Best Dark Fantasy Open-World Games

Dark fantasy is becoming an increasingly popular sub-genre and is subsequently seeing more and more video games tackle the genre in an open-world setting. Open-worlds and dark fantasy titles are a perfect match because dark fantasy worlds are often so rich in lore that it just makes sense to create an open-world setting.

In fact, some of the best open-world titles released in recent years have dipped their toes into dark fantasy, and some are as dark fantasy as the genre can get. This is the perfect mix of gaming genres for fans looking to get lost in a fantasy world, somewhat grounded in realism but also enshrouded with a hauntingly dark atmosphere that will stick with players long after they finish the game.

Updated August 20, 2024, by Hamza Haq: With game dev becoming increasingly more accessible, the open-world genre is no longer the domain of only large AAA companies that can afford to allocate huge budgets to their projects. Indie and AA devs now have easy-to-use tools to create their vision in a vast open world without breaking the bank. As a bonus, this allows less popular sub-genres like Dark Fantasy to get a spot in the limelight.

11 Dragon's Dogma

Underrated Fantasy Gem

A niche title that has developed a dedicated cult following, and successfully spawned an upcoming sequel, Dragon's Dogma is a fantastic hybrid of Western and Japanese RPG games that fuse together perfectly in a dark fantasy setting. It's not perfect by any means, and it's often a little rough around the edges, but this is a great title to get sucked into.

Dragon's Dogma, despite flying under the radar when it was released, is still one of the most impressive open worlds out there, and it was genuinely ahead of its time back in 2012. This is a game that laid the foundations for some great open-world dark fantasy video games to come. Its legacy speaks volumes; here's hoping that the sequel will be even better!

10 Vampyr

Gothic Victorian London

Vampyr might have a slightly lower rating, but it's the atmosphere that really propels this game forward. Taking place in Victorian London, this is a game that places extreme attention on world-building and atmosphere, and it shows. Streets are covered in dense layers of fog, and there are sickly people and scurrying rats roaming haunted alleyways.

Related

8 Best Dark Fantasy Horror Games

Dark fantasy games often run parallel to horror, eschewing the magic and wonder of high fantasy for the dark and grotesque scenes in these titles.

Posts

By  Dylan Whitehall

Nothing screams dark fantasy like a strong gothic vampire plot, and that's just what gamers are getting when they launch Vampyr. What makes this game even better is that it's one of those fantastic examples of a great AA title that has started to become more popular in recent years. If players are looking to explore a rich, dark fantasy world, then Vampyr is one of the best places to start.

9 Lords of the Fallen (2023)

Soulslike With A Twist

One of the hardest things for a game to do in recent years is to stand out as something different from what came before without falling on its face. This is especially true for Soulslike games, as it has quickly become an oversaturated genre over the past few years. Lords of the Fallen manages to do just that by incorporating a unique overlapping worlds mechanic in a traditional Soulslike setting.

Players are thrust into a grim world on the brink of destruction and are tasked with saving it. When killed, the player character doesn’t die at once and is instead thrust into the Umbral Realm, a world of the dead and wraiths, giving them a second chance at life. Additionally, a lot of the overworld puzzles and traversal require transitioning between the two realms. The unique approach to world design makes Lords of the Fallen feel fresh, and the excellent combat is the cherry on top.

8 Arx Fatalis

Arkane's Oft-Forgotten RPG

Developed by the team that made Dishonered and Deathloop, Arx Fatalis is an often-forgotten RPG from Arkane Studios which includes one of the best dark fantasy settings in gaming. This is a more difficult title to get into, as it's an older-style of RPG, but it's incredibly rewarding and will create a fantastic experience if players are willing to give it a go.

The key takeaway from Arx Fatalis is immersion. There aren't many games that create a more immersive world and experience than this, and it truly is one of the deepest RPGs ever made. Players who have spent a fair few hours in Morrowind will have a blast with this title as there are a few overlaps and similarities, but let's just say that true RPG fans know that Arx Fatalis holds the crown!

7 Dragon Age: Inquisition

Modern Dark Fantasy World

It's hard to say which Dragon Age game is the best overall, and even trickier to say which one does dark fantasy best - because they are all superb! However, Dragon Age: Inquisition is the only true open-world game in the franchise, and it even won the prestigious Game of the Year award at the first ever The Game Awards show!

Related

7 Great Dark Fantasy RPGs

These Dark Fantasy RPGs have the makings of the best games out there.

Posts

By  Saad Tahir

It was a well-deserved win, as Dragon Age: Inquisition is one of the best dark fantasy games out there, and the last great game to come from BioWare before their momentary fall from grace. This game has all the classic fantasy premises, as well as several romance options, but it's also got this overall dark atmosphere to it, as well as a vague overlay of doom and gloom. It's an immersive and epic journey that will captivate all players.

6 Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor

Set in The Lord of the Rings Universe

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor achieved something that so many other games have failed to do - it's a fantastic The Lord of the Rings video game. Not only that but it's also seeped in dark fantasy and has a far more serious tone to it than many other attempts at bringing the world of Middle Earth to video games.

What makes Shadow of Mordor excellent is its innovative Nemesis system, which brings a new dynamic to the gameplay and really accentuates the open world. Every Uruk will remember the player, and if they manage to slay the player, they make a lot of snarky remarks upon the player's return. It's a great system that really enhances the connection and meaning of enemies and gameplay. It's just a shame it's only been utilized in two games so far.

5 Dark Souls

FromSoftware's Most Memorable Title

It's almost gotten to the point that every FromSoftware release will be a dark fantasy, difficult-yet-rewarding open-world RPG. The one that kicked off the mainstream appeal for the studio is often the one remembered most fondly - that being Dark Souls. Not only is this one of the best games ever made, but it's also one of the best dark fantasy and open-world titles.

Players have to pick apart the world through various notes and the occasional dialogue line to truly understand any sense of lore, but for those who dive into it, Dark Souls' world is genuinely interesting. It's pretty obvious that it's a fantasy setting, and incredibly dark and atmospheric, but there's a lot more to discover if fans so choose.

4 Gothic 2

Eurojank Cult Classic

A legendary semi open-world action RPG, Gothic 2’s status as a cult classic is unassailable. As a direct sequel to Gothic, Gothic 2 elevates what made the original game a success and builds on it, continuing the storyline of Gothic 1, introducing new enemy types, combat mechanics, and an expanded world map. The game offers plenty of build variety using stat distribution and trainers to strengthen the main character. Everything from Alchemy to Weapon Forging is on offer, provided players invest the time and effort.

Players can join different Factions, each offering unique, build-defining rewards as a result. Unlike games like Skyrim, where anyone can join anything and reputation doesn’t matter, Gothic 2 forces players to pick and choose, incentivizing replayability. While all these factors are certainly nice to have, it’s the world of Gothic 2 that really sets the game apart as something truly unique. It’s a fully fleshed-out, well-told story of a dark fantasy world that has a Eurojank flavor distinctly different than most modern offerings. Players looking to dive into Gothic 2 can opt for the classic version for an easier time or the Night of the Raven version for something a little more hardcore.

3 Elden Ring

An All-Time Great

Elden Ring is almost objectively one of the best games ever made and should be near the top of any such list. It's certainly the best souls-like game out there, but it's also got a captivating, and mightily impressive open-world steeped in layers of dark fantasy. On the surface, it looks like a more traditional, almost high-fantasy setting, but that's not the case.

Related

5 Best Dark Fantasy FPS Games

These first-person shooters stand out from the pack with their dark fantasy settings and characters.

Posts

By  Ritwik Mitra

This is another dark world, as all of FromSoftware's worlds seem to be. Some of the world-building was developed by George R.R. Martin in collaboration with Hidetaka Miyazaki, and fans should know by now that Martin's influence will inevitably result in a darker tone. There's a painstaking emphasis on the world's environment and backstory, and it all merges into a stunning work of dark fantasy art.

2 Bloodborne

Ultimate Dark Fantasy Soulsborne

For all of Elden Ring's success, it's actually Bloodborne that is probably FromSoftware's best dark fantasy open-world. This game is just atmosphere layered upon atmosphere, and while it may lean more into Lovecraftian cosmic horror, Bloodborne is still one of the finest dark fantasy open-world games ever made.

This is a gothic, Victorian-style world that takes place in the fictional setting of Yarnham. The player controls a Hunter who roams the desolate streets, mopping up waves of blood-lusting enemies in an attempt to put an end to the nightmare. The story is unraveled piece by piece through notes as the player discovers the world, and it's genuinely captivating to uncover these small snippets of information. Any fan who has played Bloodborne will instantly acknowledge its glorious dark fantasy appeal.