Summary
- Airoheart offers an isometric perspective like Zelda, aiding in puzzle solutions and accessibility.
- Immortals Fenyx Rising changes perspectives and characters, keeping gameplay similar to Zelda.
- Binding of Isaac features Zelda-like gameplay with randomized dungeons, treasure, and challenging enemies.
The Legend of Zelda was one of the most influential games since its NA release in August 1987. It was the earliest version of an open world for players to explore with its isometric perspective. What’s great about the point of view is seeing everything within a range, making the experience not as overwhelming and time-consuming as standard 3D open-world games.
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This special point of view is great for viewing the surrounding environment without much need to turn the camera. Trying to solve a puzzle or figure out a boss’ weakness feels less frustrating since the viewpoint helps to spot the solution more easily than third-person over-the-shoulder perspectives. It’s more appealing and welcoming to a broader audience by giving clearer shots of the given worlds, especially for immersive dungeons.
11 Airoheart
Magical Legend
- Publisher: Soedesco
- Developer: Pixel Heart Studio
- Release Date: September 30, 2022
Airoheart begins similarly to traditional Legend of Zelda games by telling a legendary folklore. An ancient sorcerer caused mayhem within the lands of Engard until he was sealed into the Draoidh Stone. The world knew peace until word spread about a certain source planning to revive him for his corrupted powers.
How Airoheart progresses is very reminiscent of other Legend of Zelda games, like becoming the chosen hero of some distant voice or venturing through dark dungeons. He even uses arrows and bombs to help uncover secrets or take care of long-distance foes. Since the land is run by magic, the protagonist can also use runes to give him an edge in both battle and exploration, like using electricity or turning into a feather.
10 Immortals Fenyx Rising: The Lost Gods
The New Mortal Champion
Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Released
- December 3, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia, Xbox One, PC, Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Immortals Fenyx Rising: The Lost Gods forces the original protagonist into a spectator's seat. Since divine interference is banned, Fenyx persuades an influenced mortal to travel to Poseidon's island as their new champion to find the lost gods.
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The original game not only changes its main character and perspective, but also the location known as Daidalos. The gameplay is kept familiar from the base game with its familiar weapons, making it play similarly to The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. Ash can explore the expansive world to meet new gods, find new secrets, accept several quests, and complete activities like the puzzle-filled vaults.
9 The Binding of Isaac
Gruesome Quest From Below
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
- Released
- November 4, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nicalis, Edmund McMillen
- Publisher(s)
- Nicalis
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, New Nintendo 3DS, PC, Linux, macOS, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Binding of Isaac forces the very young protagonist to explore the depths of his mother's basement to escape from her religious clutches. Isaac has to search through the dark depths for any tools to protect himself against the horrible abominations, including his own mother.
Bombs and keys are essential items to progress and collect loot, just like every Legend of Zelda game. Many treasures aren't easy to find when dealing with hidden breakable walls, trapped doorframes, or locked doors. The randomized dungeon layouts make exploration more challenging, especially when dealing with rooms filled with enemies. Not every treasure is good since they hold different consequences, forcing Isaac to adapt to his findings, like a partner or flight ability. He also has to adapt to whatever danger awaits in the dark basement, which forces him to relive his traumatic memories.
8 Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos
Cooperative Class Adventure
Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos
- Released
- February 23, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Publisher(s)
- Team17
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Indie Games, Action, Adventure, Fighting
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos takes place within the island of Tasos, where the Goddesses fought against the overpowered Titans. The divine beings sacrificed themselves to seal the Titans within the Four Dungeons, though their corruption grew strong enough to infect the Lenos lands once more.
This main quest calls for any brave adventurer to accept rather than one specific hero, such as the jack of all trades hero, agile thief, explosive bomber, magical witch, and many more. Just like in
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures allows up to four adventurers can use their unique skills to change their approach in the dungeons, like the Knight's powerful jump to traverse over walls. Their objective involves clearing the Titans’ armies in the dungeons, though their procedurally generated layout will force the heroes to adapt to the new puzzles, enemies, traps, and whatever challenging danger awaits.
7 Blossom Tales 2: The Minotaur Prince
Classic Bed Story
Blossom Tales II: The Minotaur Prince
- Released
- August 16, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Windows, Linux
Grandpa narrates Blossom Tales 2: The Minotaur Prince to entertain his grandchildren for the night. His fictional tale revolves around the Minotaur King's revival, leaving the responsibility for Lily to fix within the story. She's forced to find the tools to strengthen her utility by scurrying through dungeons filled with puzzles, secrets, and the King Minotaur's evil minions.
The game is played like a traditional Legend of Zelda with dungeon crawling and quests, though how the journey develops isn't set in stone. Some events can change based on the children’s decisions, like changing the approaching monsters to cute honey badgers. The storytelling provides more humorous interactions as Lily ventures to save her younger brother.
6 Darksiders Genesis
Through War and Strife
Darksiders Genesis
- Released
- December 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Darksiders Genesis occurs during the earlier development of the four horsemen when they gain power for their loyalty. They follow under the Charred Council’s orders to wipe out any threat to the universe’s Balance, including those from Heaven or the Abyss. This game is also unique in showing how the horsemen interact together during their missions, like Strife and War.
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Both horseman can use their granted powers to defend themselves against any foe, using their unique traits like War's shuriken and Strife's void bomb. Their gear and abilities also help them progress through dungeons and solve puzzles like the traditional Legend of Zelda games.
5 Moonlighter
Merchant’s Responsibilities
Moonlighter
- Released
- May 29, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Digital Sun
- Publisher(s)
- 11 Bit Studios
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Moonlighter is one of the few stores doing business in the welcoming town of Rynoka. The game showcases the amount of work required from a merchant to satisfy a town’s needs, especially for the heroes. The protagonist searches the dungeons to gain loot for his business and special keys to open the ominous door containing a huge secret.
Will becomes a shop owner by day while marching as an unsung warrior by night. Just like Link in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Will uses more weapons than just a sword and shield, letting him change his approach during dungeon crawling. Each dungeon holds different materials for Will to create equipment and items to dive into tougher levels or return home to sell. What's great about the top-down view is seeing any secret hiding within the depths of each room.
4 Death's Door
Mortal Reaper
Death's Door
- Released
- July 20, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Acid Nerve
- Publisher(s)
- Devolver Digital
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Death's Door is an ancient entrance to Death. This opportunity intrigues the reaper enough to obtain the required keys to open the door, the grand souls. This quest is clearly not easy since they're protected by owners who won't give in without a fight.
The reaper depends greatly on his swordsmanship and some magic casting to survive the hellish mortal realm. Just like traditional Legend of Zelda games, he scurries through the dungeons to find keys and eliminate any obstacles in his way. Reaping souls from his enemies will allow him to upgrade his skills to complete tougher dungeons more easily, like his melee range and agility. Not only will he face enemies, but also some possible allies and townspeople to interact with for info relating to his targets.
3 Tunic
Adorable Challenge
Tunic
- Released
- March 16, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Andrew Shouldice
- Publisher(s)
- Finji
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Tunic is all that’s given to the small Fox trapped in his slumber, having a similar scenario to The Legend of Zelda: A Link's Awakening. After his awakening, the land is open for the small hero to explore. He has no memory of his past while understanding very little of the world’s language. More about his true purpose is revealed once he makes new discoveries in the encrypted mysterious lands.
The fox isn’t helpless once he gains equipment to defend himself, showing more resemblance to the heroic Link. He plays very simply with his standard sword-wielding and magic casting, though the enemies and puzzles bring their complexity to test the fox’s adaptability. Death won’t be enough to stop the fox’s main quest to acquire the keys hidden in the dangerous dungeons.
2 Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas
Magical Sail To Fate
Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas
- Released
- November 14, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas was one of the rumored beasts that plagued the seas. The protagonist’s fate was sealed after losing his father in a dreaded stormy match. With mementos left by his parents, the child is equipped to sail the seas to prepare himself for his ultimate destiny.
The game takes great inspiration from Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker with overseas travel and distinct islands. Each location has hidden secrets and challenges for the upcoming hero to strengthen his skills, like pieces of hearts and experience points. He’ll not only use items like bombs and arrows, but also magic casting to progress through different puzzling dungeons to face treacherous beasts for the rumored Emblems.