16 Best Witcher 3-Like Games to Explore: Old & New (2024)

Witcher 3 is a masterpiece. But even if you love it and have sunk hundreds of hours into the game, you can’t play it forever. More importantly, the next Witcher game won’t be released until at least 2025.

So, how do you scratch that itch in the meantime? Here are the 16 best games like The Witcher 3 you can play right now, with a good mix of newer and older titles, including recent releases.

Elder Scrolls: Skyrim

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: open-world, fantasy setting, exploration
• Initial release: 2011
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch

Skyrim is one of the closest games to Witcher 3 that you’ll ever find, taking the open world, “craft your own story” element even further. That’s especially true if you opt to mod the game, which has the biggest modding community out of any RPG.

Just like with Witcher 3, you can choose to focus on the main storyline or go off on your own little side adventure.

From Falkreath to Winterhold, from Solitude to Windhelm, there is much to see and enjoy. It is entirely up to you whether you want to burden yourself with Skyrim’s political struggles and dragon problem or do your own thing, especially with the help of mods.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

• Genre: Action RPG,  hack and slash
• Similarities: Western-style open-world action RPG, medieval setting
• Initial release: March 2024
• Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Switch

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the sleeper Japanese RPG hit that came out in 2012. Like its predecessor, the game takes place in a medieval world and has a complex, fun, and responsive combat system. There are also followers who help you on your quest.

Better yet, the game features a much larger open world than the original, patching up one of its key weaknesses. In that sense, DD2 has many similarities with Witcher 3. It’s especially a good option if you were a bit frustrated with Witcher 3’s combat.

Cyberpunk 2077

• Genre: open-world action RPG
• Similarities: open-world, strong storytelling and dialogue, side quests
• Initial release: 2020, Phantom Libery expansion 2023
• Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Stadia

If you don’t mind changing the medieval setting and third-person view to a sci-fi shooter, Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the best alternatives to Witcher 3.

Made by the same studio, the game shares many elements, including an open world, great writing, numerous side missions, meaningful decisions, and more.

Although Cyberpunk had a rocky start when it was first released at the end of 2020, the devs did a tremendous job fixing the many bugs and issues. After the major 2023 patches and the release of the “Phantom Liberty” expansion, Cyberpunk 2077 is an amazing game that matches up to Witcher 3 in many ways.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• Genre: Action-adventure
• Similarities: a rich open world and a plethora of well-thought-out, beautifully voiced characters
• Initial release: 2018
• Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC (2019)

The setting might be a little different, but in spirit, RDR2 is very much a Witcher 3-like game. It’s about being immersed in a believable, realistic world that takes your gaming experience to the next level.

The Wild West in its dying days is also comparable to the beleaguered Northern Realms, with bandits roaming the roads and the organized powers on their way to put everything under one boot, trying to drive the old world out. 

The open world of RDR2 is perhaps even better than that of Witcher 3, with so many different things to do.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: it’s literally the prequel to The Witcher 3! 
• Initial release: 2011
• Platforms: PC, Xbox

How do you look for a Witcher 3-like game without mentioning The Witcher 2? This game brought the franchise and Geralt into the spotlight after its clanky beginnings in the original Witcher game. And if you’re a fan of Letho, Witcher 2 is an absolute must-play.

Witcher 3 might be leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor, but this is the DNA from which it evolved. Witcher 2 may have subpar gameplay, but the game makes up for that with an excellent story that branches halfway into two, pulling you in for an obligatory second playthrough. 

Assassin’s Creed (Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla)

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: Open-world game with standard RPG elements
• Initial release: 2017
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Stadia

Assassin’s Creed has gone through many iterations over the years, but the recent trilogy encompassing Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla has certainly found inspiration in the works of CD Projekt Red. Valhalla is probably your best option since it’s close to Witcher 3 in setting and feel, but all three games are similar.

The games are different from your Assasin’s Creeds of yore. There is an open world and a lot to do, bringing many hundreds of hours of gaming if you want to do everything out there. 

If you’re looking for a fun, expansive, open-world series with beautiful graphics based on myths and legends like Witcher 3, you’ll enjoy yourself.

Elden Ring & Dark Souls Trilogy

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: Open world (Elden Ring), diverse combat and build systems, strong worldbuilding
• Initial release: Dark Souls (2011), Dark Souls II (2014), Dark Souls III (2016), Elden Ring (2022)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch

Elden Ring and the Dark Souls series are considered some of the greatest RPG games ever. They’re particularly known for their engaging, responsive combat, which was reportedly an inspiration for the combat of Witcher 3.

Better yet, Elden Ring (which, if anything, is a spiritual successor to the Souls series) is open-world, making it a closer alternative to Witcher 3 than the three Dark Souls games before it.

You won’t be disappointed if you’re after a difficult game with deep combat and an immersive, unique world. 

And let’s not forget the amazing minimalist storytelling of the Souls games. While it’s not the structured approach of Witcher 3, it certainly offers the same impressive level of worldbuilding and immersion. 

The amount of weapons and armor (and various combinations) you can use in Souls games is vast, offering many options that dwarf what Witcher 3 offers. Souls players also love to combine various clothing items for fashion purposes, so-called Fashion Souls, which we emulated with our Fabulous Ofieri build.

Fallout: New Vegas 

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: Open world to explore, great story and side quests
• Initial release: 2010
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Fallout: New Vegas is considered by many to be the best Fallout game, brought to you by the members of the original Fallout team. New Vegas has excellent storytelling; each side quest is worth exploring, filled with colorful post-apocalyptic characters and rich lore.

Oh, and your decisions do have consequences, which is something that the fans of the Witcher games will appreciate. It’s like a dystopian future version of Witcher 3 that’s arguably even better in some aspects.

Of course, you can also play modded Fallout 4, which can be a solid alternative.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

• Genre: Action-adventure
• Similarities: open-world, 3rd person fantasy game with a tough-as-nails protagonist
• Initial release: 2014
• Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox

Shadow of Mordor is a great Witcher 3-like game if you enjoy slaying monsters. Set in the Lord of the Rings universe between the events of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, the game follows the exploits of Talion, a Gondorian ranger whose body merges with the wraith of the elf Celebrimbor.

The game is perhaps best known for its unique Nemesis system, where the enemies who killed or survived an encounter with you go up in the orc hierarchy, becoming even more powerful when you meet them next time.

A stoic, brooding main character, a fun combat system, and an open world with many things to do in probably the best-known fantasy universe should make this a go-to for anyone looking for Witcher 3 alternatives.

Dragon Age Trilogy

• Genre: RPG
• Similarities: open-world third-person fantasy RPG, strong storytelling
• Initial release: Dragon Age: Origins (2009), Dragon Age II (2011), Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014)
• Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox

The Dragon Age series is a great follow-up to Witcher 3 if you enjoy meaningful dialogue choices, medieval settings, complex narratives, and a diverse cast of characters.

Sure, the gameplay is somewhat different since you’re controlling a party and can pause the game to issue commands. On top of that, the first two games aren’t really open-world. 

However, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in a fantasy setting with a strong story similar to Witcher 3, you can’t go wrong with Dragon Age.

We recommend going with Dragon Age: Origins if you’re more into the story side of things and Dragon Age: Inquisition if you care more about graphics and open-world gameplay.

Mass Effect Trilogy

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: A host of great characters, tough decisions with consequences, gravity and humor
• Initial release: Mass Effect (2007), Mass Effect 2 (2010), Mass Effect 3 (2012) Legendary Edition Trilogy Remaster (2021)
• Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox

In its heyday, Mass Effect was a universally loved series. The galaxy-spanning sci-fi shenanigans of a crew that becomes fast friends (and romantic interests, should you wish) are done in a glorious space-opera fashion, which never veers off into silly territory.

This series is a great Witcher 3 alternative as it also has excellent storytelling, worldbuilding, and characters. The big difference is that it’s set in the future and allows you to control a party of characters, similar to Dragon Age.

The best part is that the Mass Effect trilogy came out as a remaster for modern platforms in May 2021.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: Classic dark fantasy with deep melee combat system
• Initial release: 2012 (Reckoning), 2020 (remaster)
• Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Switch

This is another classic fantasy RPG that many players have never heard of, so it’s somewhat of a hidden gem.

Kingdoms of Amalur has a fun, fluid combat system, solid writing and worldbuilding, and beautiful environments. The best part is that the game was recently remastered as “Kingdoms of Amalur Re-Reckoning.”

While the game feels a bit like a single-player MMO (especially with most quests being a bit too boring), it still shines enough to give it a try.

Fable Anniversary

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: Quests, choice system, immersive world
• Initial release: 2004, 2014 (Anniversary edition)
• Platforms: PC, Xbox, Mac

Fable is one of the most celebrated RPG games of all time, perhaps best known for its morality system that allows you to become as good or evil as you’d like. The game got a new lease on life with the release of Fable Anniversary in 2014, which updated the original game’s graphics and audio.

If you like the quest and choice system of Witcher 3, Fable will be right up your alley. While it might not be as deep and complex as Witcher 3, Fable has all the elements of a great RPG, including a neat aging system and immersive gameplay.

You can customize how you play your character with many options for melee, ranged, or spell combat.

GreedFall

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: RPG, good story & dialogue
• Initial release:  2019
• Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox

GreedFall is an indie action RPG from the French dev team Spiders. Its story explores the themes of colonialism in a 17th-century world where magic and technology go hand in hand and the “natives” are not powerless yet still overrun by the colonists.

The game is not quite as expansive and polished as a triple-A title like Witcher 3, but it does scratch a similar RPG itch. In particular, Greedfall has been praised for its strong storytelling and dialogue.

Horizon Zero Dawn & Forbidden West

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: Huge open world, filled with monsters and interesting characters, great protagonist
• Initial release: 2017 (PS4), 2020 (PC), 2022 (PS4&5)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation

The fan-favorite red-haired protagonist, Aloy, hunts monsters just like Geralt, although they are of a different breed: robotic dinosaurs of the post-apocalypse. 

When it came out, Horizon Zero Dawn was a breath of fresh air in the somewhat stale open-world market, with an original setting and lore, and it still holds up today.

HZD can provide many hours of pure, unadulterated fun for lovers of action RPGs, and it should be enough to quench your thirst for games like The Witcher 3 for some time to come.

There’s also a sequel released in 2022 called Horizon Forbidden West, which is only available on PlayStation.

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

• Genre: Action RPG
• Similarities: Medieval fantasy setting, great combat, talent system
• Initial release: 2006 (PC)
• Platforms: Xbox360, PC

If you don’t mind older graphics, this is another sleeper RPG hit. And that’s a shame because Dark Messiah has one of the best combat systems we’ve seen in any RPG game.

This first-person game is set in the Might and Magic universe, which was made famous by turn-based strategy games. You can block attacks and kick enemies cliffs, into fires, into wells, and find other creative ways to complete objectives. Kicking orcs never felt so satisfying.

And there’s a neat talent system to allow you to customize your character as a warrior, mage, or rogue, as well as puzzles and other fun things. The weak part of the game is the story and the outdated graphics, but if you’re looking for a solid RPG with great combat, Dark Messiah will scratch that itch.