Fantasy themes in video games are one of the most common settings on the medium. The backdrop has appeared in almost every genre imaginable from RPGs to beat-em-ups. Whether games are taking inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien’sLord of the Ringsor Robert E. Howard’sConan the Barbarian,high fantasy and sword and sorcery will always have a place.
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Unfortunately, with such a large number of fantasy games getting released every year, there will be titles in the genre that get overlooked. In addition, some get forgotten in time with many fantasy classics not getting a sequel or even a remake for decades. Old or new, let’s take a look at ten forgotten fantasy games that still need to get played.
10Champions Of Norath
Released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2,Champions of Norathwas developed by Snowblind Studios, who also created theBaldur’s Gate: Dark Allianceseries on the PS2.Championsof Norathuses an enhanced version of the isometric hack-and-slash engine featured in theirDark Allianceseries.
Snowblind Studios also released a sequel in 2005 calledChampions: Return To Arms.Both games are set in theEverquestMMOfantasy universe. Visually, they are two of the best looking games on the PS2 and are great couch co-op games that managed to surpass theDark Allianceseries.
9Altered Beast
Released in 1988 for the arcade, Sega Master System, and the Sega Megadrive/Genesis. It was sold as a built-in game for the Sega Genesis in European and North American territories.Altered Beastis a side-scrolling beat-em-up with a Greek mythology setting inspired by Ray Harryhausen’sThe Clash of the Titansmovie.
Players would need to collect spirit balls throughout the course of the levels to gain size and strength. If three are collected then the player’s character can turn into a mythological beast like a werewolf, weretiger, dragon, and golden werewolf. The game can still be played on theSega Genesis Collectionsfor the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
8Dragon’s Dogma
Dragon’s Dogmawas first released in 2012 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was later remastered for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2017 and the Nintendo Switch in 2019. Despite all the remasters and good critical scoring,Dragon’s Dogmahas never quite reached the heights of Capcom’s other flagship series likeDevil May Cry.
Nevertheless,Dragon’s Dogmais one of the best action RPGs set in a high fantasy world available. It doesn’t have an amazing story but the atmospheric world of Gransys and the monster battles are some of the most imaginative seen in the genre. In addition,Dragon’s Dogmahas one of the most robust character creators available in an RPG.
7Golden Axe
TheGolden Axeseries is a side-scrolling high fantasy beat-em-up developed by Sega. It was originally released in arcades before finding a home on the Sega Master System and the Sega Megadrive/Genesis in 1989.
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Taking a lot of its visual inspiration from theConan the Barbarianmovies,Golden Axeallowed players to select male and female barbarians and a dwarf character. Later games in the series incorporated more complex mechanics and puzzles and the couch co-op multiplayer is still some of the best available. LikeAltered Beast, theGolden Axeseries is available in its entirety on theSega Genesis Collection.
6The King’s Quest Series
TheKings Questseries is a graphic adventure hybrid point and click games based on high fantasy and fairy tales. The series began in 1980 and there nine titles including the 2015 episodic reboot. All games in the series are consistently clever with entertaining, funny and heartfelt stories.
The complete series up to the eighth entry is available from retailers like Steam and the episodic reimagining, which takes place in between then events of its predecessors, is available on the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and the PC.
5Conan (2007)
TheConanvideo game released in 2007 on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 remains one of the most faithful adaptations of theConan the Barbariancharacter in gaming. Its gameplay is very similar to theGod of Warseries but it implements a very satisfying counter and parry combat system.
In addition, it features excellent voice work fromHellboy’sRon Perlman in the titular role andStargate SG1’s Claudia Black in the role of A’Kanna. Special mention should go toConan’s incredible soundtrack by composer Mike Reagan, which is epic in its own right.
4Blue Dragon
Released in 2006, exclusively for the Xbox 360,Blue Dragonwas the first JRPG developed byFinal Fantasycreator Hironobu Sakaguchi’s development studio Mistwalker. It is a traditional turn-based fantasy RPG with artwork from acclaimedDragon Questartist Akira Toriyama, and music from legendaryFinal Fantasycomposer Nobuo Uematsu.
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Blue Dragonplays like a combination of classicFinal Fantasytitles due to its job system andChrono Triggerand theDragon Questseries in terms of its presentation. The game also has the benefit of being backward compatible with the Xbox One and performs much better than it did on the 360 as a result.
3Lord Of The Rings: Battle For Middle Earth II
Released in 2006 for the PC and Xbox 360 in 2006,Lord Of The Rings: Battle For Middle EarthIIis a real-time strategy with similar mechanics to theCommand & Conquerorseries. It’s based on the fantasy novels and films of the same name and allows players to participate in both evil and good campaigns.
Lord Of The Rings: Battle For Middle Earth IIis also surprisingly accessible on Xbox 360 with easy to use menus and interface. Even though the multiplayer servers have long been shut down, it still features a worthwhile single-player experience.
2Legend Of Dragoon
Developed exclusively by Sony,Legend Of Dragoonwas released on the PlayStation in 1999 at the peak of theFinal Fantasypopularity on the system. It drew many comparisons toFinal Fantasy VIIin particular but still managed to carve out an identity of its own.
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Despite selling well at the time,Legend Of Dragoonnever received the sequel that fans have been hoping for and even talks of a remaster have run cold recently. It’s a shame becauseLoDis a fantastic high fantasy JRPG with its own unique combo-based battle system and beautiful pre-rendered backdrops.
1The Last Story
The Last Storywas released on the Nintendo Wii in 2012 for western territories. It is the final home console release from Hironobu Sakaguchi’s Mistwalker studio and is arguably the best.The Last Storyisan action RPG with unique environmental-based combat that implements western action game mechanics like a cover system.
The characters and world-building inThe Last Storyare also very well developed with dialogue and character interactions feeling natural and often funny throughout. If ever there was a game that deserved a remaster for the Nintendo Switch, itsThe Last Storyas it definitely deserves a second run on the better selling console.
