Summary
Deep lore is as important to fantasy games as well-written characters and an engaging story. Few games truly excel in such departments equally, providing not only a simple and direct plot with key events and character interactions but also acomplex background for the in-game setting. This adds extra context to almost every element of the fictional world players explore, making it much more believable and, in some cases, almost palpable.
Below you’ll find some of the best fantasy games with themost extensive and rich lorethat causes fans to constantly discuss theories, share their discoveries, and find new connections between seemingly unconnected story beats. Note that some games from the list below are based on already established settings with rich histories, such asThe Lord of the Rings,Dungeons & Dragons, orThe Witcher, which makes it somewhat easier to excite players with their long-term backstory alone. Yet, more often than not, the developers of such titles also contribute to enriching the already existing lore by adding many new facets to it.
You know it, you love it. One of the most acclaimed titles of recent years,Baldur’s Gate 3has won almost every possible award in the year since its launch and has set several records that previously seemed impossible for turn-based party-driven RPGs. As the third installment of the iconicBaldur’s Gateseries, the game utilizes the latest edition of the tabletop fantasy role-playing system ofDungeons & Dragonsand elevates it to never-before-seen heights with a cast of memorable characters, exciting and varied quests,important lore revelations, and insane production values that can make even the largest studios blush.
With the setting of Forgotten Realms so vast and diverse at its core,Baldur’s Gate 3sometimes might feel a bit overwhelming, seemingly trying to indulge every fantasy fan’s wishes, and leaning into fan service a bit too much. Yet it is an undeniable achievement for the genre and a new peak for classic RPGs for many years to come.
TheElder Scrollsseries started as a direct answer to the popularUltima UnderworldandDungeons & Dragonsgames back in 1994, but with just the second installment, the series had grown far beyond its initial secondary nature. By the timeMorrowindbrought the franchise into full three-dimensional graphics, the world of Tamriel already represented one of the most cohesive andrich fantasy settingson the market. This legacy was later notably enriched in the subsequent entries,Oblivionand, especially,Skyrim.
Even 13 years after launch,Skyrimremains one of the most beloved open-world fantasy RPGs ever made, which illustrates the tremendous work accomplished by Bethesda on every level. With unparalleled freedom, the feeling of adventure at every step, iconic characters, and a complex lore foundation with a 16-year history at its core,Skyrimstill outshines several newer games by the studio, includingStarfield.
Elden Ringgenerated incredible hype right after its initial announcement when it was revealed that Hidetaka Miyazaki was collaborating with none other than George R. R. Martin, the acclaimed creator ofA Song of Ice & Fire(orGame of Thrones). Players are still debating the extent of Martin’s role inElden Ringand even joke that the author only created a pool of names for in-game characters and bosses, usually starting with his initials. Yet the complexity and overarching nature of the Lands Between is beyond question, even though fans have to work hard to uncover every small but crucial detail.Powerful gods and evil cosmic entities, royal dynasties and bloodlines, forgotten bastards and treasons, and of course, colossal legendary creatures — there are plenty of layers to be excited about when immersing yourself in this masterpiece.
Elden Ringis a universe unlike any other, yet Miyazaki named many sources of inspiration, fromShadow of the Colossus,The Elder Scrolls, andRuneQuestgames toThe Lord of the RingsandThe Eternal Championnovels. WhileElden Ringis arguably Miyazaki’s best and most popular work yet, it’s also worth noting the studio’s past games, especiallyBloodborneandDark Souls 3, which also feature stellar original worlds with incredibly rich and complex lore.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed action RPGs of all time, and rightfully so. After the first two excellent entries, CD Projekt Red was finally able to spread its wings to the fullest, creating one of the biggest open worlds filled with interesting stories at every step. Based on the self-titled series of fantasy novels known asThe Witcher Saga, written by Andrzej Sapkowski, the team managed to preserve the original legacy while delivering its own bold vision, introducingThe Witcheruniverse to the masses far beyond Europe, and turning it into a popular and recognizable IP.
Over the years working onThe Witcher, Sapkowski has created a coherent background for his universe, largely based on rich Slavic mythology. In the world ofThe Witcher, known as “The Continent,” different races, cultures, and kingdoms collide while being constantly threatened by monsters and powerful beings from parallel realities. Despite the grand scope, rich backstory, andintricate lore,The Witcherstories are always very personal, which is why they resonate with so many people.
Pillars of Eternitywas created as the spiritual successor toBaldur’s Gate,Icewind Dale, andPlanescape: Tormentfrom both lore and gameplay perspectives, aiming to present a worthy modern contender to cult-classic old-school RPGs. Thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, Obsidian Entertainment managed to revive players' interest in these kinds of games, delivering a fresh yet slightly familiar universe and a complex RPG for hardcore gamers.
With plenty of fantasy races, mighty Gods and their direct influence and interactions, as well as the unique central theme of The Hollowborn Crisis (Waidwen’s Legacy), affecting newborns and denying them a soul,Pillars of Eternitycaptivates, amuses, and keeps players glued to the screen with its stellar writing. The sequel,Deadfire, builds upon every element of the original,delivering a complex pictureequally interested in grounded colonialistic politics and Godly matters, sprinkled with pirate romance on top. Obsidian will return to the world of Eora in the upcomingAvowed, one of the most-anticipated future RPGs.
TheDragon Ageseries started withOriginsas a spiritual successor to the popularBaldur’s GateandNeverwinter Nightsfranchises. According to lead writer David Gaider, the main sources of inspiration for creating theDragon Ageworld wereThe Lord of the RingsandA Song of Ice & Firefantasy novels, but there are also some notable nods toThe Witcheras well. Racial dynamics play a crucial role inDragon Age, portraying elves not as high beings from Tolkien’s works but as ghetto dwellers and outcasts. Thedas is a mix of high and low fantasy, with several key conflicts, such as the Mages vs. Templars opposition and Darkspawn Blights serving as high points for the franchise.
TheDragon Ageseries has experienced some identity crises throughout the years, notably changing the universe’s visual elements, atmosphere, and mood from game to game, yet always remaining true to itsearly-established lore beats and key conflicts. WithInquisition, the series reached its modern peak, scoring many GOTY awards back in 2014. We’re yet to see how BioWare will resolve the promising Solas and the Old Gods plotline started inInquisitionin the upcomingDragon Age: The Veilguard. Hopefully, fans won’t be disappointed.
Middle-earth: Shadow of WarandShadow of Mordorare classic open-world action-RPGs that prioritize tense combat encounters and clearing orc encampments and strongholds above anything else. Yet, backed by the acclaimed and influential universe ofThe Lord of the Ringsby J.R.R. Tolkien, the titles by Monolith Entertainment offernew perspectives on familiar characters and events, even though some die-hard fans of the original may not be fully satisfied.
With many returning yet revamped characters (the games are non-canon), including Sauron, Shelob, Isildur, Celebrimbor, and Gollum, among others, a strong lore and background foundation, and a breathtaking implementation of the patented Nemesis system that allows for unique NPC interactions,Middle-earth: Shadow of Waris an easy game to recommend to open-world action fans who like to immerse themselves in well-developed worlds and settings, even though some may argue that Middle-earth deserves much better.
