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Find your next great adventure with the best games like The Legend of Zelda

Link pulls out the master sword in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
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The first real adventure many gamers ever experienced was in the world of Hyrule. The Legend of Zelda series was one of the earliest examples of Nintendo paving the way for the types of large-scale, and even non-linear, adventures that really made the player feel like they were venturing into an unknown world and discovering all of its secrets for the first time. Whether your first game was the original adventure on the NES, or Tears of the Kingdom on the Switch, it can be hard to imagine any other game satisfying that same sense of adventure, action, and freedom.

Just like Nintendo’s Mario series, The Legend of Zelda is another franchise that has managed to keep both its original 2D style of games running alongside the larger 3D offerings. While the two types of games share a lot of the same DNA, there is distinct differences in feeling and satisfaction that each one provides. Whichever style you prefer, many other games have been released that iterate and improve on those formulas. A new Zelda title is almost certain to be an upcoming Switch 2 game, but until that day, these are the games you can turn to for an epic adventure.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
90%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Guerrilla Games
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
October 31, 2024
Comparisons between Horizon Zero Dawn and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild were a little unfavorable to this, at the time, PS4 exclusive. Everyone was riding high on Link’s ability to climb any surface in the game, while Aloy was limited to specific climbing locations. It didn’t help that the two games were released within a month of each other, either. Climbing aside, these two games do have a lot in common that makes the post-apocalyptic robot-hunting game a great Zelda-like title. If you were to take Link, make him a strong female character who actually speaks, and make the bow your primary weapon, you essentially have Horizon Zero Dawn. Horizon, and its even superior sequel, is still most comparable to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and depending on what you liked about that game will determine if this is a worthwhile adventure to take. They are both open-world games, but Aloy’s quest is much more story and combat-focused, with not nearly as many secrets or things to stumble upon in the open world as you’d find in Hyrule. There are more extensive RPG elements here, plus a light crafting system, so if you ever wanted to imagine what it would be like for Link to roam around the forests stalking massive robotic creatures with a quiver full of different arrow types, Horizon Zero Dawn is the only place to go.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered - Announce Trailer | PS5 & PC Games

Elden Ring

Elden Ring
95%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
FromSoftware
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware
Release
February 25, 2022
The one lesson everyone wanted other developers to learn when Zelda went open-world was how vital that sense of discovery and wonder was. Sadly, most games still lead us by the hand with waypoints and minimaps. Well, not Elden Ring. Coming from FromSoftware, you know that this game is going to challenge you, but it is so much more than just punishing boss fights now. The world is massive and completely open for players to explore with little to no guidance from the game except placing things around the environment that look interesting. Following your own sense of wonder, no matter where it takes you, always leads to some interesting discovery. Don’t let the reputation turn you off from one of the most surprising adventures you can take.
Elden Ring - Pre-Order Trailer | PS5, PS4

Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus
85%
Platforms
PlayStation 4
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Bluepoint Games
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
February 06, 2018
Many, not all, Zelda titles have a simple story of a boy trying to save a princess. Shadow of the Colossus appears that way on the surface, but with a few major twists. You play as yet another silent protagonist named Wander, who has brought a woman to the forbidden land in an attempt to have the mysterious Dormin bring her back to life. But, for him to do this, he charges you with slaying 16 colossi that house his shattered essence. Only by killing them can he come back and, supposedly, grant your wish. There are no dungeons or other enemies to fight here. The game is just going from one boss battle to the next, but man do these boss battles hit hard. Each colossus is a test of your platforming and stamina management, just like climbing a cliff in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, only the cliff is alive and doesn’t want you climbing on it. Wander himself is very similar to Link. He only has his sword, a bow, and his trusty horse Agro. Outside of the extras, you can unlock through other modes, that’s all you have to work with for the entire game. Zelda’s bosses can be huge set pieces from time to time, but Shadow of the Colossus makes each and every one a nail-biting test of willpower and courage as you hold on for dear life as a giant tries to shake you off before you can scramble up to his weak point and plunge your blade in. This is a masterpiece of a game in its own right, but one that Zelda fans in particular should make sure to take a look at.
SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS – Launch Trailer | PS4

Hyper Light Drifter

Hyper Light Drifter
81%
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Wii U, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Heart Machine
Publisher
Heart Machine
Release
March 31, 2016
Another game that’s basically Zelda but harder, Hyper Light Drifter is another 2D-style Zelda game with a fantastic sense of style and flair. Mixing fantasy elements with a sci-fi aesthetic, Hyper Light Drifter is certainly cryptic in nature, but the real test is in the combat. Sure, you have a beautiful world to explore and plenty of secrets to find that will give you that wonderful feeling of puzzling something out using only your wits. You start out with just an energy sword, but pick up more ranged options as you progress through the game in whatever order you decide. The game does little to hold your hand, allowing you to naturally find your own way through this beautiful world. In the place of puzzles, Hyper Light Drifter challenges you in two ways. We already mentioned combat, which is fast, stylish, and brutal, but there are also environmental challenges of reflexes as well. Dashing, for example, is one of your primary tools in the game. Not only does it let you move quickly, but is integral to dodging attacks, and some secrets are only reachable if you have fully mastered the timing of this maneuver. There aren’t traditional dungeons as such, but there are certainly boss battles to test your skills against. Like the best games, nothing in Hyper Light Drifter is fair.
Hyper Light Drifter - Release Trailer

Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact
79%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, PlayStation 5
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
HoYoverse, Cognosphere, miHoYo
Publisher
HoYoverse, Cognosphere, miHoYo
Release
September 28, 2020

OK, we’ve all heard the jokes and comparisons even before the game came out, but Genshin Impact really is similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and that’s not at all a bad thing. It takes pretty much all the things people loved about the latest Zelda games (minus the building) and makes it into an evolving game that is continuously getting new content. At the same time, those additions may just be what put people off of trying this game. Since it is free to play, Genshin Impact does attempt to lure you into spending money with several gotcha mechanics, daily timers, and currencies to purchase. However, there’s a huge amount of content to enjoy without ever feeling pressured to interact with those systems at all. No part of the main story, as thin as it is, is gated off, and unless you become very invested, you probably won’t hit any progress walls you need to pay to overcome naturally. Besides the art style, what’s similar between Genshin Impact and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? Well, a lot. The world is completely open; you can climb anything you want, provided you have enough stamina. There are secrets and trials all around the world, resource gathering and cooking for buffs, and you even have a glider. The biggest change is in your party. You only control one character at a time, but you have four characters you can swap between on the fly, each with their own elemental proficiency, weapon, and abilities.

New Area Announcement: Of the Land Amidst Monoliths | Genshin Impact

Tunic

Tunic
84%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
Andrew Shouldice
Publisher
Finji
Release
March 16, 2022
You wouldn’t even need to squint very hard to confuse Tunic for a new isometric Zelda game. You play as a tiny fox in a green tunic, wielding a sword, shield, and other items in an open world filled with dungeons, puzzles, and bosses. Yes, it looks and plays as familiar as that description makes it seem. That alone wouldn’t be enough to land on this list, but Tunic pushes things further. Puzzles are especially more intricate here and require a lot of lateral and deductive thinking to solve. Combat is also tougher thanks to a stamina bar, but there are plenty of accessibility options to tune the experience how you like. Tunic has a great love for classic games, especially with its collectible game manual pages that will bring you back to the days of playing your first Zelda game before you could read.
TUNIC - Developer Commentary Gameplay Demo

The Binding of Isaac: Repentance

The Binding of Isaac: Repentance
92%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Nicalis, Inc., Nicalis, Inc., Edmund McMillen
Publisher
Nicalis, Inc., Nicalis, Inc.
Release
March 31, 2021
It can be hard to tell now, after so many years, expansions, items, characters, and more added to this game, but The Binding of Isaac was originally very much inspired by the Zelda series. This roguelike is basically just an endless series of randomly generated, top-down Zelda dungeons to play through over and over again. But, as mentioned, the game has grown to be so much more than that original idea. New characters change up how you play, though almost all focus on ranged attacks, at least to start, but it’s the items that really put this game over the top. There are literally hundreds of items in this game, from simple HP ups to ones that turn your normal tear attacks into lasers, scythes, coins, and more. The newest and (supposedly) final update, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance has all the content the developers have been adding for almost 10 years now. If the dungeon crawling, boss fighting, and item getting aspects of 2D Zelda games are what you love most, this game is that in its purest sense. As long as you are ready for a lot of unpredictability, which is what most people find so addicting about this game, you’re sure to be in for a great time. Skill will always determine whether you win or lose, but getting some crazy set of items that completely change how the game plays never gets old.
The Binding of Isaac: Repentance Launch Trailer
Jesse Lennox

Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things gaming but has a specific interest in all things PlayStation, JRPGs, and experimental indies. Jesse has been writing about games for over 10 years, starting off as a volunteer and eventually finding his way into doing it full-time. He is constantly striving to push his boundaries in what he covers and finds thought-provoking and important angles to highlight within the games industry.

Originally double-majoring in English and Education, Jesse came into games media as a profession by accident. After an unfortunate layoff, he took his passion for writing about games seriously and was lucky enough to find Digital Trends and other outlets such as Pocket-Lint, Classic Nerd, and Gamepur to write for. He has held numerous writing positions, as well as several editing roles, and is always on the hunt for new opportunities to grow his skillset.

Based in Colorado, Jesse spends at least two hours every morning training in the gym to set his mind straight before a full day of writing and gaming.

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The HP Victus 15, a budget-friendly gaming laptop, is even more affordable — $350 off
HP Victus 15 front view showing display and keyboard deck.

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Sunderfolk redefines how to play a strategy game by taking cues from Jackbox
Key art for Sunderfolk

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The black version of the HP Victus 15L gaming PC.

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