The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the greatest games ever made. That should not be a controversial statement. Developed by CD Projekt Red and released in 2015, The Witcher 3 garnered near-universal praise for its ambitious storytelling and immersive setting. The game's success propelled the somewhat niche franchise into the mainstream.
In this long and sprawling adventure, The Witcher 3 concludes Geralt's journey satisfyingly... And that's not even getting into the awesome combat, graphics, characters, lore, and everything else along the same lines. There aren't many games that feel as fresh as CD Projekt Red's masterpiece, but for any person who wishes to enjoy a similar experience, here are some of the best games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
27 Secret Side Quests Everyone Missed In The Witcher 3
There's a lot for players to do in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, making it necessary to learn all about the hidden side quests not everyone knows about.
Updated on March 14, 2025 by Mark Sammut: The Witcher 3 is primarily hailed for its writing and storytelling, but sometimes nothing is more satisfying than taking down a few massive creatures. Consequently, a Capcom franchise has been added as a recommendation, one that can scratch that Witcher itch despite being, ultimately, a very different experience.
Monster Hunter Wilds (Or World/Rise/Tri/Etc)
All About The Hunt
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Great, Deliberate Combat
- Plan For The Hunt
- Almost No Story To Speak Of
OK, this recommendation is a bit of an odd one since, in many ways, Capcom's franchise is the antithesis of The Witcher. While CD Projekt Red's trilogy shines in its storytelling, world-building, single-player content, and character writing, Monster Hunter is all about combat, co-op, and engaging in a seemingly endless loop for better loot. Their core appeals could not be any more different, and if somebody is specifically craving an engaging and lengthy narrative, they 100% need to look elsewhere as they will not be satisfied by Monster Hunter's tutorial-esque stories.
That said, Hunters and Witchers are pretty similar, with both "professions" specializing in tracking down and killing monsters. The Witcher 3 combines these operations with a story, while Monster Hunter generally removes that element in favor of emphasizing the hunt itself. Even if the execution is different, they follow similar structures, with both games encouraging players to carefully prepare themselves before jumping into an encounter. Especially on higher difficulties, Geralt (and players) should be preparing potions to reduce the threat presented by monsters. Monster Hunter plays out similarly to The Witcher, with players picking the ideal weapon, armor, and other items to counter a monster's strength and target their weaknesses.
Monster Hunter Wilds has been highlighted due to recency bias, as the 2025 release is the latest entry in the franchise. While shaking up the formula in a few ways, this entry is still a traditional MH experience, one that offers a lot of content, multiplayer support, and a learning curve for newcomers. As fun as this project is, its predecessors are still great, with Monster Hunter World and Rise being valid options. Even older entries like Monster Hunter Generations: Ultimate are worth consideration, particularly for players craving a higher difficulty.
Path of Exile 2
Best In Class Isometric Action RPG
Path of Exile II
- Released
- December 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Grinding Gear Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Early Access Release
- December 6, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash, MMORPG
- Dark Fantasy Setting
- Great Combat (But Very Different From Witcher)
- Decent Story For The Genre
- Early Access (Just Worth Mentioning)
Path of Exile is arguably the best free action RPG of all tim e. Grinding Gear somehow managed to create one of the most complete experiences in the genre without resorting to pay-to-win mechanics, and the original 2013 release is still an easy recommendation for anybody craving an alternative to Diablo. The Witcher fans should check it out as well, as long as they understand they are getting into a very different type of RPG. Honestly, the same can largely be said for the sequel, which debuted in early access on December 6, 2024.
Path of Exile 2 will be free-to-play once it makes its full debut. However, the early access version is not free.
For the most part, Path of Exile 2 builds on the core ideas of its predecessor, offering a challenging campaign fueled by loot, character customization, co-op, and the road to the endgame. The full release will have six chapters and twelve classes, although only roughly half of those are currently in the early access version. While by no means bad, the story is fairly straightforward, telling a standard good vs evil tale that is relatively typical for isometric RPGs set in dark fantasy worlds. To be fair, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's main storyline is pretty similar, at least if the nuance is removed.
Path of Exile 2 excels in its world-building, dropping players in a fully-realized realm that is a blast to explore. The customization features are also top-notch, with players having access to what feels like endless options through gems and equipment.
Dragon's Dogma 2
For Players Seeking A Change Of Pace That Prioritizes Combat
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Great & Versatile Builds
- Dark Fantasy Open-World
- Pawn System
- Emergent Combat Scenarios
- Story Is Not That Interesting
One of the highlights of 2024, Capcom's Dragon's Dogma 2 builds nicely on its 2012 predecessor, delivering a more fine-tuned overall experience that still adheres to the original game's blueprint. For better or worse, this sequel is more Dragon's Dogma, albeit with most areas being slightly improved. While that should not discourage people from giving it a go, they should be aware that this action RPG is very much its own thing and does not take all that much influence from popular open-world games that launched after 2012. Dragon's Dogma 2 is not trying to be The Witcher 3, but it has enough similarities to warrant a recommendation for fans of CD Projekt Red's masterpiece.
As the Arisen, players travel through a fairly large dark fantasy kingdom in search of a dragon, and their journey will be defined by unexpected danger and combat. The latter is by far Dragon's Dogma 2's strongest feature, with Capcom developing a robust battle system that supports an impressive range of weapon types and vocations (classes). Unlike The Witcher 3, the 2024 release lets players create their own characters along with Pawns, who are essentially companions. Most of the campaign revolves around taking on traveling quests, with players having to protect themselves and usually NPCs from roaming threats. Dragon's Dogma 2 crafts a tangible sense that death could be around any corner, and battles are emergent and feel almost random.
Elden Ring
Dark Fantasy Open-World Soulslike
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Expansive World That Is Fully Open
- Epic & Challenging Boss Fights
- Rich Lore
- Soulslike Combat
- While The Lore Is Great, The Core Story Is Not The Focus
Elden Ring took the gaming world by storm in a way that the popular but still niche Dark Souls games never quite managed. Set in a vast world that demands to be explored, Elden Ring mostly leaves players to their own devices as they traverse the unknown in search of the Great Runes. Unsurprisingly, this journey proves to be extremely difficult.
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Elden Ring: 11 NPCs You Should Not Kill
The Tarnished should stay his blade when it comes to these Elden Ring NPCs, who are definitely not worth killing.
Honestly, Elden Ring's combat, lore presentation, and pacing are not that similar to The Witcher 3 – FromSoftware's game is very much its own beast. That said, when it comes to action open-world RPGs, both releases were game-changers and deliver experiences that are hard to top. Rather than a direct alternative to The Witcher 3, Elden Ring works well as a companion piece that excels in the inverse areas as CD Projekt Red's game. Elden Ring's flexible class system, challenging combat, and loot are among the best in the action RPG genre. While executed very differently than in The Witcher 3, FromSoftware's title still features fantastic world-building and writing, with the latter largely being limited to environmental storytelling and lore drops.
Shadow of the Erdtree expands beautifully on the base game, and it is long enough to keep somebody engaged for dozens of hours.
Planescape: Torment
Fantastic Writing & A Fully-Realized World
Planescape: Torment
- Released
- December 12, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- Strong Writing
- Player Choice
- Fully-Realized Setting
- Combat Is Not Great
Describing Planescape: Torment as an "action RPG" is generous since its combat is static and one-note. That said, the bland battles are worth putting up with to experience everything else this classic has to offer. While The Witcher 3 is generally treated as the standard-bearer for quality writing in RPGs, Planescape: Torment held that title for a very long time.
More importantly, the game's story, world-building, and dialogue have aged quite well. Permitting someone goes in with realistic expectations, Planescape: Torment is still a must-play RPG and one of the best extensions of the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
A Grand Historical Epic
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
- Released
- October 15, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
- Gorgeous Historical World With Mythological Touches
- Heavy RPG Elements
- Uneven Pacing Aside, The Story Is Quite Good
- Can Overstay Its Welcome
- Ubisoft Formula
Any of the last few Assassin's Creed games are safe picks for those seeking epic adventures; however, Odyssey gets the nod when it comes to games like The Witcher 3 since it marked the point when Ubisoft's series fully embraced role-playing elements. Dialogue options and branching paths are integrated into the storyline, providing players more agency than in previous Assassin's Creed titles.
The open-world is enormous and blends history with fiction, creating a landscape littered with jaw-dropping vistas and neat details. Although not quite reaching The Witcher 3 level, Odyssey's story is solid enough, as are the combat and progression systems. Despite its British Isle setting being closer to The Witcher 3, Valhalla is far more bloated and polarizing than its predecessor, along with having arguably weaker combat.
Kingdoms Of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Vibrant World, Fun Combat
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
- Released
- September 8, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Vibrant & Colorful World, Providing A Nice Change Of Pace
- Although Dated, The Hack And Slash Combat Is Fun
- Story Is Really Weak
Kingdoms of Amalur excels in different areas than The Witcher 3. Its story is a bit uninspired and doesn't become anything more than just serviceable; conversely, the game's combat is smooth, fast-paced, flexible, and creative. The protagonist lacks Geralt's personality; however, Kingdoms of Amalur's customization options provide players with plenty of room to create their own heroes.
The Witcher 3 and Kingdoms of Amalur both take place in rich fantasy settings that are visually captivating, although the latter's world is far more colorful than the former. For those seeking an action-heavy RPG, this game is the way to go.
This should not be much of an issue due to the 2012 version's scarcity, but new players should pick up 2020's Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning.
GreedFall
Slow Start Leads To An Effective Open-World Game
GreedFall
- Released
- September 10, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Spiders
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Rough But Generally Enjoyable Combat
- Island Setting Is Fantastic
- Pretty Good Story
- Takes A Second To Hit Its Stride
Placing the player in the boots of a noble emissary exploring a mostly undeveloped island, GreedFall offers a large and dynamic map to uncover. The third-person view that mixes a nice range of melee weapons and firearms gives this ARPG a unique feel that will resonate well with fans of The Witcher games.
There are a ton of cool, original monsters to meet and slay, though the vibrant natural world offers more than just combat. Players can romance various companions along the way, build diplomatic relations with powerful politicians, and bring peace to the divided factions crowding the island.
Cyberpunk 2077
Venturing Into CD Projekt Red's Night City
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- CD Projekt Red's Writing Is Still Top Notch
- Night City
- More Customization Options
- Gameplay Is Not Similar To The Witcher 3 (Not Automatically A Negative)
CD Projekt Red's follow-up to The Witcher 3 had big shoes to fill; unfortunately, Cyberpunk 2077's launch was anything but smooth, with the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game being riddled with bugs. On PC and next-gen consoles, the action RPG is a far more enjoyable experience, allowing for the game's strengths to shine through more clearly. The 2.0 update made things considerably better, as did the Phantom Liberty expansion.
Cyberpunk 2077: The Strongest People In Night City According To Lore
Night City is an extremely volatile and dangerous place. It's no surprise that it's also home to some of the strongest individuals on the planet.
Cyberpunk 2077's greatest achievement is Night City, a bustling metropolis filled with skyscrapers stamped with the sigils of corporations that tower over gang-torn streets. Although it trades a third-person perspective for FPS gameplay, Cyberpunk 2077's engrossing storytelling, convincing NPCs, and dense world are deeply reminiscent of The Witcher 3.
Deus Ex
Set The Standard For Immersive Sims
Deus Ex
- Released
- June 23, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ion Storm
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS, Stealth
- Definitive Immersive Sim
- Fully-Realized Cyberpunk Setting
- Dense Mechanics
- Plays Nothing Like The Witcher In Any Area
Similar to how The Witcher 3 set a new standard for writing in RPGs, particularly for side quests, 2000's Deus Ex raised the bar when it comes to player freedom. Blending first-person shooter gameplay with RPG concepts like customization and non-linear levels, Ion Storm's masterpiece was well ahead of its contemporaries in many areas. Even all these years later, few games come close to matching Deus Ex's stellar level design and immersion, and that includes its highly-regarded sequels.
Deus Ex is a very different experience than The Witcher 3, but they both represent the RPG genre at its best. Although dated in some ways, Ion Storm's classic holds up very well overall; in fact, Deus Ex can be described as timeless.