Exploring dungeons and getting strong special artifacts is one of the most fun aspects of fantasy RPGs. What other games gives that feeling? I know at least 10 of them. Welcome to the list of 10 best games about collecting artifacts. Gotta catch ’em all! I mean, collect them all…
Almost all role-playing-games has artifacts in them to a degree. But today, we’re talking about the ones really deep into the artifact / artefact collecting aspect.
Artifact collecting games:
1. Skyrim
Skyrim is already an artifact collecting game by itself. However, mods really take it up to the next level. How? With legacy of dragonborn, and other museum mods of course.
Skyrim is filled with artifacts, but they always end up in the players chest somewhere, forgotten. Thankfully, Legacy of Dragonborn and etc. changes that. Now you can display your artifacts on a museum, collect revenue from visitors, go for artifact hunting, and leave a legacy behind.
To be honest, legacy of dragonborn mod is what made me create this list. Because it’s possibly the best Skyrim mod ever. It can easily be a standalone video game in the future.
2. Crusader Kings 3
If you played Crusader Kings 3 at the launch and now confused to see it on this list, let me clarify something, CK3 now has artifact system. It has it for about a year already. Now your dynasty can have many artifacts to display on courtroom or carry along in your bag. All artifacts in Crusader Kings 3 have unique bonuses. So, they’re worth collecting. Besides, you can challenge to duel / chess for the claim of an artifact, steal artifacts, commission artifacts, and win some in tournaments.
Some of the worthy CK3 artifacts I can remember:
- Skull of St. John the Evangelist
- Skull Cap of Charlemagne
- Head of St. Edmund
- Ark of the Covenant
- Throne of Solomon
- Crown of Justinian
- Sandals of Jesus
- Image of Edessa
- Reichskrone
- Papal Tiara
- Curtana
3. Stellaris
Stellaris is a 4x grand strategy game set in the entire galaxy. You start as a civilization who recently discovered faster than light travel technology and ready to explore the depths of the galaxy. Mapping the stars is offering a unique challenge because the galaxy is filled with unique civilizations, events, factions, ruins, wormholes, and anomalies.
Collecting cosmic artefacts through space is super fun. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find an infinity stone in your next playthrough!
4. Dark Envoy
Dark Envoy is a party-based dungeon crawler RPG with steampunk elements which is released in October 2023. The story is about a party of relic hunters and their epic adventure.
I can easily say this, Dark Envoy is the budgeted version of Divinity Original Sin 2 / Baldur’s Gate 3. The main difference is that the Dark Envoy is steampunk, so there are guns in it.
5. Assassin’s Creed
All Assassin’s Creed video games are featuring the struggle between assassin’s and templars. Both factions want to secure the ultimate magical artifacts.
Look back in the series, Altair and Ezio fought against templars for the ownership of artifacts such as apple, staves, swords, etc. Those are all magical Isu (ancient and highly-advanced species) artifacts.
You can also collect non-magical artifacts in AC games. Like armors, swords, hidden blades, crossbows, etc.
6. Zelda Games
Basically, every Zelda game is about collecting rare gear. If you haven’t played Zelda, one of the most popular video game series, now is the time!
For newcomers, I recommend starting with the Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017), and move to the latest release The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023).
By the way, Zelda is the name of the princess. You play as Link, brave warrior hero!
7. Outward
Outward is a fun fantasy RPG you can play co-op with your friends. It’s not the best but the accessibility makes it worth your time.
What makes it artifact collecting game is the unique items. Unique Items can only be found once per playthrough. They can be dropped by bosses, rewarded via quests, and acquired from completing puzzles.
8. Torchlight II
Linking artifact collecting and Torchlight II is kinda funny because Torchlight II is an artifact itself as a video game! It is a 2012 game, very old but believe me, it’s gold.
In short, those who like isometric action RPGs like diablo will also like Torchlight 2. Besides it can be played with friends with online and LAN multiplayer options.
9. Terraria
Terraria is one of the best 2d RPGs I’ve ever played. Basically, it’s Minecraft in 2D.
Your main purpose is to survive the harsh world of Terraria, mine, build, and collecting special items, mix them and create the ultimate artifacts.
Like many of the games on this list, Terraria too has multiplayer co-op mode. It’s nice because you can flex your unique items on multiplayer. Ha ha.
10. Relic Hunters
Final game of my best artefact collecting games list is going the be the Relic Hunters Legend. It’s released on 25 Sep, 2023 and is still an early access game. However, it’s playable, fun, and worth your money and time.
Relic Hunters Legend is an action looter shooter. Very fun relic collecting game to play with friends online.
It’s an action game in essence, but the characters and story will quickly mesmerize you.