the story. Don’t get us wrong:, it certainly runs deep, with new skill combinations and special items that can surprise you even after multiple playthroughs.

Like Planescape: Torment, we recommend getting the Enhanced Edition of the game. Not only does this allow native support for modern resolutions but also adds hundreds of bug fixes and improvements to the original game.

Choose this game if you like:

High-fantasy stories: It’s a world set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, enough said. Kidding aside, Baldur’s Gate II tells a wonderfully-crafted story that combines appropriate thematic elements and organic antagonists for a one of a kind experience.
Memorable NPCs and companions: The number of characters in the game is simply massive. Despite this, they all have their own uniqueness that you’re likely to have at least one memorable event with each of them. Plus, because some characters are only seen through certain choices, you’re encouraged multiple playthroughs to see everything the game has to offer.
Satisfying combat: With the amount of skills and abilities in the game, you’ll be hard-pressed to make the combat unenjoyable. Simply put, the game allows for a plethora of playstyles so you can choose which sounds most fun. If, somehow, you still find the gameplay lacking, it also sports extensive difficulty options to make the game catered for you.
Becoming an all-powerful character: The game is unapologetic when it comes to letting you feel powerful. Despite struggling at the start, you can see how your character grows into a being that can easily bulldoze through dozens of enemies.

2. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

Not the best-looking goblin, but not worst either.

Taking place between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, gamers can enjoy Middle-earth™: Shadow of Mordor without prior knowledge of the franchise. After being killed by Sauron’s armies, you are revived anew with wraith-like abilities–you set out to battle once more, this time with a vengeance.

In terms of presentation, Shadows of Mordor has brilliant spectacles in the form of combos, abilities, and cutscenes. What truly sets this game apart, though, is its brilliant Nemesis system; here, you literally create your own worst enemy. Foes that survive combat can be promoted, gaining strength or debuffs depending on how the battle played out.

What’s interesting is they can evolve throughout the game–you can gouge an Orc’s eye out and see them in later stages with an eyepatch and a beefier body. This makes each encounter unique and catered to your personal experience, even if the main story remains roughly the same.

Choose this game if you like:

The Lord of the Rings: Of course, being set in Tolkien’s magnum opus, the Shadow of Mordor derives a lot from previously-established lore while still maintaining its own identity. This is a treat to long-time fans, but newcomers will appreciate the organic introduction of Lord of the Rings lore.
Cinematic combat: Battles in the game are executed beautifully. You can slip around the battlefield in the shadows before emerging to rip apart an enemy’s head. If you just want to feel cool and badass, combat here definitely gets the heart pumping.
Space for roleplay: Thanks to the Nemesis system, there’s plenty of room for roleplay. Recurring enemies evolve alongside you, making the encounters feel personal. How you engage them becomes entirely up to you.

1. The Elder Scrolls: Online

An all-out brawl featuring your build. PvP action doesn't get any better than this!

Elder Scrolls is a long-running franchise known for their strong open-world elements and RPG mechanics. With The Elder Scrolls Online, you’re in for a rich universe polished by years of expansion packs that expands the previously established worlds in Skyrim and Morrowind. Plus, being an MMO game, you can invite friends and strangers alike, putting a fresh coat of paint on your adventures.

True to the series’ fashion, the game is defined by its flexibility and freedom. Unlike other MMOs, you’re free to explore the continent as you please and a combat system reminiscent of the mainline games. That means there’s no tab-targeting but instead you’ll have to block, aim, and attack with real-time button presses.

It also sports a PvP system that ties directly to the main story. After reaching higher levels, you can test your mettle in the Alliance Wars, where you can battle other players in huge battles that challenge how you’ve leveled up your character. Plus, with the latest expansion just released last June 2023, it’s a good time to sink new hours into the game while waiting for the fabled Elder Scrolls 6.

Choose this game if you like:

MMO-style progression: Elder Scrolls online both benefit and suffer from being an MMO game. Thankfully, it’s not subscription-based, so aside from a few paid DLCs and cosmetic upgrades, you can play the whole game after a one-time purchase.
More dungeons, more Elder Scrolls: If you just want a game to tide you over Elder Scrolls 6, Elder Scrolls Online does a great job at keeping you on your toes. Its dungeons are exciting with new things to do even after a hundred hours in. Plus, they add more depth to the Elder Scrolls universe.
End-game content: Some people just want to keep at a game even after reaching max level. Thankfully, Elder Scrolls Online still has tons to offer afterwards like specializing in a profession or simply just engaging in high-level PVP.

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