Role playing games are fun, especially in the fantasy setting. Dragons, mages, monsters, and such are the pillar stones of the gaming, believe it or not.
Fantasy setting in gaming and literature is super popular because of the escapism factor. Some view escapism argument as a bad thing but I don’t agree. Real life sometimes can be mundane, boring, or even painful. A little bit of escapism every now and then can be fun and good for you.
GAMES WHERE YOU CAN PLAY AS DRAGON
Are you ready to pour hundreds of hours of your time to gaming? You better be. Because RPG genre is known for its long-playtime hours. Here is the list of 26 best fantasy role playing games:
1. The Elder Scrolls of Skyrim
Obviously, The Elder Scrolls of Skyrim is the best fantasy role playing game of all times. It’s the first game comes to your mind when you talk about RPG in general, and possibly the most played one.
It’s open-world sandbox like nature, multiple different ways of role-playing, living world, and freedom makes it the best fantasy RPG of all times in my view. And I’m not the only one who thinks that way.
SKYRIM BEST VOICED FOLLOWER MODS
When you’re talking about Skyrim, you should most definitely mention modding. Because nowadays Skyrim is like an empty shell without mods. There are so much new content in mods that makes vanilla Skyrim look like a demo game.
2. Witcher 3
Both Witcher games and movies are based on the book series of Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. You should read them if you liked the games. Anyways, I ranked Witcher 3 number 2 but to be honest, Skyrim and Witcher share the top. They are really different games but still both of them are considered fantasy RPG.
Witcher 3 is an award winner fantasy RPG considered the best game ever by many. It offers an atmospheric open-world gameplay with story rich narrative. Player character is Gerald the witcher, as a witcher you must hunt monsters, ghosts, and abominations with your skillset. May that be swordsmanship, magic, or simply wits.
What can I say more? Witcher 3 is a masterpiece.
3. Elden Ring
Elden Ring is the most popular fantasy RPG of 2022 – 2023. I know, popularity not always equals good game. But in this case, it does!
It’s a souls-like game developed by the creators of Dark Souls franchise. So, don’t expect a chill RPG experience, this is a hard-core game. A game in which you’ll die a lot.
All in all, Elden Ring is a must play because of its open world exploration, variety of classes, and epic boss battles.
4. Baldur’s Gate 3
There it is my favorite early access game. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a party-based fantasy RPG based on the D&D lore. For those who don’t know, Dungeons & Dragons is the most popular fantasy tabletop role-playing game of all times.
Here is the story. Mind Flayer ship abducted you along with many others and infected all with a brain parasite. This parasite will kill your and turn you into one of them. You and your companions must work together to remove this brain parasite.
The game is released in 2020 with only act 1 available. It’s still in the early access but expected to be fully released in 2023.
5. Divinity Original Sin 2
Divinity Original Sin 2 is the same as Baldur’s Gate 3, except it’s not based on D&D. It has its own lore. But both are party-based RPGs created by Larian Studios.
I was running away from turn-based RPGs like a plague. Then, I meet Divinity Original Sin series. It’s fun, quirky, epic, and amazing RPG franchise that must be played.
The Divine is dead. The Void approaches. And the powers lying dormant within you are soon to awaken. The battle for Divinity has begun.
And you’re in the middle of it.
6. Kenshi
Kenshi is a squad-based free-roaming RPG where you play as a drifter. As a drifter you’ll do whatever job you can get in a sandbox environment.
You can be an adventurer, a trader, a farmer, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, etc. There are many jobs in Kenshi but none of them pay good. Surviving is hard in the unforgiving world of Kenshi. Just try and avoid being eaten by cannibals in the first 5 minute of your gameplay.
Kenshi is one of those rare fantasy RPGs you’re not the hero but a regular person trying to make a living.
7. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Dragon’s Dogma is an action RPG first released in 2012 for consoles. Then it’s later ported to PC in 2016, next gen consoles in 2017, and Nintendo in 2019. Enhanced version is called Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen.
Essentially, it’s an old game but let me tell you something, I’ve yet to see a fantasy RPG with better spell casting animations. Dragon’s Dogma has the best spells in any fantasy RPG, even to this day.
8. Dragon Age Origins
Dragon Age saga started with the Dragon Age: Origins and believe me when I say this, it’s the best Dragon Age game. You can buy it on Steam including all DLC. It’s also possible play DAO via EA Play.
In this game you are a fresh Grey Warden recruit, latest member of the last legendary order of guardians. With the return of mankind’s ancient foe, you and your order needed like never before.
9. Fable Anniversary
To me Fable is the ultimate fantasy RPG. The more good you do, the brighter angelic halo you get on your characters head. And of course, evil deeds will make devil horns grow on your head. For every choice, there is a consequence.
It’s a pretty old game that is released in 2004, but thankfully they released a re-make in 2014 called Fable Anniversary. It’s improved, polished, and still playable even in 2023.
10. Gothic 3
Gothic 3 is a cult classic game from 2006. I don’t normally say this, but you should know, Gothic 3 might be hard to get into unless you’ve played it before, because its gameplay is really outdated.
As for the story, it’s timeless and epic. The game takes you on a journey of a nameless hero that becomes a legend.
11. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur is a fantasy RPG marketed as a Skyrim killer. It was meant to rival Skyrim but that didn’t happen. Still, it’s a good 2012 fantasy RPG that is re-made in 2020 with much better graphics.
Secrets of Amalur is waiting to be uncovered! Jump straight into the journey, explore the vibrant city of Rathir, clear dungeons, and rescue a world torn apart by a vicious war.
12. Grim Dawn
Grim Dawn is a Diablo like game with more RPG elements. A great mix between RPG and hack & slash genres.
The game takes you to an apocalyptic fantasy world where humanity is about to be wiped out. You must help survivors and fight the enemies with everything you got.
13. Titan Quest
Here is an epic fantasy RPG featuring mythology from all around the world with amazing boss battles. You can say that the Titan Quest is isometric RPG version of God of War.
Interesting locations you’ll be visiting in Titan Quest:
- Greece: Delphi, Megara, Sparta, Athens, Parnassus.
- Egypt: Giza, Nile, Valley of Kings, Memphis, Thebes.
- Orient: Hanging Gardens, Babylon, Silk Road, Great Wall, Jade Place.
- Atlantis
- Olympus
- Asgard
- Jotunheim
It’s 2006 game but 2016 re-make anniversary edition is available on Steam.
14. Torchlight II
Let’s continue with another old classic hack & slash action RPG. Torchlight 2 offers non-stop action, epic battles, treasures, and fully randomized world. So that you can enjoy a different experience whenever you play with different class.
Also, you can relax while playing Torchlight because it’s kinda chill game. You can fish, pet, interact, and explore. Graphics are cute too, as can be seen from the thumbnail above.
15. Last Epoch
Last Epoch is one of those games that mix magic fantasy and sci-fi perfectly. Time travel, dungeon crawling, role playing, and many more interesting elements waiting for you in Last Epoch.
It’s currently an early access game but almost a complete one. You can choose one of the 15 mastery classes and enjoy the unique world of Last Epoch.
16. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
The first game Monster Hunter Stories 1 was Nintendo exclusive. Thankfully, Monster Hunter Stories 2 released for both Nintendo and Windows. It is a role-playing game revolving around hunting monsters.
In this one you became a rider and form bonds with friendly monsters, to hunt wild monsters. You hatch, raise, and rise your buddy monsters… Look how the tables turn.
17. Pillars of Eternity
RPG, fantasy, isometric, story rich, decisions and consequences… Pillars of Eternity is a mix of my favorite genres. After all, Pillars of Eternity is the spiritual successor to old Baldur’s Gate 1 and Icewind Dale video games.
Play as one of six races, utilize five core skills, customize your character, sculpt your own story, and explore! So, what are you waiting for? Gather your party and venture forth.
18. SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Let’s continue with a turn-based strategy RPG set in the magical world of SpellForce. In this game you take control of a wizard’s tower from your master and study a multitude of spells to cast over the lands around you. As a wizard you can summon fantastical minions and train mighty warriors to roam the world.
SpellForce: Conquest of Eo offers fas-paced fight but in a tactical turn-based way. Sounds unbelievable I know but it works very well.
19. GreedFall
GreedFall is an RPG in which you explore uncharted new lands filled with riches, fantastic creatures, magic, and secrets. You’ll be the one who forges this new world’s destiny.
So, use diplomacy, deception, and force to influence the living magical world and become part of it.
20. The Forgotten City
The Forgotten City is one of my favorite RPGs of all times. It mixes fantasy, sci-fi, and philosophy in the Roman Era setting.
Here is the story. You stumble upon a cave that leads to an ancient Roman city. The city is dead, but you can rewind time in this forgotten city. Here is the catch, whenever someone commits a crime in this utopian city, machine statues awaken and kill everybody. So, your purpose is to prevent destruction.
If a citizen or you commit a crime, everyone dies but you can rewind time to try and save citizen again, and again, and again…
21. Tyranny
Tyranny is an RPG that is over-focused on choices and consequences. Which is a good thing for any role playing game.
In this game you’re not a hero or the chosen one. In this world tyrant has already won. As an officer of this new regime, you have some choices. Will you help to strengthen the pillars of the new world order or challenge it? It’s up to you to decide.
22. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Embark on a journey to a realm overrun by demons with Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. World like that allows you to explore the nature of good and evil.
You can be a righteous mythic hero or a literal raging demon. So, play in your way and learn the true cost of power!
23. Solasta: Crown of the Magister
Solasta: Crown of the Magister is a classic party-based, turn-based RPG. It’s also licensed Dungeons & Dragons game just like Baldur’s Gate 3 on this list. Some say it’s even better than Baldur’s Gate 3 as a PC D&D game even though it’s created by a much smaller studio. I’m not agreeing with that bold claim but it’s just my opinion.
So, the game offers an epic journey in the world of Dungeons & Dragons and fans of the lore must play it.
24. The Sims 4
Yes I am talking about the Sims! It is one of the most enjoyable role playing game of all times. I know, vanilla Sims does not have any fantasy elements. But there are many paranormal and fantasy DLC released for the Sims 4. Of course, there are mods too!
Sims 4 fantasy DLCs:
- Vampires
- Realm of Magic
- Paranormal Stuff
- Werewolves
- Star Wars Journey to Batuu
- StrangerVille
- Spooky Stuff
25. Vampyr
Vampire is the sub-genre of fantasy, but I think we can make an exception to Vampyr and add it to our fantasy RPGs list. Because it’s one of the best vampire RPGs of all times.
The game features the story of newly-turned Vampyr Dr. Jonatha Reid and his struggle. You want to find a cure to save the city, but you must feed too…
It’s a great vampire game that lets you feed on people, turn people into vampire, get stronger, enthrall, and seduce victims…
26. King Arthur: Knight’s Tale
If you like Arthurian tales, Knights of the Round Table, and Merlin, you’ll love King Arthur: Knight’s Tale. God, I love traditional tales of chivalry.
The game itself is a unique hybrid between turn-based and classic character-centric RPGs. You’ll manage a team of heroes and engage in moral choices to rebuild Camelot.