At Hitek, we are big fans of fantasy, as evidenced by our many recommendations. Today, we pay tribute to this genre once again, with a ranking of the best fantasy video games. But fantasy being the king genre of video games, and given the avalanche of titles, we decided on the one hand to limit our selection in time by only selecting games released after 2010, then by excluding the expansions.
#7 Octopath Traveler (Square Enix, 2018)
The cult Japanese studio Square Enix, to whom we owe the legendary licenses Final Fantasy et Dragon Questhas obviously played a big role in the popularity of fantasy in Japan and internationally. One of his latest licenses, Octopath Traveler is well worth the detour. The game invites us to discover the destiny of eight very varied characters evolving in the world of Orsterra. Taking full advantage of the intertwined destinies of its different characters, the game offers a narrative that is both rich and varied, through its tone and the sometimes difficult subjects it addresses.
While its turn-based combat system is fairly standard for J-RPGs, Octopath Traveler excels in interactions with NPCs. But the game’s two main strengths are its magnificent soundtrack composed by Yasunori Nishiki, which enhances an adventure in sumptuous 2D-HD settings, which have since become the trademark of Square Enixwho has just reused the process for Dragon Quest III 2D-HDscheduled for next November on Nintendo Switch.
#6 God of War (Santa Monica sTUDIO, 2018)
Taking place 150 years after the events of God of War III released eight years earlier, God of War innovates by reappropriating Viking mythology. Kratos has started a family and now lives in the Kingdom of Midgard. The death of his wife pushes him to go on an adventure with his son. Acclaimed by both critics and the public, who gave him a very enthusiastic reception, God of War 2018 version is a sublime game, both from the point of view of its aesthetics and its story.. Terribly ambitious, the game left a lasting mark on many players, before winning a shower of awards, each more deserved than the last.
The game is all the more exciting in its ability to delve into the very source of several decades of fantasy: Norse mythology, at the center of this new opus, has obviously influenced the work of JRR Tolkien, and a fortiori of his many successors. Music composed by Bear McCreary (who has since become the series composer) The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) also deserve all the praise. Santa Monica Studio has also repeated the feat of God of War with an equally prestigious sequel: Ragnarök.
#5 The Elder Scrolls V : Skyrim (Bethesda, 2011)
A true phenomenon since its release in 2011, Skyrim is the last part of the legendary saga The Elder Scrolls. After the province of Cyrodiil in The Elder Scrolls IV : Oblivion, The game immerses us in Skyrim, the northernmost country of Tamriel, ravaged by a civil war, must face a new scourge: the awakening of the dragons by Alduin.the Devourer of Worlds. The player, who embodies the Dovahkiin, the Dragonborn, who alone can bring peace and security to Skyrim.
And The Elder Scrolls V : Skyrim ultimately brings little new gameplay-wise compared to its predecessor Oblivionlet us recognize however that its impressive richness both in terms of lore and side quests has undoubtedly participated in the revival of fantasy among the public. (Let us not forget that the year of its release also saw the release of the series Game of Thrones the HBO.) Even today, the territory of Skyrim – greatly inspired by the Vikings and enhanced by the music of Jeremy Soule – continues to be an exciting playground for discovery. This is why the game has enjoyed numerous re-releases, proof of its enduring success.
#4 Baldur’s Gate III (Larian Studios, 2023)
The GOTY 2023 could obviously only be present in this selection of the best fantasy games since 2010. Highly anticipated by fans of the first two Baldur’s Gatethis third part produced by Larian Studios takes up the gameplay bases of the previous game from the independent studio. Baldur’s Gate III So we are immersed in the Forgotten Realms – the setting for one of the most legendary campaigns in tabletop role-playing games. Dungeons and Dragons. Captured by a mind flayer, our character has a larva implanted in his brain. Surrounded by several companions, he will try to free himself from this parasite that threatens him.
Graphically splendid, Baldur’s Gate III is of course a masterpiece, which gives the constant impression of participating in a game of Dungeons and Dragons. One of the game’s main qualities remains its writing, and in particular that of its many characters who each have their own story, with objectives that can resonate or conflict with those of the main character. The player benefits from an absolutely mind-boggling tree of possibilities, giving a real sense of freedom. It is also necessary to mention its impressive lifespan, and especially its great replayability; each player will have their own experience of Baldur’s Gate III.
#3 The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild (Nintendo, 2017)
The game that forever changed the face of the license The Legend of Zelda ! Released in 2017 on Wii U and Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild immerses us in a Hyrule devastated by the Scourge a hundred years ago. Link must regain control of four Divine Creatures who will help him defeat the terrible Ganon. If his scenario fits on a post-it, The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild has literally revolutionized the way we design open worlds. The game design constantly encourages exploration, which is almost always rewarded. Furthermore, The sublime artistic direction, greatly reminiscent of certain classics of Japanese animation, and the subtle soundtrack make the experience even more unforgettable.. How many times have we felt the urge to stop and look at the panorama?
So, The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wildand its excellent sequel Tears of the Kingdomrealize Shigeru Miyamoto’s ambition when he created the first video game of the license in 1986: to inspire escape and the desire to explore. A true game-changer, The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild is a huge video game, a classic among classics. Tears of the Kingdom also offers a more advanced experience, with a larger playing area (thanks to the abysses and celestial islands) and greater freedom by including crafting. However, this second game is largely based on the revolutionary foundations of its predecessor. Which obviously does not detract from its many qualities!
#2 The Witcher III : Wild Hunt (CD Projekt Red, 2015)
Third part of the video game trilogy inspired by the novels of the Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher III : Wild Hunt is not only the best game of the three, but also one of the best games of all time. In search of Yennefer and their adopted daughter Ciri, hunted by the Wild Hunt, Geralt of Rivia travels a world ravaged by war. opposing Nilfgaard and Redania and by the numerous monsters which have been terrorizing the population since the Conjunction of the Spheres.
The only game in the trilogy to feature an open world, The Witcher III : Wild Hunt therefore adds to a high-quality scenario a visually hypnotizing dark fantasy universe. The numerous side quests, which are almost as well written as its main quest, enrich the gaming experience, giving more depth to its characters and its universe. We still remember our many wanderings in Velen or on the Skellige archipelago, on foot or on the back of Ablette. Special mention for the sublime soundtrack by Marcin Przybyłowicz!
#1 Elden Ring (FROM sOFTWARE, 2022)
After the triumph of Dark Souls and of An axethe legendary Hidetaka Miyazaki has finally dared to take the open world step with the prodigious Fire Ring. And what a result! Including elements of lore invented by George RR Martin (The iron Throne), Fire Ring is an absolute marvel. Deeply influenced by Berserkthe masterpiece of the late Kentarō Miura, and by the construction of The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild, Fire Ring is the most accomplished form of the formula of Souls. Its exciting universe, which the player discovers through dialogues or the objects he finds, is served by a truly prodigious game design, a real lesson in the subject!
Awarded GOTY 2023, Fire Ring is of course full of tricky bosses, which will require many attempts before being slaughtered. But the open world allows you to approach the game in many ways, and to come back later to win a duel with a little more ease. Moreover, like Nintendo’s masterpiece, our Sans-Éclat’s wanderings in the Between-Earth offer numerous panoramas, whether in Necrolimbe, Caelid or even Leyndell, the royal capital. We also have to mention the game’s killer music, which we still listen to sometimes. A few weeks ago, Fire Ring has an excellent DLC which, with its new areas to discover and its forty bosses to fight, has the air of a second part. From Software knows how to take care of its fans!
Source: hitek.fr
