Fall 2022 is a huge year for fantasy fans with both House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will premiere simultaneously, but fans can continue to get their fantasy fix in the video game medium as well. While the previous series certainly leans on George RR Martin’s brand of low/dark fantasy, there are plenty of games to satisfy fans of JRR Tolkien’s high fantasy world.
Unsurprisingly, the RPG genre naturally best suits these types of settings and as such, many of the best fantasy games fall under this category. However, between the Middle Earthgames and such Skyrimthere is plenty of variety to enjoy.
10 Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor
Although it is not an RPG, it is open world action adventure game Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor is unsurprisingly one of the easiest recommendations for franchise fans thanks to falling under Tolkien’s universe. However, it’s considered non-canon for the main series, with the game serving as its own timeline and following the Gondorian Ranger named Talion as he and an Elf Wraith he’s bonded with go on a mission to avenge their murdered loved ones.
interesting, Shadow of Mordor takes a dark fantasy approach to Tolkien’s world in this grittier rendition. Nevertheless, longtime fans will find plenty to be heartily familiar with, and the Batman: Arkham-inspired battles along with the ingenious Nemesis system make for an immersive Lord of the Rings experience.
Bethesdas The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most enduring games ever, regardless of genre. It is one of the games with the best replay value thanks to its flexible character building system that allows for countless different types of playthroughs, on top of the wealth of rich main and side story content before even the Dawnguard and Dragonborn DLC expansions.
And aside from the engaging role-playing mechanics to shape the protagonist and stories, it’s easy to see how the developers are drawing on Under the spell of the Ring for inspiration. Skyrim features an immersive and classic fantasy world full of lore, world-building and wondrous creatures and sights that Tolkien fans will feel at home.
8 Middle Earth: Shadow Of War
If fans enjoyed their alternate prequel adventures to The rings of power in Shadow of Mordorthen Shadow of the War will be a natural next step. The series turns into an action RPG, with the story continuing the grim quest of Talion and the Elf Wraith Celebrimbor as they attempt to forge a new Ring of Power to build an army capable of waging war against the Dark Lord Sauron.
Overall reception was still positive, albeit lower than mordor, with praise going mainly to the improved combat mechanics and an even more intricate Nemesis system in overthrowing and recruiting Orc tribes. Fortunately, the controversial and predatory microtransactions have been removed to make the game a much more enjoyable experience.
7 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Looking back at Nintendo’s revered The Legend of Zelda series, fans can see the clear atmospheric, thematic and narrative inspirations drawn from Under the spell of the Ring. The games usually have vivid high fantasy settings with prophetic-like stories set like classic fables, and Breath of the Wild perhaps the best modern example.
It’s the latest feature entry in the tentpole franchise, masterfully combining the series’ usual action-adventure elements with an action-RPG. Breath of the WildIts liberating open world design makes it a joy to get lost in Hyrule as it is filled with exciting encounters and meticulous attention to detail in the landscape that Tolkien fans could be proud of.
6 Divinity: Original Sin II
While the subgenre can be difficult for newcomers, Larian Studios’ Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the best modern CRPGs out there. The game is a loving tribute to the classic era of RPGs on PC, played from an isometric perspective where players manage a group of unique characters.
One of the most praised aspects is the strategic turn-based combat and how rewarding it is for the player’s choice in shaping the characters and the story in general. There is a plethora of entertaining and well-written main and side mission content to go through, and Divinity: Original Sin II is set in a happy and diverse high fantasy world filled with knowledge of that genre and Lord of the Rings fans should be excited to dive in.
5 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Era
Should players want to try the JRPG subgenre, Square Enix’s Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Era is one of the best modern JRPGs when it comes to high fantasy. The game seems to be a direct continuation of what Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King laid the groundwork for the PS2, with the Akira Toriyama-style world beautifully realized on more modern hardware in a suitably colorful way.
The turn-based combat is very traditional by JRPG standards, but it’s the best modernization of it. And in terms of scope and cheerful fantasy world design, Dragon Quest XII is arguably one of the best picks for a JRPG equivalent of Tolkien’s work.
4 Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s latest action-RPG epic certainly falls within the realm of dark fantasy – with George RR Martin collaborator to boot – but Elden Ring is far too captivating for a fantasy game to pass up for a genre lover. Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki’s signature narrative style is subtle yet enticing, packed with detailed knowledge to explore.
In terms of gameplay, the progression of characters is quite fluid and the battles are a thrilling amalgamation of their previous work on Dark Souls III and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that is complemented by an impressively substantive open world with something meaningful to discover in all directions. How committed Elden Ring is to be a compelling piece of fantasy media is more than enough to satisfy fans of House of the Dragon and The rings of power all the same.
3 Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire
Obsidian Entertainment is also responsible for bringing the CRPG genre a deserved spotlight in the modern gaming age. Their pillars of eternity series has been well received so far, with dead fire get similar praise to that of Larian Divinity: Original Sin II.
Next to a pulsating high fantasy universe, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire cleverly combines seafaring elements in its world with nautical adventures and pirate themes. It gives fans a taste of something familiar alongside an inventive twist, and has the excellent long writing style Lord of the Rings fans would expect from a fantasy RPG.
2 Dragon Age: Origins
Before developer BioWare saw its reputation in the game industry falter, Dragon Age: Origins deserved its place next to the will of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the Mass effect series as part of their “golden age” of games. Origin is a unique case, as the setting combines the best of both worlds of Tolkien’s high fantasy and Martin’s dark/low fantasy styles that do justice to his influences and itself as a self-contained fantasy universe.
As with many of BioWare’s critically acclaimed early RPGs, Dragon Age: Origins praise went to the engaging and strategic combat, as well as the engaging storytelling that players were able to meaningfully shape with serious choice-driven gameplay.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Project Red’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is another immersive dark fantasy game that any genre fan can invest in, regardless of the atmospheric approach. Even seven years later, it still holds up admirably among its contemporaries as one of the best modern RPGs.
The creative team has lovingly adapted author Andrzej Sapkowski’s source material with such candor that Geralt of Rivia and his adventures have made him a mainstream icon. Tolkien fans appreciate the thoughtful character writing and rewarding role-playing mechanics, and The Witcher 3 has that in spades of the main story, side missions, and equally acclaimed DLC expansions Hearts of stone and Blood and wine.
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