Summary
Magic, monsters, and gods are all in the nature of fantasy games. The genre is different from sci-fi, as it deals with the supernatural and the mythical, as opposed to having a strong basis in technology and science. While often set against medieval-like backdrops—takeElden RingorTheLord of the Ringsfor example—when combined with a modern setting, fantasy can take on a whole new range.
Often referred to as “urban fantasy,” games that explore myths in more contemporary backdrops frequently create excitingly relatable experiences that stimulate players' imaginations, especially when presented in open-world forms. This list compiles some of thebest open-world games that combine the modern and mythical.
Since its humble beginnings as a 1996 Game Boy title,Pokemonhas grown intoa world-renowned franchisecomplete with manga, anime, card games, and even films. Despite there being so manyPokemongames,PokemonScarletandVioletstand out as marking the beginning of the franchise’s shift into open-world gameplay.
Part of what makesPokemonso appealing is its grounding in normal, everyday settings injected with the fantastical, with ordinary kids as protagonists. Many Pokemon are actually based on various mythologies; for example, Koraidon draws inspiration from the Spanish dragon, Cuelebre.
Religious or not, most readers will be familiar with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—the embodiments of war, famine, plague, and death believed to bring about the end of the world. In its fantasy interpretation,Darksiders 2has the player controlling Death, attempting to resurrect the humans and clear War’s name after the Apocalypse.
Darksiders 2has an interesting aesthetic, with players sometimes exploring the dismal archaic Kingdom of the Dead, and other times roaming a 2000s Earth. Seeing the epic-ness of amagical good-vs-evil conflict cross over into real-worldmodern settings makes for a memorable gaming experience.
Being a roadie has its challenges; hauling equipment, dealing with band members, going unacknowledged, not to mention leading an army to defeat legions of demons.Brutal Legendfollows Eddie Riggs, roadie for the band “Kabbage Boy,” who is transported to a heavy metal rendition of the underworld after getting blood on his belt buckle at a gig.
Having a roster of witty rock stars traversing this realm armed with magical electric guitars, racing, shooting, and slashing their way through the hordes sounds bonkers. However, the cameos and Easter Eggs fuse the modern and the mythical well, makingBrutal Legenda must-try for metal fans.
While theAvatarfranchise leans into the sci-fi genre, it undoubtedly also falls into the fantasy column where the universe has little basis in real science. From Pandora’s lush biomes with floating islands to the mythical dinosaur-esque creatures and noticeably elven alien Na’vi,Avatar: Frontiers of Pandorarolls topical human subject matter and a fantasy narrative into one.
Set in the not-so-distant future, the player-controlled Na’vi is pitted against modern weaponry as they attempt to reconnect with their species amid invasion by the RDA.Like its film counterpart,Frontiers of Pandoraexplores themes that are relevant today, including environmentalism, colonialism, and the preservation of native culture.
The vampire, despite first being recorded all the way back in the 11th century, is an enduring mythical figure that has survived up to the present day.Vampyrtakes place in post-WW1 London, following Dr. Reid, a phlebotomist with an ironic craving for blood, on a mission to find the source of the Vampire epidemic that is plaguing the city.
Vampyrbrings a grippingtwist to the classic vampire mythos, letting players explore a more modern open-world while giving the vampire more moral and emotional depth. The feeding mechanic is interesting, with certain prey choices altering story paths by permanently removing NPCs from the game, and also impacting the “district status.”
Slightly less modern, yet progressing beyond the Industrial Revolution,Hogwarts Legacyis an open-world game set beforeFantastic Beastsand Harry’s arrival at Hogwarts. The player takes on the role of a fifth-year student with an innate ability to use ancient magic, a skill they must decide how to use amid a goblin rebellion.
Despite all the magic and mythical creatures of Rowling’s world, the game feels grounded in reality, which was a huge draw in the original series. Many fans will remember the excitement of believing in the possibility of an ordinary child like themselves receiving an invitation to the school of magic.
One of thebest-selling RPG franchisesof all time,Final Fantasyhas delved into a range of gaming genres, from MMO to racing to shooter. While many prefer the linearity of the earlier titles, Square Enix’s decision to takeFinal Fantasyopen-world still proved to be a big hit.
Final Fantasy 15follows Prince of Lucis, Noctis, and his three companions as they venture across Eos to save his Kingdom from both war and the Daemon-creating Starscourge plague.15’sdistinct combination of modern elements and fantasy makes for an exciting vibe, placing diners and cars in the same universe as magic and monsters. The game does outline the relationships between characters and the story well, which largely cancels out the criticisms about pacing.
Infinity Nikkiis an open-world game set in the fictional Miraland, a world of wishes that can be explored in through combination of puzzles and platforming, alongside gacha elements and competitions. Players can follow the story, or collect bugs and appreciate the scenery to their hearts' content.
There is no doubt thatInfinity Nikkiis one of the most aesthetic open-world games to come out of 2024, blending gorgeous pastel environments with elegant fairy tale-esque creatures. The game’s main appeal isthe dress-up features; players can unlock or craft different outfits, some of which grant special abilities, with the many different styles being whereInfinity Nikki’smodern flair excels.
Assassin’s Creedis a growing franchise, already boasting thirteen titles, each containing its own compelling stories that span across history.Assassin’s CreedOdysseyis the eleventh entry, alternating between modern day and Ancient Greece, with the player attempting to find the Staff of Hermes in Atlantis amid a much larger plot involving war, gods, and cults.
In true open-world fashion, players can freely explore Greece, with side quests, gladiator competitions, hidden treasure, and collectibles to be found. Crafting is also a feature inOdyssey,but by far the most exciting part of the game is getting to battle monsters from myth, including the Minotaur and the Sphinx.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis the eighteenth title in the franchise (by release). AfterBreath of the Wildpioneered the direction of the series' open-world games, Nintendo continued running with the format, building on the existing mechanics and environments in the sequel.
Set in the fantasy world of Hyrule,Tears of the Kingdomhad every opportunity to go the same direction as other titles in the genre with a purely medieval vibe. What makes it special, however, is its integration of modern technology. Most notably, players can build recognizable vehicles like planes, bikes, and cars, while simultaneously encountering dragons and other mythical beasts. Beyond the creative blend of modern and classic fantasy,Tears of the Kingdomis an overallstunning game that excels in visuals, story, and gameplay.
